Background Blur
An image processing technique that applies blur to the background while keeping the subject sharp, simulating the bokeh effect of wide-aperture lenses.
Background blur is a technique that keeps the main subject sharp while applying blur to the background, making the subject stand out prominently. It digitally replicates the bokeh effect naturally produced by wide-aperture lenses on DSLR cameras.
Smartphone portrait modes use dual cameras or depth sensors to separate the subject from the background, applying Gaussian blur only to background areas. This allows compact phones to produce images with DSLR-like depth perception. Many devices let users adjust blur intensity by simulating different f-stop values.
To blur backgrounds after capture, one approach is using the background removal tool to isolate the subject, then compositing it over a separately blurred background. Understanding depth of field principles helps create more natural-looking blur gradients.