Apple has just released two brief video tutorial through its YouTube channel, explaining the operation of the new Portrait Lighting feature on the iPhone 8 Plus. The function, which was introduced with the iPhone 8 generation and the iPhone X, lets the user add a variety of simulated lighting effects to portrait images.
The device uses its dual-camera and machine learning to produce a depth-map of the image and apply lighting and blur effects to the scene. Available effects include Natural Light, Studio Light, Contour Light, Stage Light and Stage Light Monochrome. Portrait Lighting can be activated while shooting or applied in editing at a later stage.
The first of the tutorials focuses on Portrait Lighting in shooting mode, the second shows how to apply the effect when editing through the Photos app.
Regarding the bokeh produced by the iPhone X, it’s not perfect and likely won’t be for quite some time. Most of us who have shot with an SLR or DSLRs using a lens with a cameras aperture know longer lenses with wide open aperture sproduce some impressive bokeh. So far as any smartphone I’ve yet seen , this new X does an impressive job of primarily simulating bokeh. I enjoy using this sort of technology based on both hardware and software. I’m not kidding myself in thinking somehow I’m going to get the same DOF bokeh from the phone as from my DSLRs. However I think the simulation from this phone is nicer than it is from some cameras. What I’ve alwys likes about DOF is being able to soften the surrounding area so as to draw attention to the subject. Well the iPhone simulation does that so yes, it is useful.
Are you blind? It looks awful. This must be trolling, it has to be. There is a huge difference between real and fake bokeh, and not just how it masks from "in-focus" to "out-of-focus". Bokeh is also not typically that smooth, making it look even more faked. And the fact that it removes all noise in "out-of-focus" areas means it is very apparant.
Only when nitpicking. On a first glace it looks more than fine. And why does it need to be "real"? If people are looking for smooth, what's wrong with going for that?
Please note that using the Portrait mode will automatically zoom in with 2x. I guess Apple really wants to remind users that Portrait is REALLY for portrait only (at least for now). I actually used it for my sister's dog, which turned out to be pretty good as well, as long as the object occupies the main frame, with not much else in the back.
Yes, it is the second lens. Still, the field of view is narrowed while using the portrait mode. It's more or less a gimmick for now. The latest iOS and 8/8+ do have a few other features that greatly enhanced the IQ and versatility of the phone camera. For example, by holding down the home button while in the photo mode, the camera can capture "burst" of photos for quick moving objects and allow the user to pick the ones to keep after the burst shots.
Yeah, the people calling it a zoom are not technically correct. If anything it is a medium prime. While portrait lighting and fake bokeh are a bit of a gimmick, having a second useful focal length is not.
Apparently the race to improving smartphone cameras/photos has been fierce, and we ain't seeing the end of it (maybe never?). For 8+, the "wide" prime lens has stabilization and faster (thus implying better a IQ in general). The "medium" prime is slightly slower and does not have stabilization. The front facing camera fares even worse in terms of IQ.
Having said that, I have been mightily impressed by 8+'s HDR, and apparently there's also a built-in barrel correction to keep straight lines ALL straight.
I wish Apple in the future could make the "wide" even wider (I think currently it's only 28mm), to maybe 24mm or even 22mm? I am willing to sacrifice a little speed for a wider field of view.
These got me at the word "brief." I participate in other sites that post how-to videos and they drone on and on and on with chit chat and set up and all I really need is to see how it's done once, knowing I can always replay or freeze if needed. So I appreciated this.
Dr. Blackjack, get back to me when a cell phone can give me the same quality as using a 5DSR with a Canon 85mm f1.2. I would be keen to buy one. Until then, leave the gimmics to the selfie queens.
Portrait mode I could just about handle, but this I can't. What's happening to the world of photography?! Super gimmicky, marketing fluff and worse of all, terrible looking.
That it's degrading the work and investment we as photographers put into acquiring and learning how to use our camera systems to get such effects and how and when to use it. Apple (along with other) smartphone manufacturers are slowly killing of the "Pro" market (by that I mean the people that make their living off photography), as unfortunately for the average consumers, these results are good enough (their not really!).
Nobody has an obligation to keep your profession alive. If the artistic value you can provide gets outcompeted by a computational blur filter, then maybe it's you whose lost in the sauce. If your customers can't tell the difference then it's good enough, and anything you claim to the contrary is no longer something you say as a pro.
It's called a paradigm shift, so get over it. It happened to the Swiss watch makers when quartz watches took over, it happened to the music industry when records and tapes morphed into digital mp3s, it happened to film when cameras went digital, etc. The first rule of paradigms is that when the paradigm shifts, everyone gets put back to zero. Your past success guarantees you nothing.
Tutorials not hidden behind a paywall help advertise a product through awareness of how it works. Tutorials are still distinct from straight advertising.
The Domke F-6, also known as the 'Little Bit Smaller' bag shares a lot of characteristics with the venerable (and a Little Bit Bigger) F-2. Senior Editor Barnaby Britton has been using one for several years.
Panasonic's premium compact DC-ZS200 (TZ200 outside of North America) boasts a 24-360mm equiv. F3.3-6.4 zoom lens, making it the longest reaching 1"-type pocket camera on the market. There are tradeoffs that come with that big lens, however. Find out all the details in our in-depth review.
The follow-up to the original K-1 is here, built like a tank like its predecessor, with improvements to AF Tracking. However, we find that image quality takes a bit of a hit with the tweaks Pentax has made.
Whether you're hitting the beach in the Northern Hemisphere or the ski slopes in the Southern, a rugged compact camera makes a great companion. In this buying guide we've taken a look at seven current models and chosen our favorites.
What's the best camera for a parent? The best cameras for shooting kids and family must have fast autofocus, good low-light image quality and great video. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for parents, and recommended the best.
What's the best camera for shooting landscapes? High resolution, weather-sealed bodies and wide dynamic range are all important. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting landscapes, and recommended the best.
What’s the best camera costing over $2000? The best high-end camera costing more than $2000 should have plenty of resolution, exceptional build quality, good 4K video capture and top-notch autofocus for advanced and professional users. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing over $2000 and recommended the best.
Video features have become an important factor to many photographers when choosing a new camera. Read on to find out which cameras we think are best for the videophile.
Researchers at NVIDIA have used artificial intelligence to train a system that's capable of turning standard 30fps video into 240fps slow-mo video with minimal loss in quality.
Loupedeck has updated its popular Lightroom editing console with a new '+' version featuring improved build quality, more customization and support for some non-Adobe software.
Samsung's flagship Galaxy S9+ comes with comprehensive photography features like dual optically stabilized rear cameras, smooth 4K video and of course, beauty filters for your selfies. But is it the best smartphone camera for you? Find out how it compares against the likes of Apple's iPhone X and Google's Pixel 2 in our full review.
Apple released a new batch of mobile photography tutorial videos this week, each briefly demonstrating how to perform various camera actions using the flagship iPhone X.
Adobe has announced development of Project Rush, a cross-device video editing application that consolidates the entire video creation workflow, from shooting to social media sharing, in a single application.
Adobe's quarterly financial report was just published, and the news is good. Q2 2018 saw a new quarterly revenue record of $2.20 billion, and 22% growth to $1.55 billion in its Digital Media segment.
Just months after launching its QuartzLine filters for DSLR and mirrorless lenses, PolarPro has launched a buyback program that will give you credit towards a PolarPro filter for trading in an old one - even if it isn't theirs.
The FUJINON GF 45mm F2.8 R WR is a 36mm equivalent fast prime for Fujifilm's GFX 50S. We've been shooting with one for a few days, and we're impressed. Check out our sample gallery to judge for yourself.
Video editing software package Video Pro X has received what is described as its biggest update yet to mark ten years since Magix Video Pro was launched.
Back in 2010, Canon announced that it was developing the world's largest CMOS sensor, measuring about 40 times larger than full frame. The company has just updated its website with more details.
Samyang has launched its latest lens, the Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 EF. This telephoto prime is a direct competitor to Canon's $1,600 alternative—and considering it's expected to retail for half the price, it looks like quite the bargain.
Google has published an 18-page study fully detailing its synthetic depth-of-field technology that makes its single-camera Portrait Mode possible. The in-depth paper shows a degree of openness and academic mindset unusual for the industry.
Rugged, waterproof compact cameras are tough enough to survive even the most action-packed vacation, but they're not the only choice for capturing those great memories. Photographer Josh Root takes us through the options.
Kodak has restarted production of one of its most famous film emulsions - Ektachrome. Popular Science editor Stan Horaczek recently go to take a look inside.
The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD is an affordable F2.8 standard zoom for full frame Sony E-mount cameras. What's it like, what are the trade-offs, and what are the alternatives? Chris and Jordan take a closer look...
We've updated our Best Drones buying guide and there's a new winner. Find out which drone was our favorite and learn more about all current models in our updated guide.
A teardown of a Nikon D850 has provided proof that the camera's sensor is made by Sony Semiconductor. The chip's design and performance already strongly supported this, but the confirmation also gives a hint about how the industry works.
Leica Camera has announced a new compact camera that features a 24-360mm F3.3-6.4 zoom lens and a 20MP 1” MOS sensor. Essentially a re-badged Panasonic Lumix ZS/TZ200, the Leica C-Lux will save Raw and JPEG files, will offer 4K video and has a viewfinder with a 2.33 million-dot resolution.
Leica has launched a limited edition M10 with a contoured handgrip designed by luxury car manufacturer Zagato. And, to celebrate the opening of a new part of the company's Wetzlar factory, a pair of Leica-made watches are due this autumn.
YouTuber George Tomlin explains the concept of sub-framing and details how you can use it to take not only make the composition more interesting, but also provide context for the scene you're shooting.
YouTube channel Company Man has shared a 12-minute video explaining the history of Kodak and the factors that led to it going from industry leader to bankrupt business.
Neewer, a photo gear brand out of China, has launched a new budget APS-C lens for Fuji X and Sony E mounts. The Fuji X mount lens offering has appeared on Amazon as a new release with a $119.99 price tag, but is currently listed as unavailable.
Nikon has announced the development of the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm F5.6E PF ED VR lens. Thanks to its use of 'phase fresnel' optics, Nikon claims that the lens will be small and light enough to be used handheld.
MIOPS has opened up a Kickstarter campaign for its latest product, the Capture360. This pocket-sized device is a versatile motion control box designed to be as simple or robust as your needs desire.
Comments