Method 1: Using the Magnetic Lasso Tool
This method is best for portraits with fairly simple backgrounds and clean subject edges.
Steps:
1. Open your image in Photoshop. Go to File > Open and select your image.
2. Select the Magnetic Lasso Tool. Find the Lasso Tool in the toolbar (it might be hidden under the regular Lasso Tool). Click and hold on the Lasso Tool icon, then select "Magnetic Lasso Tool."
3. Adjust Settings (Optional but Recommended): In the top toolbar, adjust these settings based on your image:
* Width: This determines the range around your cursor that the tool will look for an edge. Start with a small value (e.g., 5-10 pixels) and adjust as needed. A higher value is good for blurry or low-contrast edges, but might be too aggressive for sharp edges.
* Contrast: Higher contrast settings will make the tool more sensitive to differences in color. Start with 10% and adjust.
* Frequency: Controls the number of anchor points the tool places. Higher frequency means more anchor points, resulting in a more precise selection. Start around 60 and adjust.
4. Start Tracing the Subject:
* Click once on the edge of your subject to start the selection.
* Slowly move your mouse along the edge of the subject. The Magnetic Lasso Tool will automatically snap to the edge based on the contrast.
* If the tool makes a mistake, press the Delete or Backspace key to remove the last anchor point and retrace the area.
* To manually place an anchor point, click the mouse button. This is useful for areas with low contrast where the tool isn't working well.
5. Close the Selection: When you reach the starting point, hover your mouse over the first anchor point until a small circle appears next to the cursor. Click to close the selection.
6. Refine the Selection (Crucial): The Magnetic Lasso Tool is rarely perfect. You'll likely need to refine the selection.
* Select > Modify > Expand/Contract: If the selection is slightly inside or outside the subject, expand or contract it by a few pixels. This can help avoid halos after blurring.
* Select and Mask: This is the *best* way to refine a selection, especially around hair.
* Go to Select > Select and Mask.
* View Mode: Choose a view mode that helps you see the selection (e.g., Overlay, On Layers, On White, On Black).
* Refine Edge Brush Tool (R): This is the key to dealing with hair. Brush along the edges of the hair to allow Photoshop to intelligently select it.
* Global Refinements: Adjust the "Smooth," "Feather," "Contrast," and "Shift Edge" sliders to further improve the selection. Be careful not to overdo it. Increase Feather to make a smoother transition to the background, but too much will look unnatural. "Shift Edge" moves the selection border inwards or outwards.
* Output To: Choose "Selection" as the output. Click "OK."
7. Invert the Selection: Go to Select > Inverse (or press `Ctrl+Shift+I` or `Cmd+Shift+I` on a Mac). This selects the *background* instead of the subject.
8. Apply the Blur:
* Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
* Adjust the "Radius" slider to control the amount of blur. A small value (e.g., 2-5 pixels) creates a subtle blur, while a larger value creates a more dramatic effect. Experiment to find the look you want. Click "OK."
9. Desaturate the Background (Optional): Sometimes, a slight desaturation of the blurred background makes the subject stand out even more.
* Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.
* Reduce the "Saturation" slider slightly for the Master channel.
10. Save your image: Go to File > Save As and save a copy of your image, preserving the original.
Method 2: Using Quick Selection Tool/Object Selection Tool and Select and Mask (Recommended - Easier and Often More Accurate)
The Quick Selection Tool or the Object Selection Tool is often easier and faster than the Magnetic Lasso Tool, especially for initial selections.
1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Choose Quick Selection Tool or Object Selection Tool:
* Quick Selection Tool (W): Brush over the subject to select it. The tool automatically finds edges. Use the `[` and `]` keys to change the brush size. Hold `Alt` (Option on Mac) while brushing to *deselect* areas.
* Object Selection Tool (W): This is even easier! Simply draw a rectangle or lasso around the *entire* subject. Photoshop's AI will attempt to automatically identify and select the subject.
3. Refine the Selection with Select and Mask: This is crucial! Follow the steps in Method 1 (step 6). This is where you'll really clean up the edges, especially around hair.
4. Invert the Selection: Select > Inverse (or `Ctrl+Shift+I` / `Cmd+Shift+I`).
5. Apply Gaussian Blur: Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
6. Optional Adjustments (Hue/Saturation, etc.)
7. Save your image.
Method 3: Using the Pen Tool (Most Precise, but Requires More Skill)
The Pen Tool provides the most control and accuracy, but it has a steeper learning curve.
1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Select the Pen Tool (P).
3. Create a Path Around the Subject: Carefully click to create anchor points along the edge of the subject. For curved areas, click and drag to create curves. This takes practice.
4. Convert the Path to a Selection: Right-click inside the path and choose "Make Selection." A small feather radius (e.g., 0.5-1 pixel) can help smooth the edges slightly.
5. Refine with Select and Mask (Highly Recommended): Even with the Pen Tool, refining with Select and Mask is beneficial.
6. Invert the Selection: Select > Inverse (or `Ctrl+Shift+I` / `Cmd+Shift+I`).
7. Apply Gaussian Blur: Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
8. Optional Adjustments.
9. Save your image.
Important Considerations and Tips:
* Non-Destructive Editing: Use layers and smart filters to preserve your original image and allow you to easily adjust the effect later. Duplicate the background layer and apply the blur to the duplicate. This way, you can always revert to the original.
* Feathering: Adding a small amount of feathering to the selection before blurring will create a smoother transition between the subject and the blurred background.
* Depth of Field: Think about the natural depth of field you'd expect in a real photograph. The background should be more blurred the farther it is from the subject. You can use multiple layers with varying degrees of blur to simulate this. Use a Depth Map if you want to get really realistic (requires extra steps to create the depth map).
* Background Complexity: The simpler the background, the easier it will be to get a good result. Complex backgrounds with lots of detail might require more careful selection and blurring.
* Hair: Hair is the biggest challenge. Select and Mask with the Refine Edge Brush Tool is essential for realistic results.
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings and techniques to find what works best for your image.
* Practice: Selection techniques take practice. The more you practice, the better you'll become.
* Subject Movement: If your subject moves a little in the photo, the blur might look unnatural. Choose a very sharp photo where the subject is still.
* Consider Alternatives: Using the Blur Gallery's "Field Blur" or "Tilt-Shift Blur" can provide more control over the shape and direction of the blur. These are found under *Filter > Blur Gallery*.
In summary, while the Magnetic Lasso Tool can work, using the Object Selection Tool or Quick Selection Tool in combination with the Select and Mask feature is generally faster and easier for selecting the subject. For the highest level of precision, learn to use the Pen Tool, but be prepared for a learning curve. Always refine your selection with Select and Mask, paying special attention to the edges and hair.