Blur effects serve many creative purposes — from separating a subject from a distracting background to creating dreamy, soft compositions. Here is how to add different blur effects to photos online for free.
Types of Photo Blur Effects
- Gaussian blur: Smooth, uniform softening of the entire image or a selection
- Background blur: Simulates DSLR bokeh — background blurred, subject sharp
- Motion blur: Directional streaking effect — conveys speed and movement
- Tilt-shift: Blurs top and bottom while keeping a horizontal strip sharp — miniature effect
- Radial blur: Blur radiating from a central point — spinning or zooming effect
How to Add Blur Online Free
Upload your photo to imgresizr.com. Open the Filters or Effects tool. Select the type of blur you want to apply. For background blur, use the "Bokeh" or "Portrait" mode if available — the tool automatically detects the subject and blurs only the background. For full image blur, use Gaussian blur and adjust the radius slider. A radius of 2–5px creates subtle softness; 10–20px creates heavy blur.
Blur Strength Guide
| Radius (Gaussian) | Effect |
|---|---|
| 1–3 px | Subtle softening |
| 5–10 px | Noticeable blur |
| 15–30 px | Heavy blur |
| 50+ px | Extreme blur/defocus |
Creative Blur Uses
- Blur a background to make a subject stand out without re-shooting
- Blur a photo used as a website background to keep text readable
- Create a "focus pull" effect by blurring all but a specific area
Add blur effects to photos for free at imgresizr.com — Gaussian, background, motion, and more in one tool.