Recently, in The Portfolio Group, some one (Andrea Altherr) shared a photo for some thoughts. I had done a quick edit on it and along the way I noticed a way that the Lens Blur filter can be used without necessarily trying to blur out the background (which usually looks fake). Andrea was kind enough to let me use her photo in the tutorial, so this week I’ll show you what I did to a wildlife photo with it, but also switch gears and do the same thing with a travel photo as well. Enjoy!
On-Demand Bird Photography Webinar: https://event.webinarjam.com/channel/MattK-Bird-Photo-Web
Matt’s Wildlife Editing Secrets: https://mattk.com/wildlife
I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
That was cool. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Matt, Thanks for this clear4 video on Lens Blur. This feature snuck in under my nose. I’d heard the term, but didn’t realize that LRc had this feature. Many thanks, Steve
I have been using that selective bar for focus range but you’ve demonstrated how to tweak the range or select on the photo even more. Many thanks.
Matt, your Blur tutorial was excellent!
To be honest, I had always used the Blur tool inside Photoshop after opening an image and resizing it, as part of my editing process. After watching your tutorial, I brought a new RAW file into Photoshop 2025 (I’m not an LR user), then opened the Blur panel (which I had never used before!), trying out the selections you demonstrated on a pelican standing on a rocky outcrop in a bay I had photographed in Martinique. It worked beautifully!
Many thanks for the new tips and techniques. I will use it in my future work where necessary.
Cheer from Montréal.
Matt, as always, you are truly enlightening—your creative approach to using Lens Blur is both refreshing and inspiring. The way you transform a commonly overused tool into something subtle and impactful is a testament to your expertise. Thank you for continually sharing such valuable insights and elevating our editing skills
Great advice! Thank you!
Where did you post the two videos you mentioned in the tutorial?
Thank you Matt. As always, great content
I have used the LrC blur feature just once, maybe years ago, and only subtly. Looks ok. Haven’t bothered since. Looks like it is more capable, now. So, I might give it another look should the right photo show up on my SD cards.
As always Matt I learn so much from you and you help me keep up with my editing skills, or lack there of… lol … thank you again
It’s always a pleasure to watch one of your videos — there are quite a fwe out there that don‘t have your quality.
Really informative and very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks made that part more clear
Thanks. Clarified a few things for me.
Very useful thenks.
Another excellent video Matt. Going to try this technique right now on some bird photos I recently shot.
An excellent explanation of focus blur, Matt. I haven’t used it before but will now look through my recent photos of a trip to Hawaii and check out a photo that could be improved with the technique.
Thanks Matt for sharing your inspiring process
Thank you. Very helpful and inspiring. I’m imagining how I might use it. 😃
Very instructive. Thanks
Great job Matt — had no idea that this tool even existed. Usually, I create a mask and then reduce clarity and sharpness and, for the most part, it works fine for my needs. Next time, however, I will certainly give this method a try. Thanks for sharing.
Love your videos !!