PBase

I'm new to use blur on my pictures. I think it work but sometime it seem to look to much like a postcard. I would really like some advice.

http://www.pbase.com/alexandre_bedard/test

They look a bit too overdone to my eyes, but I guess it's a personal preference.

What you could try is to apply the Gaussian blur on a duplicated layer (on the top layer), adjust the opacity, then use an eraser with low opacity to go over the main subject to slightly remove the blur. See if you like the result.

Salut Alexandre! (the Maximum50) sign tends to tell me we're from the same place!

I think that Gaussian blur is a lot like selective desat... a "phase" that people go thru as they learn. I like the shot with the bike alot and the one with the crabcage is also nice...but I can't stand blurring for portrait!

Rule Number 1: NEVER work directly on your photo. Always make a copy.

1. Go to your channels palette (behind layers)
2. Create new channel (alpha channel)
3. Fill the channel with a black to white gradient
4. Click on the channel
5. Go to BLUR> LENS BLUR
6. Use the Alpha channel for the basis of your blur

I know this sounds difficult but there is an animated movie out there with these steps.

Gaussian is nice for some effects but not as a lens blur.

How I use Gaussian blur:

1. Create a duplicate layer of my photo
2. Click on that layer
3. Select OVERLAY as the blending mode
4. Slide the opacity slider to about 30%
5. BLUR>GAUSSIAN BLUR
6. Set the pixels to about 22 (make sure you have the preview clicked on)

See what that can do. You can mess with the slider and with the pixels to get better results. It is not how you anticipate what it will be. BTW, you can also select SOFT LIGHT for the blending mode and see what that will do.

What I did is,
1-duplicate the layer
2-clear with level
3-Apply the gaussian blur between 15-30 depending on the image
4-Blending with multiply
5-Flatten image
6-adjust brightnest and contrast


I'm not alway's happy with the result. But sometime I think it serve the image.

Thank all for your comment's.

Instead of Multiply, try Overlay and try Soft Light. Each of these gives a slightly different effect.

Regards,
Ells

Also, any filter modifications go by rather large steps.

Right after doing one, if too much (and generally so), then
immediately, before doing anything else, go to menu Edit/Fade ___
which will work with blur / noise etc and slide back until it's
bearable, etc.

This is just another idea to go along with all the other ones.

Besides some of the steps above, I will also set the eraser tool to about 25% and slightly erase key areas such as the eyes in order to slightly bring out the original contrast and colors of the under lying layer.

Example: