Video Tutorial: How to Apply a Bokeh Overlay to Make Your Images Pop

In this video tutorial, I’ll show you how you can use a bokeh overlay to add some dreamy effects to your images to make them pop. From subtle to dramatic, the choice is yours for how you apply it.

Let your creativity go wild!

What is a bokeh overlay?

A bokeh overlay is exactly what it sounds like. It is an image of bokeh that you overlay onto another image.

If you don’t have your own bokeh overlay images, not to worry I’ve created a few collections of them for you including my Ultimate Bokeh Pack.

How do you use bokeh overlays?

To be able to apply these bokeh images to your photos, you need a program that can either work with layers or has a way to add textures or overlays. Photoshop and Luminar AI will both work, as will something like ON1 Photo Raw, GIMP, or Affinity Photo.

By adding one of the bokeh images as an overlay and adjusting how it blends with the original image – you will be able to create a finished masterpiece like this before and after example.

Bokeh overlay tutorial

To see how to apply a bokeh overlay, watch the video below now. I will demonstrate how to do it using both Luminar AI and Photoshop, so whichever program you’re using you can follow along. (Luminar Neo will also be able to do this)

Note: The sale price mentioned in the video above expired in November 2022 and is no longer valid.

DPM Ultimate Bokeh Pack

AI Photo Editing: Read my review of Luminar Neo, the next generation photo editing using AI. It’s an industry game changer. If you’ve already got it, enrolling in my Luminar Neo course should be able to get you up and editing in days instead of weeks. Check it out.

More examples

Here are a couple more examples that you saw me create in the video.

But don’t just take my word for how much fun and creativity bokeh overlays can add to your images. I had four wonderful beta testers do a trial run with the bokeh for me and this is what some of them created and had to say about using them.

Read: The Upside-Down Trick – a Photography Hack to Help You Make Better Images

The bokeh images were fun to use and gave a whimsical flair to photos I already liked but also “salvaged” some photos which might have otherwise been rejected! The bokeh covered unwanted elements in some photos and in my view, literally illuminated others.

– HOLLY LINTON

I hope you give this a try and apply some bokeh overlays to your images.

Please share your finished images in the comment area below – I’d love to see them!

Cheers,