Method 1: Using the Magnetic Lasso Tool (Basic Approach)
This is the most direct, but potentially most difficult, approach.
1. Open Your Image in Photoshop: Open the portrait image you want to edit.
2. Select the Magnetic Lasso Tool: Find the Lasso Tool in the toolbar (usually on the left). If you see another Lasso Tool (like the Polygonal Lasso or regular Lasso), click and hold on it to reveal the others, and then choose the Magnetic Lasso Tool. The icon looks like a small magnet.
3. Adjust Tool Settings: In the options bar at the top, adjust these settings to suit your image:
* Width: Determines how far the tool's magnetic edge will reach. Start with something like 10-20 pixels and adjust as needed. A wider width is good for high-contrast edges, while a narrower width is better for low-contrast areas.
* Contrast: This setting controls how sensitive the Magnetic Lasso is to changes in contrast. Higher values mean it will stick more to strong edges. Start with 10-20% and adjust.
* Frequency: This controls how often the tool places "anchor points" along the selection edge. Higher frequency creates more anchor points, which can give you a more precise selection, but also make it harder to edit. Start with 57 (default) and adjust if needed.
* Pen Pressure (optional): If you're using a graphics tablet with pen pressure sensitivity, you can enable this. It allows you to control the width of the magnetic edge with pen pressure.
4. Start Tracing: Click once on the edge of the subject you want to select. Then, carefully move the Magnetic Lasso Tool around the subject's outline. The tool will try to "snap" to the edges of the subject.
5. Follow the Outline: Continue moving the tool around the subject. As you go, you can:
* Add Anchor Points Manually: If the tool is straying, click to add an anchor point at a specific spot. This forces the selection to follow that point.
* Delete Anchor Points: Press the Delete key to remove the last anchor point if the tool made a mistake.
* Switch to Other Lasso Tools (temporarily): Hold down the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key to temporarily switch to the Polygonal Lasso Tool. This is useful for selecting straight edges or areas where the Magnetic Lasso is struggling. Release the key to return to the Magnetic Lasso.
6. Complete the Selection: When you reach the starting point, click on the original anchor point to close the selection. You'll see "marching ants" around your selection.
7. Refine the Selection (Crucial): This is *very* important, especially with hair.
* Select and Mask: Go to `Select > Select and Mask`. This opens the Select and Mask workspace.
* Refine Edge Brush Tool (the magic): Choose the Refine Edge Brush Tool (looks like a paintbrush with hair).
* Paint Along Hair Edges: Carefully paint along the edges of the hair (and any other fine details) where the selection isn't perfect. This tool intelligently detects and incorporates hair strands into the selection.
* Adjust Global Refinements (optional): In the Properties panel on the right, you can fine-tune the selection further:
* Smooth: Smooths the edges of the selection.
* Feather: Blurs the edges of the selection slightly. A small amount of feathering (e.g., 0.5 - 1 pixel) can help blend the selection.
* Contrast: Increases the contrast of the selection edge.
* Shift Edge: Expands or contracts the selection. Negative values contract (pull the selection inward), while positive values expand it.
* Output To: Choose "Selection" (if you want to return to the main Photoshop window with the selection) or "Layer Mask" (to create a layer mask directly). A layer mask is generally better because it's non-destructive. Choose "New Layer with Layer Mask" for the most flexibility.
8. Invert the Selection: Now you want to select the *background*, not the subject. Go to `Select > Inverse`. (Or use the shortcut: `Ctrl+Shift+I` (Windows) or `Cmd+Shift+I` (Mac).)
9. Apply the Blur:
* Go to `Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur`.
* Adjust the Radius: Increase the Radius value until you achieve the desired level of background blur. The amount of blur depends on the image and your preference. Start with a small value (e.g., 2-3 pixels) and gradually increase it. Preview the effect to see how it looks.
* Click OK.
10. Deselct: `Select > Deselect` (or `Ctrl+D` / `Cmd+D`).
Method 2: Using Quick Selection Tool & Refine Edge (Easier for Most Situations)
The Quick Selection Tool is often faster and more accurate than the Magnetic Lasso, especially when combined with Select and Mask.
1. Open Your Image in Photoshop.
2. Select the Quick Selection Tool: It's usually in the same group as the Magic Wand Tool (or you can press `W` to select).
3. "Paint" the Selection: Click and drag the Quick Selection Tool over the subject you want to select. It will automatically detect and select areas with similar colors and textures. The `[ ` and ` ]` keys increase and decrease the size of the brush.
4. Add to and Subtract From the Selection:
* Add: Make sure the "Add to Selection" option is selected in the options bar (it's the icon with the plus sign). Continue painting over areas you want to include.
* Subtract: To remove areas from the selection, hold down the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key. The brush cursor will change to a minus sign. Paint over the areas you want to deselect.
5. Refine the Selection: Crucially, use Select and Mask as described in step 7 of Method 1. The Refine Edge Brush Tool is the key to improving the selection, especially around hair. Output to "New Layer with Layer Mask."
6. Invert the Layer Mask: Click on the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers panel. Press `Ctrl+I` (Windows) or `Cmd+I` (Mac) to invert the mask. The subject should now be masked, and the background should be visible.
7. Apply Gaussian Blur: Select the *layer* (not the mask) in the Layers panel. Go to `Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur` and adjust the radius as needed. Because the mask is already isolating the subject, the blur will only affect the background.
Method 3: Using the Focus Area Selection (Photoshop CC 2014 and Later - Easiest and Often Best)
This is often the quickest and easiest method.
1. Open Your Image in Photoshop.
2. Select > Focus Area: Photoshop will automatically attempt to select the in-focus areas (your subject).
3. Adjust the Selection: The Focus Area dialog will appear. Use the sliders to fine-tune the selection.
* In-Focus Range: Adjust this slider to control the sensitivity of the focus detection. Moving it to the left will select less of the image as being in focus, while moving it to the right will select more.
* Range: Controls the size of the area considered for the in-focus range.
* Softness: Blurs the edge of the focus area.
* Output To: Choose "New Layer with Layer Mask."
4. Further Refine with Select and Mask (if necessary): The Focus Area selection is usually good, but you might still need to use Select and Mask (especially the Refine Edge Brush Tool) to perfect the hair edges.
5. Invert the Layer Mask: Click on the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers panel. Press `Ctrl+I` (Windows) or `Cmd+I` (Mac) to invert the mask.
6. Apply Gaussian Blur: Select the *layer* (not the mask) in the Layers panel. Go to `Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur` and adjust the radius as needed.
Key Considerations and Tips:
* Non-Destructive Editing: Using layer masks (instead of directly deleting or modifying pixels) is *always* recommended. This allows you to go back and adjust the mask or the blur later without damaging the original image.
* Feathering: A small amount of feathering on the selection (before blurring) can help to blend the subject and background more seamlessly.
* Blur Radius: The appropriate blur radius depends on the image and your desired effect. Experiment with different values to find what looks best. Generally, the shallower the desired depth of field, the higher the blur radius.
* Background Complexity: The more complex the background, the more challenging it will be to create a convincing blur. Try to choose images with relatively uncluttered backgrounds if you're a beginner.
* Edge Artifacts: If you see a halo or hard edge around the subject after blurring, it means the selection isn't perfect. Go back and refine the mask using the Brush Tool (in the Layers panel, when the mask thumbnail is selected). Use black to hide parts of the layer, and white to reveal them. You can also adjust the "Feather" setting of the mask.
* Healing Brush and Content-Aware Fill: If you have small, distracting elements in the background, you can remove them with the Healing Brush Tool or Content-Aware Fill before blurring.
* Practice: Selecting objects with complex edges takes practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect.
Which Method to Choose:
* Focus Area (Photoshop CC 2014+): Generally the best starting point for most portraits. Often requires minimal refinement.
* Quick Selection Tool + Select and Mask: A very versatile and good choice for a wide variety of images. Easier than the Magnetic Lasso.
* Magnetic Lasso Tool: Best for situations with very high contrast edges and relatively simple shapes. Often requires significant refinement.
By following these steps and practicing, you'll be able to effectively blur the background of portraits in Photoshop and create stunning images. Remember that the Refine Edge tool (or Select and Mask workspace) is your best friend for dealing with hair and other tricky edges. Good luck!