how do you take a picture of someone and have the background blurry?

Question

how do you get that effect in a photo WITHOUT using photoshop?
what settings should i use?

Answer 1

You need a camera with an appropriate F-stop, or you can select the background in photoshop and use the blur effect.

Answer 2

With most digital cameras, it is impossible since most do not use an adjustable aperature and focus, the lens is "fixed" focus and aperature. They adjust exposure by shutter speed only. If you have a digital camera that has adjustable focus and aperature, it may not be adjustable enough, but in theory, this should work..With a regular film camera, you need one with an adjustable aperature and focus on the lens. Open the lens the widest possible. The wider the aperature setting (lower f-stop), the shorter the depth of field. Depth of field is a range from the lens which is focus, Anything closer to or further than the depth of field zone is out of focus. On my 35MM Nikon, on the aperature ring, there are colored stripes on either side of the setpoint indicator. Under the setpoint indicator are the f-stop numbers, each in a different color which matches the stripes. These stripes when matched to the distances on the focus ring indicate the range of the depth of field. Generally, you put the infinity mark at the stripe so everything from infinity to whereever the other stripe is, will be in focus. In this case, you want to put the distance to the person at where you normally put the infinity mark. The way to get the blorred background is to open the lens to the widest and then sett the distance the person is just within the colored stripe at one side so the other colored stripe is closer, so the depth of field extends from the person toward the lens. The last adjustment is to set the proper shutter speed based on a light meter reading..

Answer 3

Ok, are you ready?
First, you will need a SLR camera (film or digital) and a moderate tele lens from 80 to 200mm. 105mm would be perfect. Zoom lens is also good.
Second, position your subject at least 15ft in front of the background to want to use in your picture. On your SLR camera set it on Portrait mode, focus on the eyes and fire away (this is on auto mode). You can (and should) use aperture priority mode on your camera, open the lens aperture dial to 5.6 or wider, focus on the eyes and again...fire away.
Of course depends on the lighting condition you should adjust the aperture (f stop) to get the best result. Try difference lighting, f stop, background, speeds to experience the difference result.
Last but not least, read the camera manual. I know it is boring sometimes but it is there for a reason.
One thing you should keep in mind when shooting portraits outdoor. Never shoot in harsh sunny condition 8 or 9 am in the morning is the best. Place your subject between the sun and you (the light source is behind your subject) and using the build-in flash or external flash for fill in light.

Answer 4

With the small sensors in digital point and shoot cameras, this is getting to be kind of difficult. Use the widest aperture (smallest number) you can, if you can control this setting. Use the longest focal length you can (most zoom) and then get as close to the subject as you can while still framing things the way you want them to be. Do not use flash. Add all of these things up and you will maximize the blurriness of the background.

Answer 5

If they are moving use a slower shutter speed and pan the moving object. This will result in this object being relatively sharp & the background blurry.
If they are stationery try using a soft focus filter or a translucent plastic bag with a small hole over the lens to blur the edges of the photo. Be creative use your imagination, if it doesn't work try something else, practice makes perfect.

Answer 6

Try using zoom lens, lock your focus close using zoom lens and the background away from your main object, then you ll get your blur effect

Answer 7

Try putting the camera in portrait mode. This will focus the camera on the person's face.