In Photoshop Elements, you can blur areas around a focal point or subject, effectively blurring areas outside of what you designate as important (your "selection" or focus area), using the Depth Blur filter.
Applying Depth Blur in Photoshop Elements
Depth Blur is a specific type of blur effect available in Photoshop Elements that simulates a shallow depth of field, keeping a subject sharp while blurring the foreground and background. This can be thought of as blurring everything but your intended "selection" or focal area.
You can apply the Depth Blur filter in a couple of ways in both Quick and Advanced views:
- Through the Filter Menu: Navigate to Filters > Blur > Depth Blur. This method is available in both Quick and Advanced modes.
- Using Quick Actions (Quick View): In Quick view, you can access AI-powered edits easily. Select Quick Actions > AI Edits > Depth Blur.
Customizing Your Depth Blur Effect
Once you apply Depth Blur, you gain control over how the blur is applied:
- Focal Range: This setting determines which area of your photo remains sharp (your intended "selection"). By adjusting the focal range, you tell Elements what subjects or areas should stay in focus.
- Blur Strength: This controls how intense the blur effect is in the areas outside your focal range. A higher strength will create a more pronounced, softer blur.
By adjusting these settings, you can create a professional-looking effect that makes your subject stand out by gently blurring the surrounding areas.
Why Use Depth Blur for a "Selection"?
While traditional blur filters might apply blur strictly within a drawn selection boundary, Depth Blur works more intelligently by identifying a subject or a focal plane. This makes it ideal for:
- Portrait photography to isolate the subject.
- Product photography to make the product pop.
- Creating a dreamy or artistic background effect.
It effectively blurs areas outside your chosen focal range, achieving a similar goal to blurring everything but a selection, but often with more natural-looking results.
