IPHONE 7 PLUS PORTRAIT MODE: HOW TO TAKE PROFESSIONAL LOOKING PHOTOS WITH A SMARTPHONE

NEW PHONE, WHO DIS?

Immediately when Apple announced the iPhone 7 in their latest Keynote, I knew I had to have it. Mainly because I change every generation because I want to stay up to date with the latest smartphone camera but also because they put forward this new feature called “Portrait” that allegedly simulates a depth effect, or as many call it: bokeh.

I've been playing with iPhone 7 Plus "Portrait" camera mode since the first day I got my new smartphone. (feature only available on iPhone 7 Plus) Thanks to the Apple Beta Software Program that is now open to public everyone is able to install iOS 10.1 and play with amazing features like this one

iOS 10.1 NOW AVAILABLE!

This feature was only available to beta users until now. Apple just released the first big iteration of their brand new iOS 10 software. If you have an iPhone 7 Plus, you can immediately update your iPhone to get the “Portrait” camera mode.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

One of the main reasons it only works on an iPhone 7 Plus is that the software uses the hardware to simulate a depth effect. They are able to achieve that using both lenses on iPhone 7 Plus at the same time

If you want to know more how they’re using both the hardware and the software to create that beautiful bokeh/depth of field, go check out the latest Keynote at 65:20.

To use the feature, simply open the Camera app on your iPhone 7 Plus and go directly to Portrait located at the bottom of the screen near the shutter button and voilà! What was reserved to high-end cameras like DSLR is now available within your smartphone that fits in your pocket. Crazy, eh?

TIPS

Indeed, the feature is definitely not perfect as of right now but I’m confident it will improve over time using machine learning (http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/iphone-7/apple-iphone-7s-machine-learning-ai-understands-the-context-of-images-3029190/)

Portrait mode works better in good light situations like outside at daytime on a sunny day. Some hair types are harder to execute than others (it’s almost impossible to take a picture of my cat without having some weird hair effects/aura)

Also, the feature has a very hard time to produce the effect whenever there is glass involved.

I think Portrait mode will be perfect for: taking professional portraits on the go, better baby pictures, food pictures. This is perfect for anyone that doesn’t want to get involved with a huge DSLR.