Photoshop blur background

[JamesSteele]

I wanted to know the best way to do a specific effect i had in mind. i had some footage laid out in final cut pro and i wanted to take a freeze frame, put that frame into photoshop, and select the persons face in that frame and make the background blurry.

i did it earlier by selecting the frame in final cut and taking a screen grab and then importing that into photoshop, and then using the lasoo tool to selevt the persons face and make their face a seperate layer and apply gaussian blur to the backgroun. but when i imported back into final cut there was significant quality loss and it was not the right size.

does anyone have any other ideas? tips on transferring footage from final cut to photosop? alternate ways to make this happen? thanks.

EDIT: i found a clip that is similar except the guys animated it more. im not trying to bite his style and i hope he doesnt get mad im posting this but you get the gist of it http://youtube.com/watch?v=J_UU3WnRt-A ... thanks again

[Tom Marshall]

You might be using the wrong Pixel Aspect Ratio in Photoshop when editing the image. When you open the file, go to Image > Pixel Aspect Ratio. From there, you can choose the correct Pixel Aspect Ratio. Edit the image and then resave it. That should work.

[GageFX]

I dont use FCP at all... you have PS, do you also have AE? This is a snap in AE.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I would have taken a similar step. Exporting the image into PS and separating the layers, then blurring the background. I don't use FCP but I am guessing that your screen grab was the size of the monitor in FCP, not the size of your actual footage. If you can fit the correct resolution/size of your footage onto your screen and take a grab of that it might work out. As far as quality, though, try saving it as a different format or even just screen grabbing out again.

[JamesSteele]

yeah, thats deffinatley what the problem was, the screen grab was a different size. anwyway. yes, i do have after effects. how would you suggest i go about doing it in that?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Whoo! I am the best. Okay, I don't use AE so I can't tell you how to figure out. What you need to get is a capture of the full res image, then you will be okay.

[GageFX]

and i wanted to take a freeze frame, put that frame into photoshop, and select the persons face in that frame and make the background blurry.


This is what you say you want. I watched that video and I didnt see anything like this. Unless I'm clear on what it is you want to do, I'm not sure what to tell you. I thought I had an idea, but then you posted the video.

[JamesSteele]

yeah, sorry the video was not a good example. but like i said, all i wanted was to have the video play and then the screen becomes blurry but a persons body or face. i now know how to do this in photoshop, cuz i only really need to seperate the layers. but i feel therre is probably a more efficient way in after effect. thanks agian

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Maybe you should post this over in the AE sub forum and see if it is possible to do right in the program without ever needing PS.

[GageFX]

It is very basic in AE. You just take your frame - use time-remap or freeze frame to stop on the frame - then apply a strong lens blur to an adjustment layer, then make a mask to keep whatever parts you want to keep UNblurred. You can then hold that frame as long as desired, then just bring time back in.

All this, really, is very basic AE - like beginner stuff. If you are unsure about how to do any of this, start doing the tutorials at videocopilot and they will teach you the basics.

I dont use FCP so I dont know if these same effects are possible or if it's as easy. Doing the single frame in Photoshop is no problem, but there is no need to go back and forth through several programs.