Blur a Background of a Photo: iPhone Portrait Mode & Photoshop

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A quick guide to blur the background on an iPhone photo

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Blurring the background of a photo puts the emphasis on the subject while creating a beautiful in-focus effect. You can use your iPhone’s Portrait Mode to take photos with a blurred background automatically added in. Alternatively, use a photo editing app like Adobe Photoshop Express to blur the background later. This wikiHow shows you how to blur the background of a photo on your iPhone.

Things You Should Know

  • Portrait Mode, which blurs the background of your photos, is available on iPhone SE and later, iPhone X and later, iPhone 7 Plus, & iPhone 8 Plus.
  • Use Portrait Mode in the iPhone Camera app to automatically blur backgrounds.
  • Adjust the Portrait Mode blur by tapping Edit under the photo.
  • Try the Adobe Photoshop Express app to blur the background on existing photos.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Portrait Mode

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    The iPhone Camera app has a gray camera on a light gray background. Using your iPhone camera is a great way to develop your photography skills .
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    This camera option is located in the select tabs below the camera preview. It’s to the right of “Photo.”
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    It’s the white circle at the bottom of the screen. Your iPhone will automatically blur the background behind your subject.
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    You can change the blur effect of a Portrait Mode photo by following these steps: [1]
    • Tap the photo.
    • Tap Edit at the bottom of the photo.
    • Tap the f-stop button in the top left of the edit screen.
    • Move the Depth slider to alter the blur effect.
    • Press Done when you’re ready to save the edit.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Photoshop Express

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    You can find this Adobe app on the Apple App Store. This method can blur the background of any photo by detecting the subject and adding a blur effect.
    • Editing photos is an essential photography skill with a wide range of applications.
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    It has a blue “Ps” inside of a square.
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    Your iPhone photos will appear under “Edit your photos” on the Home tab.
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    This is an option under “Get started with:” after tapping the photo.
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    This is a tab at the bottom of the screen.
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    This will automatically detect and select the background behind your subject.
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    This is an option in the “Selection Tools” list below the photo preview. You may need to scroll to the right to see it.
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    This will apply a blur effect to the background of your subject.
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    Tap the save button at the top of the photo preview. It is an arrow pointing down into a square bracket. You’ve successfully blurred the background of your photo! You’re ready to send the picture from your iPhone to your computer .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/edit-portrait-mode-photos-iph310a9a220/ios

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