portraitmode

Portrait mode is a photography feature that produces a shallow depth of field look by keeping a subject in sharp focus while blurring the background, mimicking the effect achieved with wide-aperture lenses. It is commonly used in smartphone cameras but is also implemented in some digital cameras and software-based photo editors to simulate depth-of-field effects.

Most modern smartphones implement portrait mode using a combination of hardware and software: multiple camera modules or depth sensors (such as time-of-flight sensors) provide a depth map, while on-device algorithms detect the person or object of interest and separate it from the background. The system then applies selective blur to the background and may offer lighting effects that imitate studio lighting, known as portrait lighting.

The feature gained widespread attention after Apple introduced a true-depth portrait mode with the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016, and has since expanded with more devices and additional lighting options. Other manufacturers offer similar modes under different names, such as Live Focus, Blur, or Bokeh mode.

Limitations include sensitivity to distance, lighting, and background complexity. The edge around hair, fur, or translucent objects can be imperfect, and moving subjects can reduce quality. The effect is computational rather than optical; it does not recreate actual optical blur but simulates it through post-processing or real-time rendering.

In professional photography, true portrait shots are also achieved with wide-aperture lenses and controlled lighting, or by creating depth of field in post-processing. Portrait mode remains popular for casual portraits, social media, and quick editing workflows.