Bkgr blur

[Ray Rozema]

I am hoping for some help on workflow to blur BKGR.

I have tried masking the bird and then apply Gausian blur with a radius of 2-4, selectively to the BKGR but it flows over onto the bird and blurs the edges of the bird even though the bird is masked. If I extend the mask a small amount out from the bird then the BKGR around the bird doesn't get blurred which looks very odd also. Iam able to do selective sharpening and selectine NR without problem.

Suggestions much appreciated

Ray :)

[David Thomasson]

Two ways to blur background without creating halos are discussed here and here.

[Doug Brown]

In my workflow, I select the bird and copy it to it's own layer. To blur the BG, I activate the bird selection and refine the edge by expanding the size of the selection. I then invert the selection and go to the Background layer; I duplicate the layer (which should no longer have a bird present) and apply the blur to the new layer.

[Ray Rozema]

Hi Doug

thanks for the help, I tried to follow your instructions but all I proved was the old adage "insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly expecting a different outcome sooner or later". Could you please elaborate on your instructions

Thanks very much
Ray:confused:

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Ray, have you seen this thread in the tutorials?

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=23825

[Ray Rozema]

Hi Axel

thanks for your suggestion. I have read the tutorial several times and found it very helpful The situation I was working on required much more aggressive bluring ie. radius 10-20. The tutorial talks about a radius of 1-2 At the higher numbers is when the spill over on to the subject occurs even though the subject has been masked. Appreciate any suggestions

Ray :confused:

[David Thomasson]

The situation I was working on required much more aggressive bluring ie. radius 10-20. The tutorial talks about a radius of 1-2 At the higher numbers is when the spill over on to the subject occurs even though the subject has been masked. Appreciate any suggestions

Ray :confused:

Are you using Gaussian blur on the background behind the mask?

EDIT: Sorry, just re-read your original post and see that you're using G/blur. That's what is causing the problem. See the first link in my earlier post. You need to use lens blur.

[Dug Threewitt]

You could try surface blur, but that may be too plastic-y