Creating a Fake Depth of Field
Pictures with a small depth of field make the subjects stand
out much more as everything else is out of focus. Here we are
going to create this effect by blurring the background. Start
with a picture that has everything in focus:
Now using the lasso tool draw around the subjects that you
want to remain in focus. This doesn't have to that exact, also
keep in mind things like the floor they are standing on should
also remain in focus.
(Optional) Sharpen the current selection by Selecting Filter
-> Sharpen and choose sharpen.
Now invert the select by selecting Select -> Inverse, or
Ctrl+Shift+I. Now do Select -> Modify and choose
smooth. Smooth the select by, say, 3 pixels. Then do Select
-> Feather and feather selection by 5 pixels.
Select Filter -> Blur and choose Gaussian blur.
Select a blur factor of 1.
Now we want to reduce the selection a little. Click
on Select -> Modify and choose Contract. Contract selection by,
say, 8 pixels.
Now repeat step 5 and 6. Blurring the selection and
then contracting it. The amount you blur and contract can be varied
to suit the image. Once done a nice depth of field should have been
created:
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