Portrait mode - page 2

Know the differences between iPhone XS and iPhone XR

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iPhone xs xr compared
With all these vibrant options, the iPhone XR wins the color game.
Photo: Apple

Unlike previous iPhone launches, it’s not immediately obvious which iPhone you should buy if you want the best. Or rather, the iPhone XS is clearly the flagship model, but the iPhone XR, launching a month later, has some features which are better than its sibling.

So, what are the important differences to know before you choose which new iPhone X is right for you?

Everything you need to know about your iPhone camera’s aperture

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Here I could have blurred the netting by using a wider aperture.
Here I could have blurred the netting by using a wider aperture.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

A few days ago, we learned about the iPhone’s shutter, the part of the camera that “opens and closes” to let light onto the sensor. Today, we’re taking an in-depth look at the aperture, aka hole. The aperture is an opening in the lens that can be made bigger or smaller. Like shutter speed, its primary purpose is to control how much light reacts with camera the sensor (or film).

Also like shutter speed, aperture has some extra effects on how the image looks. Specifically, it can control how much of the image, front to back, looks sharp.

iOS 12 brings big improvements to iPhone’s Portrait mode

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truedepth iphone x camera portrait lighting
Portrait mode never looked so good on iPhone.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

iOS 12 packs a whole host of significant improvements that Apple didn’t get a chance to showcase during its WWDC preview. One of those, according to one developer, is a greatly-enhanced Portrait mode for compatible iPhone models.

The image below highlights the impressive difference between a Portrait photo taken with iOS 11 and another taken with iOS 12.

iPhone X camera officially ‘studio quality’

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Apple ad says iPhone X takes studio-quality portraits.
There were some complaints after Apple ads claimed the iPhone X takes "studio-quality portraits."
Photo: Apple

The advertising regulatory body in the UK ruled that Apple can say that the  iPhone X takes “studio-quality portraits.”

An ad for this smartphone promised “Radically new cameras with Portrait Lighting. Studio-quality portraits. Without the studio.” However, this brought two complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Apple shows off iPhone X’s studio skills in new video

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iPhone X portrait lighting ad
Up your selfie game with iPhone X's portrait lighting feature.
Photo: Apple

Apple debuted a new ad today that showcases the incredible powers of Portrait Mode on the iPhone X.

The fun new ad is similar in style to some of the wild Face ID ads Apple put out earlier this year and highlights how having an iPhone X is like literally carrying an entire array of studio lights in your pocket.

Check it out:

Apple throws shade at Android in hilarious iPhone ads

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Apple ad
Up your selfie game with Portrait Lighting.
Photo: Apple

Apple is back with a new set of ads aiming to get Android users to switch to iPhone. The two new ads showcase Portrait Mode and Portrait Lightning on the newest iPhones, while also bragging about the App Store’s security compared to Google Play.

Watch them both:

Apple’s latest videos show off iPhone X’s portrait selfies

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Portrait Lighting in selfies. Humankind can now sit back and relax.
Portrait Lighting in selfies. Humankind can now sit back and relax.
Photo: Apple

Apple published a new set of videos today giving iPhone X owners some more tips on how to get the most out Apple’s most advanced camera ever.

The new videos show how to take advantage of the new Portrait mode selfies feature on the iPhone X and the best way to edit them. There’s also a new tutorial for Live Photos that shows you how to create a bounce photo which is a lot like Instagram’s boomerang feature.

Check ’em out:

Apple shows iPhone X camera in a new light

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The iPhone X camera's Portrait Lighting will blow you away.
The iPhone X camera will blow you away.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone X’s advanced camera gets some prime time in the spotlight in Apple’s latest ad.

Apple dropped the fun new spot, which highlights the next-gen photographic features of the $1,000 iPhone, this afternoon. While Portrait Mode loomed large in 2017’s marketing, Apple apparently wants to make Portrait Lighting the next big thing this year.

How to use Portrait Mode on iPhone X and 8

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iPhone 8 Plus portrait lighting camera
Portrait Lighting can make a movie star out of almost anyone. Almost.
Photo: Ste Smith/ Cult of Mac

Portrait mode is an iPhone 7 feature that has been supercharged in the iPhones X and 8, with the addition of Portrait Lighting. Both features use depth data from these iPhones’ dual cameras, either to separate the subject of the photo from its background, or to completely re-light the photo to add drama. Here’s how to make the most of them.

A month with iPhone X can’t cool our lust

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iPhone X laying down
Is the iPhone X still a joy after a month of use?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It’s been about a month since the release of the iPhone X and I’ve been using it every day as my daily driver. We’ve already reviewed it, and even pointed out its flaws, but I wanted to do a follow-up video to cover everything that’s changed for me personally and all the discoveries I’ve made using Apple’s latest flagship.

Check out the video below.

iPhone X first impressions: Apple’s best by far

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iPhone X in box
Your old iPhone could be worth a small fortune.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

We finally have our hands on iPhone X and we couldn’t be more excited. I haven’t put mine down since it arrived at my door this morning, and while it’s too early to give you our full review, we are offering our first impressions.

Here’s what we think of the smartphone of the future so far, along with our iPhone X unboxing video.

Master iPhone 8 Portrait Lighting with Apple’s video tips

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Portrait Lightning
Portrait Lighting is all-new on the iPhone 8.
Photo: Apple

Apple published two new videos today educating users on how to use the new Portrait Lighting feature that debuted on the iPhone 8.

Unlike most of Apple’s videos, the new tips are vertical videos that are formatted to be watched on a smartphone screen. The short videos cover shooting and editing Portrait Lighting photos. Apple also added the feature to the iPhone X which comes out next week.

iPhone 8 Plus brings solid improvements to an already-great device [Review]

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iPhone
There's no denying the iPhone 8 is a great phone, but can it shine through the iPhone X's shadow?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Compared to the radical redesign of the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 Plus looks quite familiar. With the exception of a glass back and a few superficial changes, it employs the same form factor that Apple’s been using since the iPhone 6 Plus. However, it packs some serious internal upgrades that make a difference in day-to-day use.

I picked up the 8 Plus on launch day and have been using it for just over a week. How does it rate? Get my take in the video and written reviews below. Also, don’t miss our huge iPhone 8 and 8 Plus case giveaway at the bottom of the post.

iPhone 8 Plus portrait mode tees off at Presidents Cup

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Some of the faces, including three former U.S. presidents, that Brad Mangin photographed at the Presidents Cup golf tournament.
Some of the faces, including three former U.S. presidents, that Brad Mangin photographed at the Presidents Cup golf tournament.
Photo: Brad Mangin/PGA Tour

Brad Mangin and the iPhone 8 Plus scored an ace at this weekend’s Presidents Cup golf tournament, where the sports photographer shot more than 100 portraits for a beautiful gallery of pictures now on the PGA Tour’s website.

Apple’s new ad gives 8 reasons to love iPhone 8

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iPhone 8
The most powerful iPhones Apple has ever made.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 8 isn’t getting as hyped a reception from fans as previous models, but Apple’s making a hard push to lure in customers with its latest video.

Apple’s newest commercial gives people 8 things to love about the new iPhone 8, from durable glass front and back to its insanely fast A11 processor. Most fans are holding out for the iPhone X, however, you might be convinced to upgrade earlier after watching the new 47-second spot.

Poll results: No one wants the iPhone 8

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latest iPhones
More iPhone buyers selected a newer phone, like the iPhone 8, than when the iPhone 7 line was new.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 8 is one of the most gorgeous smartphones ever created. And absolutely no one is planning to buy it.

Cult of Mac polled our readers after yesterday’s keynote at the Steve Jobs Theater to gauge interest in iPhone X and its two ugly step-siblings. Over 5,400 potential iPhone buyers responded and it looks like the iPhone X is going to be a mega-hit while iPhone 8 sales may suffer.

Here are the results:

iPhone 8 inductive charging may be a wee bit slow

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iPhone 8 wireless charging
This is what will bring wireless charging to iPhone 8.
Photo: Weibo

One of the biggest new features on Apple’s next-generation iPhone might be a bit of disappointment to buyers.

According to the latest rumor out of Asia, Apple will use an older standard for its inductive charging feature which means recharging could take longer than expected.

Download the latest iOS 11 public beta now

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iPhone 7 iOS 11
A redesigned Control Center is one of many changes to look forward to in iOS 11.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Just one day after developers received the fifth beta build of iOS 11, Apple has released the same beta update to public testers, bringing a number of UI changes and bug fixes with it.

iOS 11 public beta 4 and macOS High Sierra public beta 4 are now available to download for all members of Apple’s public beta software testing program. You can also download the new software directly to your Mac, iPhone or iPad if you have the previous public beta installed.

iPhone 7 Plus goes to the barber shop in new Apple ad

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portrait mode
Portrait Mode was in beta for a long time on the iPhone 7 Plus.
Photo: Apple

Apple is continuing to push Portrait Mode in its newest ad for the iPhone 7 Plus that takes place in a barber shop of all place.

The new ad was shared on Apple’s YouTube channel today promoting the Portrait Mode feature that is powered by the dual-lens camera on the iPhone 7 Plus. Apple’s fun new ad shows how Portrait Mode makes the ordinary look extraordinary by advanced tech to blur the background, making subjects pop more than ever.

Enjoy the funky new video:

Apple drops more iPhone 7 photography tip videos

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Apple wants to help you shoot better photos.
Apple wants to help you shoot better photos.
Photo: Apple

Did you know that you can shoot video and take still photos on your iPhone at the same time?

If not, you definitely need to watch Apple’s latest series of iPhone 7 videos that offer tips on how to capture amazing photos with the camera that’s always with you. Apple posted four more videos today that go with the other photography tutorials that came out yesterday. Now you can learn more about selfies, better angles, golden hour and more.

Watch all four new videos:

Apple debuts two new ads showing off iPhone 7 Plus Portrait Mode

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Screen Shot 2017-02-21 at 12.27.41
Portrait Mode is a big selling point for the iPhone 7 Plus.
Photo: Apple

Apple has debuted two new ads, both shared to its YouTube page, showing off the Portrait Mode feature of the iPhone 7 Plus.

As with other ads in the series, Apple shows how the larger-sized iPhone is able to detect depth in pictures and use this to improve the quality of snaps by separating the subject from their background.

Check the ads out below.