Halos when blurring background using gaussian blur

Question

Can someone PLEASE help me?!!!  I'm getting so frustrated....I can't seem to blur a background in my photos without seeing halos around the foreground that I would like to be the main focus of my picture.
I have tried blurring the whole picture and erasing the subject...but that doesn't work.  I have tried inverting and feathering but that still hasn't worked.
And also, what is the best way to blur the background but keep someones hair completely in focus?
Thanks so much for you help!
M.

Answer 1

M.,
The best way is with use of a mask.
Open picture
Duplicate background layer
Blur background copy layer
Open a Levels adjustment layer, do nothing with it just yet
Drag the adjustment layer, in the layers palette, between the background and background copy layers
Left click the layer mask thumbnail (white rectangle) in the adjustment layer
Link the background copy layer and the levels adjustment layer (Layer>create clipping mask or CTRL+G)
Paint with a black brush where you want the area to be in focus. If you go too far, correct with white
Hints:
Can toggle between black and white with x on keyboard
Use bracket keys to change brush size - [ to make smaller ] to make larger.