Instagram rolls out Focus, its own “portrait mode” for photos and videos
Apr 10, 2018
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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We’re all familiar with Portrait Mode, and now Instagram is rolling out Focus, its own version of this feature. From now on, you can take portraits with blurry background in Instagram Stories. It doesn’t just work for photos, you can use it for videos, too.
After testing the feature for a while, “Focus” is now available next to the “Superzoom” feature under the record button. It works with both front and rear cameras. When the program detects a face, it keeps the face sharp while making the background blurry. Tapping the record button will take a photo while holding it will start recording a video.
The Focus feature is not only available with dual-cam smartphones. The users of iPhone SE, 6S, 6S+, 7, 7+, 8, 8+ and X will have it, as well as users of “select Android devices,” as Instagram writes.
TechCrunch shows a comparison between an iPhone X standard photo, its Portrait Mode and Instagram’s new Focus feature. As far as I can see, Focus doesn’t only blur out the background, but some of the blur spills on the subject, too. But on the other hand, Focus works with older iPhone models and with videos. So, you win some, you lose some, I suppose.
[via TechCrunch; image credits: Instagram (modified)]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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2 responses to “Instagram rolls out Focus, its own “portrait mode” for photos and videos”
Hmm, I’m on an iPhone 7 with v40 and I don’t see the feature — was it removed with today’s update?
If you have a dual lens phone, check out the Focos app. It does refocus control in post processing. Also you can do different bokeh shapes, stars, hearts, and pick your number of aperture blades. It’s pretty cool being able to focus iPhone shots in post.