How to blur the background of a photo
06-Mar-2015
8202552500
Solution
Two methods for blurring the background when shooting photos are explained in the following sections. Additionally, please refer to the [Tips for Shooting Photos with Blurred Backgrounds] section below.
REFERENCE
[Tips for Shooting Photos with Blurred Backgrounds]
- Select the location where the distance between the subject and the background is the farthest.
The further the distance between the subject and background, the more blurred the background will look. The subject will also stand out better against an uncluttered dark background.
- Use a telephoto lens.
If you have a zoom lens, use the telephoto end to fill the frame with the subject from the waist up. Move in closer if necessary.
- Focus on the face.
Check that the AF point covering the face lights up. For close-ups of the face, focus on the eyes.
In the [ 
]mode, you can set the following functions for shooting with background blur. The default settings are the same as the [ 
] mode.
]mode, you can set the following functions for shooting with background blur. The default settings are the same as the [ ] mode.* CA stands for Creative Auto.
IMPORTANT
The position and shape of the operation buttons may differ depending on the model you use.
1. Set the camera's power switch to [ON].
2. Set the Mode Dial to [ ].
].
3. Press the [ 
] button.
] button.
The Quick Control screen is displayed.
4. Press the [ 
], [ 
] keys to select (
) [Background Blur].
], [ ] keys to select () [Background Blur].
5. Turn the [ 
] dial to adjust the amount of background blur.
] dial to adjust the amount of background blur.
- If [OFF] is set, the degree of background blur will change depending on the brightness.
- If it is set to any setting other than [OFF], you can adjust the background blur regardless of the brightness.
- If you turn the [ ] dial to move the cursor to the right, the background will look sharper.
- Turning the [ ] dial to move the cursor to the left will blur the subject’s background. Note that depending on the lens’s maximum aperture (smallest f/number), certain slider adjustments may not be selectable.
NOTE
- If you use Live View shooting, you can see how the image is blurred in front of and behind the point of focus. While you turn the [ ] dial, [Simulating blur] will be displayed on the LCD monitor.
- Depending on the lens and shooting conditions, the background may not look so blurred.
- This function cannot be set if you use flash. If [
] has been set and you set background blur, [ 
] will be set automatically.
6. Press the shutter button completely to take the picture.
NOTE
- If [Simulating blur] is effective during Live View shooting, the image displayed with [
] blinking may have more noise than the actual image being recorded, or it may look dark. - You cannot set both Extra Effect Shot and Ambience-based shots at the same time.
The [ 
] (Portrait) mode blurs the background to make the human subject stand out. It also makes skin tones and hair look softer.
] (Portrait) mode blurs the background to make the human subject stand out. It also makes skin tones and hair look softer.1. Set the camera's power switch to [ON].
2. Set the Mode Dial to [ ].
].
3. Press the shutter button completely to take the picture
NOTE
The default setting is [ 
] (Continuous shooting). If you hold down the shutter button, you can shoot continuously to capture subtle changes in the subject’s pose and facial expression (max. approx. 5.0 shots/sec.).
] (Continuous shooting). If you hold down the shutter button, you can shoot continuously to capture subtle changes in the subject’s pose and facial expression (max. approx. 5.0 shots/sec.).