How To Blur Any Background

One question a lot of beginners have, is this one.  How do I get that beautiful blurred background without using Photoshop?  Well it's actually very simple, and I am going to show you how. 

First, set your dial to A (Nikon) or AV (Cannon).  This is Aperture priority mode.  (This look can of course be obtained in Manual (M) mode, but this tutorial is really just for beginners.)

When you do this you control your aperture, and the camera automatically adjusts your other settings, like shutter speed, for you.  On your camera display screen you should see your camera settings.  One of them is an F number.  Turn your dial on the back of your camera  until your F number is as low as it goes.  If you have a standard lense, then it will probably be around 4 or 5.  If you have a smaller lense like I do, {50 mm} then you should be able to go as low as F1.8 or lower.

Make sure there is some distance between your subject and your background otherwise you will get this:

Notice how when my daughter is all the way up against her background, a.k.a my front door, the background is coming in pretty clear.  I can definitely tell she's standing against my door.  It doesn't matter that my F stop (Apreture) is down to 1.8.  So, make sure there is distance between your subject, and your background.

Second, get up close.   When you leave too much distance between you and your subject, it is also harder to get that creamy blurred background. Here is my daughter again, this time I moved her away from the door and got a close up shot.

F 1.8/ ISO 400

 Same exact camera settings, same exact background,  just moved her away from the door.

Setting your ISO is also important.  Here's the basics on ISO.

If you are outside in bright sun:     ISO 100

Shade or a well lit room:                ISO 400

Overcast or sun setting:                ISO: 800

Inside in low light:                       ISO 1600

Dimly lit room:                            ISO 6400

Remember, the higher the ISO is, the grainier your pictures will be. 

         

F 1.8/ISO 100 (Away from Background)                  F 1.8/ ISO 100 ( Close to Background)

While the second picture definitely has SOME blur to it, the difference is clear.  I achieved this difference simply by moving my son closer to me.  

 Those are the basic rules when you are starting out to get you that nice blurry background.

Play around with your camera.  Take the same shot with different F stops and see the difference.  That is really and truly a great way to get in tune with your camera. 

Maternity Shoot /Baby Brown

Maternity Shoot 

Baby Brown <3

This shoot was sooo much fun!  The mommy and daddy already had one little boy, so this shoot really turned out cute!

What do you think?  Can you tell I LOVE to use the Chocolate B&W Effect?  Thank you to this beautiful family that made this photo shoot so easy!



*FEEL FREE TO SHARE OR PIN THESE PICTURES, BUT PLEASE DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REMOVE OUR LOGO OR ALTER PICTURES.  THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW!*

 

No Composite Photoshop Newborn Edit

So here's the down-low.  I don't like doing composites.  I know, scandalous right?

I know they work well, but they are a pain in the butt.  Here's my solution.  When possible I don't do them!!!  Here's what you do:

First for this type of edit it's best if baby is wearing a hat, and the hand is placed either behind the head like this photo, or one finger on each side of the head. Open up your photo in Photoshop.  I use PSE12.  Next, duplicate your layer.  This is done by right clicking on the photo over in the right hand layers column. It should look like this:

Next, add a layer mask.  Click the layer mask button.  You can see it is the 3rd button above my "Background copy" image.  Now it should look like this:

Next make sure you click your "background Copy" again so it is highlighted and not your layer mask.

Then select your brush tool.  It should be a soft brush with about a 45% or less opacity.

Then "ALT+CLICK" on the color of your background, around the same area as your assistants hand.

When you do this, the color of your brush will change to that color.  Then start brushing.  Brush away your assistants hands or fingers on both sides.  Don't worry if you get a little color on the baby's hat.  You can fix this in the next step.

Then enlarge your brush size by hitting your bracket key: (]).  Lightly brush your background to blend in your patch. This will also help to smooth out any wrinkles in your baby blanket. After this it's time to touch up on the hat.  Click over onto your layer mask.  Then click your colors at the bottom right of your screen so they return to black and white.  If the black is on top it will erase the brushwork you previously did.  Set your brush at a low opacity (30-40%) and touch up around the baby's hat.  It's easier if you zoom in on your image by hitting (CTRL +).  You may need to toggle between black and white, and lower the opacity as needed.

It will look something like this:

 

Lastly, right click on your layer and hit flatten image.  Make sure the background looks how you want it before you flatten your image. 

 

To finish up my picture I watermarked it, and ran a Photoshop Action called Coffee Shop Baby Miracle, which you can get here.  She has a ton of cool actions for your photos, and some of them are even free!

So here was my end result:

There you have it.

BugsEarPhoto  

Newborn No-Sew Prop Hat

 

  Newborn No Sew Prop Hat!

This is by far the easiest prop hat you will ever make! No sewing and only 2 things to buy!

This hat is for a newborn.  I photograph my newborns between 4-7 days.

Also, this hat does end up pretty small.  If you end up with a larger newborn, it may not fit.

 This hat is only intended for the use of taking pictures.

Here's what you'll need:

 Yep that's right!  A pair of women's fuzzy socks, and some elastics.  I got both of these items

at Family Dollar.  The socks were $3 and the elastics were $1.

Starting at the toes, tie the elastics at 2 inch intervals up the sock, just like you are

putting them in your hair.

When you are about half way up the sock stop.  I think I used 6 elastics total.

Then fold up the opening so it makes a hat brim like this:

Next, tug on the hat really good to give it a good stretch.  You can also stretch it over something like an oatmeal can.  You can add a flower also if you'd like.

Here's the end result:

I thought it turned out cute for only $4.  I could also make another one with the other sock and a few

more of the elastic hair bands. So really you get 2 hats for the price of 1!  

What do you think?

BugsEarPhoto