Zoom Blur Effect in GIMP – GIMP Tutorial

If you don’t have a zoom lens or you’d like to manipulate a certain image in this style then this tutorial for GIMP should help you achieve a similar effect!

The final result!

The original photograph:

The Original

Firstly open up GIMP with your image:

Getting Started

• Duplicate that Layer (call it ‘BLUR‘)
• On layer Blur -> GO, Filters -> Blur -> Motion Blur:

Motion Blur

• Select Zoom Blur:
• The Length varies depending on the amount of detail in the photo or what you’d like, but 75 works nicely:
• This process of blurring might take a while for your computer to finish it!

Zoom Blur

• On Blur, right click -> add Alpha Channel:

Alpha Channel

• On Blur, right click -> add Layer Mask (White (full opacity)):

Layer Mask (White (full opacity)

• Grab the Gradient Tool: Only FG (Black), Radial:
• Now, select  from the centre and move out, as shown below: FG Only: Black, Radial:

Gradient Tool

• As you can see, the Layer Mask has revealed the in-focus text from the layer underneath:

The in-focus text

• Remember to Apply Layer Mask:
• And that is all!

Apply Layer Mask

For the photography tutorial on this effect please check it out here: scottphotographics.com/lens-zoom-blur-effect-photography

And if you’d like some more inspiration check  it out here: scottphotographics.com/zoom-lens-blur-effect-inspiration

If you’d like to use these photographs please Contact Me!

Please comment below if you have any questions and I’ll answer them ASAP!

All images on this site are copyrighted© – All Rights Reserved.

Written by Mike

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Michael Scott is the publisher and photographer behind Scott Photographics! He is very passionate about his photography and enjoys sharing the best of his experiences for others to enjoy too! Contact Mike via email!