Help with blurring background

[sarahh5]

Hello knowledgable ones.
Can you advise on the attached photo please? I want to either get rid of, or heavily disguise the cars in the background but a cut out looks a bit weird. I've had a go at blurring the background but something went wrong at the bottom of her legs as you can see. Plus I've left the window backgound in focus which also looks a bit strange. And it's too bright in places. All suggestions very welcome indeed.
Many thanks
Sarah

[Wendy]

Hi Sarah ..

How did you do the blurring ??

Wendy :)

[Daviskw]

Hi Sarah

You could always crop some... then clone the cars in the background out.

Butch

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ZRCUmjmnJxh1T5foPKytyTfybj1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ZRCUmjmnJxh1T5foPKytyTfybj1)

[Zeria]

Cropping is the way to go. I would crop for your final print size ---also blur the remaining background (I used gaussian blur at radius 2).
I blurred the entire image and then used a layer mask and "painted" back the subject.

Just for clarification, I'm using PE4 and the layer mask came from Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements
(http://hiddenelements.com/index.html)
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/165PiOQ3TAbOZDktaZfQR58Qv472Gk0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=165PiOQ3TAbOZDktaZfQR58Qv472Gk0)

[sarahh5]

Thanks everyone. I did the blurring by duplicating the layer, then blurring the original and using the eraser on the copy to show the parts I wanted blurred. In retrospect, I realise a layer mask is a better way because you can paint back if necessary.
Will try again using your suggestions!
Sarah

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Thanks everyone. I did the blurring by duplicating the layer, then blurring the original and using the eraser on the copy to show the parts I wanted blurred. In retrospect, I realise a layer mask is a better way because you can paint back if necessary.
Will try again using your suggestions!
Sarah
Hi Sarah,

I like cropping, blurring, and placing the subject's head at one of the rule of thirds point. Zeria's image is just about spot on. From here you can go even further by taking the background out all together. If you have PET magazine Volume 4, Number 2, take a look at page 11.

Cheers,

Bob