Learn how to blur video background without expensive gear. We have covered the three cheapest methods, which won’t be hard on your wallet. Our guide reveals the secrets to cinematic footage without spending thousands.
Introduction:
Many videographers, at least in their beginning stage, are interested in knowing how to blur video backgrounds, as this bokeh remains one of the most in-demand and appealing features in videography. Whether it’s your YouTube video, a professional cinematic shooting project, a vlog, or even a Zoom call, the very first aspect of a video in terms of quality is judged by its blur quality in black and white.
In 2025, technology and camera lens technologies have evolved tremendously, and now you can introduce creamy bokeh or blur in your videos without spending thousands of dollars on camera equipment. This is how to blur the video background in your video while being nice to your wallet.
This is How to Blur Video Background on a Budget.
1. Use Editing Software
The free version of DaVinci Resolve features a powerful feature called rotoscoping, a fancy word for creating a mask around your subject and throughout the clip. This isolates the subject, after which you can easily add a blur effect in the background, like Gaussian Blur or Lens Blur. Pretty neat feature.
The newer versions of this software have improved tools like the Magic Mask tool, which is powered by AI and can quickly isolate a person without the painstaking manual rotoscoping, making adding blur even easier. You can also use the Subject Detection and Masking tools in Adobe Premiere Pro for the same effects.
Having said that, the blurred background effect achieved with software is still not the organic and creamy bokeh effect you get with optical hardware. The object isolation still feels processed with software and is not as good as one would get from a dedicated camera lens, but still, it’s a considerably cheap way of knowing how to blur the video background in your projects.
2. Use Green Screens for Virtual Blur
A green screen setup is nowadays one of the most cost-effective ways to bring blur to the video background. This method doesn’t use any optical device to render blur; instead, it relies on a uniform background, usually in green or blue color. This screen is digitally replaced in software with a blurred background.
Of course, this will add significant time to your workflow and can have edge detection issues, especially for hair and transparent objects in the frame. But still a great way to add blur for filmmakers making videos on a budget, especially when shooting in small spaces.
3. Use an Inexpensive Camera Lens:
The above two methods are one of the cheapest and simplest ways to get blur in your video background, but they come with limitations. If you are serious about bokeh and the overall feel of your video content, then there is no escape from investing in optical hardware.
Thankfully, in 2025, there are many options for both camera bodies and camera lenses, which are pretty cheap, especially if you invest in a used one. Cameras like the Canon R10, Sony ZVE10, and Fujifilm X100VI offer immense value and are quite cheap as well. The same goes for camera lenses, as many brands are bringing more and more creator-oriented options that pack a solid performance at a decent price.
One such lens is the SIRUI Aurora 85mm F1.4 lens, a blur and bokeh powerhouse designed for both seasoned professionals and beginners. Built with a breathtaking f/1.8 aperture tuned at 85mm, this lens can create a shallow depth of field like what you would expect from a lens costing two grand.
The final videos are rendered with isolation of the subject done with stunning precision, while the bokeh seamlessly dissolves at its edges. Moreover, the lens is designed to be video-friendly and also avoids noise and hunting even in low light. And the best part is that this lens costs under $500, making it a great long-term investment, especially considering its high performance and quality of bokeh.
Wrapping Up:
We explained above how to blur video background without spending thousands of dollars on high-end gear. All these methods are workable but don’t deliver professional-grade results, though. In 2025, the SIRUI AURORA 85mm F1.4 lens delivers creamy bokeh comparable to cinematic content and renders professional-grade optical blur without the professional-grade price tag.
