How to Get Blurry Backgrounds in Photos
Let’s chat for a hot second about how to get those creamy, dreamy, blurry backgrounds in YOUR photos!
Blurry backgrounds don’t just make everything look soft, creamy, dreamy, and romantic vibe… they do something else that’s even better! As a people-focused photographer, blurry backgrounds are basically my best friend because they bring ALL the focus and attention right where I want it… my subjects!
In my Momtography 101 course, I have multiple lessons dedicated to teaching the ins and outs of this blurry background concept. But for now, heres what you need to know!
It’s not just the gear
When I first started I thought that blurry backgrounds were only created by having a certain camera or the perfect lens and while those are important, there is one way to get a blurrier background that is COMPLETELY FREE!
Wanna know what it is?
Your distance! Here’s what I mean….
If i’m taking a picture with a DSLR camera and my settings don’t change, the amount of blur in the image can be determined by these two things:
1.) How close/far away I am from my subject
2.) How close/far away my subject is from their background
So here’s what you need to know…
If you want more blur, get closer to your subject!
The closer you are to your subject, the blurrier the background will be. The farther you are from there, the more in-focus the background will be.
Example: In the image on the left you’ll notice how the entire background is more sharp and defined. You can see more detail on the trees and even count the windows on the building.
The image on the right is the very same background but completely blurry! You can’t make out the windows and the trees are less defined and are now just swirly circles of green! Which really makes the subject pop!
These two images were taken by the exact same photographer (me) only seconds apart with the exact same lens, the exact same settings, AND the exact same camera!
If you want more blur, move your subject further away from the background!
The farther away your subjects are from the background the blurrier it will get. The closer they are to the background, the more in focus it will be.
For example, in the image on the left, my subjects are on the far end of the sidewalk from me, much closer to the building behind them! Which means, you can see more detail in the building, the landscaping, the windows, etc.
But in the second image, they are walking towards me and are now farther from the building (the background) than they were before which means that you see less detail in the windows, the building, the bushes, and even the metal bars that were directly behind them seemed to have disappeared.
While I’ve always been in love with blurry backgrounds in photos, i’m hoping that these two easy tips will help you get blurry backgrounds in your photos, too!
Interested in more free tips and tricks? Make sure you sign up for my FREE Online Photography Class!
