Create depth of field with the smartphone camera
Related Videos: Depth of Field Techniques on an iPhone: iPhoneography with Nicki Fitz-Gerald (May 2024).
Depth of field, which is known from large professional cameras, can also be generated with a smartphone. We show you how this works in this practical tip.
Galaxy S5: create depth of field
- The latest camera software for the Samsung Galaxy S5 includes the "selective focus" function, which can be found in the camera's advanced settings menu.
- In the "selective focus" mode, several differently focused photos are taken imperceptibly quickly.
- From this, the Galaxy S5 calculates different levels of sharpness, which you can subsequently change when viewing the image in the gallery.
Depth of field via hardware solution: The HTC One M8
- HTC goes one step further with the One M8: a second camera is installed in the device above the main camera, which can supply the pictures with additional picture information.
- In normal recording mode, the second camera always provides depth information for the image, which you can then use in the gallery app.
- In addition to shifting the focus point - which defines depth of field - you can also apply other effects and, for example, only give the background a comic-like appearance.
The solution via app: the focus effect of the Google camera
- The free camera app from Google comes with various recording modes, including the focus effect.
- If you take a photo in the "Focus Effect" recording mode, you will be asked to pull the phone up slightly after the actual photo and at the same time hold it on the object to be focused.
- The app then uses this additional information to calculate a depth of field effect, which you can subsequently adjust in the gallery if you wish.
Conclusion: One app is sufficient for depth of field.
With the One M8, HTC makes depth of field on the smartphone easy, with the second camera this effect works without any problems. Samsung's Galaxy S5 is struggling, the few settings for the sharpness level do not get the most out of the good camera. The rescue for everyone is the Google camera: it offers a simple, fast and well-functioning solution and is also available for many smartphones.
Mobile phone photographers will find the best camera apps for Android to download in the next article.