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How to Blur and Censor Parts of Photos in Snapseed App

Snapseed is a popular and free photo editing app developed by Google. It provides professional-grade tools to enhance your photos through filters, tuning, and other effects. One of its standout features is the ability to selectively blur parts of an image.

This can be useful for artistic effects or to censor sensitive content you want to share. In this guide, we’ll cover how to use Snapseed’s tools to blur and censor photos.

Getting Started with Snapseed

First, download Snapseed for iOS or Android if you don’t already have it installed.

Once installed:

  • Open the app and tap the Open button
  • Select a photo from your camera roll or take one directly in Snapseed
  • The editing screen has two main sections: Looks and Tools. Tap between them to access different options

Using the Lens Blur Filter

Snapseed’s Lens Blur filter lets you selectively blur parts of a photo. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Tap Tools at the bottom
  2. Under Filters, select Lens Blur
  3. By default, it applies an elliptical blur. Tap the icon in the bottom left to switch between linear and elliptical focus
  4. Use two fingers to pinch/zoom the blur to resize it
  5. Drag the blur around your image to position it
  6. Adjust the blur strength and transition using the sliders

This allows you to highlight your main subject while attracting the eye away from other elements. It’s great for portraits.

Blurring Faces

To blur faces, the process is similar:

  1. Add the Lens Blur filter
  2. Position and size the blur to cover the face
  3. Adjust the strength to completely obscure facial details

Make sure no identifying features remain visible. Be careful about sharing photos of people without their consent.

Using Brush Tools

For more precision, try Snapseed’s Brush tool:

  1. Select Tools > Brush
  2. Choose brush type (Blur, Color, Dodge/Burn, etc.)
  3. Adjust size and hardness
  4. Brush over areas to apply effect

The Eraser brush can remove any changes. This gives you full control over which parts receive the blur effect.

Censoring Sensitive Content

To censor inappropriate or private content you still wish to share:

  • Use the Lens Blur filter as above to obscure nudity, text, logos, etc.
  • For small details, the Brush tools allow custom blurring
  • Mosaic Mode blocks out defined areas completely
  • The Expand tool can extend a photo’s edges if needed to cover elements at the frame edges

Take care not to overlook any sensitive details. When in doubt, ask people’s consent before sharing photos of them.

Saving and Exporting

When finished, tap the checkmark ✓ icon to save changes.

To export and share the censored version:

  • Tap Export at bottom
  • Choose export location
  • Select maximum size and quality
  • Tap Save to export finished photo

The exported photo will include all edits and censorship applied in Snapseed.

More Tips for Effective Blurring

  • Use maximum blur strength to make sensitive areas unrecognizable
  • Pay attention to blur shape to ensure full coverage
  • Utilize Snapseed’s wide range of tools as needed – get creative!
  • Balance censorship with image quality
  • Seek consent before sharing photos of people

With practice, Snapseed provides effective and precise control to blur and censor photos before sharing them publicly.

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