Portrait mode on iPhone: tips for better photos of people

What is Portrait mode on iPhone?

Portrait mode is a Camera setting that blurs the background behind a subject, imitating the shallow depth of field of a larger camera. The phone uses depth information to separate the person from the scene. Apple describes the Camera features for your model in the iPhone User Guide, and the details differ by model. The Wikipedia entry on depth of field explains the idea behind the blur.

How do I use it?

Open the Camera app and swipe to Portrait. Frame the person, and the app shows hints such as Move farther away or More light. Follow the hint, wait until the lighting label turns yellow, and take the photo. Check the edges of hair and hands on the first frame.

1. Open the Camera app and swipe to Portrait.
2. Place the person a few paces away from the background.
3. Follow the on-screen prompt about distance or light.
4. Tap the face to set focus and exposure.
5. Take a burst, then check the edges of hair and hands.

How far should I stand?

Far enough to avoid prompts, and close enough to fill the frame. For a waist-up portrait, two to three paces is a good start. The person should also be several paces ahead of the background, because a subject standing against a wall gets little blur. If the app tells you to move away, step back before you adjust anything else.

What makes a good portrait mode photo?

Four things matter more than settings.

• Soft light on the face, such as open shade or a window.
• A background some distance behind the person.
• Clear edges: avoid wispy hair against a busy background.
• A steady phone, because the app needs a moment to capture depth.

What are Depth Control and the lighting effects?

Depth Control is a slider that changes how strong the blur looks, shown as an f-number. A lower number gives more blur. The lighting effects change how light falls on the face, such as Natural Light and the other options in the lighting row. Start with Natural Light, and use the others only if they suit the scene. You can also adjust depth and lighting after the photo in the Photos app on supported models.

When should I not use Portrait mode?

Skip it for full-length shots, groups, moving subjects and scenes where the background tells the story. Edge errors show on hair, glasses, hands holding objects and busy backgrounds. For a travel photo with a landmark, use the normal Photo mode with 0.5x or 1x. For action, such as a jump or a walk, use a burst in Photo mode.

Does Portrait mode work for pets and objects?

On newer models the camera can capture depth for people, dogs and cats, depending on the phone. For other subjects results vary. If the app shows no Portrait option for a scene, use Photo mode and move closer to the subject with 2x. Blur from distance and a long lens is real, and it needs no software.

How do I avoid weird edges?

Check hair, glasses and fingers on the first frame. Ask the person to move away from a busy background or tuck loose hair. If the edge still looks wrong, retake with a plainer background or switch back to Photo mode. A natural background blur from distance is cleaner than a processed one.

A quick routine for portraits

Choose soft light, set the phone at eye or chest level, step back, tap the face and shoot a burst. Check the first frame for edges, eyes and horizon. Keep the shots you like. The shot check in Posepass is a quick way to review feet, head space, horizon, joints and light, and it works for portraits taken with any camera mode.

How do I get a good portrait mode photo indoors?

Find a window and turn the person to face it. Place them a few paces ahead of a plain wall or a deep room. Wait until the prompt says there is enough light, and ask the person to stay still for a second. If the prompt keeps asking for more light, switch on a lamp or move closer to the window rather than raising the exposure. Hold the phone with both hands and keep elbows tucked to reduce shake.

How do I use Portrait mode for a self-portrait?

Prop the phone at eye level, use the timer and check the distance prompt. The front camera also supports Portrait on supported models. Place yourself well ahead of the background, tilt your chin forward and a little down, and look just past the lens. Take ten frames and compare the edges of your hair. The timer gives you three or ten seconds, so there is time to relax your shoulders before the shot.

Is Portrait mode better than a normal photo?

Not always. It is a tool for close and medium frames of people. A normal photo at 1x or 2x often looks more natural, with a real depth of field from distance and no edge errors. Try both for important shots and compare on a larger screen. For a full-length frame with a landmark or a street behind, the normal mode keeps the place visible, which usually serves a trip photo better.

What are the mistakes to avoid in Portrait mode?

These four spoil portraits most often.

• Standing too close, which triggers prompts and gives a weak blur.
• Using it in poor light and ignoring the prompt for more light.
• Putting the subject against a busy fence or a leafy tree, which confuses the edges.
• Shooting a moving subject, which blurs the face before the depth effect is applied.

How do I edit a portrait afterward?

Open the photo in the Photos app, tap Edit and look for the depth and lighting controls on supported models. Slide Depth Control to change the blur and try a different lighting effect, then compare with the original. Keep edits small. A subtle blur change usually looks better than a strong one. If the edge still looks wrong, keep the normal photo version and choose a plainer background next time.