How to Blur Background of Photo on iPhone: Achieve Stunning Depth of Field

Creating photos with beautifully blurred backgrounds on your iPhone might seem like a technique reserved for professional photographers with expensive DSLR cameras. However, achieving that sought-after depth of field effect is surprisingly simple with the tools and techniques available right on your iPhone.

Whether you’re aiming for professional-looking portraits, emphasizing your subject against a distracting backdrop, or simply adding an artistic touch to your everyday snapshots, mastering background blur on your iPhone is a game-changer. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to blur the background of your photos directly on your iPhone, ensuring you capture stunning images every time.

Let’s dive into the techniques that will transform your iPhone photography and help you master the art of background blur.

1. Capture Beautifully Blurred Backgrounds Using Portrait Mode

Do you aspire to capture striking portrait photos on your iPhone with that captivating background blur that makes your subject truly pop? If you believed such results were exclusive to DSLR cameras, prepare to be amazed!

Using iPhone Portrait Mode to Blur Background

The native iPhone Camera app boasts an exceptional feature specifically designed for creating background blur: Portrait mode.

What is Portrait Mode?

Portrait mode leverages sophisticated depth-effect software to intelligently blur the background of your photos as you take them. This ensures your subject remains tack-sharp and in focus, perfectly mimicking the shallow depth of field achieved with professional cameras and lenses. This feature is ideal for portrait photography, drawing attention directly to your subject.

Portrait Mode Interface on iPhone for Background Blur

Beyond portraits, Portrait mode excels in scenarios with cluttered or distracting backgrounds. By blurring the background, your subject gains prominence, becoming the clear focal point of the image.

iPhone Models with Portrait Mode:

Portrait mode is a standard feature on a wide range of recent iPhone models, including:

• Latest iPhones: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max.
• Previous Generations: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone 7 Plus.

If you own an older iPhone model that doesn’t include Portrait mode, don’t worry! Continue to Section 2 to discover alternative methods for achieving background blur on your iPhone.

1.1 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Blur Background Using Portrait Mode

Using Portrait mode to achieve background blur on your iPhone is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Camera App: Launch the native Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Select Portrait Mode: At the bottom of your screen, swipe or tap to select Portrait mode.

Selecting Portrait Mode in iPhone Camera App

3. Position Your Subject: Ensure your subject is positioned approximately 2 to 8 feet (0.6 to 2.4 meters) away from your iPhone camera. Adequate lighting is also crucial for Portrait mode to function effectively, as it may struggle in low-light conditions.
4. Compose Your Shot: Frame your subject as desired. The iPhone’s intelligent system will automatically detect faces and highlight them with a yellow focus box. The background will preview as blurred in real-time.
5. Wait for Natural Light/Depth Effect Indicator: Look for the words “Natural Light” (or “Depth Effect” on iPhone 7 Plus) to appear in yellow on your screen. This indicator confirms that Portrait mode is active and ready to capture the depth effect.
6. Capture the Photo: Press the shutter button to take your photo. Your iPhone will capture an image with your subject in sharp focus and a beautifully blurred background.

Photo taken in Portrait Mode with Blurred Background on iPhone

1.2 Adjusting Background Blur After Capture in Portrait Mode

A fantastic feature of Portrait mode on newer iPhones is the ability to adjust the intensity of the background blur after you’ve already taken the photo. This post-capture adjustment provides even greater creative control.

Compatible iPhone Models for Depth Adjustment:

This depth adjustment feature is available on:

iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, XS, XS Max, and XR.

Steps to Adjust Depth of Field:

1. Open Photos App and Select Portrait: Navigate to the Photos app and open the portrait photo you wish to edit.
2. Tap Edit: Tap Edit located at the top right corner of the screen.

Tapping Edit on a Portrait Photo in iPhone Photos App

3. Access Depth Control: Tap the f/number icon (representing aperture) at the top left of the editing interface.
4. Adjust Blur with Depth Slider: A Depth slider will appear below your photo. Drag this slider left or right to modify the blur intensity.

Using Depth Slider to Adjust Background Blur in iPhone Photos App

*   **Lower f/number (e.g., f/2.8):** Results in a stronger background blur, mimicking a wider aperture lens.
*   **Higher f/number (e.g., f/16):** Decreases the blur, revealing more background detail and simulating a narrower aperture.

Removing Portrait Mode Blur:

If you decide you prefer the original image without the background blur effect, you can easily revert it. Tap the yellow Portrait option at the top of the screen. This will toggle off the depth effect and remove the blur. You can reactivate the blur at any time by tapping Portrait again.

Exploring Portrait Lighting Effects:

While in the Portrait mode editing interface, you can also explore Portrait Lighting effects (not available on iPhone 7 Plus). These effects simulate studio lighting conditions to further enhance your portrait photos.

1. Access Portrait Lighting: Tap the Portrait Lighting (hexagon) icon at the top left. Portrait Lighting options will appear below your photo.

Accessing Portrait Lighting Effects in iPhone Photos App

2. Choose Lighting Effect: Swipe through the Portrait Lighting icons (cube icons) at the bottom to preview different effects:
   • Natural Light: No lighting modification.
   • Studio Light: Brightens the subject’s face evenly.
   • Contour Light: Adds dramatic shadows to sculpt facial features.
   • Stage Light: Isolates the subject against a black background.
   • Stage Light Mono: Stage Light effect in black and white.
   • High-Key Light Mono: Creates a black and white portrait with a bright white background.

Portrait Lighting Options in iPhone Photos App

3. Adjust Lighting Intensity: Once you select a Portrait Lighting effect, use the slider to fine-tune its intensity.
4. Save Changes: Tap Done to save your edited portrait photo with your chosen background blur and lighting effects.

2. Get Closer to Your Subject: Achieving Background Blur Without Portrait Mode

Want to know how to create photos with blurred backgrounds on your iPhone even if your model doesn’t have Portrait mode? There’s a classic photography technique that works wonders: simply get closer to your subject.

Getting Closer to Subject for Natural Background Blur on iPhone

Moving closer to your subject physically reduces the depth of field in your photos.

Depth of Field Explained:

Depth of field refers to the area in your photo that appears acceptably sharp. A shallow depth of field means only a small portion of the image is in focus, while the foreground and background become blurred. Conversely, a large depth of field keeps more of the image sharp, from foreground to background.

Proximity and Blur:

The closer you are to your subject, the shallower the depth of field becomes, resulting in a more pronounced background blur. For truly dreamy, blurred backgrounds, get intimately close to your subject.

Finding the Right Distance:

However, getting too close can prevent your iPhone camera from focusing properly, causing your subject itself to become blurred. Always ensure your subject is sharp. If it’s out of focus, slightly increase the distance between your camera and the subject and try again.

Macro Photography for Extreme Close-Ups:

For extreme close-up shots, like macro photography, you might need an add-on macro lens, such as the Moment Macro Lens or similar products from other reputable brands.

Using Macro Lens for Extreme Close-up Photography with Background Blur

A macro lens allows your iPhone camera to focus at incredibly short distances, enabling you to capture stunning details of small subjects like flowers, insects, and textures while achieving a beautifully blurred background.

Setting Focus Manually:

When shooting close-ups, precise focus is paramount. You want your foreground subject to be razor-sharp while the background melts away into a soft blur.

Manual Focus for Background Blur in Close-up iPhone Photography

Fortunately, controlling focus on your iPhone is simple:

1. Tap to Focus: In the Camera app, tap on the area of the screen where you want the focus to be set. A yellow box will appear, indicating your chosen focus point.
2. Refine Focus and Distance: If the background blur isn’t pronounced enough, move slightly closer to your subject and tap to refocus. Remember, closer proximity intensifies the blur.

Achieving Background Blur by Getting Closer and Setting Focus on iPhone

By combining the technique of getting closer to your subject with manual focus control, you can effectively blur backgrounds on your iPhone, even without relying on Portrait mode.

3. Blur the Background of a Picture in Editing: Post-Capture Blur

Sometimes, you might take a photo without intentionally blurring the background, and later realize that a blurred background would enhance the image. Fortunately, you can easily blur the background of a photo after it’s been taken using various photo editing apps.

Editing App for Post-Capture Background Blur on iPhone

In this section, we’ll explore how to blur backgrounds using the AfterFocus app, a popular and user-friendly option available on the App Store. While AfterFocus is highlighted, many other apps offer similar background blur capabilities, such as:

• Snapseed: (covered in Section 4 for vignette blur, but also offers lens blur tool)
• Focos: A powerful app specializing in simulating DSLR-like depth of field effects.
• Lens Blur (by Google Photos): If you use Google Photos, it has a built-in Lens Blur feature.
• PicsArt: A versatile photo editor with blur tools.
• YouCam Perfect: Another popular photo editing app with background blur effects.

The general principles of blurring backgrounds in these apps are often similar, involving selecting the subject and then applying a blur effect to the background.

3.1 Step-by-Step Guide: Blurring Background with AfterFocus App

1. Download and Open AfterFocus: Download AfterFocus from the App Store and launch the app.
2. Select Photo: Tap Select Photo at the bottom of the screen and choose the photo you want to edit from your iPhone’s photo library.
3. Dismiss Tips (Optional): Helpful tips may appear upon opening your image. Swipe through them if desired, and tap the X at the top left to close.
4. Smart Selection – Focus Area: Tap the Focus icon at the bottom. Use your finger to roughly draw lines inside the area you want to keep in sharp focus (your subject).

Using Smart Selection – Focus Area in AfterFocus App

*   Precision isn't critical at this stage. Focus on broadly outlining your subject.

5. Smart Selection – Background Area: Tap the Background icon. Draw lines over the background areas you want to blur. After releasing your finger, a red mask will appear, highlighting the selected foreground subject.

6. Review Selection Accuracy: Carefully examine the red mask. It should accurately cover only your foreground subject. Check for any areas of your subject not masked in red, or background areas incorrectly masked.

Reviewing Smart Selection Mask in AfterFocus App

*   In the example image, the top of the helmet is missed by the initial selection.

7. Refine Selection – Manual Selection (If Needed): If the Smart Selection isn’t perfectly accurate, tap the Pencil icon at the top to switch to Manual Selection mode.
8. Manual Brush Tools:
   • Zoom: Pinch to zoom for detailed work.
   • Brush Size: Tap the Brush Size icon to adjust brush size for precise edits.
   • Focus/Background Brushes: Select either the Focus or Background icon and carefully brush over areas needing correction.
   • Undo: Tap the curved arrow (Undo) to correct mistakes.

Using Manual Selection Tools in AfterFocus App

*   Take your time in Manual Selection for clean edges between focused subject and blurred background. A neat selection is key for realistic blur.

9. Proceed to Blur Effect: Once your selection mask is accurate, tap the arrow at the top right. The background of your photo will now be blurred.
10. Re-Edit Selection (If Necessary): If you notice selection errors after applying blur, tap the single left arrow at the top to return to selection mode and refine your mask. Then tap the right arrow to re-apply the blur.

3.2 Customizing the Blur Effect in AfterFocus

AfterFocus provides several options to customize the blur effect to your liking.

1. Access Blur Settings: Tap the Blur icon at the bottom of the app. Ensure Lens Blur is selected (usually the default and most natural-looking blur).
2. Adjust Blur Strength: Use the slider to control the intensity of the background blur. Drag right for stronger blur, left for less blur.

Adjusting Lens Blur Strength in AfterFocus App

3. Compare Before and After: Observe the edited photo with the blurred background.

   • Blurred Background Example:

   Photo with Blurred Background using AfterFocus App

   • Original Image (No Blur):

   Original Photo without Background Blur

   Notice how the blurred background effectively isolates and emphasizes the boy in the edited image.

4. Experiment with Motion Blur (Optional): For subjects implying movement, consider using Motion Blur instead of Lens Blur. This can enhance the sense of motion by applying a directional blur to the background.

   • Motion Blur Example:

   Original Photo without Background Blur

   Motion blur can create a dynamic effect, even if the subject was stationary, suggesting speed and movement.

5. Save Edited Photo: Tap the down arrow icon at the top, then tap Yes to save your edited image with the blurred background to your iPhone’s photo library.

4. Frame Your Subject with a Dreamy Blurred Vignette using Snapseed

For a slightly different approach to background blur, consider creating a blurred vignette. Instead of blurring the entire background, a vignette blurs only the edges of the photo, drawing focus to the central subject.

Blurred Vignette Effect on iPhone Photo using Snapseed App

A blurred vignette acts as a visual frame, guiding the viewer’s eye towards the subject in the center. It also adds a subtle, dreamy aesthetic to your photos. We’ll use the free Snapseed app for this technique.

Steps to Create a Blurred Vignette in Snapseed:

1. Download and Open Snapseed: Download Snapseed from the App Store and open the app.
2. Open Photo: Tap anywhere on the screen to open your photo library. Select Open From Device, and choose the photo you want to edit.

Opening Photo in Snapseed App for Vignette Blur

3. Access Lens Blur Tool: Tap Tools at the bottom, scroll down, and select the Lens Blur tool.

4. Adjust Blur Circle: Two white circles will appear on your image.

   • Inner Circle: Defines the area that remains in sharp focus.
   • Outer Circle: Marks the boundary beyond which the image becomes fully blurred.
   • Transition Zone: The area between the circles is where the blur gradually transitions.

Lens Blur Tool Interface in Snapseed App for Vignette Effect

5. Position and Resize Blur Area: Drag the center of the circles to reposition the focused area. Pinch with two fingers on the circles to resize the focused area. Aim to center the focused area around your subject.

6. Adjust Blur Strength, Transition, and Vignette Strength: Swipe vertically on the image to access adjustment options. Select:

   • Blur Strength: Swipe left/right to control the amount of blur at the edges.
   • Transition: Adjusts the gradualness of the blur transition from the focused area to the edges.
   • Vignette Strength: Controls the darkness of the blurred edges (can enhance the vignette effect).

7. Apply Changes: Once you’re satisfied with the vignette blur effect, tap the checkmark at the bottom right to apply the changes.

8. Save Edited Photo: Tap Export, then Save A Copy to save your vignette-blurred image to your iPhone.

   • Blurred Vignette Example:

   Photo with Blurred Vignette Effect from Snapseed App

   • Original Image (No Vignette):

   Original Photo without Blurred Vignette

   Notice how the subtle vignette blur in the edited image draws the eye towards the center of the frame and the subject.

When to Use Blurred Vignettes:

Blurred vignettes work best when:

• Your subject is positioned relatively centrally in the frame.
• There’s sufficient space around your subject to effectively blur the edges.

While not suitable for every photo, a blurred vignette can be a powerful technique for adding a touch of artistry and focus to the right images.

By mastering these techniques – Portrait mode, getting closer to your subject, and utilizing editing apps like AfterFocus and Snapseed – you’ll be well-equipped to blur backgrounds on your iPhone photos and elevate your mobile photography to new creative heights. Experiment with each method to discover which works best for different scenarios and your personal style.