The Photoshop® CS Book for Digital Photographers

Depth-of-Field Effect

This is a digital way to create the classic in-camera depth-of-field effect, and thanks to Photoshop’s Quick Mask, it’s easy to pull off. Of course, for this technique to be effective, you have to start with the right photo, one that would benefit from a depth-of-field effect. (Close-up photos of people are ideal, as are product shots, as long as they’re not shot straight on or, if they are, they need to have a detailed background behind them.)

Step One.	Open the photo on which you want to apply a depth-of-field effect. Switch to Quick Mask mode by pressing the letter “q.” © BRAND X PICTURES [View full size image]
Step Two. ...