How To Blur Backgrounds in Photoshop [FAST & EASY!]

In this complete step-by-step tutorial, you will learn how to blur backgrounds in Photoshop!
You will learn about selections, Layer Masks, Smart Objects, and the Tilt-Shift Blur to blur your photo's background.
This Photoshop tutorial will cover everything that you need to know about creating the shallow depth of field effect (out of focus background) WITHOUT an expensive lens.
I hope this tutorial helps!
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📘 INDEX - How To Blur Backgrounds in Photoshop
00:00 - Introduction
00:27 - Duplicate Your Original Image
00:52 - Make a Selection Out of The Main Subject
01:23 - Expand The Selection
01:48 - Remove The Main Subject with Content-Aware Fill
02:20 - Remove The Background From The Model Layer
02:32 - Contract the Mask with the Minimum Filter
03:35 - Blur The Background with The Tilt-Shift Filter
06:00 - Fine-Tune The Layer Mask
06:32 - Paint Hair Back Into Your Image
07:41 - Pain Hair with a Custom Brush
09:51 - Final Adjustments with Camera Raw
10:17 - Final Thoughts
🔗 LINKS:
Minimum Filter Tutorial
► • 2 Little-Known Filters...
Masking Tutorial
► • Make Better Cut Outs w...
Download The Hair Brush
► photoshoptrainingchannel.com/...
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CREDITS
● Stock Images provided by stock.adobe.com
stock.adobe.com/206451403
● Photoshop video tutorials by Jesus Ramirez
#PhotoshopTutorial #Photoshop #PTCvids

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

*UPDATED 2024 Blur Background Tutorial* ► kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZC1l6J6o5ulZ80

[@jankokreso4827]

Loved this video, but I have to say, "Design Evolution: Unlocking Adobe Photoshop's Secrets" is an even better resource. The detailed explanations and tips have taken my designs to the next level.

[@ChocolateApricots]

I have an old version of Photoshop. Haven’t played in years. Nice to refresh! Thank you for posting! 🌹

[@SenorGancho]

One of your best ever videos Jesus. What I particularly appreciated is how you would state how one technique was not the best way, but you took the time to demonstrate the first one and then erase it and show the 'better' way. Brilliant. Excellent instructional technique and really brings home the learning. Thank you

[@diannescamera6496]

Hands down the best and easiest "blur background tutorial" I have ever watched!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you, diannescamera!

[@mangaldeepkaibartya3237]

Exactly

[@sunnybrightmedia]

Please which of the photoshop model you are using to edit this picture

[@digigoliath]

Absolutely.

[@Rouladen1]

I agree! :D

[@nubscrub]

I'm so glad I just came across this channel, the content is quality just like any paid courses I've consumed. Can't believe it's free. Cheers

[@swankautodetailing1956]

Using photoshop for over 20 years i hardly learn new things, but i learned new things in this video that work great! Thank you for posting this!

[@yoofitv]

The best way to blur background in photoshop without stress.. it's the best so far

[@tube63017]

i saw several videos on selections but found your video the easiest and most accurate. Thank you.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome!

[@learning9388]

Love how informative you are about everything. As a beginner, it's useful to know some shortcut and what each tool does rather than saying "Do this, do that" without saying what it does or anything. Just subbed!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you!

[@tatecomedy]

Well said, my friend

[@andreshiwa7442]

For me this is the best channel on KZbin about Photoshop. You really open the "black box" of Photoshop ! Greetings from Brazil! Thank you very much!

[@AJ_Creative]

ive been learning via youtube over the years..... youre one of the channels that makes it easier to absorb what youre teaching, thank you.

[@i_m_well_n_good]

For me photoshop was tough ..but you explained it in such a way..that it has started to become a little easy for now..thanks for that lesson dude ❤️

[@kingquincyonly]

i'm struggling and i can't seem to keep up

[@fazalkhaliq5639]

check out this tutorial dear kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKqWc2qjqZ6meck

[@vlaney21]

You are truly amazing! Love this tutorial...so easy to understand. I also like the way you've bookmarked the different steps so you can revisit them easily!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you!

[@jamilgotcher5456]

The hair brush is awesome! Adding the grain to the blur is a great idea!

[@muhammadabdul-azim4836]

You explained it in a very logical manner. That's why it's the best tutorial for doing this.

[@ninhdang1106]

I love the fact that he reminds us of features so even someone who is completely new to Photoshop can go through this tutorial without any difficulty

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

🙂

[@hycePT]

Who the hell dislikes these awesome and free tutorials. This is Gold 🥇

[@mrsxber1916]

honestly, they probably jealous his tutorial is bettter than theirs lmao

[@CaiShuRen]

Did not regret clicking to view the tutorials.... thought I knew how to do it in the first place but this method kind of brings me to another level. Thanks a lot.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome, Raymond!

[@UserNr91]

This is one of the most professional though easiest tutorial I have seen so far. Very cool man, thank's a lot!

[@paolovilla6955]

Your Kindness is a Precious Gift to All of Us; Thank You :-).

[@andhikazanuar]

woow smooth 😍

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you, Andhika!

[@sadesign4390]

That Bonus Tip was LIFE CHANGING!

[@bettyl2227]

I had to stop and start frequently as I don't use PS very often, but this tutorial really worked well for me. Jotted down all the steps so hopefully next time I will be able to make adjustments more quickly. Thank you for a clear, thorough tutorial!

[@magicfab1155]

Simply great, thanks ! At the beginning it takes sometime but the final result on my photos is 😍😍😍

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you, Magic!

[@review5788]

This is one of the best Photoshop tutorial i attend after a long long time.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you!

[@peacenloveforall6]

I have been doing this for YEARS, this is GREAT!

[@stateofability]

This was an easy effective tutorial, I was able to apply these steps all from an IPHONE SE screengrab where I filmed my dog in natural light - 1080p quality. The outcome was an 11 x 17 poster board, a memorial to 'Happy Body'. Thank you very much Jesús Ramirez!

[@perfectmanjay]

This is a well explained and easy to follow along tutorial. Thank you.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome!

[@collingalanos1783]

This is exactly what I needed for an assignment I'm working on, right now. Thank you.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome!

[@godsentonobrauche97]

How do u select it's not showing here

[@southctv6373]

@@godsentonobrauche97 We have different photoshop versions, starting from photoshop cc 2015 the command is available...but let's wait for the teacher😂

[@carlopenez2860]

this is so far the clearest and easy to follow tutorial

[@jacekdz7115]

Awesome dude. So many ways to clear backgrounds, this is on of the best seen

[@alphinsebastian6039]

Your patience is of another level.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you!

[@mamdouhaziz278]

You're the best one, thank's a lot

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you!

[@designerandrewnzomo8781]

learning daily is my portion but this guy is addictive, the best tutor have had online. keep going you are amazing

[@theojozbree8664]

This Is The Best And Easiest “Blur Background Tutorial I’ve Watched And I Learned A lot! Thanks!

[@patrickgillespie4781]

Very helpful, thank you Jesus!

[@locovidepro]

Jesus, I have been struggling so much trying to fix heir on ladies. Now, I will put this into practice and will keep you posted. Thank you so much

[@davidtalavera8340]

God bless you bro, you're an amazing teacher.

[@bloomcrazy927]

oh my goodness, Ive had a wacom tablet for years and didnt know about the pen pressure option! It made things so much easier!!!! THANK YOU!

[@mrsxber1916]

i appreciate this so much sir, i honestly cant believe this is free, feels illegal

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you!

[@lucaschudleigh7193]

Oh, it should be illegal. It’s absolute garbage, and it lessens the trade of photography significantly. Pedler's of trash, are trash.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

@@lucaschudleigh7193 What about designers, Lucas? As a designer, this is often done. A client/art director sends you an image where you need to place text. If the photo doesn't have a shallow depth of field then you have to create it. Not everyone is a photographer.

[@nubscrub]

@@lucaschudleigh7193 You seem to assume that photography is the only time this technique can be applied. As the saying goes, "Don't let insecure thoughts ruin something amazing". Good luck

[@avilesrg]

I think the method you showed in your previous video on this topic was better, as it did not require to shrink the selection around the subject after it was expanded to content-fill the background. It just required to make the subject selection, create a mask for it, then CMD/CTRL click on it to get the selection back, expand it a few pixels and use the expanded selection on the background layer to content-fill the area occupied by the subject. I do understand that using the special filter Minimum on the selection not only shrinks it but it can also be used for smoothing it, but that trick can also be used in the previous method, if needed.

[@fazalkhaliq5639]

check out this tutorial dear kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKqWc2qjqZ6meck

[@LuisMendez-cm9qs]

I’m so grateful for this tutorial

[@RossMacfarlane25]

You are the man. Clear, comprehensive, fluent. There are no better Photoshop tuts on the 'tube.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you, Ross!

[@mathrusridigitalstudieo8847]

Nice

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you!

[@jc_alpha]

Man, this guy is so good it almost fills my heart with hate! 😄

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

😄

[@jc_alpha]

Hahaha keep it up man. Your videos are amazing! I have learned so much, I can’t thank you enough 😊

[@vvachula]

I've been using PS for 25 years and this was a great tutorial. Thanks!

[@_JC_Denton_]

Outstanding tutorial! Thank you !

[@emmaguyett-etchells2035]

This is a fantastic tutorial. However when I get to Filter, tilt-shift (4.20) I keep getting a pop up saying could not complete the tilt-shift command because the initial bounding rectangle is empty. Any idea? I am a complete newbie on Photoshop. Thanks in advance for any help.

[@siupofu8036]

черный магазин shutterstock is a black shop I bought a five-picture package from you for US49. I downloaded three pictures for the first time. When I downloaded the second time, you didn't show any price or it was different from the package I bought or prompted to download it, and my credit card was automatically charged. After the second US199, the credit card monthly statement was sent after the discovery. When registering an account, a credit card was naturally bound and different prices were mixed into the package I bought, but I didn’t know the situation and downloaded it, that is to say, your website design is a trap, and you don’t care about goodwill to protect your own interests. Now you send an email to express no. Refund, I suspect you are a black shop.

[@Askemanden]

I have the exact same porblem. Did you find a solution?

[@fishchick72]

Why won’t it allow me to choose “content aware fill”???

[@JsArvind]

I'm facing the same issue

[@Miranda-bj5nd]

you may have accidentally done content aware scale. that's what I did the first couple of times

[@hopechillee]

@@Miranda-bj5nd then,,,, as for me i dont have content aware fill

[@davestokes3446]

It depends on what menu item you are using and what version of Photoshop you are using. You might have to go to the drop down box that specifies what to fill with (labelled "Contents" in PSCC Edit/Fill or "Use" in PSE Edit/Fill Selection) and select "content aware" from there. You also need to know that it only works on a pixel layer, the menu item will be greyed out if you're trying to work on an adjustment layer.

[@agds91078]

This was the BEST video explaining how to do this I have ever found!! Thank you so much for this

[@kenhalal375]

I just came across your channel when searching for how to blur the background in portrait images. I really do like this technique quite a lot and not overly complicated to do. There were times in the video I thought you went a bit too fast and had to replay those parts a few times. I think you have a very complete knowledge of photoshop and look forward to watching many other videos on your channel. It's a love/hate relationship for me and Photoshop. I love the power it has but hate the clunky and outdated user interface.

[@Lordbaccus]

This is BADASS!!! I did NOT know I could do this! I have been Manually removing backgrounds

[@falafelbleuh]

Fantastic tutorial! Seen a few of this type but this was hands down the easiest to follow! And most thorough

[@stacyabel1216]

I have been trying to figure out how to do this forever... THANK YOU! You made it looks so easy! Now it's time to try it out!

[@siupofu8036]

черный магазин shutterstock is a black shop I bought a five-picture package from you for US49. I downloaded three pictures for the first time. When I downloaded the second time, you didn't show any price or it was different from the package I bought or prompted to download it, and my credit card was automatically charged. After the second US199, the credit card monthly statement was sent after the discovery. When registering an account, a credit card was naturally bound and different prices were mixed into the package I bought, but I didn’t know the situation and downloaded it, that is to say, your website design is a trap, and you don’t care about goodwill to protect your own interests. Now you send an email to express no. Refund, I suspect you are a black shop.

[@tonykindred520]

As time has gone by I have referred to your channel more and more. I've learned so much and I wanted to thank you Jesus. Of all the channels I subscribe to on KZbin, this one has become the only one I really can't live without.

[@albertoguillen6410]

Excellent Tutorial! Thank You!

[@TheMojo140]

Nothing to add really, hands down best tutorial !

[@michaelcohen6177]

You are such a master. Thanks for your tutorials.

[@farerroyfarouk146]

The best video ever. Easy to understand and you explained it very clear. Im so grateful for this tutorial. Thank you so much😊

[@ElaineStamness]

WOW this was so helpful and I learned so much! Thank you!

[@vinodhineekumaravelu9847]

It's very useful tutorial for me. I didn't keep touch with photoshop for months. Now I'm refreshing my mind to work with photoshop as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts💓

[@itsnewine5063]

This was perfect. Thank you!

[@IanF5]

Great tut, thank you. I appreciate the speed and how you broke up the sections, Subscribed.

[@morganjobe]

Wow, thank you for this explanation. I''m glad there is a way to do this when someone like me forgot his focus lens. Super cool! Turned out great!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lm1382]

Your video is both informative & simple enough for a true beginner like myself. I look forward to learning more. Thank you.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome, LM!

[@endosuanda2183]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial, clear and beautiful

[@kcnatalie1400]

Thank you!! Very helpful.

[@ansarialtamash9350]

For real, I always thought layer lock is of noooooo use.....but now understand .....thansk for all tutorials...its like learning Photoshop for free but only for passionate people 😋

[@kennethgnielsen]

Excellent tutorial, I'm hooked on your teaching style, so very well organized and straight-line approach moving straight ahead to the final result is a great way to teach. Thank You!

[@MJagadishan]

Very well explained. Thank you Sir.

[@manithasendiv6707]

Clear like water... super tutorial ❤️

[@lenmodderman6421]

Wonderful tutorial. Will use it when changing backgrounds too.

[@Pianofingerzz]

You are a great teacher. I appreciate your explanations

[@lokeshparvani1111]

Love ❤️ from India sir.. learn a lot from your photoshop tutorials 👍🏻👍🏻 keep it up.

[@cassieberg5554]

Amazing tutorial! thank you!

[@gilbertdan]

Your tutorial was very helpful. Thank you!

[@ShabnumAminKhan]

Thanks for these useful techniques

[@panthobarai001]

Best background blur tutorial. Really helpful.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you, Pantho!

[@roshanmadhuranga3528]

Very informative. Thanks a lot for sharing your valuable findings and knowledge. Really helpful.

[@nikkichristinek]

Excellent video! Thank you for making it simple and not going way too fast!

[@fazalkhaliq5639]

check out this tutorial dear kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKqWc2qjqZ6meck

[@aarots1]

Great tutorial, Really useful. Thank you!

[@idb.8082]

one of the best tutorials I watched, very useful for photographers, thank you so much, I love your channel and you're the best, youtube is full of useless tutorials.

[@subramanyack588]

Amazing method and fantastic results 👍🏽

[@attentionindy]

Super helpful. Great video!!

[@joehoynik]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much.

[@Andydubya]

Amazing, really helpful! Especially the masking tips!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

I'm glad you found it useful, Andy! Thanks for Watching!

[@user-lu1ee7ty7j]

This is exactly what I need for the task I am working on, thank you very much.

[@muntasirprovab]

Simply the best tutorial ever

[@digigoliath]

Lovely. I love this technique. Simple & pretty fast. SMASHING the LIKE Button.

[@jacquelinejackson5191]

This has been one of the BEST Video's I've ever encountered for Ps-Nice Job........I'm excited once again for special editing

[@SistineAdlinPinero]

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO!!!

[@wmyttmlimvty]

This is a lot more than I was asking for, thank you!

[@speterlewis]

This was just so incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome, Peter!

[@Grievas85]

Awesome! Thank you very much for this tutorial!

[@TheDonofthedark]

Simply the Best tutorial.

[@marklee1451]

Wonderful - Well explained and slow enough for a guy like me! THX SO MUCH

[@TLove258]

Wow. Just wow. Very well explained.

[@tyu9615]

Amazing knowledge thank you so much 👌💕

[@ernestagyekum5867]

Thanks, Sir, for the good work. I'm really learning a lot from you.