Add Blur to Background

Get that portrait mode look without an expensive camera. Just type what you want.

Type 'add blur to background to create portrait mode effect' and EditThisPic's AI applies professional bokeh in 15-30 seconds. No selection tools or edge tracing needed. The AI understands depth and creates that creamy, out-of-focus background while keeping your subject sharp. Free to try, no account needed.

Woman taking selfie with messy bedroom visible behind — Before

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Same selfie with beautiful blurred background, professional portrait look — After

How it works

Upload your photo

Drop your image into EditThisPic. JPG, PNG, and WebP up to 7MB work perfectly. Photos with clear subject separation from background produce the best bokeh results.

⏱ Simple portraits: 15-30 seconds. Complex scenes with multiple subjects: may need 2-3 refinements.

Describe the blur effect you want

Type your instruction: 'add blur to background to create portrait mode effect' or 'add soft bokeh to background, keep subject sharp.' The AI understands depth naturally. No selection, no tracing, no marking required.

💡 Control intensity with words like 'subtle,' 'medium,' or 'heavy' blur. 'Creamy bokeh' gives that expensive lens look.

Copy one of these to get started:

Standard portrait with distracting background add blur to background to create portrait mode effect, keep subject perfectly sharp with soft creamy bokeh

Headshot needing professional look add soft background blur for professional headshot look, gentle bokeh effect behind the person

Selfie with messy room behind add blur to background to hide the mess, keep only my face and body sharp

Couple or group photo add background blur to create depth, keep both people in focus with bokeh behind them

2 more prompts

Outdoor portrait with busy scenery add heavy blur to background scenery, create strong portrait mode effect with dreamy bokeh

Subtle depth for environmental portrait add subtle blur to background, keep environmental context visible while adding depth separation

Generate and review

Tap generate and check the result. Look at the transition between your sharp subject and the blurred background. Zoom in to verify edges look natural, especially around hair and fine details.

Refine with markers if needed

If the AI blurred part of your subject or left background elements sharp, tap markers on those areas and regenerate. This optional step adds precision for tricky edges.

💡 Markers are for edge cases. Most blur effects work perfectly without them on the first try.

Try it free ↓

"My phone doesn't have portrait mode but now every photo looks like it does. Just uploaded and typed 'blur the background'—done." @SarahSnapshots

See it in action

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Selfie with cluttered room background

Selfie taken at home with visible furniture and mess behind. One prompt created that clean, professional portrait look.

Prompt: add blur to background to create portrait mode effect, keep subject perfectly sharp with soft creamy bokeh

Man at outdoor cafe with busy background of other customers — Before

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Same portrait with soft bokeh background, subject stands out beautifully — After

Outdoor portrait at busy cafe

Portrait taken at a coffee shop with other customers and tables visible. Blur isolated the subject while creating that lifestyle photography feel.

Prompt: add soft background blur for professional portrait look, gentle bokeh effect behind the person

Mother and daughter at park with busy playground behind — Before

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Same family photo with creamy blurred background, both subjects perfectly sharp — After

Family photo at park

Two people photographed at a park with playground equipment and other families behind. Blur kept both subjects sharp while softening the distracting background.

Prompt: add background blur to create depth, keep both people in focus with bokeh behind them

If something looks off

AI changed the wrong area or something I didn't want changed

Why: The AI couldn't determine the exact boundary between subject and background. This happens with complex edges or when subjects blend with surroundings.

Try: Tap a marker on the area that should stay sharp, then regenerate with the same prompt

💡 Markers tell the AI 'I mean THIS area specifically.' Use them when subject-background boundary is unclear.

Part of the subject got blurred (hair, clothing, accessories)

Why: The AI interpreted those parts as background, often because they extend away from the body or match background colors.

Try: add blur to background only, keep all of the person completely sharp including hair, arms, and accessories

💡 If it persists, tap markers on the blurred body parts to tell the AI 'this is part of the subject.'

Background objects stayed sharp when they should be blurred

Why: Those elements may be at similar depth as your subject, or the AI considered them important to the scene.

Try: add blur to everything except the main subject, include all background elements in the bokeh effect

💡 Tap markers on stubborn sharp background objects and regenerate.

Edge between subject and blur looks harsh or unnatural

Why: The transition zone needs to be softer. A hard edge makes the blur look obviously artificial.

Try: add blur to background with soft gradual transition at subject edges, natural portrait mode appearance

💡 Real portrait mode has gradual edge falloff. Specify 'soft transition' to avoid that cut-out look.

Quick answers

Do I need to mark the background before adding blur?

No! Just describe what you want: 'add blur to background for portrait mode effect.' The AI understands what 'background' means and where your subject is. Only use markers if the AI blurs part of your subject or leaves something sharp that should be blurred.

How is this different from my phone's portrait mode?

Phone portrait mode only works when you take the photo. EditThisPic adds portrait mode blur to any existing photo—old pictures, screenshots, photos from cameras without depth sensors. You can also control the blur intensity more precisely.

Can I add blur but keep multiple people sharp?

Yes. Be specific: 'add blur to background, keep both people sharp' or 'blur background, keep all three subjects in focus.' If the AI misses someone, tap a marker on them and regenerate.

How do I control how much blur is added?

Use intensity words in your prompt. 'Subtle blur' keeps background recognizable. 'Heavy bokeh' or 'strong blur' creates that dreamy look. 'Extreme blur' makes background almost abstract. The AI understands these naturally.

Ready to add blur to your background?

Free to try. No signup required.