How to blur the background

[shannan]

I have photoshop elements 5. How do you blur the background to make the foreground pop.

Thanks!

[jachol]

shannan wrote:

I have photoshop elements 5. How do you blur the background to make the foreground pop.

Thanks!

Hi, easiest way is to copy your background layer, apply blur to that, then erase to expose the foreground item you want to POP. Another way is to make a selection of the foreground item, then invert so that the background is then selected, and apply blur to that. Check out this thread ... http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/v...mp;forum_id=89
Hope this helps ... Jack

[spiderdan]

Try this for fun :G
Use the paintbrush selection (under magic wand ) and select the foreground you want to "pop".
Then, copy it, and paste it onto a new layer (on top).
Next, (make sure bottom layer is selected, maybe lock top to prevent modification?) go to Filter>Distort>Liquify
GO INSANE FOR 3 MINUTES (fun part)
Can give interesting results, but there are simpler ways of blurring the background lol.

[Reanimator]

there is a rather good plugin for photoshop

depth of field pro info and examples of what it can do are at link below

http://www.dofpro.com/

i have used it and like it

Gary