Blur can be used as a way to conceal parts of the image you don't want the viewer to see or to highlight a certain part of the image by making it a focal point of the picture. Even though it is probably best to use a photo editing software to blur images and image backgrounds , this task can be accomplished with a number of programs you wouldn't normally associate with photo editing.

If you don't want to spend a significant amount of money on a professional photo editing software, you can use some of the programs commonly featured on Windows OS to blur images for free. In this article, we will show you how you can accomplish this in just a few simple steps. Besides the photo editing program, Fotophire Slideshow Maker, a photo and video slideshow maker, can help you to combine multiple photos ino a slideshow, and it enables you to get the work done in 3 simple steps.

• MJPEG IP Camera i. Remove your background and replace with video sources or images. Virtual Backgrounds i. Blur your background and adjust the blurriness. Background Blur i. Green screen effect to remove backgrounds professionally. Be first-in-line when you send a support request. Priority support i.
• Webcam Wallpaper 1.3 is free to download from our software library. This free software was originally designed by Werner Software. The following versions: 1.3 and 1.2 are the most frequently downloaded ones by the program users. The latest version of the software is supported on PCs running Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10, 32-bit.

If you are using a Mac computer, you can click here to get the information about how to blur image background on Mac

The software also allows you to blue your background or show up presentations at the back for immersive viewing. The app can be used as your PC’s default camera so that it can blur or change your background in other video calling apps like Skype, Webex, Zoom, and Hangouts. Download ChromaCam: PC. OBS Studio is great for beginners since it is free. OBS Studio is a free chroma key software for live streaming. This software option is an open-source live stream broadcasting software package. In addition to chroma-keying, OBS Studio supports RTMP broadcasting, switching between multiple sources, and more.

• Enables you to apply more than 200 effects to your photos to make them better.
• Crop or cut pictures to the size to meet any of your need.
• Help you to remove any unwanted objects from your photos.
• Allow you to use the Creative Blur to refocus your photos in a click.

How to blur images on Windows with Paint

Microsoft Paint was featured on the first version of Windows ever created and it has been included on every new version of this OS since 1985. Paint doesn't offer a Blur setting, but it is still possible to blur an image with this software in two different ways.

Method 1: Blur Images by Resizing Selected Area

• Import the photo you'd like to blur and then click on the Select tool in the toolbar.
• Proceed to select the area of the image you want to blur.
• Drag the edge of the rectangle you just made to resize the selected area. You should aim to make the Select tool rectangle as small as you possibly can. Drag the rectangle outward, and the selected area should become pixelized enough to blur the designated area of the image. Repeat this step until you get a result you are satisfied with.

Method 2: Blur Images by Filling Colors

• Launch the software and import the photo you'd like to blur, by clicking on the Open option in the File menu.
• Select the Rectangle tool from the Shapes menu.
• Create a transparent rectangle around the object you'd like to blur and then click on the Color 2 feature to choose the color of the blur.
• Once you've selected the color, click on the File menu and pick one of the options provided such as Crayon, Natural Pencil or Oil. If you like the blur effect you created click on Save to complete the process.

How to blur images on Windows with MS Office

The feature that enables you to blur images is only available in MS Office 2010 or later, so if you have an older version of this software package you need to upgrade.

Copy and paste your photo into an Office document and click on it to select it. Afterwards, go to the Picture Tools Format tab and click on the Artistic Effects drop-down menu. Once you've applied the blur effect to the image you can adjust it by clicking on the Artistic Effect Options feature.

How to Blur the Background of Photos on Windows with MS Office

The process of blurring the background of a photo is pretty simple in MS Office, even though photo editing isn't what this software package is famous for. In order to commence the process of blurring the background of a photo you first need to import it into one of the programs featured in the MS Office package.

• After you imported the picture into the software, you can crop the photo, or resize it so it fits perfectly into the document you are creating. Then create a copy of the image you are working on and once you have two photos proceed to blur the background image.
• Select the picture to which you want to apply the blur effect and then head over to the Picture Tool Format tab, and follow the steps for blurring the photo described in the previous section of this article, but make sure to apply the blur effect to the entire photo.
• Now that your background photo is ready, proceed to remove the background from the second image. In order to do this you'll need to select the photo, and then once again go to the Picture Tool Format tab, and click on the Remove Background feature in the Adjust group.

If the foreground of the image is clearly distinguishable from the background, the software will automatically isolate the object in the foreground. However, if this doesn't happen, you can use Mark Areas to Keep and Mark Areas to Remove tools to precisely highlight the areas of the image's background you want to remove. Click on the Keep Changes button to remove the background of the photo.

• Cut and paste the image from which you removed the background onto the photo to which you applied the blur effect and adjust the size of the foreground image so it fits nicely into the second picture.

How to blur the Background of Photos on Windows 10 with Photos App

You really don't have to be an image editing expert to blur photo background with the Photos app on Windows 10, because this app will enable you to perform this task in just a few simple steps.

• Since the Photos app is the default software for viewing photos on Windows 10, all you need to do is double-click on the photo in a folder to start the process of blurring its background.
• Once the photo is displayed in the Photos app, click on the edit button, located at the top of the screen and then select the Effects feature.
• More recent versions of the app don't provide the Selective Focus option so you can just apply the Vignette feature to your Whichever of these two effects you apply to your image you'll need to move them around to find the perfect position for them on your photo and then you should adjust the settings so that the background of your photo is perfectly blurred.

Besides achieving blur effects on computer, you can now add blur effects on your smartphones, no matter you are using an iOS or an Android system.

Never before have employees worked remotely on such a massive scale. When millions of companies went fully remote in a short period of time to slow the spread of the coronavirus, video conferencing became the logical solution for connecting the remote workforce and keeping teams productive from home. In a matter of weeks, video conferencing usage exploded, permeating nearly all aspects of professional and personal life. In addition to business-related meetings, remote teams around the globe are using video conferencing to host virtual happy hours, ice breaker activities, online games, wine tastings, birthday parties and other social activities.

These informal gatherings have also led to an increase in interactive background images as colleagues have sought out ways to make virtual meetings and events more fun and engaging. Want to talk to your coworkers from a beach, the Himalayas or on the surface of the moon from your living room? There’s an app for that. Looking for a way to transform your face into a talking potato or favorite meme for your next virtual happy hour? Choose from dozens of camera filters or create your own virtual background images. With Lifesize, virtual backgrounds and effects are easy to implement and a fun way to add a little levity to your next conference call.

For more traditional meetings, virtual backgrounds and camera apps are also useful tools to present a more professional look or added privacy. This is especially useful if you’re joining a conference call from a public space or working from home and want call participants to focus on you, not your background. Additionally, virtual backgrounds, images and animated effects are a great way to make virtual icebreakers, your video presentation, or a webinar more engaging and visually appealing. In this blog, we look at five great resources for adding interactive virtual backgrounds and effects to your next Lifesize video conference call.

5 Best Resources for Virtual Backgrounds

All of these third-party virtual background and special effects tools work with the Lifesize desktop application. Read through the descriptions, decide which one you would like to try out to enhance your video conferencing experience and then follow the step-by-step instructions to get started (and use CX analytics to take you to the next level).

1. ManyCam

ManyCam is an app for Windows and Mac that allows users to add multiple video sources — including webcams, prerecorded videos, images, smartphones and tablets — to live streams and video calls. ManyCam also offers a slew of features designed to help you produce professional-quality live stream videos, similar to a newscast. This is especially beneficial for organizations creating interactive, professional-looking webinars without the luxury of a recording studio. Like other virtual camera apps, ManyCam also provides plenty of features to give your video stream a more light-hearted flair, such as 3-D masks that wrap around your face, virtual objects, digital props, backdrops, effects and fun filters.

2. Snap Camera

Snap Camera is a free desktop application for Windows and Mac made by the creators of Snapchat. For Snapchat users, the app offers a familiar and impressive library of prebuilt lenses, filters and backgrounds that are sure to add extra enjoyment to your conference calls. You can choose from thousands of different virtual backgrounds and lenses, including classics made by Snapchat, and fresh designs created by Snap Camera users using the app’s free Lens Studio. When turned on during a conference call, Snap Camera replaces the input of your webcam with your selected lens or virtual background and streams the augmented video to call participants in real time.

3. ChromaCam

ChromaCam is a simple but powerful virtual background desktop application for Windows and Macs. With ChromaCam’s easy-to-use interface, you can quickly remove your background, blur it, add streaming effects or drop in PowerPoint presentation slides as your background. There is a free-to-use “lite” edition that lets you replace your background with a standard image or virtual green screen. With a ChromaCam Pro account you can customize your background and logos, unlock additional images and use PowerPoint content as a dynamic background.

4. CamTwist

CamTwist is an application that lets you add special effects and filters to live video feeds. Currently available to Mac users only, CamTwist acts as a broadcast-quality video switcher, enabling you to create distinct setups or scenes that can be easily changed during a live call. While the software package includes a large selection of premade effects, it is also easy to create your own custom elements. If you’re a bit more tech savvy and ready to take your video conferencing experience to the next level then CamTwist is the perfect tool for you.

5. XSplit VCam

XSplit VCam is a webcam background removal software for Windows only. XSplit VCam supports JPEGs, GIFs, PNGs and even full web pages, giving you unlimited personalization options for background replacement. You can also apply a customizable blur effect to your actual background for ultimate privacy. XSplit VCam is a great option for Windows users looking for a simple video conferencing background replacement tool without all the filters, digital lenses and animated effects.

How to Add a Virtual Background in Lifesize

Adding third-party virtual backgrounds and animated effects to your Lifesize desktop app is simple and only takes a few minutes to set up. Here are step-by-step instructions for adding virtual backgrounds to your next Lifesize call. You will need to complete these four steps before the start of your call.

Step 1: Download virtual background app

First, download and install the third-party virtual background application. After installation is complete, keep the software open.

Step 2: Open Lifesize settings

In the Lifesize desktop app, click on settings in the top right corner.

Step 3: Change camera input

In the Audio/Video settings click on the camera drop-down menu. Select the third-party virtual background app you just installed.

Webcam Background Blur Windows 10

Step 4: Control background with third-party app

Blur Background Google Meet

Control and customize your augmented video with the third-party virtual background app. After you have selected the perfect background or filter, make or join a Lifesize call and have fun! During the call, you can continue to change your virtual background and filters or turn off the augmented video by going to Lifesize settings and changing the camera source.

Conclusion

Webcam Blur Effect

It can get repetitive to showcase the same backdrop in every conference call. Adding a fun virtual background or digital filter can really spice things up. These apps give you the freedom to customize your look since there are thousands of different backgrounds, filters, animations and lenses you can add to your video call. Get creative and share a laugh on your next team virtual happy hour by joining the meeting as someone [or something] else from your favorite spot in the world.