Anime Blur
(Tutorial Below)

Here's a video if you don't understand the written tutorial

You Tube

You Tube

______________________________________________



Finished Product


I see a lot of requests for this all over the internet and decided I would create my own tutorial with my favorite image of all time.
Above is the finished product and was drawn by the magnificent artist, Luis Royo.

Even though I've called it "Anime Blur" doesn't mean it has to be an image of an anime.
This is useful on various levels of design and all kinds of design projects.
The reason I called it an anime blur is because this is mostly seen in anime during rain or early dusk.

Step 1: )
*Choose your image - File > Open



Step 2
Duplicate image 3 times. To do this, you can go to your layers menu on the bottom right of your screen and right clicking
the layer with your image and choosing "Duplicate Layer". If you do not have the layers menu go to Window > Layers in the toolbar on the top.
You can alternatively press F7 on your keyboard.



Step 3.) Optional
This step is optional, but sometimes adds a nicer feel to your image.
Choose the original image in your layers menu, then, using the toolbar on the top of Photoshop, go to: Images > Adjustments > Desaturate.
You can alternatively press Shift + Ctrl + U on your keyboard.



Step 4.)
Now, click on the layer above the original that you just desaturated and go back to the toolbar at the top of your Photoshop, and go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur



Step 4.) Continued
Once you've done that, the Gaussian Blur window will open.

You'll want to type in the number 1.

You'll need to repeat this for the other 2 layers. Except you need to increase the number each time.
So the first layer will have a blur or 1, the second will have a blur of 3, and the last layer will have a blur of 5.


Step 5
Now is when it starts to look better.
Go through each layer on the layer menu and right under the tab that says "Layers"
You'll see a drop down menu, click this and go to "Soft Light".
Do not touch the original layer.




There you have it! 5 simple steps to create the anime blur. Step 4 and 5 can be changed around.
Tweek the settings around a little bit. Harder blurs for stronger effects.
You can even use Hard Light, Linear Light, and Vivid Light to make the image brighter or darker.
You can choose whatever you think looks best.



In my opinion, this brings more meaning and more depth to this image. I love this image either way it looks, but I feel that the modified version has more meaning and I'm sure your images will give you the same feeling.