Symptoms
- Blur cuts into the subject's hair, ears, or hands
- Parts of the background stay sharp when they should be blurred
- Edge detection looks jagged or inconsistent
- Effect looks worse in busy or cluttered backgrounds
Likely causes
- CommonSoftware depth-mapping struggling with complex edges like hairFine detail edges are the hardest part of the scene for portrait mode software to separate correctly.
- CommonSubject too close or too far from the recommended distancePortrait mode usually works best within a specific distance range from the camera.
- CommonBusy or low-contrast background confusing the depth algorithmA background similar in color or depth to the subject makes separation harder.
- PossibleLow light reducing the accuracy of depth sensingSome phones use extra sensors for depth that perform worse in dim conditions.
What to do
- Position your subject at the distance range suggested by the camera app, usually shown as a message on screen.
- Choose a background with good separation from the subject, ideally further away and with different lighting or color.
- Improve lighting on the subject, since depth sensing works better with good light.
- Take a few shots and pick the one with the cleanest edge detection, since results can vary shot to shot.
- Edit portrait blur intensity after the fact if your phone allows adjusting it in the gallery app.
When to call a pro
A repair shop isn't relevant here; this is a software depth-sensing limitation, not a hardware fault.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.