Bokeh is a popular photography effect that adds depth and a dreamy feel to your images. It’s easy to create bokeh in Photoshop with the help of layer masks and other tools. If you’re a photographer, adding bokeh to your photos can enhance the look of your work and make it more professional.

How to Create a Bokeh Effect in Photoshop

In order to create a bokeh effect, you first need to open a photo. You can use a photo of your own or a stock photo. Then, use a selection tool to remove the background of your image. This will allow the main subject to stand out and show off the bokeh effect.

Select and Mask

Photoshop comes with several different selection tools, including the Lasso Tool, Magic Wand, and Quick Selection Tool. The Lasso Tool is a good choice for precise, accurate selections. However, the Magic Wand and Quick Selection Tools are also effective.

You can then paint over the area using a brush that has the correct opacity for the image. If you’re not sure what opacity to choose, try the Adjustments menu and then go to the Curves tab.

Once you’ve done this, you can apply a layer mask and add a blending mode to the new layer. The blending mode is what determines how the light from the background interacts with the subject in your image. The blending mode can be changed to Screen, which gives your bokeh an almost film-like appearance.

If you’re not happy with the blending mode, you can change it to Normal. You can also increase or decrease the opacity of the layer to make it darker or lighter.

The amount of bokeh you can achieve with this technique depends on the depth of field in your image. For example, a shallow depth of field will produce more blurry areas than one with a deep depth of field. If you want a more dramatic effect, try increasing the Blur slider under the Field Blur option in the Filter Gallery and then experiment with different settings until you find a look that suits your style.

You may have to experiment with the size of the brush and how far away it is from the subject in your image. A larger brush can create a more dramatic effect, but you can also choose to use a smaller one to give the image a more subtle look.

Use a Gaussian Blur to Create the Bokeh

The easiest way to create bokeh in Photoshop is to use the Gaussian Blur. This will give you a soft, blurry effect that is similar to the bokeh you’d get from taking an out-of-focus shot in camera.

For more pronounced bokeh, you can use the Lens Blur filter or add multiple layers of blur to your image. Just be careful not to overdo it, as too much blur can make your image look unnatural.

Using a Lens for Bokeh Conclusion: You can create bokeh with the help of a lens that has a fast aperture. A fast prime lens can capture more out-of-focus areas and make your subjects stand out from the background. A wide-angle lens can also be helpful for creating a more striking bokeh effect.