The release of the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016 brought a new feature to the world of smartphone photography – Portrait Mode. This mode has since evolved and improved with each new iPhone release, and the latest iPhone 12 Pro Max has taken Portrait Mode to a whole new level. In this article, we will take a closer look at the evolution of Portrait Mode on the iPhone, from its debut on the iPhone 7 Plus to its most advanced form on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The iPhone 7 Plus was the first iPhone to introduce Portrait Mode, a feature that allowed users to take professional-looking photos with a shallow depth-of-field effect. This means that the subject of the photo is in sharp focus, while the background is blurred, adding a sense of depth and dimension to the image. This was achieved through the use of the dual-camera system on the back of the iPhone 7 Plus, which included a telephoto lens. The depth-sensing technology in the camera would analyze the scene and create a depth map, which was used to separate the subject from the background and create the bokeh effect.
Critics praised the Portrait Mode on the iPhone 7 Plus, but it was not without its flaws. The feature worked best in well-lit environments, and any movement from the subject or the photographer could result in a blurry photo. It also struggled with accurately detecting and separating the subject from the background in some situations, resulting in unnatural cuts or blurring around the edges.
With the release of the iPhone X in 2017, Apple introduced the Portrait Lighting feature, which allowed users to add studio-like lighting effects to their Portrait Mode photos. This was made possible by the new TrueDepth camera system, which used advanced facial mapping and analysis to create a depth map and apply the lighting effects. This added a new level of creativity to Portrait Mode photos, allowing users to experiment with different lighting styles to enhance their portraits.
The iPhone 11 series, released in 2019, took Portrait Mode a step further with the introduction of the Night mode feature. This addressed one of the major limitations of Portrait Mode on previous iPhones – low-light photography. With Night mode, users could now take stunning Portrait Mode photos in dimly lit environments without the need for additional lighting. The depth-sensing technology was improved to enable better low-light performance, resulting in sharper and more detailed portraits even in challenging lighting conditions.
And now, with the release of the iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2020, Portrait Mode has reached its most advanced form yet. The new LiDAR scanner on the back of the iPhone 12 Pro Max has taken depth-sensing to a whole new level. LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, uses laser beams to measure distances and create a detailed depth map of the scene. This allows for more accurate detection and separation of the subject from the background, resulting in a more natural-looking bokeh effect. It also improves the low-light performance of Portrait Mode, making it possible to capture stunning portraits in almost any lighting condition.
In addition, the iPhone 12 Pro Max also introduces a new feature called ProRAW, which combines the power of Apple’s computational photography with the flexibility of shooting in RAW format. This means that users can now take Portrait Mode photos and have complete control over the editing process, including adjusting the depth of field after taking the photo. This is a game-changer for professional photographers and enthusiasts who want more control over their Portrait Mode photos.
In conclusion, the evolution of Portrait Mode on the iPhone has been nothing short of impressive. From its debut on the iPhone 7 Plus to its current form on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, this feature has come a long way in a short amount of time. It has not only improved in terms of technology and performance but has also expanded its capabilities to offer users more creative options. With each new iPhone release, it is exciting to see how Portrait Mode will continue to evolve and redefine smartphone photography.