How to Blur the Background of a Photo (Portrait Mode Look)
For real blur, get close to your subject and far from the background. To add blur afterwards, use an on-device AI tool that separates the subject, then set a gentle blur strength and check the edges around hair.
Why background blur looks good
Blur separates the subject from a busy scene, guides the eye to faces and products, and gives everyday photos the look of a professional lens.
Phone portrait modes fake the effect with depth estimation. You can do the same with any photo, including old ones and screenshots.
Getting real blur when you shoot
Move closer to your subject and ask them to step away from the background. The bigger the distance behind them, the softer the background.
Use the phone’s 2x or 3x lens if it has one and step back to frame. Longer focal lengths blur backgrounds more.
Add blur afterwards with SleekCut
1. Open Blur Background and drop your photo. The AI finds the subject on your device.
2. Adjust Blur strength. Subtle usually looks more natural than extreme.
3. Drag the compare slider and zoom on the hair and edges.
4. Download a full resolution JPG.
Why the edges look clean
Before blurring, SleekCut paints the subject area over with nearby background colours, so the blur does not smear the subject’s colours into a halo around them.
If an edge is off, open Refine and touch it up with the Smart brush, then switch back to compare.
Photos that work best
One or two people or a single product with clear separation from the background. Group shots work when everyone is roughly at the same distance from the camera.
Avoid photos where the subject blends into a background of the same colour; the cutout has less to go on.
Other background ideas
Swap the background for a colour or your own photo instead of blurring it, or add a soft shadow for product shots. All options are in the same tool.