Select the Background
Before you blur the background, you must select it. There are a few ways to do this.
Use the Magic Wand
The Magic Wand is fourth from the top in the Tools menu. The Magic Wand tool gives you the quickest and easiest way to select the background. This method works best on a photo with a clear background that contrasts with the foreground. Select the Magic Wand and click the background. Press and hold Shift to select additional elements. If the tool doesn’t select much of the background, increase the Tolerance at the top of the screen.
Use the Lasso
If the background is too complicated for the Magic Wand, try the Lasso tool, which gives you more control. The standard Lasso lets you free-draw your selection. The Polygonal Lasso lets you draw in straight lines. The Magnetic Lasso tries to stick to the edges or borders of objects in the image. Click or tap and hold the Lasso tool (third from the top in the Tools menu) to choose one of the three Lasso tools.
Use Quick Mask
Using Quick Mask is a more hands-on method of selecting the background.
How to Blur the Selected Background
Now that you selected the background, you can choose from several different blurring options to achieve various effects.
Gaussian Blur
Gaussian Blur is the most basic and most effective blur tool. It merges and overlaps all pixels to create a generalized blur effect.
Motion Blur
This effect gives the impression of movement, as if the background is moving at high speed or the photographer is quickly moving past it.
Lens Blur
For a more subtle blurring that’s akin to a shallow depth of field in photography, use Lens Blur. It has several options to play with, including:
Radius: Affects the strength of the blur.Shape and Blade Curvature: Adjusts the virtual lens that shapes the blur.Specular highlights: Increases the brightness of some portions of the image to imitate a longer exposure than when the image was initially taken.
Play around with the settings until you find the effect you like, then select OK.
Radial Blur
For a unique look, apply a Radial Blur. It’s not a natural look, but it makes the foreground subject appear as though it emerged through some sort of portal.
