How to Blur Background in Lightroom: Step-by-Step Lightroom Tutorial

(Last updated on September 12th, 2023)

Short Summary

• To blur background in Lightroom, use radial filter, graduated filter, or adjustment brush.
• Radial filter: Click on the radial filter icon, draw a circle or ellipse around your subject, adjust the settings on the right panel.
• Graduated filter: Click on the graduated filter icon, draw a line from one edge to another, adjust the settings on the right panel.
• Adjustment brush: Click on the adjustment brush icon, paint over your subject with your mouse, adjust the settings on the left panel.
• For all tools, lower the sharpness and clarity sliders to negative values, and increase the feather slider to create a smooth and realistic background blur.
• On Lightroom CC Mobile, tap on the selective icon and choose the tool you want to use.

In this article, I will explain each method and tool in detail, and show you how to use them effectively. I will also give you some tips and tricks for creating different background blur effects for your photos. So, let’s get started!

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how some photos look so stunning and professional with a blurred background that makes the subject pop out? Do you want to learn how to create this effect for your own photos using Lightroom, one of the most popular and powerful photo editing software? If yes, then you are in the right place!

In this article, I will teach you how to blur background in Lightroom using different methods and tools. You will learn how to use the radial filter, the graduated filter, and the adjustment brush to create a smooth and realistic background blur for your photos. You will also learn how to do this on Lightroom CC Mobile, in case you want to edit your photos on the go.

If you’re coming from a Photoshop background and want to understand related concepts, it might help to know how to use the radial filter in Photoshop or even how to zoom effectively while editing.

By the end of this article, you will be able to create your own unique background blur effects that will enhance your photos and make them look more professional and artistic. So, let’s get started!

Method 1: Using the Radial Filter Tool

The radial filter tool is one of the easiest and most effective ways to blur background in Lightroom. It allows you to create a circular or elliptical area of focus on your photo, while blurring everything else outside it.

To use the radial filter tool, follow these steps:

• Open your photo in Lightroom and go to the Develop module.
• On the right panel, click on the Radial Filter icon (it looks like a circle with a dot inside it).
• Drag your mouse over your photo to draw a circle or an ellipse around your subject. You can resize, rotate, or reposition it as you like.
• On the right panel, adjust the settings of the radial filter tool. To blur the background, lower the Sharpness and Clarity sliders to negative values. You can also adjust other parameters such as Exposure, Contrast, Saturation, etc. to enhance your subject or create a different mood.
• To make the background blur smoother and more natural, increase the Feather slider. This will create a gradual transition between the focused and blurred areas.
• To invert the effect of the radial filter tool, check the Invert Mask box. This will blur everything inside the circle or ellipse, while keeping everything outside it sharp.
• To apply more than one radial filter to your photo, click on the New button and repeat the steps above.

Here are some tips and tricks for using the radial filter tool effectively:

• To duplicate a radial filter, right-click on it and select Duplicate. You can then drag it to another location or adjust its settings independently.
• To delete a radial filter, right-click on it and select Delete.
• To apply a preset to a radial filter, click on the Effect dropdown menu and choose one of the options. You can also create your own presets by clicking on the Custom option and saving your settings.
• To see how your photo looks without any radial filters applied, press the backslash key () on your keyboard.

Method 2: Using the Graduated Filter Tool

The graduated filter tool is another way to blur background in Lightroom. It allows you to create a linear or angled area of focus on your photo, while blurring everything else above or below it.

To use the graduated filter tool, follow these steps:

• Open your photo in Lightroom and go to the Develop module.
• On the right panel, click on the Graduated Filter icon (it looks like a rectangle with a gradient inside it).
• Drag your mouse over your photo to draw a line from one edge to another. You can change its angle, length, or position as you like.
• On the right panel, adjust the settings of the graduated filter tool. To blur the background, lower the Sharpness and Clarity sliders to negative values. You can also adjust other parameters such as Exposure, Contrast, Saturation, etc. to enhance your subject or create a different mood.
• To make the background blur smoother and more natural, increase the Feather slider. This will create a gradual transition between the focused and blurred areas.
• To invert the effect of the graduated filter tool, check the Invert Mask box. This will blur everything above or below the line, while keeping everything on its opposite side sharp.
• To apply more than one graduated filter to your photo, click on the New button and repeat the steps above.

Here are some tips and tricks for using the graduated filter tool effectively:

• To duplicate a graduated filter, right-click on it and select Duplicate. You can then drag it to another location or adjust its settings independently.
• To delete a graduated filter, right-click on it and select Delete.
• To apply a preset to a graduated filter, click on the Effect dropdown menu and choose one of the options. You can also create your own presets by clicking on the Custom option and saving your settings.
• To see how your photo looks without any graduated filters applied, press the backslash key () on your keyboard.

Related Links

• Photoshop Smart Object
• Create Drop Shadow Effects
• Rasterize in Photoshop

Method 3: Using the Adjustment Brush Tool

The adjustment brush tool is the most flexible and precise way to blur background in Lightroom. It allows you to create a custom area of focus on your photo by painting over your subject, while blurring everything else outside it.

To use the adjustment brush tool, follow these steps:

• Open your photo in Lightroom and go to the Develop module.
• On the right panel, click on the Adjustment Brush icon (it looks like a brush with a plus sign inside it).
• On the left panel, adjust the settings of the adjustment brush tool. To blur the background, lower the Sharpness and Clarity sliders to negative values. You can also adjust other parameters such as Exposure, Contrast, Saturation, etc. to enhance your subject or create a different mood.
• On the bottom panel, adjust the size, feather, and flow of the adjustment brush tool. The size determines how big or small your brush is, the feather determines how soft or hard its edges are, and the flow determines how much effect it applies with each stroke.
• To make the adjustment brush tool more accurate, check the Auto Mask box. This will make the brush detect and follow the edges of your subject automatically.
• Paint over your subject with the adjustment brush tool. You can zoom in and out using the plus (+) and minus (-) keys on your keyboard, or by scrolling your mouse wheel. You can also erase any mistakes by holding down the alt (option) key on your keyboard and painting over them.
• To apply more than one adjustment brush to your photo, click on the New button and repeat the steps above.

Here are some tips and tricks for using the adjustment brush tool effectively:

• To duplicate an adjustment brush, right-click on it and select Duplicate. You can then drag it to another location or adjust its settings independently.
• To delete an adjustment brush, right-click on it and select Delete.
• To apply a preset to an adjustment brush, click on the Effect dropdown menu and choose one of the options. You can also create your own presets by clicking on the Custom option and saving your settings.
• To see how your photo looks without any adjustment brushes applied, press the backslash key () on your keyboard.

How Do I Blur Background in Lightroom CC Mobile?

If you want to blur background in Lightroom CC Mobile, you can use the same methods and tools as in Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC Desktop. However, there are some differences in how you access and use them.

Here are three ways to blur backgrounds in Lightroom CC Mobile:

• Using the radial filter: Tap on the Selective icon (it looks like a circle with a plus sign inside it) at the bottom of the screen. Tap on the plus (+) sign and choose Radial Filter. Drag your finger over your photo to draw a circle or an ellipse around your subject. Tap on the circle or ellipse to adjust its size, shape, or position. Tap on the Edit icon (it looks like three sliders) at the bottom of the screen. Adjust the settings of the radial filter tool as explained above. To invert or duplicate the radial filter, tap on its center and choose one of the options from the menu that appears.
• Using the graduated filter: Tap on the Selective icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap on the plus (+) sign and choose Graduated Filter. Drag your finger over your photo to draw a line from one edge to another. Tap on one of the dots at either end of the line to adjust its angle or length. Tap on both dots at once to move or rotate it. Tap on the Edit icon at the bottom of the screen. Adjust the settings of the graduated filter tool as explained above. To invert or duplicate the graduated filter, tap on its center and choose one of the options from the menu that appears.
• Using selective edits: Tap on the Selective icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap on the plus (+) sign and choose Brush. Adjust the size, feather, and flow of the brush tool as explained above. Check the Auto Mask box if you want the brush to detect and follow the edges of your subject automatically. Paint over your subject with the brush tool. Tap on the Edit icon at the bottom of the screen. Adjust the settings of the brush tool as explained above. To duplicate or delete a selective edit, tap on it and choose one of the options from the menu that appears.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of each method and when to use them depending on the photo and the desired effect:

• Using the radial filter: This method is best for photos with a single subject that is roughly circular or elliptical in shape, such as a person’s face, a flower, or a ball. It is easy and quick to use, but it may not work well for subjects that have irregular shapes or are close to the edges of the photo. It may also create unnatural-looking circles or ellipses on the background if the feather is too low or the sharpness is too high.
• Using the graduated filter: This method is best for photos with a horizontal or vertical subject that spans across the photo, such as a landscape, a building, or a road. It is also easy and quick to use, but it may not work well for subjects that have diagonal or curved shapes or are not aligned with the edges of the photo. It may also create unnatural-looking gradients on the background if the feather is too low or the sharpness is too high.
• Using selective edits: This method is best for photos with a complex or irregular subject that does not fit into a circle, ellipse, or line, such as an animal, a car, or a person in motion. It is the most flexible and precise method, but it may also be the most time-consuming and challenging to use. It requires careful and accurate painting over the subject, which may be difficult on a small screen or with a finger. It may also create jagged edges or gaps on the background if the auto mask is not accurate or the feather is too low.

Conclusion

In this article, you learned how to blur background in Lightroom using different methods and tools. You learned how to use the radial filter, the graduated filter, and the adjustment brush to create a smooth and realistic background blur for your photos. You also learned how to do this on Lightroom CC Mobile, in case you want to edit your photos on the go.

Blurring background in Lightroom can make your photos look more professional and artistic. It can help you draw attention to your subject, create depth and dimension, and eliminate distractions. It can also help you create different moods and atmospheres for your photos.

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new and useful. I encourage you to experiment with different settings and filters to create your own unique background blur effects.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Happy editing! 😊

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)