How to Unblur an Image in Photoshop | 4 Methods to Fix Blurry Images

4 Methods to Fix Blurry Image in Photoshop

To remove blur in Photoshop, there are several methods available, each with its own advantages depending on the type of blur you're dealing with. Below, I’ll walk you through the main techniques I’ve used, sharing my personal experience with each. You’ll find that the process can vary slightly depending on the kind of blur in the image, but overall, Photoshop provides powerful tools to fix it.

1. Using the Shake Reduction Filter

This tool is particularly helpful if the blur was caused by camera shake. I’ve found it to be incredibly effective for correcting slight motion blur, especially in images where the camera moved during the shot.

Steps:

1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Go to Filter > Sharpen > Shake Reduction.



3. Photoshop will automatically analyze the image and attempt to correct the blur.
4. Adjust the sliders (like Blur Trace Bounds and Smoothing) to fine-tune the result. I usually find that leaving the settings at default works well, but you can tweak them for more precise adjustments.



5. Click OK to apply the filter.

2. Using the High Pass Filter for Sharpening

Another method for fixing blur is sharpening, especially when the image is blurry due to slight focus issues. The High Pass filter can help bring out detail without affecting the overall sharpness too much.

Steps:

1. Duplicate your image layer by pressing Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac).



2. With the duplicated layer selected, go to Filter > Other > High Pass.



3. Set the radius between 1.0 and 2.0 pixels to preserve the details and avoid over-sharpening. Click OK.



4. Change the layer mode to Overlay or Soft Light in the Layers panel.



5. If necessary, reduce the layer opacity to control the intensity of the effect.

3. Using the Smart Sharpen Tool

For more general blur, the Smart Sharpen filter is one of the best go-to tools in Photoshop. It allows for detailed adjustments and can effectively correct both motion blur and out-of-focus blur.

Steps:

1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen.



3. In the dialog box, adjust the Amount slider to control how much sharpening is applied. For blur, I usually start at a low value and gradually increase it.



4. Adjust the Radius slider—lower values are better for fine details, while higher values work better for broader areas.
5. If necessary, use the Remove dropdown to select between Gaussian Blur, Lens Blur, or Motion Blur, depending on the type of blur in your image.
6. Click OK to apply.

4. Using the Camera Raw Filter

For more advanced users, the Camera Raw filter provides even greater control over sharpening and noise reduction. It’s particularly useful when working with RAW files, but it can be applied to JPEGs as well.

Steps:

1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter.



3. In the Camera Raw dialog, go to the Detail tab (the third one from the left).



4. Adjust the Sharpening sliders—Amount, Radius, Detail, and Masking—to correct the blur. I usually start with the Amount at around 50 and fine-tune from there.
5. Use the Noise Reduction sliders to reduce any noise that might have been introduced during sharpening.
6. Click OK to apply.

Photoshop Too Complicated for Sharpening Blurry Image? Try an AI Tool

After exploring the various ways to unblur pictures in Photoshop, it's clear that while these methods are powerful, they require a certain level of expertise and often involve time-consuming manual adjustments. That’s where AI-powered tools like Aiarty Image Enhancer come into play.

Aiarty offers a much simpler, more intuitive approach to sharpening blurry images. Powered by advanced AI algorithms, it automatically enhances image quality, removes blur, and improves sharpness—all without the need for complex steps or fine-tuning.

While Photoshop can offer more control, Aiarty simplifies the process and delivers excellent results with just a few clicks. Now, let's take a look at the steps to get started with Aiarty Image Enhancer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sharpening Blurry Photos with Aiarty Image Enhancer

Step 1: Download and install Aiarty

Click the download button below to get started with the installation process.

Step 2: Open Aiarty Image Enhancer and upload your image

Once installed, open the app and upload the image you want to fix. Aiarty supports a wide variety of image formats, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.

Step 3: Select the appropriate AI model

Aiarty offers five different AI models to choose from, based on the type and characteristics of the image you’re enhancing. Here are your options: More-Detail GAN v3, AIGCsmooth v3, More-Detail GAN v2, Smooth Diff v2, and Real-Photo v3

Select the model that best suits your image’s needs. You can always experiment with different models if you’re unsure about which one will work best.

Step 4: Choose upscale settings

You can choose whether to upscale the image or keep it at its original resolution. In the Upscale drop-down menu, select your desired magnification (1x, 2x, 4x, 8x) or specific resolution (1k, 2k, 4k, 8k), or even set a custom resolution. If you choose 1x, the software will maintain the original resolution. Regardless of the settings, Aiarty will automatically enhance the image, removing blur, noise, and other imperfections, without requiring manual tweaks.

Once you’ve selected your settings, the software will begin processing your image. Afterward, you can preview the result and see if the blurry image becomes sharper. If you’re happy with the enhancement, move to the next step; if not, you can switch to another AI model and try again.

Step 5: Export your enhanced image(s)

Once you’re satisfied with the result, you can either export the image individually or batch process multiple images at once. For batch processing, simply click the “Batch Export” option.

With Aiarty Image Enhancer, removing blur and improving photo quality has never been easier. Whether you’re working with one image or many, this AI tool streamlines the process and saves you valuable time.

Conclusion

Sharpening blurry images in Photoshop requires a combination of techniques and a bit of trial and error. While tools like the Shake Reduction filter and Smart Sharpen are excellent for general cases, sometimes a more hands-on approach (like using the Camera Raw filter or High Pass filter) might give you the best results.

My experience has shown that while Photoshop can’t always fix every blur perfectly, with patience and practice, you can significantly improve many blurry images.

That said, if you've tried everything in Photoshop and still aren’t satisfied with the outcome, it’s worth giving Aiarty Image Enhancer a shot. This AI-powered tool can automatically remove blur from photos with just one click—and the results might just exceed your expectations.