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USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 8
Filters, effects, styles, and artwork
Last updated 7/26/2011
Blur filters
Average
The Average filter finds the average color of an image or selection, and then fills the image or selection with the color
to create a smooth look. For example, if you select an area of grass, the filter changes the area into a homogeneous patch
of green.
Blur and Blur More
The Blur filters soften a selection or an image, and are useful for retouching. They smooth transitions by averaging the
color values of pixels next to the hard edges of defined lines and shaded areas.
Blur Eliminates noise where significant color transitions occur in an image. Blur filters smooth transitions by
averaging the color values of pixels next to the hard edges of defined lines and shaded areas.
Blur More Produces an effect several times stronger than that of the Blur filter.
Note: Before applying a Blur filter, deselect the Lock transparent pixels option in the Layers panel.
Blurring the background of a photo
Gaussian Blur
The Gaussian Blur filter quickly blurs a selection by an adjustable amount. Gaussian refers to the bell-shaped curve
that Photoshop
Elements generates when it applies a weighted average to the pixels. The Gaussian Blur filter adds low-
frequency detail and can produce a hazy effect. You can set the blur radius in the filter options to determine how far
the filter searches for dissimilar pixels to blur.
Motion Blur
The Motion Blur filter blurs in a particular direction (from -360º to +360º) and at a specific distance (from 1 to 999).
The filter’s effect is analogous to taking a picture of a moving object with a fixed exposure time. You can set the blur
angle, and distance.
