Blurry photos can be frustrating, but there are techniques to improve them. While severely blurry images may be beyond repair, less blurry ones can often be salvaged using photo editing software.
One method involves tackling noise. Isolate the color channel with the most noise (often luminance or color). Apply blur filters like Bilateral, Median, or Gaussian blur to reduce noise. Experiment to find the best balance between noise reduction and detail preservation.
Frequency separation, a technique favored by portrait photographers, can also help. This method separates image texture from color, allowing for targeted sharpening and smoothing. Another approach is edge detection, where you sharpen only the detected edges of the image, enhancing definition without amplifying noise.
Contrast issues can exacerbate blurriness. In images with stark contrasts, such as a dark-haired person against a light background, the transition areas can appear blurry. Addressing the contrast, possibly through dodging and burning techniques, might improve perceived sharpness.
Sometimes, re-shooting is the best option. If the blur is severe due to focus issues or camera shake, no amount of editing can fully restore the image. If possible, reshoot the photo with proper focus and a stable camera. This will always yield a better result than attempting to fix a severely blurry image.
