You can easily reduce or remove the background blur effect from a photo taken in Portrait Mode by editing the photo and adjusting its settings.
Portrait Mode on smartphones and cameras simulates a shallow depth of field, typically found in photos taken with wide-aperture lenses. This effect, known as bokeh, blurs the background while keeping the subject sharp. However, this simulated blur is often adjustable after the photo is taken.
Understanding Portrait Mode Blur
Unlike optical blur which is a natural result of lens physics, the blur applied in Portrait Mode is largely computational. The camera captures depth information and then uses software to blur the background areas based on their distance from the subject. Because this is a digital effect, it can often be modified or removed during the editing process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Blur
Removing the blur involves adjusting the specific settings that control the simulated depth effect. Here’s how you can typically do it:
- Open the Photo: Locate and open the specific photo taken in Portrait Mode within your device's photo gallery or editing app.
- Access Editing Tools: Look for an "Edit" button or icon, usually represented by a set of sliders or a pencil. Tap this to enter the editing mode.
- Find Adjustment Settings: Within the editing tools, navigate to the adjustment options. This might be labeled "Adjust," "Depth," "Portrait," or similar.
- Locate Blur/Depth Control: Find the slider or control specifically for "Blur," "Depth," or "Bokeh Effect."
- Reduce or Zero Out the Blur: Drag the slider for the blur or depth control down. According to one workaround, you can open a photo taken in portrait mode, select the adjustment settings icon and drag the Blur and Depth adjustments to zero to basically revert the image back to one with no portrait effects. Moving the slider to zero effectively removes the simulated background blur.
- Save Changes: Once you've adjusted the blur, tap the "Done," "Save," or checkmark button to apply the changes to the photo.
Why This Adjustment Works
This method works because Portrait Mode saves the photo with the original image data plus an added layer of depth information and the instruction to apply a certain level of blur. By adjusting the blur/depth slider in the editing interface, you are simply telling the software to change the intensity of this applied effect, rather than altering the original image data itself. Setting it to zero removes the effect entirely.
Summary of Blur Control
Here’s a quick look at how the depth/blur adjustment impacts your photo:
| Adjustment Level | Effect on Background Blur |
|---|---|
| High | Stronger, more pronounced blur (default) |
| Medium | Moderate blur |
| Low | Minimal blur |
| Zero (0) | No simulated blur; reverts to standard photo |
By following these steps, you can gain control over the background blur in your Portrait Mode photos and revert them to a standard image if desired.
