Trick Photoshop

Telephoto lenses in cameras can keep the object in sharp focus and blur out the background or areas which are not in focus. The same effect can be done with any version of photoshop and requires no great skill.
This is the effect I will create

I will be using this full body stock. You will find it here

It belongs to caseykitten

Study the image. Both the model and the wall are in sharp focus.  If we want our eyes to focus on the model only we can blur the brick wall. There is a very simple way to do it.

Step 1 : Duplicate the Background Layer by pressing CTRL+J. Actually it is not required and can be done on a single layer. But I am using a new Layer 1.

Step 2 : Click the Edit in Quick Mask Mode button. In some versions of photoshop there are two buttons. The other button is the Edit in Standard Mode button. Here a single one doubles up for both.

Step 3 : Click the Brush Tool.

Step 4 : Click where the arrow points to open the Brush controls in the top panel. Set the Hardness to 0%. For increasing the Size use the [ (left square bracket) to decrease the size and ] (right square bracket) to increase it.

Step 5 : In the top panel I am leaving the Mode, Opacity and Flow at the default settings.

Step 6 : Increase the Brush size by pressing the ] (right square bracket).

Step 7 : Ensure that Black is set as the Foreground color.

Step 8 : Begin painting with the Brush. It seems you are painting with Red. I am not only painting the model but some of the background also.

Step 9 : I have finished painting. I have not only painted the model but also some of the wall.