Here\u2019s how you can make your selections look natural–not fake or manipulated, using gaussian blur<\/strong>\u00a0as\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>a great way to really enhance your image.<\/p>\n This article is for older versions of Photoshop Purpose:\u00a0<\/em> Gaussian Blur<\/strong> and the Refine Edge Tool<\/strong> smooth and soften the edge of your selection, if necessary, to help it blend in with the overall image.<\/p>\n Gaussian Blur:<\/strong> Select the Adjustment Layer to which you want to apply Gaussian Blur, then go to the \u201cFilter\u201d<\/em> menu ->\u201cBlur\u201d<\/em> -> \u201cGaussian Blur\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n Refine Edge:<\/strong> There are two places to find this.<\/p>\n 1. In the \u201cOptions Bar\u201d<\/strong> of Selection Tools, such as the Magic Wand Tool and the Lasso Tool, Photoshop has thoughtfully provided a button for quick access..<\/p>\n 2. Select the Adjustment Layer\u2019s Layer Mask Thumbnail<\/em> to which you want to apply Refine Edge, then go to the \u201cSelect\u201d menu -> \u201cRefine Edge\u201d.<\/p>\n Which One to Use:<\/strong><\/p>\n Typically, I try Gaussian Blur first, because it is quick and simple. If that does not work, then I\u2019ll use Refine Edge for more control, although it is a bit slower and more complicated.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Gaussian Blur blurs a selection edge quickly and easily, but lacks the fine-tuning available in Refine Edge<\/p>\n (Note – There are ways to blur more than the edge with Gaussian Blur. For simplicity\u2019s sake, I will explaining the basic tools).<\/p>\n How It Works:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Select the Adjustment Layer to which you want to apply Gaussian Blur to its edge.<\/p>\n 2. Go to the \u201cFilter\u201d<\/em> menu -> \u201cBlur\u201d<\/em> -> \u201cGaussian Blur\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n 3. Apply an amount in the \u201cRadius\u201d<\/em> box to get the desired results.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an Example:<\/em> In Image \u201cB\u201d<\/strong>: After selecting the sky with the Magic Wand and using Levels, there\u2019s an obvious white line on the horizon and the area above the breaking wave is hard-looking and fake.<\/p>\n In Image \u201cC\u201d<\/strong>: After applying Gaussian Blur, the edge softens, and the white line on the horizon disappears.<\/p>\n An Explanation of Some Features<\/strong><\/p>\n There are some nifty things that you can do with the Preview Pane<\/strong> in the Gaussian Blur Dialog Box<\/strong>. (By the way, these things can also be done in the Unsharp Mask Dialog Box).<\/p>\n 1. You can \u201cpreview\u201d the effects of the blur in the Preview Window<\/strong> in the Gaussian Blur Dialogue Box<\/strong> by holding your cursor over it (the cursor changes to a \u201chand\u201d). Then press your left mouse button–pressing it and holding it is the \u201cbefore\u201d view, releasing the mouse button is the \u201cafter\u201d view.<\/p>\n 2. You can also put the cursor in the Preview Window<\/strong>. Press and hold down the \u201cSpace\u201d bar on your keyboard, press and hold down your left mouse button, and drag the view of the preview pane to a more desirable location.<\/p>\n 3. With the Gaussian Blur Dialogue Box<\/strong> open, you can put the cursor in your actual image (a small square \u201cbox\u201d will show up as your pointer), place it over an area that you\u2019d like to see in the Preview Window<\/strong>, and left-click: Voila! That area shows up in the Preview Window<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Judge the effects of your Gaussian Blur at 25% magnification (at 300ppi) as this is the closest to \u201c1 to 1\u201d viewing of your image. Too much Gaussian Blur is evidenced by a \u201chalo\u201d effect. A good starting point would be 7.0. Increase or decrease as necessary for the desired results.<\/p>\n Note: Don\u2019t forget to toggle the \u201cPreview\u201d option to see the effects of Gaussian Blur.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n REFINE EDGE<\/strong><\/p>\n The Refine Edge tool is quite powerful and gives you all sorts of options and control, but at a price. It can be slow and complicated, and has a steep learning curve.<\/p>\n How It Works:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 1.Select the Adjustment Layer\u2019s Layer Mask Thumbnail to which you want to apply Refine Edge.<\/p>\n 2.Select the \u201cRefine Edge\u201d<\/strong> button or choose from the menu.<\/p>\n 3. Apply the values needed to get the desired results.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an Example:<\/em> In Image \u201cB\u201d<\/strong>: After selecting the sky with the Magic Wand and using Levels, there\u2019s an obvious dark line on the horizon and the hill.<\/p>\n In Image \u201cC\u201d<\/strong>: After applying \u201cRefine Edge\u201d, the edge smoothes out, and the dark line on the horizon and hill disappears.<\/p>\n By the way, the values used in the example are: A Few Suggestions:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 1.I have found that the first adjustment to make is \u201cFeather\u201d<\/em>. Increase this amount to see if this does the trick. If not, then you have some experimenting to do.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0Be patient.<\/strong> You have lots of choices, and with these choices come confusion. I would suggest using one slider at a time, see what the outcome is, and go from there.<\/p>\n 3. \u201cDescription\u201d option:<\/strong> Photoshop has thoughtfully provided an instant \u201cHelp\u201d menu for this tool within the Dialog box. Click on the Description arrow<\/em> at the bottom, place your mouse cursor over the function that you want to use, and a description of that function, along with helpful speed keys, will show up at the bottom of the Dialog box.<\/p>\n 4. \u201cPreview\u201d options:<\/strong> You can select from five \u201cpreview\u201d options (two are shown to the right). These options help you \u201csee\u201d the effects of your various adjustments.<\/p>\n I also like to use view in the \u201cNavigator\u201d Palette<\/strong> in conjunction with these Preview options. You can see the effects of your adjustments without any \u201cMarching Ants\u201d.<\/p>\n An Explanation of Some Features<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Radius: <\/strong><\/em>This determines the size of the area around the selection to be adjusted.<\/p>\n 2. Contrast: <\/strong><\/em>This \u201csharpens\u201d the edges and can remove \u201cnoise\u201d.<\/p>\n 3. Smooth: <\/em><\/strong>This creates a smoother outline.<\/p>\n 4. Feather: <\/em><\/strong>This softens the selection edge.<\/p>\n 5. Contract\/Expand: <\/em><\/strong>This shrinks or enlarges the selection boundary.<\/p>\n Until the next time, have fun and stay well!<\/p>\n All text & photos \/ screen shots: \u00a9 2011 John Watts, Watts Digital Imaging. All rights reserved.
\n(prior to CS6\/CC), but the fundamentals still apply.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/em> Where to find the tool:
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"gaussian](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/march2011\/Watts_photos\/Gauss-Blur-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/march2011\/Watts_photos\/Ref-Edge-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/march2011\/Watts_photos\/Gauss-Blur-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGAUSSIAN BLUR<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nIn Image \u201cA\u201d<\/strong>: The sky needs to be darkened.<\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/march2011\/Watts_photos\/Ref-Edge-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nIn Image \u201cA\u201d:<\/strong> The sky needs to be darkened.<\/p>\n
\nRadius = 4.7 px
\nContrast = 33%
\nSmooth = 17
\nFeather = 3.7 px
\nContract \/ Expand = -10%.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/march2011\/Watts_photos\/Ref-Edge-3.jpg\")
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