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Getting Good With Photoshop's Lens Blur Tool
Posted by Adam Pash at 7:00 AM on October 9, 2008
Weblog TUAW posts a detailed step-by-step tutorial for using Photoshop's Lens Blur tool to clip objects from one photograph to another. In the example, the author moves an open book from a plain white background to a wood floor, and though the lighting is a little conspicuous, the results are still impressive. The guide is also packed with helpful screenshots, which makes any good Photoshop tutorial stand out. Check out how to blend layers in Photoshop with displacement for a similarly cool effect, or try TUAW's other guide to simulating a tilt-shift lens with the Lens Blur tool.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Craig
Posted 8:55 AM 9/10/08
Um, unless that first photo is of a book sitting on the wing of a Cessna then it's being moved from a "plain white background," not a "plane white background."
Craig
ThickSkinned
Posted 9:10 AM 9/10/08
How does the book relate to Donny? Was it his wife's address book where she kept her boyfriends number? You Suck At Photoshop has ruined all other tutorials for me.
[www.mydamnchannel.com]
ThickSkinned
maztec
Posted 9:08 AM 9/10/08
@Craig: Looks more like a Boeing 747 wing... since it's not a Cessna, is it a plain white? :p
maztec
SonicJ
Posted 9:01 AM 9/10/08
I just started using photoshop in school, this will come in handy!!
SonicJ
junkmail
Posted 10:00 AM 9/10/08
@dvo: Spam much? That's not the point. The point is being able to create a reasonably believable effect when that's all you have to work with.
junkmail
dvo
Posted 9:47 AM 9/10/08
stop faking it in Photoshop and purchase some lenses which can accomplish these effects TTL.
[www.dvophoto.com]
dvo
homerjay
Posted 10:15 AM 9/10/08
@Craig: Its possible that he was referring to the geometric plane?
homerjay
pkopco
Posted 11:01 AM 9/10/08
Obviously I should have read the other comments first ...
pkopco
pkopco
Posted 10:59 AM 9/10/08
Was the "plane" white background in mid-air? I'm sure you mean "plain" white background.
pkopco
Adam Pash
Posted 11:42 AM 9/10/08
@Craig: Sorry for the typo; all fixed.
Adam Pash
jkremer3
Posted 12:15 PM 9/10/08
This basically just translated to: get good with the pen tool.
Which is quite true. There are sooo many methods for selecting things though. That wasn't even that difficult/out of focus in my opinion.
jkremer3
Terry
Posted 1:27 PM 9/10/08
Pen tool my ass. I don't know how many tutorials I've seen that instruct you to use the pen tool for selection, when there are so many easier, better tools for the job. In the case of this particular tutorial, I just separated the book from the original background in less than five seconds using only the magic wand tool and the 'delete' key.
I agree with jkremer3 - get good with the pen tool. But use it for its intended purpose: drawing.
Terry
Sopor42
Posted 1:59 PM 9/10/08
@Adam Pash: It is? I still see "plane white", but hell, I thought it was a fun play on words!
Sopor42
IndustrialJones
Posted 2:31 PM 9/10/08
The pen tool just makes it so crisp and clean when you cut something out from its background. I finally sat down one day a few years back and forced myself to learn it. One of the best tools ever. Someone I work with that's a graphic designer with a degree in the field asked what good is the pen tool :| Well, for one thing you can save the path for future use and you can make curves.
IndustrialJones
pandaba
Posted 2:40 PM 9/10/08
The pen tool is far better for selections than the old magic wand. For this example, with its simple shape and plain background, the magic wand was probably ok, but I'll stick with the pen for more complicated shapes and busy backgrounds, just for the sharpness and preciseness of the cut.
The pen: it's not just for drawing any more.
pandaba
gbwells
Posted 5:00 PM 9/10/08
@Terry: delete key bad, masking good.
magic wand is ok, but there are definitely so many ways to select other than just the magic wand. the magic wand is a sledgehammer.
gbwells
jawnz
Posted 3:54 AM 10/10/08
@dvo: Also keep in mind that some of us are trying to make the most of photos we didn't take - and occasionally get paid for it.
jawnz
joeaverage
Posted 6:22 AM 10/10/08
Okay - how about a GIMP equivalent tutorial. I like Photoshop but my budget doesn't.
joeaverage