Page updated: 14 June 2026

Better Alternatives to the Blur Tool

Superior Quality, More Options and More Flexible

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Blur Tool

This tool blurs the image in the areas that you paint over. You can change the strength of the blur from 1% to 100% and if you work on a duplicate layer, you can change the layer opacity. It won't work on a layer that has been converted to a Smart Object, nor on an empty layer. It's possibly ok if quality isn't important and you just want to quickly blur a small part of the image. However it will do so destructively, so if used, I suggest doing so so on a separate layer. Other tools allow you to work more flexibly, non-destructively and with greater control.

Blur Tool - Alternative 1: Gaussian Blur

comparison of raw vs jpeg images

Gaussian Blur is available on the Filters menu. Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur.

I recommend using Gaussian Blur as a Smart Filter. This means that the layer will be converted to a Smart Object, which then gives you the benefit of being able to change the amount of blur, at any time, or turn the blur off completely. Gaussian Blur also blurs in a better way than the Blur Tool.

Blur Tool - Aternative 2: Lens Blur

Lens Blur is a Camera Raw filter and by default, you can't use Camera Raw filters on a layer converted to a Smart Ojbect. However a little known script, run once, wiill change this and will allow you to use Camera Raw filters on a Smart Object.

How to Use Camera Raw Filters on a Smart Object

You will need to download and run a script within Photoshop. At first glance the steps might seem complicated, but they are quite straightforward.

The result is well worth it, as it then gives you all the advantages and flexibility of Smart Filters.

  1. Visit https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/downloadable-plugins-and-content.html
  2. Download either the Photoshop windows version or the macOS Photoshop pre-2019 version.
  3. DO NOT select the Photoshop macOS 2020 version , as that version won't work.
  4. The download will be a zip file which you will need to Unzip or mount. In File Explorer or Finder, right click on the file and select Extract All. This will unzip the file into its own folder than you can access from within Photoshop.
  5. In Photoshop from the File menu, select Scripts and Browse and navigate to the folder that you extracted the zipped file to.
    File > Scripts > Browse, select "EnableAllPluginsForSmartFilters.jsx"
  6. Go to the Javascript folder
  7. Go to the Sample Scripts folder
  8. Inside that folder is a script called "EnableAllPluginsForSmartFilters.jsx". Run this script.
  9. That't it! You can now use Lens Blur as a smart filter!
comparison of raw vs jpeg images

Raw image, edited

A raw image retains the detail in the sky, which can be brought out in editing, whilst importantly retaining a natural look. This is how you will see the scene with your eyes and a raw image allows you to achieve much closer to this.

When a raw file is edited in Lightroom, the edited settings are saved either in a separate “sidecar” file, or within the raw file itself. The original raw file cannot be changed.

Shooting raw or jpeg is a choice. Raw files gives you greater flexibility compared to jpeg files, but there is nothing wrong, or inferior if you choose to just shoot jpeg.

Tip:

When saving in Photoshop .psd format, leave the file name unchanged. Filenames have to be unique, but the file extension, (3 or 4 letters after the full stop in the filename), will change from jpg to psd, thus preserving unique filenames. In the future, months or years later, you can easily see which files are from the same image, which can be very useful.

Saving it in the Photoshop format will save all layers in your image and will ensure you can save it as many times as you like without losing any quality.

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