
White is used to add to the mask in certain places, while black will subtract from the mask. If you select the mask in the layers list (again, by clicking it), then the Brush (B) tool will have two color options – black and white. You can draw on the mask you’ve created as needed with the brush. The foundation of your bokeh overlay is complete! Now, you can fine-tune the selection according to your needs. After you make this selection, a mask is created that puts the lights in the background only Finally, press the Esc key to exit selection mode. Now that you have your selection, right click the layer with the lights and select Mask and Hide Selection. Use Refine Selection to fine-tune the details but be careful not to overdo adjustments to Radius Add a mask Don’t forget to click the green Apply button to apply changes. You can refine your selection using the Refine Selection settings group and adjust the Radius slider by a few values. We now have the area where we do not want the lights selected Make the layer visible by once again clicking the eye icon. TIP: If the lights layer is in your way, you can make it invisible by clicking the small eye icon next to the layer. Select the area where you don’t want the lights (in this case, the face). Also, be sure the layer containing the model is below the lights layer. Make sure that you have the right layer selected in the Layers list (by clicking it). You will now work in the layer that contains the model. Magnetic Lasso works best for the purposes of our demonstration. We use Magnetic Lasso (A) under Selection Tools, but you can choose other selection tools based on your preferences. We’ve added the lights, but certainly don’t want them in front of our model, so the next step is to work with Selection Tools. Make your overlay transparent Choose where to place the bokeh This is the reason why it’s critical to take the picture in the dark. This makes the photo transparent and only the light areas, i.e. In the next step, you must set the Layer Blending Mode to Screen. Click +Add Layer -> Paste from File and choose your bokeh overlay image. įirst, use the Layers settings group to place the overlay. Your bokeh overlay image should be in *.png or *.jpg format. Nighttime cityscapes offer plenty of colorful lights, especially at Christmastime.Īn example of a simple method for shooting bokeh in the hallway Add the bokeh to the photographĬhoose the photograph that you want to add the lights to and open it in the Editor module. You can get photos of blurred lights like these at home using a string of lights, or venture outdoors. Take several shots to choose from later.Point the camera at the lights, make it intentionally out-of-focus until the lights become giant specks.We recommend using a lens that is 18-105mm, or longer if you take a few steps back.This type of photo must be taken in the dark, with the string of lights being the only source of light. But you can pull the lights out any time of year, hang them up, and shoot your custom bokeh. A bokeh overlay like this is best shot at Christmastime. All you need is any kind of string of lights. But how do we create such an image without having to steal it from somewhere or paying for it? A bokeh overlay shot with Christmas lights is a simple method for shooting bokeh at home. One example of this effect is artificial bokeh. An overlay is an effect made in Zoner Photo Studio X that is added to your photo in the form of another JPEG or PNG image. You may notice that your photography needs that extra something. All you need is your camera, a string of lights, and Zoner Photo Studio X.
Teal lights bokeh overlay how to#
Read on to learn how to create your own bokeh and add it to your photography.

Bokeh can be added to photos where there was none previously. You don’t always have to get bokeh (a blurred background) in your photo during the actual shoot.
