
To add your blur effect, go up to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Next, convert it to a smart object by right-clicking and selecting ‘convert to smart object.’ Select the image you want to blur the edges of in your layers panel. This filter applies a general blur across the whole image, but you can refine it with the help of layer masks.
#Blur overlay photoshop how to
In this second method, you’ll learn how to blur the edges of a photo in Photoshop with a gaussian blur filter. How To Blur The Edges Of A Photo With Filters For a more isolated and dreamy effect, the colored border definitely will do the trick! Depending on whether you used the Elliptical or Rectangular Marquee tool, you will end up with a totally different result. This technique is an easy way to add a blur to the edges of a photo in Photoshop using the Marquee tool and a layer mask. With your new color fill layer created, drag it below your image layer to complete the blur effect. For now, I’ll choose white, but you can change this at any time! Now choose a color to have as your background. Rename the layer to anything you’d like and click OK. Go up to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color. Now it’s time to choose the color around your background! Next, add a layer mask by clicking on the layer mask icon.Īt this point, you’ll have successfully added a blur to the edges of your photo. If you’re happy with it, it’s time to add this selection to a layer mask! Hide the quick mask by pressing Q again and select your image layer in the layers panel. If not, consider a new feather radius and draw a new selection to try again. Now ask yourself if this will be enough blur for the edge of your photo. For now, you mainly want to focus on how the edges of the selection look. Anything red will not be visible in the final image. This will bring up a quick mask to show you what your selection will look like. Luckily you can preview the selection by pressing Q. These are also known as ‘marching ants.’ At this point, it’s hard to imagine how blurred the edges of your photo will look. You’ll now have a black and white dotted line to represent the selection.

Remember, anything outside of this selection will turn into a solid color! For my photo, I will create the selection around my subject’s body. With your feather radius set, click and drag out your Marquee tool around your subject.

If you want to add a very heavy blur, try a radius of 75px or higher. The more feather you have, the softer (or more blurred) your edge will look.įor a more subtle blur to the edge of your photo, try a radius of 25px. If you aren’t familiar with feather, try to think of it as the softness of an edge. In the tool settings bar at the top of your screen, set a feather radius to dictate the blur. In this example, I want to create a circular blur around my subject, so I’ll choose the Elliptical Marquee. This option is best if you want to isolate your subjects and create a dreamy effect with fewer distractions.ĭepending on whether you want to create a circular or rectangular blur, you’ll need to pick a different Marquee tool.įor a circular blur, select the Elliptical Marquee tool.įor a rectangular blur, select the Rectangular Marquee tool. How To Blur The Edges Of A Photo With Colorįor this first blur effect, you’ll learn how to create a soft-colored blur around the edge of a photo. Here are three different ways to blur the edges of a photo in Photoshop! How To Blur Edges In Photoshop – 3 Easy Ways #1. Either way, the process doesn’t take long, and a blur can be added in no time. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can use blur filters or solid colors to create the effect. There are a few different ways you can blur the edges of a photo in Photoshop.
