Blur background on Mac Photos is one of the most important editing tools. It is an easy way to add a professional touch to your photos. Whether you’re using it for business or personal purposes, this skill will elevate the quality of your photos in no time. Blurring the background of your photos will bring focus to your subject and create a cinematic feel.
It is worth noting that there are different methods to achieve the desired blur effect, each with its own pros and cons. In this article, we will cover some of the popular methods for blurring your photo backgrounds using Mac Photos.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the different methods of blurring the background of your photos on Mac Photos, here’s what you will need:
- Mac computer or MacBook
- Updated version of Mac Photos
- A photo to edit
What Requires Your Focus?
While blurring the background of your photos is a relatively simple task, it requires your focus on certain aspects. Paying attention to the following factors can make all the difference in the success of your blurred photo:
- Choosing the right photo: When deciding which photo to edit, look for images that have a distinct subject and a clear background.
- Selecting the area to blur: The area you choose to blur needs to be separated from the subject of the photo. A good rule of thumb is to look for a solid-color background, or an area with a consistent texture.
- Edit with intention: It’s important to blur the background to support the subject, not to distract from it. With this in mind, be careful not to over-blur the background as this may result in a loss of detail in the subject.
- Be patient: Achieving the perfect amount of blur can take time, and trying out different methods and levels of blurring may be necessary before settling on the final result.
Different Methods to Blur Background on Mac Photos
Here are some of the different methods to blur the background of your photos using Mac Photos:
Method 1: Using the Depth Effect Portraits Tool
The Depth Effect tool on Mac Photos is a quick and easy way to blur your photo background. The tool enables you to highlight the subject of your photo while blurring the background automatically through an algorithm. Here’s how:
- Open Mac Photos and choose the photo you want to edit
- Select Edit on the top-right corner
- Select the Depth Effect tool located on the left sidebar menu
- Adjust the blur level to increase or decrease the amount of background blur using the slider
- To further refine the effect, you can use the brush tool to paint the parts of the photo that you want to keep in focus.
- Click Done to save your changes.
Pros:
- The tool is easy and quick to use
- Automatically detects and separates the subject from the background
- You can easily adjust the blur level to get your desired result
Cons:
- You may have limited control over the final result
- May not work well with complex backgrounds
- May miss certain parts of the subject or background
Method 2: Using the Lasso Tool
The Lasso tool allows you to highlight and select the area you want to blur manually. It’s useful when working with photos that don’t have a clear separation between the subject and the background. Here’s how:
- Select the photo in Mac Photos and click on Edit
- Select ‘Adjust’ from the top menu bar
- Choose ‘Selective Color’ from the dropdown menu and click ‘Add’ to create a new color point
- Choose the area you want to keep in focus with the Lasso tool
- Click the ‘Add’ button again to add another color point
- Adjust the blur level of the second color point to your desired effect
- Click Done to save your changes.
Pros:
- Allows for more precise control in selecting and blurring the area to achieve the desired effect.
- Provides more creative flexibility in the use of the tool.
- Converts background images into unique, attractive artistic opportunities.
Cons:
- Can be time-consuming if the selection is complex or has many boundaries to trace and select for blurring.
- Not as quick as using the Depth Effect Portraits Tool
- May requ
Method 3: Using Gaussian Blur
Gaussian Blur is commonly used to soften an image or add a motion effect. It can also be used to blur the background of your photos. Here’s how:
- Open the photo you want to edit in Mac Photos and click on Edit.
- Click on Adjustments from the right-hand sidebar.
- Select ‘Sharpen’ and click on ‘Add,’ then drag the slider to 0.
- Click on the small circle located on the photo you want to edit, then select ‘Effects’ from the right-hand sidebar.
- Select ‘Gaussian Blur’ and adjust the blur effect to your desired level using the slider.
- Click Done to save your changes.
Pros:
- The tool allows for more control over the amount and appearance of the blur effect.
- Provides a customizable effect with more flexible usage.
- Allows the subject to stand out by creating a professional appearance or another overall appealing look.
Cons:
- May require more trial and error before achieving the desired amount of blur effect
- The Gaussian Blur effect changes the overall appearance and brightness of an image, so some images may not react well to this feature.
Why Can’t I Blur the Background on Mac Photos?
There could be several reasons why blurring the background is not working correctly on your Mac Photos. Here are some common problems and solutions:
1. You’re using an outdated version of Mac Photos. To use the latest features, make sure you have the most updated version of your Mac Photos app.
2. The photo does not have a clear background. It may be difficult to distinguish the subject from the background when there is no clear separation. Try selecting a photo with a background contrasting with the subject.
3. The photo is too small or too low resolution. In cases where the photo is blurry, pixelated, or has reduced resolution due to cropping or compression, it may not be feasible to adjust the blur effect.
4. The feature may not work with the photo file format. Ensure that your photo is in a supported file format to be able to use the app’s features correctly.
Implications and Recommendations
Blurring the background of your photos can instantly transform the overall appearance or offer that cinematic feel we sometimes strive for. This feature offers a wide range of applications, from eCommerce product photography to the creation of aesthetically pleasing family photo albums. For an added touch, other Mac Photos features such as color correction or brightness adjustment can help you further enhance your photo’s overall quality.
5 FAQs about Blurring Background on Mac Photos
Q1: How can I undo changes made to a blurred photo on Mac Photos?
A: To undo your changes in Mac Photos, simply go to the Edit tab, and click on Revert To Original.
Q2: Can I add a text overlay after blurring the background on Mac Photos?
A: Yes. After blurring your photo’s background, go to your Photos app’s Edit function to add texts and emoji from the drop-down menu.
Q3: Does blurring the background of a photo affect its quality on Mac Photos?
A: Although the blur has the potential to compromise a photo’s quality, the quality of your photo likely depends on the quality of the original shot. In addition, beginner photo editing can sometimes result in blurry photos, and there is no need to worry as it is part of the beginning learning process.
Q4: How can I change the intensity of the blur effect on Mac Photos?
A: You can adjust the level of the blur effect using Mac Photos’ slider bar function in the Editing feature. You can adjust the slider to achieve the precise level of blurring on the photo.
Q5: Can I blur the background of a photo in multiple areas simultaneously on Mac Photos?
A: Yes. Mac Photos allows you to select and blur multiple areas of the same picture in one go by dragging the cursor over each area you want to blur and adjusting the depth effect field to suit each area.
In Conclusion
Achieving exceptional blur effects on your photos will enhance their overall quality and create a professional appearance. There are multiple methods of blurring the background of your photos on Mac Photos, and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Whichever method you choose, be sure to focus on these essential aspects of photo editing: an eye for detail, patience, and having fun while creating impressive images. Hopefully, this article has given you some useful insights and a step in the right direction to achieve your perfect blur effect on Mac Photos.{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” How can I undo changes made to a blurred photo on Mac Photos?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” To undo your changes in Mac Photos, simply go to the Edit tab, and click on Revert To Original.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Can I add a text overlay after blurring the background on Mac Photos?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Yes. After blurring your photo’s background, go to your Photos app’s Edit function to add texts and emoji from the drop-down menu.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Does blurring the background of a photo affect its quality on Mac Photos?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Although the blur has the potential to compromise a photo’s quality, the quality of your photo likely depends on the quality of the original shot. In addition, beginner photo editing can sometimes result in blurry photos, and there is no need to worry as it is part of the beginning learning process.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” How can I change the intensity of the blur effect on Mac Photos?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” You can adjust the level of the blur effect using Mac Photos’ slider bar function in the Editing feature. You can adjust the slider to achieve the precise level of blurring on the photo.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Can I blur the background of a photo in multiple areas simultaneously on Mac Photos?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Yes. Mac Photos allows you to select and blur multiple areas of the same picture in one go by dragging the cursor over each area you want to blur and adjusting the depth effect field to suit each area.”}}]}
