Create Depth of Field & Apply Photo Touch ups With Snagit 12 – Part 1

When taking photos with a smartphone, it can be difficult to set the depth of field. Snagit’s Spotlight and Magnify feature lets you simulate the depth of field to make the subject area really step into view.

Snagit can also be used to correct a photo’s color and to bring blurred details into focus with photo touch ups.

Don’t have any images to touch up? Download some here: http://bit.ly/1Jg2COb

Need a way to get your photos into Snagit? Use TechSmth Fuse: http://bit.ly/NRFcsq

In this tutorial, learn to add these photo touch ups:

• Depth of field effect to minimize a busy background and bring the subject into focus.
• Sharpness filter to eliminate blur.
• Color filter to improve color and skin tone.

This is the image used in this tutorial.

Apply the Depth of Field Effect

In this step, select the area of the photo that will NOT be changed. Anything not selected will have the effect applied to it.

1. In Snagit Editor, open the desired image.
2. Zoom out just enough so you can see the entire image.
3. Select Tools tab > Drawing Tools group > Selection tool. Then, select Styles group > Freehand Selection tool.
4. Carefully begin to draw a selection around the area in the photo that will remain unchanged. The selection does not have to be exact, just try to get as close to the edge as possible without cutting into the area that will remain unchanged.
5. When done with the selection, choose Image tab > Modify group > Spotlight & Magnify tool. Choose the desired Blur background and Dim background settings then choose OK.

Congratulations! You have just added a depth of field effect.

Apply the SharPen Filter Effect

In this step, select the area of the photo that WILL be changed. Anything  selected will have the effect applied to it.

1. Zoom in so you can see the area to be selected. In this example, only the head is selected.
2. Select Tools tab > Drawing Tools group > Selection tool. Then, select Styles group > Freehand Selection tool.
3. Carefully draw a selection around the area in the photo that needs to be sharpened. The selection does not have to be exact, just try to get as close to the edge as possible.
4. When done with the selection, choose Image tab > Modify group > Filters > Sharpen > Custom.
   Choose the desired Sharpen percentage then choose OK.

Congratulations! You have just added a sharpen effect.

Apply the Color Corrections

In this step, no selection is required.

1. Zoom out so you can see the entire image.
2. Choose Image tab > Modify group > Color Effects > Color Correction .
3. Adjust the settings to achieve the desired look. Feel free to play with the different options to see how they change your photo. To set the settings back to the defaults, click the Reset to Defaults button.
4. When done, click OK.
5. Save your improved photo as a new image (Save As) so it doesn’t overwrite the original file.

Congratulations! You have just improved your photo with color corrections.

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