How to Create a Motion Blur in Photoshop

You can create an easy motion blur to any photograph using a motion blur filter. This will add a speed blur to the entire photograph, then you can remove the blur from the parts you want to keep stationary with a layer mask. This means you can make any part of a photo in motion, while keeping important parts stationary. The results are really amazing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Photoshop
• Image

How to Create a Motion Blur in Photoshop

1. Open the image in Photoshop by opening the program, and selecting File, Open, then clicking the image.

2. Copy the background layer by dragging the image to the New Layer Icon (square in a square shape) in the layer tool box.

3. Select Filter, Blur, Motion to add the motion effect. The entire photograph is now blurred and in motion.

4. Add a layer by selecting Add Layer mask in the layer tool box or pallet to make a layer mask over the image.

5. Select the brush tool and change the size to a large 50 to 75 pixel brush. Choose black as your color in the color pallet.

6. Paint over the areas you do not want to be in motion. Simply click and drag the paintbrush over the areas you want to "un-blur". Since this is being done in a layer mask, the paintbrush will effectively remove the blur effect, from the areas you "paint". Be sure you are painting on the layer mask, however.

7. Save your image in the file type of your choice. That is all you need to do to create a blur effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the edges and keep to fuzzy to blend the blurred and stationary edges if necessary.
• The layer mask will be highlighted in blue in the layer pallet, if it is the active layer. If it is not highlighted, just click the layer mask in the layer pallet.
• Be sure the opacity of your brush is set to 100 percent. You can adjust the opacity to a lower setting and paint over the edges to further blend them if you really want to create a seamless look.

Resources

• Tutorial on adding motion blur