How to BLUR backgrounds in Photoshop

Learn how to blur the background in a photograph using Adobe Photoshop. This tutorial shows how to create selections, and masks, use content-aware fill, and add a blur effect to a family portrait image.
📖 CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Duplicate the layer
00:40 Select and mask the subject
01:02 Fill the background layer
02:46 Blur the background
04:20 Remove blur from the bottom
05:14 Make some masking adjustments
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CREDITS:
➡︎ Tutorial by Nicole S. Young
➡︎ Image: Adobe Stock #231058316 - adobe.ly/3AYfNrE
➡︎ Music by Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/track/X...

[@Tloopfan]

Thanks Nicole for this step by step tutorial. Way better than trying to use the blur tool (arrgghh)!!!

[@RELATE-TABLES]

Thanks so much for this.🙏🏻
It was so simple and easy to follow.

[@marcstaples9930]

Great tutorials with easy and clear explanations. It. makes it much easier to follow when you show the short keys and the directions how to perform to the actual changes with a short explanation of what it does - makes using PS much easier. Thanks for sharing.

[@seodigitaltotal1]

thank you so much the best tutorial so far on how to blur, may GOD be with you always!

[@bbdenham]

Thanks Nicole! This method is so much easier than a number of other videos I have come across which require many more steps. Excellent tutorial.

[@is9828]

Best and easiest tutorial I have found on this subject using the latest Ps update.

[@nicolesy]

Thanks so much, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@Wizo_0]

Wow! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Great video.

[@YasminMandol]

Easy and helpful. Thanks, Nicole!

[@BiratsUncutVlogs]

Thank you so much .I was really amazed to see the result and was searching for the vodeo .This is the one I loved your work .

[@LisaRSArt]

Very good tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@MrRaceluver]

Thanks! Very Clear

[@DeborahPapineau-ye3gv]

Thank you, thank you, thank you,............tried it and it works beautifully. Simply brilliant!!!!!

[@nicolesy]

Wonderful! And you're welcome! 😊

[@nancyneupert1985]

Wonderful video! Thank you much-

[@5RustyBin]

thank you Nicole

[@markbickerstaffe1899]

Great job!!

[@newworld4104]

Wow very nicely explained

[@VermaInfotainment]

Great tutorial..I liked as you tell the reason also..why we are doing this.

[@thomasriggs2914]

Brilliant Nicole with such a simple technique! Using the gradient tool is really easy and flexible. If the subject was further back so that the foreground required some blur also then the "Tilt-Shift" tool might be needed. In most of my images the subject is closer to the camera so your technique should be easier and just as effective. Great tip - Thanks!

[@nicolesy]

The "Reflected Gradient" option for masking might work well in that situation :)

[@afkeyes]

Is there a way to edit the subject selection? There are a few spots that aren’t quite right and then the area goes really wonky when I do the content-aware fill. I don’t get the brush tool fix… all it seems to do is darken the wonky areas. Maybe my brush settings aren’t right.

[@JoeHudspeth]

Perfect tutorial. I like to seperate and blur for wildlike and this looks as though it will work wonderfully. Need to watch a few more times, unless you have a written tutorial? Kudos Nicole!

[@nicolesy]

Here's a link to the written version of this tutorial for you: nicolesy.com/2022/12/18/photoshop-blur-background/

[@joelbashore5658]

NOT a 'perfect' tutorial 😣

[@ednsb]

great tutorial Nicole... and i have been meaning to say for sometime that you look a lot happier these days!

[@nicolesy]

I'm glad you enjoyed the tutorial! And yes, I am! It's nice to see that it is noticeable in my videos. I've always been a happy person, but sometimes life can push us slightly in one direction or the other. :)

[@MuhammadAmeerHamzaKhan]

thanks madam i m from karachi pakistan

[@bioclot62]

It wont let me fill the background.. I am utterly confused lol

[@g.tmusichub5781]

ane huththiye mage pc ekee uba o ya kiyan akea nh

[@badshagaming9705]

Why are you stoping video uploading

[@nicolesy]

I took a break but plan up starting uploads again soon!

[@user-yk8hx5tp4v]

useless in CC2015. You say it works in old versions.... bull. I have no SELECT/SUBJECT. You need to say just what versions support what you say. this is so typical of nearly every photoshop you tube tutorial.

[@nicolesy]

The overall technique works (blurring), but you’ll need to make the selection manually. You’re using a 9-year old version of Photoshop, so while almost all effects are possible to achieve in older versions, it won’t be as easy to do some of the things an upgraded version will do. Especially the upgrades to selections and masks,

[@joelbashore5658]

Dammit be clear! When you say "If you want\ you can convert to a Smart Object" DID YOU convert it to a Smart Object?! Trying to follow along and it's confusing!!

[@nicolesy]

It’s not required to achieve the effect, and yes, I usually do. Smart Objects allow you to re-edit the filter after applying it, but they create a larger file size.

[@joelbashore5658]

Terrible instructions regarding the Brush tool to clear up the Mask. Followed your instructions but it doesn't work. Like everyone else on TH-cam you assume working understanding of Photoshop principles and controls and it is incredibly FRUSTRATING!

[@nicolesy]

What is happening when you use the brush? The only thing I didn't actually show was the 50% Opacity setting, which can be set from the top bar (all tools have their options at the top).