Searcher Loc: Kent, England

I tried the inverted radial filter on the OP's image but there is so much bright colour near to the subject I could not use the filter to isolate the background. I think this is one image where you either use the brush effectively or use PS and isolate by selections.

If you can do a reasonable job with the radial filter I would be really interested in seeing it. (maybe a combination of radial + brush would work?)

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Thanks as I learn, I will keep my eyes out for that process.

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I took a crack at this in LR 5. Here is what I did put an oblong shaped radial over the main subject and unselected the invert mask then I lowered - exposure until it looks about right I then - clarity, sharpness and very slightly - saturation and + noise. This serves to darken and blur the background. I then right clicked on the radial and duplicated it then checked the invert mask which now puts the effect inside the radial and adjusted up slightly the exposure, sharpness, clarity etc. Finally I did some slight tweaks to the subjects face with the brush to increase exposure and lastly a slight vignette effect...it took about 3 minutes to do this.

updated pow wow

(Download)

RBSinTo Loc: Toronto, Canada

Well done!
But while you were at it, you should have eliminated the numbered placard. It is really distracting and completely out of place in the portrait.

twowindsbear

It's really REALLY simple - ASK the person to pose for you! Find an area with a 'non-busy' background, ask him to go with you to the pre-chosen area & 'shoot away.'

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Yep I agree, would have required a trip over to photoshop to do it well and if I went to photoshop would have also done a gausian blur and mask it off the subject so that it just effected the background....... was trying to stay just in LR as the originator said he had lightroom and didn't know if he had photoshop... also in retrospect wouldn't have gone quick as dark on the background....