How do I blow out an image?
September 5, 2015 11:38 AM   Subscribe

I need to take images like this and do something to them to turn them into super-blurred, semi-abstract background images like this.

I have... no idea how to do this. (Hint: just applying an asston of Gaussian Blur is not the answer.) Alternatively I am perfectly happy to hire someone to process half a dozen images for me but I have no idea how to find someone to do this, partly because I don't even know what this is called or what tools they would need to have.

Please hope me!
posted by DarlingBri to Computers & Internet (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Try Box Blur and bump up the radius in Photoshop (which I'm assuming you're using.) Under the Filter menu then Blur options. Before and After. I could have made it tons more blown out. You could also use the blur tool on top to certain spots if you want. That's just something I happen to have saved on my desktop.... for... reasons...
posted by Crystalinne at 11:44 AM on September 5, 2015 [2 favorites]


Best answer: You can also use lens blur in Photoshop to do this. If you don't have Photoshop, MeMail me and we can work something out.
posted by culfinglin at 11:46 AM on September 5, 2015


Well, as an experienced photoshopper, I was going to say an asston of gaussian blur! But then I saw your more inside, and realized that yeah, I would probably do an HDR or tonal adjustments, maybe posterization first. Photoshop now has a lens blur filter that I've been having super fun with.

Your question doesn't mention what your end goal is ... large scale printing? Background matt for video? It might influence the answers.

I'm sure MeFi jobs would bring you someone trustworthy to do this pretty quick. Or memail me if it's something I can help with over the internet.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 11:47 AM on September 5, 2015


As an addendum: I just bumped the radius way up in Gaussian Blur and got a similar effect that's more soft, so you can try that too. You want to make sure whatever you're clicking as a "..." after it which means it will bring up more options, though yeah, someone can do this in like 3 minutes for you.
posted by Crystalinne at 11:51 AM on September 5, 2015 [1 favorite]


I think you need to spend some quality play with various options and settings in photoshop or gimp to find the kind of effect that works for you. Keep running notes.
posted by sammyo at 12:14 PM on September 5, 2015


Best answer: adjust brightness/contrast or gamma of the photos before aplying gaussian blur. It will blow up the whites and kill some of the details, making the blur softer. Balancing colors would also help. Some creative layer blending (and further balancing) also helps. Some one-minute examples.
posted by lmfsilva at 12:30 PM on September 5, 2015 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thank you!! I am super sorted now. The lovely Crystalinne whipped through my images, and I have all of these very clear suggestions you've all made for when I have time to sit down and try this myself.

I love you, MeFi. You are collectively da best.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:53 PM on September 5, 2015 [3 favorites]


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