Apple's Portrait Mode has become a popular way of taking impressive shots using a depth-of-field effect known as bokeh, allowing iPhone users to shoot a photo that keeps the subject sharp with a blurred background.

And now, exclusive to the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max thanks to the triple-lens camera, you can switch between focal lengths in Portrait mode to get the best shot for your chosen scene.

portrait mode iphone 11 pro

To use Portrait Mode, open the Camera app and swipe to Portrait mode. Portrait Lighting effects will appear at the bottom of the viewfinder.

To change the focal length, tap the circular 1x button in the bottom-left of the viewfinder. 1x corresponds to the wide lens, and 2x switches to the telephoto lens.

You can see the difference between the two modes in the second and third images above, but in general the 2x mode seems to be better for capturing people, while the 1x lens is better for shooting smaller objects.

Apple has widened the aperture of the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro's telephoto lens to f/2.0 from f/2.4 in the ‌iPhone‌ X and XS. This allows more light to hit the sensor, which should translate to better Portrait Mode results in lower lighting conditions.

Don't forget, you can now also switch to the front-facing camera and get a selfie in Portrait Mode, too.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

firewire9000 Avatar
73 months ago
That’s so cool! I really liked the portrait photos taken by the XR because of the wide angle.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alpi123 Avatar
73 months ago

Anyone know the equivalent millimeters each of the lens’ are?
It's written in the camera app.
Ultra Wide - 13mm
Wide - 26mm
Tele - 52mm
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eyeseeyou Avatar
73 months ago
So the tele is the closest to a “nifty fifty” lens on a dslr?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Suxamethonium Avatar
73 months ago

So the tele is the closest to a “nifty fifty” lens on a dslr?
Yep, which makes the 13mm really wide!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
firewire9000 Avatar
73 months ago

Does this mean with the pros you don’t have to stand as far for portrait?
One thing I didn’t like about the xs vs xr.
That’s right.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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