Background blur (bokeh) can transform ordinary photos into professional-looking images by creating depth and drawing attention to your subject. Learn how to create and control beautiful background blur effects.

Device Compatibility

Fully Supported Features (iPhone 12 and newer):

• Portrait mode with LiDAR

• Cinematic mode video blur

• Advanced depth control

• Machine learning blur

• Night mode portraits

• ProRAW depth data

• Multiple lens bokeh

• Manual depth editing

Partially Supported (iPhone X to 11 Pro Max):

• Basic Portrait mode

• Standard depth control

• Dual lens bokeh

• Simple depth editing

• Limited night portraits

Limited Support (iPhone 8/8 Plus and older):

• Basic Portrait mode (Plus models)

• Simple depth effect

• Limited editing options

• Single lens bokeh

• Basic blur tools

Understanding Background Blur

Natural Blur Types

1. Lens Blur

   • Aperture effect

   • Distance based

   • Focal length

   • Depth of field

   • Light bokeh

2. Computational Blur

   • AI-driven

   • Depth mapping

   • Edge detection

   • Subject isolation

   • Custom effects

Portrait Mode Techniques

Basic Portrait Mode

1. Setup

   • Distance (2-8 feet)

   • Good lighting

   • Clear subject

   • Clean background

   • Stable position

2. Control

   • Depth slider

   • Focus point

   • Effect strength

   • Light control

   • Edge refinement

Advanced Portrait Features

1. Lighting Effects

   • Natural Light

   • Studio Light

   • Contour Light

   • Stage Light

   • Stage Light Mono

2. Depth Control

   • f-stop adjustment

   • Blur strength

   • Focus fall-off

   • Edge detection

   • Background separation

Shooting Techniques

Subject Distance

1. Close-up

   • Maximum blur

   • Detail focus

   • Edge control

   • Background distance

   • Depth effect

2. Medium Distance

   • Balanced blur

   • Context retention

   • Environmental portrait

   • Depth layers

   • Scene balance

Background Choice

1. Optimal Backgrounds

   • Simple patterns

   • Distant elements

   • Light sources

   • Natural textures

   • Color contrast

2. Challenging Backgrounds

   • Complex patterns

   • Similar colors

   • Mixed distances

   • Busy scenes

   • High contrast

Creative Blur Techniques

Cinematic Mode

1. Video Blur

   • Focus transitions

   • Subject tracking

   • Depth adjustment

   • Real-time changes

   • Story telling

2. Advanced Control

   • Focus pulling

   • Rack focus

   • Depth mapping

   • Motion tracking

   • Post adjustment

Artistic Effects

1. Light Bokeh

   • Night scenes

   • Holiday lights

   • City lights

   • Sparkle effects

   • Creative blur

2. Selective Focus

   • Partial blur

   • Focus gradient

   • Depth layers

   • Artistic effect

   • Story emphasis

Technical Settings

Camera Settings

1. Portrait Mode

   • Subject distance

   • Light level

   • Background check

   • Edge detection

   • Focus point

2. ProRAW Settings

   • Depth data

   • Post control

   • Maximum detail

   • Editing flexibility

   • Quality output

Lighting for Blur

Natural Light

1. Optimal Conditions

   • Soft light

   • Even illumination

   • Background separation

   • Color contrast

   • Depth enhancement

2. Challenging Light

   • Hard shadows

   • Mixed lighting

   • Backlight

   • Low light

   • High contrast

Artificial Light

1. Controlled Light

   • Studio setup

   • Light position

   • Background light

   • Separation light

   • Effect lighting

2. Available Light

   • Room lighting

   • Window light

   • Mixed sources

   • Night lighting

   • Creative effects

Subject Types

People Portraits

1. Single Subject

   • Face detection

   • Eye focus

   • Hair detail

   • Clothing edges

   • Natural pose

2. Group Portraits

   • Multiple subjects

   • Depth arrangement

   • Focus plane

   • Group dynamics

   • Equal blur

Objects

1. Still Life

   • Product photos

   • Detail shots

   • Macro blur

   • Texture focus

   • Creative angles

2. Nature

   • Flowers

   • Plants

   • Small objects

   • Natural settings

   • Environmental context

Quick Tips by iPhone Model

iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max

• LiDAR enhanced blur

• Next-gen Portrait mode

• Advanced Cinematic mode

• Machine learning depth

• ProRAW depth data

iPhone 14 Series

• Enhanced Portrait mode

• Improved edge detection

• Action mode blur

• Better low-light blur

• Photonic Engine

iPhone 13 Series

• Cinematic mode

• Enhanced Portrait mode

• Better edge detection

• Night mode portraits

• Advanced depth control

Common Problems

1. Technical Issues

   • Edge artifacts

   • Wrong depth

   • Inconsistent blur

   • Lost detail

   • Poor separation

2. User Errors

   • Wrong distance

   • Poor background

   • Bad lighting

   • Camera shake

   • Subject movement

Quick Checklist

✓ Clean lens

✓ Check distance

✓ Verify lighting

✓ Background check

✓ Edge review

✓ Multiple shots

✓ Detail check

Pro Tips

1. Pre-Shot

   • Scene setup

   • Light check

   • Background choice

   • Subject position

   • Mode selection

2. During Shot

   • Stay steady

   • Check edges

   • Multiple angles

   • Review blur

   • Backup shots

3. Post-Shot

   • Depth adjustment

   • Edge refinement

   • Color balance

   • Detail check

   • Final review

Final Tips

1. Practice Exercises

   • Simple portraits

   • Object studies

   • Light experiments

   • Motion blur

   • Creative effects

2. Learning Path

   • Basic blur

   • Advanced control

   • Creative techniques

   • Problem solving

   • Style development

Remember: Great background blur enhances your subject without drawing attention to itself. Practice different techniques and learn what works best for different situations.