How to Take Pictures with a Blurred Background on Your iPhone
Hey readers,
Sharp subjects against stunningly blurred backgrounds. That’s the magic of portrait mode photography. The effect is usually achieved with a DSLR camera, but what if you don’t have one?
Good news, you can easily take pictures with a blurred background on your iPhone. This guide will walk you through the steps to achieve that professional-looking blurred background effect on your iPhone shots.
Understanding iPhone Portrait Mode
The iPhone’s Portrait mode uses software to create a depth-of-field effect, blurring the background behind your subject. The iPhone X and later models offer a "Portrait Lighting" feature that adds studio-quality lighting effects to your portraits.
Using Portrait Mode on Your iPhone
1. Open the Camera app: Tap on the Camera app icon on your iPhone’s home screen.
2. Select Portrait mode: Swipe to the "Portrait" mode in the camera’s shooting modes.
3. Compose your shot: Position your subject in the frame and make sure they’re within the focus area (indicated by a yellow square).
4. Adjust the blur level: Tap on the "f/" icon at the bottom of the screen to adjust the blur level. A lower f-number (e.g., f/2.8) will result in a more blurred background.
5. Take the picture: Tap on the shutter button to take the picture.
Tips for Taking Stunning iPhone Portrait Mode Photos
1. Use good lighting: Natural light is best for portrait photography. Avoid shooting in low-light conditions.
2. Keep your subject still: Movement can cause the background to blur too much. Ask your subject to remain still while you take the picture.
3. Get close to your subject: The closer you are to your subject, the more blurred the background will be.
4. Use a wider aperture: A wider aperture (lower f-number) will create a more blurred background.
5. Experiment with different angles: Shooting from different angles can create different effects. Try shooting from above or below your subject to create more dramatic portraits.
Blurry Background Options for Older iPhones
If you don’t have an iPhone X or later, you can still achieve a blurred background effect using third-party apps.
Blur Background App
This free app allows you to blur the background of your photos after taking them. It’s easy to use and provides a variety of blur effects to choose from.
AfterFocus App
AfterFocus lets you select the focus area of your photos and blur the rest of the background. It offers advanced tools for precise blur control and different blur effects.
Working with Depth Control
Depth Control is a feature available on some iPhone models that allows you to adjust the depth of field in your photos after taking them.
1. Open the Photos app: Tap on the Photos app on your home screen.
2. Select the photo: Choose the photo you want to adjust.
3. Tap on the "Edit" button: Select the "Edit" button in the top right corner.
4. Adjust the depth: Tap on the "Depth" tab at the bottom of the screen and use the slider to adjust the depth of field.
Troubleshooting Problems with iPhone Picture Blurry Background
1. Make sure you’re using Portrait mode: If your photos aren’t coming out with a blurred background, ensure you’re using Portrait mode in the Camera app.
2. Check the distance to your subject: The iPhone’s Portrait mode works best when your subject is within 2-8 feet away from the camera.
3. Clean the camera lens: A dirty camera lens can cause blurry photos. Use a soft cloth to clean the lens before taking pictures.
Conclusion
Taking pictures with a blurred background on your iPhone is a great way to achieve professional-looking portraits. By understanding Portrait mode and using the tips provided in this guide, you can create stunning photos that capture the beauty of your subjects.
Check out our other articles on iPhone photography to improve your skills:
- Tips for Taking Amazing Selfies on Your iPhone
- How to Master Night Mode Photography on Your iPhone
- The Ultimate Guide to iPhone Photography
FAQ about iPhone Picture Blurry Background
Why does my iPhone camera sometimes take blurry pictures in the background?
The iPhone camera uses a technique called background blur to create a shallow depth of field effect. This effect can make the subject of the photo stand out by blurring the background. However, in some cases, the background may appear blurry even when you don’t want it to. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as:
- The subject is too close to the background. The closer the subject is to the background, the more likely the background will be blurry.
- The aperture is too wide. The aperture is the opening in the lens that allows light to enter the camera. A wider aperture (lower f-stop number) creates a shallower depth of field, which results in more background blur.
- The shutter speed is too slow. A slow shutter speed can cause the camera to shake, which can blur the image.
- The lens is dirty. A dirty lens can scatter light, which can also blur the image.
How can I fix blurry backgrounds in iPhone pictures?
There are a few things you can do to fix blurry backgrounds in iPhone pictures:
- Move the subject farther away from the background. This will give the camera more room to focus on the subject and blur the background.
- Use a narrower aperture (higher f-stop number). This will create a deeper depth of field, which will result in less background blur.
- Use a faster shutter speed. This will reduce the chance of camera shake, which can blur the image.
- Clean the lens. A clean lens will help to prevent light from scattering, which can blur the image.
Why does my iPhone camera sometimes take blurry pictures in low light?
In low light, the iPhone camera has to use a slower shutter speed to let more light into the sensor. This can cause the camera to shake, which can blur the image. To avoid blurry pictures in low light, try to use a tripod or a flash.
Why does my iPhone camera sometimes take blurry pictures when I’m moving?
If you’re moving when you take a picture, the camera may not be able to focus on the subject properly. This can result in a blurry image. To avoid blurry pictures when moving, try to hold the camera still or use a tripod.
Can I use a third-party app to fix blurry backgrounds in iPhone pictures?
There are a number of third-party apps that can be used to fix blurry backgrounds in iPhone pictures. These apps typically use software algorithms to blur the background of the image. Some popular third-party apps for fixing blurry backgrounds include:
- Portrait Mode Blur
- Fotor
- Snapseed
- Blur Photo Background
- AfterFocus
Does the iPhone 11 have a better camera for taking pictures with blurry backgrounds?
The iPhone 11 has a number of features that make it better for taking pictures with blurry backgrounds than previous iPhone models. These features include:
- A wider aperture. The iPhone 11 has an f/2.4 aperture, which is wider than the f/2.8 aperture on the iPhone XR. This wider aperture creates a shallower depth of field, which results in more background blur.
- A new Night mode. Night mode is a new feature in the iPhone 11 that allows you to take brighter, more detailed pictures in low light. Night mode uses a slower shutter speed to let more light into the sensor, but it also uses software algorithms to reduce camera shake. This results in sharper, more detailed pictures, even in low light.
How do I use Portrait mode on the iPhone?
Portrait mode is a feature on the iPhone that allows you to take pictures with a blurry background. To use Portrait mode, open the Camera app and select the Portrait mode option. Then, frame your subject and tap the shutter button. The iPhone will automatically blur the background of the image.
Can I adjust the background blur in Portrait mode?
Yes, you can adjust the background blur in Portrait mode. To do this, open the Camera app and select the Portrait mode option. Then, tap the f/number button in the bottom-left corner of the screen. A slider will appear that allows you to adjust the background blur.
How do I edit the background blur in a Portrait mode photo?
To edit the background blur in a Portrait mode photo, open the photo in the Photos app. Then, tap the Edit button and select the Portrait tab. A slider will appear that allows you to adjust the background blur.
