Are you eager to learn how to blur the background of a photo on your iPhone, creating that sought-after professional look? With the right techniques, achieving a beautifully blurred background is surprisingly simple, and at dfphoto.net, we’re dedicated to showing you how. This article dives deep into methods, offering you the skills to make your subjects stand out. Dive in and discover how to capture stunning images with that gorgeous background blur and discover advanced photography skills.
Table Of Contents: How To Blur Background On iPhone
- Capture Beautifully Blurred Backgrounds Using Portrait Mode
- Mastering Background Blur by Adjusting Your Proximity to the Subject
- Achieving Background Blur Through Editing Techniques
- Enhance Your Photos With a Blurred Vignette
- FAQ Section
1. Capture Beautifully Blurred Backgrounds Using Portrait Mode
Want to capture stunning iPhone portrait photos with gorgeously blurred backgrounds? Do you want to enhance your portraits to make them more visually appealing?
If you thought you could only achieve professional results with a DSLR camera, think again! The iPhone’s Portrait mode is here to change the game.
iPhone Portrait Mode for Blurring Backgrounds
The built-in iPhone Camera app features an incredible tool for blurring the background in your photos, so what exactly is this tool?
It’s called Portrait mode.
Portrait mode uses depth-effect software to blur the background of a picture as you shoot it, so how does this help improve your photography?
The subject will remain in sharp focus which is perfect for portrait photography.
iPhone Portrait Mode Example
It’s also great for scenes with distracting backgrounds. Your subject will stand out much better if the background is blurred, especially in busy environments.
Portrait mode is available on many recent iPhones.
If your iPhone doesn’t have Portrait mode, don’t worry! Just skip to Section 2 below to discover how to blur photos on iPhone without using Portrait mode.
1.1 How Can I Use Portrait Mode on My iPhone to Blur Backgrounds?
Using Portrait mode to blur the background in your iPhone photos is a simple, effective method.
First, open the Camera app. Then select Portrait at the bottom of the screen, but what steps should you take to ensure the best results?
Accessing Portrait Mode on iPhone Camera
Ensure your subject is between two and eight feet from the camera. There also needs to be enough light in the scene. (Portrait mode doesn’t always work in low light.) Why are these conditions important for a good portrait?
When you’ve composed your photo, you’ll see a yellow focus box around the subject’s face. The face will be in focus and the background will appear blurred, but what if the focus isn’t quite right?
When you see the words Natural Light (or Depth Effect on iPhone 7 Plus) in yellow, your iPhone is ready to shoot. Is there anything else to consider before capturing the shot?
Now, simply press the shutter button to take a picture!
Capturing a Portrait Photo on iPhone
1.2 How Can I Change Background Blur In Portrait Photos After They’re Taken?
Did you know you can make changes to the background blur after you’ve taken a photo? Being able to edit after the shot allows for more creative control and precision.
If you have one of the iPhones listed below, you can easily adjust the strength of the background blur: what adjustments can be made and why are they beneficial?
Open your portrait photo in the Photos app. Then tap Edit at the top right.
Editing Portrait Photo on iPhone
Tap the f/number icon at the top left, but what does the f/number represent in photography?
Now use the Depth slider beneath your photo to adjust the blur strength.
Adjusting Depth in Portrait Photos on iPhone
A low f/number results in strong blur. And a high f/number results in less blur with more background detail, but how does this affect the overall look of the photo?
The Depth slider isn’t available on older iPhones. However, if you’re not happy with the background blur, you can revert to the original image without any blur. Is there a way to remove the blur effect completely on older models?
To remove the blur, tap the yellow Portrait option at the top of the screen. The depth effect will be switched off and the blur will be removed. You can switch the blur back on at any time by tapping Portrait again.
While we’re looking at the Portrait mode editing options, let’s take a look at Portrait Lighting (not available on iPhone 7 Plus). What does Portrait Lighting add to your editing toolkit?
Portrait Lighting lets you add different studio lighting effects to your portrait photos, but how do these lighting options enhance your images?
At the top left of the editing screen, tap the Portrait Lighting (hexagon) icon. The Portrait Lighting icons will appear beneath your photo.
Portrait Lighting Options on iPhone
Swipe across the Portrait Lighting icons (cube icons) at the bottom of the photo.
Natural Light doesn’t modify the lighting in any way. Studio Light brightens your subject’s face. Contour Light adds shadows for more defined facial features, but how do these options specifically improve the subject’s appearance?
Stage Light turns the background black. Stage Light Mono is the same as Stage Light, but with a black and white effect. High-Key Light Mono creates a black and white photo with a white background.
Examples of Portrait Lighting Effects on iPhone
When you’ve chosen a Portrait Lighting effect, use the slider to adjust the strength of the light. Why is it important to adjust the lighting strength?
When you’ve finished editing your portrait photo, tap Done to save the changes. Remember, practice makes perfect.
2. Mastering Background Blur by Adjusting Your Proximity to the Subject
Want to learn how to take pictures with blurred background on iPhone, even if you don’t have Portrait mode? What if your iPhone model doesn’t support advanced features?
Here’s a simple trick for getting incredible background blur:
Get closer to your subject.
It’s that simple!
Achieving Background Blur by Getting Close to the Subject
Shooting with the camera close to the subject creates a shallow depth of field. How does a shallow depth of field contribute to a blurred background?
A shallow depth of field means only a small portion of the image is in focus. The rest of the image will be blurred out.
The closer you get to the subject, the shallower the depth of field will be. Why does reducing the distance enhance the blur effect?
So for really blurry backgrounds, you’ll need to get really close. However, what precautions should you take when getting very close?
However, if you get too close, the camera won’t be able to focus at all. And your subject will appear blurred.
So always check that your subject is in sharp focus. If it isn’t, move a bit further away and try taking the photo again. This adjustment ensures the subject remains sharp and clear.
For extreme close-up photos, you’ll need an add-on macro lens, such as the Moment Macro Lens. What additional equipment might enhance close-up photography?
Using a Macro Lens for Nature Photography
A macro lens allows the camera to focus at very close distances.
You can take amazing close-up photos of flowers, insects, and nature with a macro lens. What specific subjects benefit from using a macro lens?
When shooting up close, it’s important to ensure the correct part of the scene is in focus. Why is precise focus crucial in close-up photography?
You want your foreground subject to be sharp and the background to be blurred.
Setting Focus for Blurry Backgrounds
Luckily, it’s easy to set the iPhone camera focus.
In the Camera app, simply tap the screen where you want the focus to be set. A yellow box will indicate the focus point, but what exactly does tapping the screen do?
If the background doesn’t look blurred, move a bit closer, then tap to set focus again.
Remember, the closer you get, the blurrier the background will be!
Blurry Background with iPhone Camera
3. Achieving Background Blur Through Editing Techniques
As you’ve discovered, taking photos with a blurred background is easy. But what if you don’t capture a blurry background, and then decide the photo would look better if it was blurred? How do you add blur after the fact?
This isn’t a problem!
Because you can use an editing app to blur the background after taking a picture.
Blurring Background in iPhone Editing App
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to blur the background of a picture using the AfterFocus app.
3.1 How Do I Select Foreground Subject & Background in AfterFocus?
Open AfterFocus, then tap Select Photo at the bottom of the screen. Tap on the photo you want to edit. What is the first step in using AfterFocus?
Some helpful tips may appear on the screen after opening your image. Swipe across to read the tips, then tap the X at the top left to exit.
The first step is to use the Smart Selection tools to select the subject and the background.
Tap the Focus icon at the bottom of the screen. Now, use your finger to draw a line inside the area you want to keep in focus, but what does this initial selection process achieve?
Using Focus Tool in AfterFocus
You don’t have to be too precise. Just roughly mark out the foreground subject that you want in focus.
Next, tap the Background icon. Draw a line over the background that you want to blur. When you release your finger, the foreground will be highlighted with a red mask. What is the purpose of highlighting the foreground with a mask?
The red area with white lines is the part of the image that will remain in focus. The black line indicates the area that will be blurred in the next step.
However, before you blur the background, you need to check whether the app has selected your subject accurately. Why is it important to verify the app’s selections?
Is part of your foreground subject not highlighted in red? Or does part of the background appear red? If so, you’ll need to fix this so that only the background gets blurred.
Correcting Selection Errors in AfterFocus
In the example above, you can see that the top of the cycle helmet hasn’t been selected.
You can try drawing more lines to mark the foreground and background areas. But this doesn’t always produce perfect results. Why might drawing more lines not always be effective?
If you can’t achieve an accurate selection with the Smart Selection tools, you’ll need to switch to Manual Selection mode. To do this, tap the Pencil icon at the top of the screen.
Zoom in by pinching with two fingers. Then check the edges of your selection carefully. Use two fingers to drag the image while zoomed in. How does zooming in enhance accuracy?
Tap the Brush Size icon, then select a suitable brush size for the area you want to select. Now, select either the Focus or Background icon, then brush over the subject or background that you want to select.
Using Manual Selection Tools in AfterFocus
Remember, you need to be precise when using the Manual Selection tools. Any area that you brush over will be selected. Why is precision so important when using manual selection?
If you make a mistake, tap Undo (curved arrow) at the top of the screen. Or switch between the Focus and Background icons to repaint an area you selected by mistake.
When you’ve finished, the red mask should only be on the foreground subject that you want in sharp focus. The neater you make your selection, the more realistic it will look when you apply the blur effect. How does a clean selection improve the realism of the blur?
When you’ve made a neat selection, tap the arrow at the top right. The background of your photo will now appear blurred!
If you notice a mistake with your selection, tap the single left arrow at the top of the screen. You can then adjust your selection by brushing with the Focus and Background tools. When you’ve finished, tap the right arrow to return to the blur effects screen.
3.2 How Can I Customize The Blur Effect in AfterFocus?
The icons at the bottom of the AfterFocus app let you customize the blur in your photo. What customization options are available?
Tap the Blur icon, and ensure Lens Blur is selected. Drag the slider to adjust the strength of the blur.
Customizing Blur Strength in AfterFocus
Below is the edited photo with a beautifully blurred background.
For comparison, below is the original image where the background is in focus. Notice how the blurred background helps to draw attention to the boy. How does the blurred background enhance the focus on the subject?
Before and After Blurring in AfterFocus
If you want to add a sense of movement to the scene, you can use the Motion Blur option (instead of Lens Blur).
This is perfect for moving subjects as it exaggerates the feeling of motion in your image. What is the impact of motion blur on the photo’s narrative?
Below is the image with motion blur applied to the background.
Applying Motion Blur in AfterFocus
The original photo was taken while the boy was stationary. But the motion blur makes it look like he was moving quickly through the scene!
When you’ve finished editing your photo, don’t forget to save it. Tap the down arrow at the top of the screen, then tap Yes.
4. Enhance Your Photos With a Blurred Vignette
This next editing technique offers something slightly different. How does a blurred vignette enhance a photo differently?
Rather than blurring the entire background, you’re going to create a blurred vignette around the edges of the scene.
Creating a Blurred Vignette Effect
The blurred edges help draw attention to the central focused area. The blur acts as a frame, drawing the viewer’s eye toward the subject.
A blurred vignette also adds a dreamy quality to your photo. What is the overall aesthetic effect of a blurred vignette?
Here’s how to blur photos on iPhone using the free Snapseed app:
Open Snapseed, then tap the screen to open your photo library. Select Open From Device, then tap on the photo you want to open.
Opening Photo in Snapseed for Editing
Tap Tools at the bottom of the screen. Then scroll down and select the Lens Blur tool.
Two white circles will appear on your image. What is the significance of these circles in the Lens Blur tool?
Anything inside the inner circle will be in sharp focus. Anything outside the outer circle will be blurred. The area between the two circles is where the image transitions from sharp to blurred.
Adjusting Lens Blur in Snapseed
You can drag the circle to a different area if you wish. Or resize it by pinching with two fingers. How does adjusting the circles affect the blur?
To adjust the blur strength, swipe up or down and select Blur Strength. Then swipe left or right to adjust the strength of the blur.
You can also adjust the Transition and Vignette Strength in the same way.
Transition adjusts how gradually the focused area transitions to blur. And Vignette Strength controls how dark the edges of your photo appear. What impact do transition and vignette strength have on the final image?
When you’re happy with the blur effect, tap the checkmark at the bottom right.
Save your image by tapping Export, then Save A Copy.
Saving Edited Photo in Snapseed
Below is the edited image with a dreamy blurred vignette around the edges.
For comparison, below is the original image without any blur applied. Notice how the subtle blurring in the photo above draws the eye toward the center of the frame. How does this subtle change enhance the overall composition?
Before and After Vignette Effect in Snapseed
Note that a blurred vignette doesn’t work well on every photo. It tends to work best went the subject is positioned centrally in the frame. And you need to have enough space around your subject to blur the edges. What types of photos benefit most from a blurred vignette?
But on the right photo, a blurred vignette can be very effective!
We at dfphoto.net encourage you to explore these techniques and discover how they can transform your iPhone photography. Whether you are using Portrait mode, adjusting your distance, or editing with apps like AfterFocus and Snapseed, mastering background blur can significantly enhance your photos.
For more in-depth tutorials, stunning photo collections, and a vibrant community of photographers, visit dfphoto.net today. Elevate your photography skills, find inspiration, and connect with fellow enthusiasts in the US. Contact us at Address: 1600 St Michael’s Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States. Phone: +1 (505) 471-6001. Let’s create some visual magic together!
5. FAQ Section
5.1 Can I blur the background of a photo on any iPhone model?
Yes, you can blur the background of a photo on any iPhone model, however, the method may vary. Newer iPhones have a Portrait mode feature that automatically blurs the background, while older models may require you to use editing apps or adjust your shooting technique.
5.2 What is Portrait mode on iPhone?
Portrait mode is a feature available on newer iPhone models that uses depth-effect software to blur the background of a photo while keeping the subject in sharp focus.
5.3 How do I use Portrait mode on my iPhone?
To use Portrait mode, open the Camera app, select Portrait at the bottom of the screen, ensure your subject is between two and eight feet from the camera, and then take the picture.
5.4 Can I adjust the background blur after taking a photo in Portrait mode?
Yes, on certain iPhone models, you can adjust the strength of the background blur after taking a photo in Portrait mode by using the Depth slider in the Photos app.
5.5 What if my iPhone doesn’t have Portrait mode?
If your iPhone doesn’t have Portrait mode, you can still achieve a blurred background by getting closer to your subject or by using editing apps to blur the background after taking the picture.
5.6 How does getting closer to my subject blur the background?
Shooting with the camera close to the subject creates a shallow depth of field, which means only a small portion of the image is in focus, and the rest of the image will be blurred out.
5.7 Which editing apps can I use to blur the background of a photo on my iPhone?
There are several editing apps you can use to blur the background of a photo on your iPhone, including AfterFocus and Snapseed.
5.8 How do I use the AfterFocus app to blur the background?
To use the AfterFocus app, open the app, select a photo, use the Smart Selection tools or Manual Selection tools to select the subject and background, and then customize the blur effect.
5.9 What is a blurred vignette, and how do I create one on my iPhone?
A blurred vignette is a technique where the edges of the photo are blurred to draw attention to the central focused area. You can create a blurred vignette on your iPhone using the Snapseed app.
5.10 How do I create a blurred vignette using the Snapseed app?
To create a blurred vignette using the Snapseed app, open the app, select a photo, choose the Lens Blur tool, adjust the size and position of the circles, and then adjust the blur strength, transition, and vignette strength.
