How to Blur an Image

A blur in an image can be used to indicate motion.

In today's digital age, it is possible to distort a basic image in a variety of ways. For instance, you can blur an entire photograph or particular areas. Blurring can illustrate movement so that you have an added dynamic to the image and can also be used to make the non-blurred image in the picture more noticeable. Blurring also protects the privacy of individuals who do not wish to appear in the picture. Most picture-editing devices on personal computers possess options for altering your digital images.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Personal computer
• Picture editing software

1. • 1
     Purchase or download photo-editing software for your personal computer if none is already installed. Common picture editors include Corel Paint Shop, Adobe Photoshop, ACD See Photo Editor and Photo Explosion. Your digital camera may also come with its own photo-editing software.
   • 2
     Choose a digital image that you want to blur. Load this selected image into your picture editor. Most programs provide an "upload" button, which will place the photo in a viewer, in which you can make alterations.
   • 3
     Identify the precise area in the photograph that you wish to alter if you are not planning to blur the complete picture. This is commonly accomplished with an editing tool that allows you to "frame" the particular section of the picture that will be modified.
   • 4
     Look through the toolbar of your photo-editing program for a menu that is likely labeled "Filters" or "Tools." Click on this menu to locate the "Blur" feature. It might be labeled "Gaussian blur" in particular programs. This particular effect produces a soft blue blurring.
   • 5
     Click the blur feature, allowing you to modify the already highlighted section of the photograph.. Check the image to decide whether to increase the blurring. Some photo editors allow you to create layers of blurring, so you will need to experiment with your particular software.
   • 6
     Save your image with its alterations once you are satisfied with the blurring effect you used. You might also want to keep a digital copy of the image prior to blurring for your records.