how do i take a picture that has my object clear but by background blurry?

Question

the camera i'm using is a Panasonic DMC-LZ7.

Answer 1

Some cameras have a setting that will do it for you automatically, portrait setting. Otherwise you will have to fool around with your backfocus or sometimes changing your macro setting can have the same effect.

Answer 2

This is a depth-of-field question.

When you focus on an object, the depth of the area in focus extends approximately 1/3 of the total depth in front of the object and 2/3s of the total depth in behind the object. The smaller the f-stop (bigger number) the deeper the depth of field will be. Your distance from an object also has an effect on this as well.

You will need to experiment a bit but the basic idea is to focus somewhat in front of your subject and try to work it out so that it ends up being toward the back of the depth-of-field area. It's easier to do with an SLR style camera that has a depth-of-field preview but can be cheated on a digital camera by prefocusing on a closer object (press and hold the button 1/2 way down, do not release) and then reframing on your intended subject (press the button the rest of the way).

Answer 3

Achieving what you want is more difficult with a camera like yours due to its small sensor. You really need to use your zoom and have it at its widest aperture (aka f-stop). Keep your subject a good distance from the background, stand back and compose with your zoom and see if you get the results you want.

Answer 4

if you're working with an SLR camera you must adjust the f-stop and apurature to focus on the subject and not the background.