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I love bokeh photography, but I don’t own a fancy camera. So how do I achieve this effect?
Like many photography enthusiasts, I once thought those dreamy, blurred-background shots were only possible with expensive DSLRs. But not anymore. I’ve found a method to achieve impressive bokeh effects using just my phone. Below is my exact process for achieving DSLR-like bokeh effects on iPhone and Android.
How I Get the Bokeh Photo Effect on My iPhone
If you’ve tried to find a native bokeh setting on your iPhone camera, you likely reached the same conclusion I did: there aren’t any. Relying onPortrait Mode tricksleft me disappointed every time I tried creating a visible bokeh effect with them.
Given that iPhones don’t (yet) offer a native way to create true bokeh, I needed a workaround. And I found one in a third-party app called Focos. The app allows me to simulate the bokeh effect with impressive results, rivaling those achieved with professional gear.
There’s a catch, though—the Focos app requires a subscription to get this effect. It offers Creator and Photographer plans with prices as low as $1.99/week. Focos also offers a one-week free trial if you just want to check out how the app works.
Download:Focos foriOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
Here’s my exact process for creating the bokeh effect on my iPhone using the Focos app:
You can further refine your output by tapping theaperture iconon the sidebar and adjusting the simulated aperture size (bar below the picture). The aperture size controls the bokeh effect strength.
Applying the bokeh effect in post-processing is a personal preference. You could choose to apply bokeh to live photos using the Focos camera feature instead.
How I Get the Bokeh Photo Effect on My Android
Android users face a similar situation—there is no built-in bokeh feature. Samsung teased one a while ago, but several users report not finding the feature on their devices.
To get around this, I use the YouCam Perfect app. YouCam Perfect does a great job of creating the bokeh effect on Android devices. The app is free to use (with ads).
Download:YouCam Perfect forAndroid(Free, in-app purchases available)
Here’s how I create the bokeh effect on my Android using YouCam Perfect:
How to Make Your Bokeh Effect Stand Out
Creating captivating bokeh effectswith your smartphone hinges on two key elements: composition and skillful editing. When composing your shot, always look for scenes with multiple background lights and position your subject well in front of them—this distance is crucial for that dreamy blur.
In post-processing, focus on gradually adjusting the blur intensity, taking care to maintain natural edges around your subject. The right intensity is one where you have a soft transition, not a harsh cut-out effect. While bokeh is popular for portraits, I’ve found it equally stunning for other subjects like flowers or city scenes.
