Home > Processing Photos > Advanced Editing > Shallow DOF-tutorial
Shallow DOF-tutorial
Tools, techniques & filters used in tutorial:
Duplicate Layer
Auto Levels
Unsharp Mask filter
Gaussian Blur filter
Erase Tool using soft-round brush
Four layers were used to add shallow depth of field to the background of the photo. To work on a layer, it must be highlighted in the Layers Palette. Refer to your software help files for additional information.
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| 1 - A separate layer was created to adjust contrast and brightness using Auto Levels. | 2 - The layer was duplicated and then sharpened using the Unsharp Mask filter. |
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| 3 - The sharpened layer was duplicated and blurred using Gaussian blur. | 3a - Parts of the layer were erased using the soft-brush. Various brush sizes and opacities were used to erase blurred areas. |
As you selectively erase the area as shown in 3a, the sharpened areas from the layer below appear. 100% opacity was used to totally erase main subject.
To partially erase selected areas of the lower foreground, the brush opacity was varied between 30-50%. Zoom in to work on it more closely and precisely.
When the image is complete, save it. For a smaller file size, merge or flatten the layers before saving.
The final image on the left now has less depth of field in the distance than the original. More attention is now on the main subject.
