You can adjust the background blur effect on photos taken with depth features, like Portrait mode, directly in the Photos app on your iPhone.
iPhone models capable of capturing depth information (typically those with Portrait mode) allow you to modify the intensity of the background blur, also known as bokeh, after you've taken the photo. This editing is done using the Depth Control feature within the built-in Photos app.
Steps to Blur iPhone Photos Using Depth Control
Here's how to modify the blur on compatible photos:
- Go to the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Browse and select the photo you wish to edit. Ensure it was taken using a mode that captures depth (like Portrait mode).
- Tap the "Edit" button in the top right corner of the screen.
- If the photo supports depth editing, you will see an 'f' icon or 'Depth' option appear, usually at the top left. Tap it.
- At the bottom of the screen, you will see the Depth Control slider. Drag the Depth Control slider to increase or decrease the background blur effect.
- As you drag the slider, the blur effect will adjust in real-time. Note that a black dot marks the original depth value for the photo, indicating the blur level when the picture was first taken.
- Once you are satisfied with the level of blur, tap "Done" to save your changes.
Understanding the Depth Control Slider
The Depth Control slider essentially allows you to simulate adjusting the aperture of a camera lens after the fact. Moving the slider towards higher f-stop numbers (e.g., f/16) will decrease the background blur, bringing more of the scene into focus. Moving the slider towards lower f-stop numbers (e.g., f/1.4) will increase the background blur, making the background appear softer and more out of focus while keeping the subject sharp.
This feature provides great flexibility to refine the look of your Portrait photos after they've been captured, giving you more control over the depth of field effect.
Important Note: This method works specifically for photos taken with an iPhone camera mode or app that captures depth data. It cannot be used to add background blur to standard photos that do not contain this depth information.
