How to do it
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Open a Portrait photo and tap Edit
In the Photos app, open a photo taken in Portrait mode, then tap the Edit button.
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Tap Portrait, then the lighting button
Tap Portrait, then tap the lighting button at the top of the screen. The Portrait Lighting effects appear below the photo.
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Slide through the effects
Touch the effects and slide your finger left or right to choose one.
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Adjust the strength
Drag the slider below the effects left or right to change how strong the lighting is.
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Save, or revert
Tap Done. To undo it after you save, open Edit, tap Revert, then tap Revert to Original.
What are the Portrait Lighting effects?
Apple’s guide lists six (Apple: Edit Portrait mode photos on iPhone, iOS 27 edition):
- Natural Light: the face is in sharp focus against a blurred background.
- Studio Light: the face is brightly lit, with an overall clean look.
- Contour Light: dramatic shadows with highlights and lowlights.
- Stage Light: the face is spotlit against a deep black background.
- Stage Light Mono: like Stage Light, but in classic black and white.
- High-Key Light Mono: a grayscale subject on a white background.
Can I change the blur or the focus?
Yes. In the same Portrait view, the Depth Control slider at the bottom increases or decreases the background blur, and a gray dot marks the original depth value. On iPhone 13 or later you can also tap a new subject or focus point, and the blur adjusts so the new subject is sharp. Make sure the new subject isn’t blurred or too far away.
Can I make a regular photo a portrait?
On supported models, a photo with a person, dog, or cat taken in Photo mode can become a portrait: open it, tap Edit, then tap Portrait. If you apply the portrait effect to a Live Photo, the Live effects are turned off, and you can turn them back on by tapping Live.
How do I remove the effect?
Open the photo, tap Portrait in the top-left corner, then tap Portrait Off. Button positions can vary by iOS version, and the steps here follow Apple’s iOS 27 guide.