Blurring a portion of an image

PB
Posted By
Paul_B._Kelley
Sep 18, 2008
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263
Replies
4
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Closed
Does anyone know how to blur a portion of an image in gradient-like fashion to give the impression of an unfocussed lens? Can you do it with a transparent layer mask?
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JM
J_Maloney
Sep 18, 2008
Yes. Duplicate the background layer, and use the lens blur filter on the new layer. Then create a layer mask and use the gradient tool on it. You’ll see that the layer mask is active because it will get a black frame around its icon in the layers palette. You can create a custom gradient is you need to blur both the foreground and the background of the image.

J
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Sep 18, 2008
IMO, it’s better to apply a Depth of Field mask on the Lens blur itself rather than on a layer that’s already been lens blurred.

With this Depth Map (in the lens blur dialog) the magnitude of the lens bokeh gradually changes, while with a layer mask gradient it simply gets fainter.

Create a new channel, make the gradient mask on that, and call it up from the Depth Map in the lens blur interface.

Rob
JM
J_Maloney
Sep 18, 2008
I don’t think that’s your opinion Rob. 😉

Thanks for pointing out how to properly use the filter. Time to dig into RealWorldPSCS3.

J
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Sep 18, 2008
J,

I learned this from Martin Evening’s book Adobe Photoshop CS for Photographers

Rob

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