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Apple Highlights Depth Control Feature on iPhone XS, XS Max and XR With New How To Video

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Apple today shared a new how to video that's designed to walk new iPhone users through using the Depth Control feature on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.

Depth Control, a feature new to the 2018 iPhones, lets you adjust the amount of background blur in a photo taken with Portrait Mode using either the front or rear camera.


Depth Control can be accessed by choosing a Portrait Mode photo from the Photos app, selecting the "Edit" button, and using the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the blur from f/1.4 (maximum blur) to f/16 (no blur).

Depth Control is available when editing an already-captured photo and as of iOS 12.1, there's a real-time Depth Control feature for adjusting blur before you take a photo.

Apple has in the past shared multiple short how to videos like this to highlight photography capabilities on the iPhone along with iPhone X features.

We're likely going to see several more videos focused on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in the coming weeks as Apple helps users adjust to the new features available on the devices.

Article Link: Apple Highlights Depth Control Feature on iPhone XS, XS Max and XR With New How To Video
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/11/02/apple-iphone-xs-xr-depth-control-video/
YOU: im just trying to adjust my phone to get those depth shots APPLE: NO, you're not doing it right..here, we have a video for that watch it! haha..thanks Apple.
 
So, I have iOS12.1, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to adjust Depth Control in real time. What am I missing?
 
Don't have a 2018 iPhone? Download ProCam. That feature has been on there for years. Ding!
 
AngerDanger said:
I never thought I’d hear a backing track comprised entirely of alert sounds, but there you go.
Click to expand...

It’s human music dude. You know, from Earth radio. Until they can convert emojis to audio, it’s the best we’ve got.

Jeez you Apple haters find anything to criticise. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to dance to LED’s latest single, Bleep Me, Bleep You.
 
Depth sensing tech still needs a lot of improvement. I would say the way it is done today is barely usable.
This picture was taken by my iPhone X Max using the "portrait" mode.
Take a look at the chair or at the right side of the pumpkin.

IMG_0041.jpg
 
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Jason98 said:
Depth sensing tech still needs a lot of improvement. I would say the way it is done today is barely usable.
This picture was taken by my iPhone X Max using the "portrait" mode.
Take a look at the chair or at the right side of the pumpkin.

View attachment 800702
Click to expand...

You’re right. Barely usable. What a joke. Looks like a 1MP camera was trudged through custard and then a small child with a head resembling a lightbulb threw the phone in the air.

Simultaneously another child, also with a lightbulb-shaped head, was wearing a pair of oven gloves and soared through the air like a salmon to press the camera at the exact same time.

The result was the utter blur you’ve posted. Though honestly to my eyes I think it’s not too terrible. But hey, what do I know — I’m no photographer.
 
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Jason98 said:
Depth sensing tech still needs a lot of improvement. I would say the way it is done today is barely usable.
This picture was taken by my iPhone X Max using the "portrait" mode.
Take a look at the chair or at the right side of the pumpkin.

View attachment 800702
Click to expand...

yea, this is expected. the software is fooled. until we get time of flight in some way, we will have this problem for portrait.
 
Why is this NOT possible with the iPhone X ???


MacRumors said:



Apple today shared a new how to video that's designed to walk new iPhone users through using the Depth Control feature on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.

Depth Control, a feature new to the 2018 iPhones, lets you adjust the amount of background blur in a photo taken with Portrait Mode using either the front or rear camera.


Depth Control can be accessed by choosing a Portrait Mode photo from the Photos app, selecting the "Edit" button, and using the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the blur from f/1.4 (maximum blur) to f/16 (no blur).

Depth Control is available when editing an already-captured photo and as of iOS 12.1, there's a real-time Depth Control feature for adjusting blur before you take a photo.

Apple has in the past shared multiple short how to videos like this to highlight photography capabilities on the iPhone along with iPhone X features.

We're likely going to see several more videos focused on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in the coming weeks as Apple helps users adjust to the new features available on the devices.

Article Link: Apple Highlights Depth Control Feature on iPhone XS, XS Max and XR With New How To Video
Click to expand...
Possible with the iPhone X
 
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Don't see what the big deal is. Moto had this feature they called 'selective focus' in their $200 1080p Moto G5s in 2017.

Apple not supporting it in the iPhone X is just shameful.

 
Last edited:
Jason98 said:
Depth sensing tech still needs a lot of improvement. I would say the way it is done today is barely usable.
This picture was taken by my iPhone X Max using the "portrait" mode.
Take a look at the chair or at the right side of the pumpkin.

View attachment 800702
Click to expand...
It works better on people, animals, or solid shape things. Objects like what you were trying to snap, where there are several things in the foreground, it doesn’t know where to blur and not. It’s too busy as a scene for the software to isolate the background.
[doublepost=1541250684][/doublepost]
mi7chy said:
Don't see what the big deal is. Moto had this feature they called 'selective focus' in their $200 1080p Moto G5s in 2017.

Apple not supporting it in the iPhone X is just shameful.

Click to expand...
But just like the pixel, it can’t do “real time” bokeh with adjustable blur. It processes it after you snap the picture.
 
Geez, rather critical folks here. As with any camera/lens, sometimes one has to select a shooting scenario tailored to get best results (as Apple did in the video). One can have a $1k f/1.4 and still blow DOF, and wind up with a fuzzy subject or ugly bokeh or a background that's too sharp.

And as others have noted, Apple's camera and software are not the only choice. Lightroom CC's camera function does depth mode on phones back to the iPhone X (rear camera). And unlike Apple, it creates a mask. So you can use a brush to modify the masked area you want to change, and apply other edits besides say blur. Like just darken it. Sure, one could just use a brush to make a mask, but sometimes the depth mask gets you started more quickly.
 
Just use camera + 2, for $2 people with dual lens camera will be spared of a $1000 upgrade.
 
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