Workshop: How to create a digital Petzval lens effect

Instructions are for MacOS only.

Open your preferred image in Photoshop:

1. Duplicate layer

2. Cmd + T to transform the image

3. Drag the anchor point to the area of focus: I usually select between the eyes

4. On the toolbar, change Width to 101 (keep exiting aspect ratio)

5. Rotate the image 0.5 degrees

6. Cmd, Option, Shift +T x 4 (this rotates the image)

7. Select the four background layers

8. Cmd + G two group the layers

9. Add mask

10. Select a black brush and ensure tool hardness is 0%, opacity 100%.

11. Brush face to remove the blur

Before and after

Notice how the background is softened.