Sharpen Isolated Subject Only, Keep Blurred Background

[blplhp]

If you have a close-up shot of your subject against a wonderfully smooth, blurred background, how do you isolate the subject and then how do you apply USM sharpening to it without sharpening the background? Please provide a simple step-by-step procedure. I didn't see clear instructions for these two combined operations in the Manual (unless I passed over it by mistake).

Thanks.

[heinz-oz]

You have to select the object you want to work on. Use the lasso tool or the masking tool or any other tool that allows you to select the area you want to sharpen. On the selection menu click on "Convert to object". While the object is still selected do what needs to be done to the object, that's all. Anything you do will only apply to the selected object.

[blplhp]

Thanks, heinz-oz!!

[trueblue]

Object extract is great for doing this. Go to Object on the menu bar, choose extract object. A box will open with your picture in it. Paint around the desired part, the click ok, then go on to the next step where you take out the remaining part of the photograph.....next click next and next.
You will return to the workspace in PI. The edges maybe a little tacky so clean up with the eraser. I don't erase too close as I blur the edges slightly to give it a softer effect. The original background can now be blurred by going to Photo, blur, gausian blur and choose one you like.
When happy....merge all.

Hope this helps.