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Adding Motion Blur – Episode #54

Photoshop, Styling, Video May 25

Today we are answering a question many of our viewers have asked – How do I create a motion blurred background. We decided to use my car for the photo to go over a couple of different ways of adding Blur. To start off, we make a copy of the background layer and clone stamp over the majority of the car. The reason we are doing this is because the car will be present in the blur if it is not first obscured. After getting the car out of the way, we apply a motion blur going from right to left, to make it look as though the car is moving in the scene. From there we mask the car back into the image. Next we take care of the wheels and tires, blurring both of those. It wouldn’t make sense to use a motion blur for the wheels and tires, as they are moving in a circle, so instead we chose a radial blur. To do this, first make a selection around the area you want to blur, and choose radial blur, choosing spin, not zoom. Photoshop will use the center of your selection as your blur center.

Gear Used in This Episode

Wacom Intuos 4 Small

Adobe Photoshop CS6

15" Macbook PRO

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Removing reflection from eyes – Episode #55 »

http://profiles.google.com/johannes.lindegaard Johannes Lindegaard

Greeting from Denmark, right back at you guys
Good luck with the car and everything.
http://www.flickr.com/rafaelphotographer Rafael Ribeiro

Don’t forget the brazilians too!! :p
Niels Astrup Tipsmark

Another greeting from the Danish invasion squad.

Here’s a motion blured Buick Special: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsmark/3508092416/in/set-72157617647547480
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=582748714 Al Ebnereza

Aaron, long time no see old friend
Remember to note somewhere, that if your shot of the wheels is closer and more visibile, you do NOT want to bluuuuuur your brake calipers. That would be a big giveaway that the pic was photoshoped poorly. Maybe at some point in the future, you could do a quick Phlearnage on how to keep the break calipers from getting blurred out

Like this shot from my last car shoot:
Waseef Akhtar

Fun and easy!
http://Flickr.com/Greg83 Greg Sheehan

Watch out now! Speeding into the driveway…Btw Aaron, this is the subaru that I had to sell because I was in a similar predicament. Make sure you take lots of pictures before you part with her.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ankur_d_shutterbee/ Ankur Bhushan Photography

Cool, clever trick to imitate panning.
Thanks for all your hardwork in putting up this awesome community!!
Regards.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48239817@N07/5760115851/in/photostream Santiago

Here are my two cents. It was taken in Times Square risking my life for photography’s sake
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lawrence-Smith/100000267202500 Lawrence Smith

Having just recently dived fully into the world of photography within the last year,I have to say you have both totally helped and expired me to keep learning more…………..THANK U,AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kai Jones

That was a lot of fun, thanks for the walk through, you two are awesome!
http://www.facebook.com/s1esset Andreas EssEt Källberg

My friends camaro in a parking garage =)
Rajesh Taylor

Aaron ‘m only a minute into the video but had to stop and write “NOOOOO Why you selling the beast?!” You sure don’t look too happy from the vid I hope you save enough for a Cheve Corvette now.
Anonymous

Awesome job Andreas!
Anonymous

Nice job Santiago!
Anonymous

Awesome point Al, everyone must read that hah
hope you are doing well
Aaron
Anonymous

In the end, it is just a car, other things bring me more happiness
Rajesh Taylor

Very true dude
http://twitter.com/ipbrian ipbrian

Smart decision on the car guys…I know it hurts now, but I think long term you will really appreciate the payoff. Work hard, work smart and live your dreams.
http://twitter.com/_kishore Kishore

Didn’t use that technique but here are my pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/funwithcamera/3937898515/in/set-72157622420158707

http://www.flickr.com/photos/funwithcamera/sets/72157622420158707/with/3937898515/
http://twitter.com/_kishore Kishore

Well one more
http://www.flickr.com/photos/funwithcamera/4886463692/in/set-72157622420158707
http://profiles.google.com/starryeyed31 Amanda B

Loved that you referenced Sweden!! Love that country! Thank you for making me smile and teaching me about photoshop!!
http://twitter.com/_kishore Kishore

Aaron: could you please also do a tutorial on how to add a burnout tire smoke to this car
love your site, keep it coming
http://www.facebook.com/muhammadazam Muhammad Azam Baderi

I really love your ‘tv show’. Thanks guys.