How to Use the New Lens Blur Tool in Lightroom Classic

Tired of distracting backgrounds in your photos? Lightroom Classic's new Lens Blur can help! In this tutorial we'll show you how to easily achieve a shallow depth of field effect by automatically selecting your subject and letting you refine the focus area for a natural look.
Download the Sample Images and PSDs:
phlearn.com/tutorial/how-to-u...
Learn everything about Lightroom 2024 with our in-depth PRO tutorial. From importing and organizing your photos to basic and batch editing, we cover everything you need to know! Plus master all the new tools, including the AI Masking Tool, Color Grading Tool, Lens Blur Tool, Adaptive Presets and more.
phlearn.com/tutorial/master-l...
Join PHLEARN PRO (Save 10%):
phlearn.com/youtube
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @phlearn
―
What is PHLEARN PRO?
◦ 200+ In-Depth Courses on Photoshop, Lightroom & Photography
◦ 500+ Actions, Brushes, Presets & LUTs
◦ Master Retouching, Compositing, Special Effects & More
◦ Monthly & Annual Subscription Options
SAVE 10%: www.phlearn.com/youtube
―
Follow us on social!
Instagram: / phlearn
Facebook: / phlearn
Twitter: / phlearn

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

I've seen a number of tutorial videos since this feature came out, but your techniques are something I've not seen demonstrated--and they're great! I've been using lens blur but will use it even better now!

[@phlearn]

We're glad to hear that! Keep phlearning 🤗

[@newfarmeronline]

I watched thise more than 2 times,,Thx for new perfect feature.

[@TheNashvilleJason]

I hadn't messed with the target feature yet. Also, just like in photoshop you can drag the bars on the depth simulation to set your depth of field.

[@kbqvist]

Yes, it is a great tool! Hope we will soon be able to use the depth map generated, as a mask to control all the other stuff we can modify with masks!

[@Fedgery007]

Great job over-simplifying this tool!

[@jackbaratta5722]

Thanks for the very understandable quick explanation!

[@thewebstylist]

This is PRICELESS!! I’ll be using this All the Time!

[@randyschwager84]

Excellent material! Thanks for this information!

[@wizard6207]

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you. 🙂

[@ksnmurthy4476]

An excellent demonstration 👍

[@BURTBROWN]

Something I've wanted for years!!!! I've had to do this manually with a few little time consuming tricks... MUCH EASIER NOW!!! Thanks for the details in the video...

[@Aprendizzz2009]

Thank you... yes, it is the best tool for blur... very helpful video. 👍

[@scottandlindae3803]

Can't wait to try this, Thanks.

[@mikemike2627]

I always edit with KZbin on,this one came at a perfect time,thank you!

[@anglesphotography3316]

Amazing .... great demonstration

[@FranHoganPanama]

fantastic! thank you!

[@redesign5096]

LOVE IT!!! I agree on Gaussian Blur. Tried it in the past and never looked right tome. This is so amazing. Thanks!!

[@merritt0]

Oh!! That's how it works!! Have seen other explanations that were just incomplete................or they were not using the current updated LR Classic version.

[@johanp8391]

Informative, thank you

[@AnandaGarden]

Oh my, massively useful, and glorious timing for my now project (End of Year celebration at a wonderful K-8 school). Thank you, Aaron, a clear, enjoyable tutorial.

[@JS-nh6ji]

Thank you so much for this!!!!!!!! Helps a lot. You are so good to explain these. Easy to follow and understand! Always awesome tutorials❤❤

[@phlearn]

Thanks for watching!

[@judyboyd9530]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@GMS444]

Excellent

[@adebiyiadekunle871]

Thank you so much for this explanatory video. ❤❤❤❤ I am a new subscriber

[@phlearn]

welcome to the phamily

[@mauriciolee7349]

Thank Aaron for such an EFFECTIVE tutorial. Your sample image makes it EASIER for me to learn by allowing me to work along with your tutorial. I love it when you say it works better than Photoshop.

[@phlearn]

Thanks for phlearning with us Mauricio!

[@DrPankajMalukar]

well explained, thanks a lot!

[@phlearn]

Thanks for watching!

[@AliciaAvon4794]

Awesome!!!!

[@newjersey1029]

wonderful

[@GryphonDes]

What a great little run-through! Thanks Now to see if regular Lightroom can support this too ;p

[@CanadaBlue85]

The first image looks like a tilt-shift lens effect with the blur applied. I've found that this feature works best when making an f2.8 or so image look more like a 1.8 or 1.4 and 1.8 or 1.4 look like f1.2 rather than a focused background into smooth bokeh. It's good option for beginners on a budget though to see if bokeh performance is something to consider when buying lenses.

[@phlearn]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the community!

[@JohnDlugosz]

Some years ago, PS had a depth map blur effect that let you paint the depth map. But it seems to have gone away, as I could not find it when I wanted to do that again.

[@scottabergermd]

Great review I have one question which is: what was the other icon next to the little focal icon that looked like an entire subject in a frame? You did not discuss that icon at all or what it’s purpose was thank you very much. Love your stuff.

[@phlearn]

Hi Scott! That's the "Focus Range" tool. It allows you to select the area you want to blur.

[@scottabergermd]

@@phlearn thank you! I would have been great to include a short segment in the video on using it, etc. but just a suggestion. Again, love your learning videos. Thank you!

[@user-ie1fn4vk7z]

What’s better, prime lenses or this feature in LR.?

[@phlearn]

There's nothing like prime lenses☺. This tool is great for those who are on a budget and are not able to buy expenses lenses.

[@MuffFlux]

I reckon Aaron Nace rips PHAT bongs. Just got that sleeper vibe about him.

[@theapocalypsechronicles3]

Nice! does it do foreground blur too?

[@phlearn]

Yes! You can select the area you want blurred

[@user-fu2lo6bd4g]

please make this kind of content using mobile phone 😊 because its hard to find that settings when you using mobile

[@phlearn]

We just release a PRO tutorial on Lightroom mobile covering this tool! phlearn.com/tutorial/intro-to-lightroom-mobile/

[@jennyjackson4957]

Can you do a video on how to better use this tool with hair? I find if it’s not slicked perfectly back, it looks so fake!

[@phlearn]

That's a great suggestion!

[@__guest]

I think, it's a great one, but in use with wide angel photographie it looks a bit unnatural for my eyes. I've never seen a full body photography with background blur in this way. I often use also 24 mm f1. 4, but you haven't such a dramatic blur. Many thanks for your work. I'm also a pro-member of phlearn 😊

[@phlearn]

Thanks for sharing your point of view with the community and for being a valuable member!

[@gregs6424]

Hi Aaron, awesome demo! My one gripe about Lightroom is that it always seemed to not just let me open a file and edit it. It seemed to always want to catalog it or file it a certain way. Never just open and edit the way Photoshop does. This is why I stopped using it. Perhaps I’m doing something wrong, but every time I try to open a file to make a simple edit, LR acts like it wants to process a series of Raw photos. Hope this makes sense. How can we get it to simply open a file, edit and save the same way we would with any photoshop file?

[@phlearn]

You're right, Lightroom's core functionality revolves around managing and editing large photo collections, and it might seem less intuitive for single-file edits compared to Photoshop. The key difference is between importing and opening. Importing adds the file to Lightroom's catalog for management, while opening just edits the file without adding it. Here's how to open a single file: Go to File > Open (or press Ctrl/Cmd + O). Navigate to your photo file and select it. The photo will open in the Develop module for editing. Let us know how it goes!

[@marzenar.5639]

Hi! Thanks for your video. What if the Blur Tool does not work? All the time when i use it i see an 'error'. i dont know what to do, i already updated app, but still it's not working :( help

[@phlearn]

Hey there! if you send us an email to support, our team will do their best to guide you.

[@dandiehm8414]

Hi Aaron, Is this avaialable in the Adobe Camera Raw filter for Photoshop?

[@phlearn]

Hey there! Adobe Camera Raw also offers a lens blur feature.

[@dandiehm8414]

@@phlearn Thank you - so we can use this feature in Photoshop. We just have to access the Camera Raw flter to do so - got it!

[@4abettaworld]

Question is there a way to bring back the fly away hairs when using this tool

[@phlearn]

Hey there! You can use “Add” and “Subtract” brushes to fine-tune your selection. You can find more info in the written steps here phlearn.com/tutorial/generative-remove-lightroom-classic/

[@4abettaworld]

@@phlearn Thank you much appreciated. Excellent tutorial by the way. Do you have any issues of your photo's becoming softer after applying the lens blur tool in Lrc

[@RoxanneBaggott]

Can you do this on Lightroom for iPad?

[@phlearn]

Hey there! Yes the tool has been added to both mobile and desktop apps

[@IsItAJackal]

Is it me, or is there something wrong with the audio @2:27?

[@simonryan6850]

It’s okay if you’re using an M1 Mac or later but not if you on an intel MacBook Pro

[@alvoradadoespirito]

the image link is not working

[@phlearn]

Hey there! the download links seem to be working just fine. would you mind trying again?🤗 phlearn.com/tutorial/how-to-use-the-new-lens-blur-tool-in-lightroom-classic/

[@alvoradadoespirito]

now it's perfect, thank you

[@liusjuliano5694]

First