How to blur the background in Lightroom?

How to blur the background in Lightroom? 2024 [Mobile + PC]

Are you wondering whether or not Lightroom offers a background blur option, Are you tired of pictures with an unwanted background? or you want to blur unwanted objects from your images, Adobe Lightroom offers several ways to achieve results.

By softening the background, you create a sense of depth in your photo, making it appear more three-dimensional. This draws the viewer’s eye directly to your main subject, whether it’s a captivating portrait, a majestic mountain range, or a vibrant flower.

Lightroom has no dedicated “blur background” button, but don’t worry! We’ll explore some clever workarounds using adjustment tools readily available in the software. With some practice, you’ll be a background-blurring pro in no time, taking your photos to the next level!

Here is a step-by-step guide for blurring the background in Adobe Lightroom.

How to Blur Background in Adobe Lightroom CC for Mobile App

To blur the background in Adobe Lightroom CC for the mobile app, follow the simple steps. With these steps, you can effectively blur the background of your photos using Adobe Lightroom CC for the mobile app.

Select Photo: Open the Lightroom CC app on your mobile device and select the photo you want to edit.

Edit tools: tap the edit icon at the bottom of the screen to access the editing tools.

Select selective tool: Scroll down, find the editing options, and choose the selective tools. It is like a circle with a plus sign inside.

Select Area: Tap on the area of the photo you want to keep in focus. Here, you can also adjust the size of the circle to cover the image.

Adjust Blur: Look for the blur slider and slide it right to increase the blur effect on the background. Select the intensity of the blur your choice.

Redefine the Mask: If you want to redefine the mask, use the brush or eraser tool to remove any parts that should not be blurred.

Save, Export, or Share: After this, tune the other aspects of the image, like exposure, contrast, or color, if necessary.

After that, checkmark or save the edited photo and export the edited photo to your device gallery to share it on your chosen social media platform.

How to Blur Background in Adobe Lightroom CC iPhone (IOS)

To blur the background in Adobe Lightroom on an iPhone (IOS), follow the following steps:

Launch the Lightroom application, and open the image you want to edit from your library.
Click on the masking tool and select the + button.
Here you come across three options: brush, linear gradient, and radial gradient.
Select any one of these tools. Let’s say you have selected the brush tool.
Use the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the brush size. In this way, you will determine the area you want to blur. Slide it to the right to increase the blur and to the left to decrease it.
Here, you can redefine the edges by using an eraser.
Compete the edit by using the available editing tools, such as exposure, contrast, or color adjustment.
Click on the check mark to save the edit.
After editing, save your image to your camera roll or share it on social media platforms.

How to Blur Background in Adobe Lightroom Classis (PC)

There are three ways to blur the background in Lightroom with the help of three different tools. These tools are

Radial Gradient
Brush
Linear Gradient

Method 01: Blurring background using Brushes

With the help of brushes, you can apply blur to the selective part of your image. In it, we customize the softness, size, and intensity of the brush to achieve the desired results. Here is the step-by-step guide to using the brushes.

Import Images: In the first step, import images into the app library. From the file menu From the window, you can open the image of your choice that you want to edit.

Select Brush: To edit the photos, shift into the development module. On the top side, different adjustment tools are available, and you can select a brush.

Customize Brush: These brushes are customizable. You can customize them according to size and density.

Paint the background: Paint the background using the brush. You should not have to be precise by painting the background.

Erase errors: You can erase the color if you accidentally brush over the picture.

Apply Blur: Then go to clarity> effect and sharpness,

Adjust the value of clarity and sharpness according to your requirements.

Method 02: Blurring background using Radial Filters

A radial filter is a renowned tool used for blurring the background of images. It is widely used by users for blurring purposes. It is easy to use and blurs the background in no time. Follow these simple steps.

Import the image to Lightroom and select the developer mood.
Select the radial gradient tool from the top-right corner of the application. It is located at the second number from the right.
Drag the mouse to draw the circle around the object in the photo; make sure you have marked it correctly.
Click and drag the edges to select the area of your choice.
Then locate the sharpness panel and adjust it according to your requirements.

Method 03: Blurring background using graduate filter

In the first step, import the image to Lightroom and get into the developer mood.

From the top right corner of the application, locate the linear gradient tool.

Click on the tool and draw a line around the subject. In this way, you can separate the subject from the background.

After that, locate the sharpness panel and adjust the clarity, density, and intensity by selecting the values of your choice.

Blurring the background in Adobe Lightroom can add a professional touch to your photos by emphasizing the main subject and reducing distractions. Here are some tips and tricks for achieving a great background blur in Lightroom:

Tips and Tricks for Blurring Background in Adobe Lightroom

Use the Adjustment Brush tool to paint over the background area you want to blur. Adjust the size of the brush according to the requirement to ensure smooth and clear blur.
Once you’ve selected the area with the adjustment brush, reduce the clarity and sharpness of sliders to create a blur effect.
The radial filter is perfect for creating a blur around a central subject.
The graduated filter is useful for blurring backgrounds in landscape photos. Apply the filter from the bottom or top of the image and adjust the clarity and sharpness to create a gradient blur effect.
Sometimes, a combination of the adjustment brush, radial filter, and graduated filter can achieve the best results.
When using the adjustment brush, enable the auto-mask feature. This helps Lightroom detect edges and ensures that the brush strokes stay within the area you want to blur, preventing unwanted blurring of your subject.
Blurring the background can also involve making slight adjustments to the exposure, highlights, and shadows in the blurred area.
If you often need to blur backgrounds, create a custom preset with your preferred adjustment brush settings.
Zoom in on your image while applying the blur effect for precision, especially around the edges of your subject.
If you’re working on a mobile device, use the Selective Edit tools in Lightroom Mobile.
By mastering these tips and tricks, you can effectively blur backgrounds in Adobe Lightroom.

Conclusion

In conclusion, blurring the background is possible in Lightroom with the help of different tools. The method is slightly different for macOS and desktops. Lightroom’s masking and editing tools equip you to achieve your vision. Remember, practice makes perfect! Experiment with different techniques, refine your masking skills and have fun creating unique and captivating images that truly stand out. I hope you enjoyed the article and learned how to blur the background. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you don’t need advanced editing skills. Lightroom provides user-friendly tools and sliders that make it easy to apply background blur, even for beginners.

Yes, you can edit and blur the background of RAW images in Lightroom, taking advantage of the higher detail and dynamic range that RAW files offer.

Both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC offer robust tools for blurring, but Lightroom Classic provides more advanced and precise control options compared to the cloud-based Lightroom CC.

Adobe Lightroom is not designed for creating motion blur effects directly. For motion blur, it is better to use Adobe Photoshop or another dedicated photo editing software.

To blur text or logos, use the Adjustment Brush to paint over the area and then reduce the clarity and sharpness settings.

Yes, you can create a custom preset for blurring by saving the settings of your adjustment brush, radial filter, or graduated filter. Apply these presets to other photos as needed.

In Lightroom, use the Before and After view by pressing the “Y” key to compare the original image with the edited (blurred) version side-by-side.

How to blur the background in Lightroom?