How to make a blurred background in a photo Xiaomi: from shooting to processing

Introduction: Why a blurred background is important for photos on Xiaomi

The blurred background effect (or bokeh) transforms even the most common images, giving them a professional look. On Xiaomi smartphones — whether it is the flagship Mi 13 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12 — this effect can be achieved in several ways, but not all of them are equally effective. The main problem is that many users turn on the portrait mode and think that this is enough. In fact, the quality of blur depends on the camera hardware, the right settings and even post-processing.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for creating a blurry background in Xiaomi photos, from shooting in manual mode to fine-tuning in third-party applications. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different models (for example, why the Poco X5 Pro bokeh is sharper than the Redmi 10C) and typical errors that spoil the effect. If you want your portraits or subject photos to look like taken on a mirror, read on.

Method 1: Portrait mode in Xiaomi’s standard camera

The most obvious, but not always the best, way to do it is to have Portrait Mode available on all Xiaomi smartphones from the Redmi Note 5 (2018) and up, and it automatically blurs the background, separating the subject from the background, but the result is very much model-dependent:

• 📱 Flagships (Mi) 11/12/13/14, Poco F4/F5): use dual-pixel autofocus and precise segmentation algorithms – blur is obtained naturally.
• 📱 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 11/12 Pro, Poco X4/X5): Bokeh often “tears” at the edges of hair or complex objects.
• 📱 Budgetary (Redmi) 10A, Poco M4): blurring rough, with artifacts, especially in low light conditions.

How to set the mode:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Flick the shooting modes left to Portrait (or Portrait Mode on new MIUI versions).
3. Point the camera at the object – when it is recognized, a yellow frame will appear on the screen.
4. Press the badge. ⚙️ → Bokeh effect to select the intensity of blurring (from F1.4 before F16).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with a single camera (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Portrait mode works only on the front camera. For the main camera, the blur will be software and low quality.

Secret Life Hack: If your model has a live bokeh option (available on Mi 10 and later), turn it on – this will allow you to adjust the blur level after shooting in the gallery.

Method 2: manually adjust the aperture in Pro mode

If you don't like automatic mode, try Professional Mode (or Pro), where you can manually set parameters that affect depth of field, a key factor for blurry backgrounds, and the rule is that the wider the aperture (less than the F number), the stronger the blur.

Step-by-step:

1. In the Camera app, select Pro (or Manual) mode.
2. Tap the F icon (aperture) and set a minimum value (for example, F1.8 on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra or F2.2 on the Redmi Note 11 Pro).
3. Make sure that the subject is within 30 to 100 cm of the camera – the closer the effect is.
4. Focus manually by touching the screen, or use MF (manual focus).
5. Take a picture and check the result in the gallery.

⚠️ Note: Smartphones without optical zoom (such as Redmi 9) may experience vignetting when shooting in Pro mode with minimal aperture. To avoid this, increase the value of F by 0.2-0.4.

Make sure the object is well lit |

Set the minimum aperture value (F)|

Turn off digital zoom|

Use manual focusing (MF) for accuracy |

Take several frames with different distances-->

Method 3: Third-party applications for background blur

If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t work, third-party apps will come to the rescue.

• 🎨 Add blur after shooting (even in a photo without portrait mode).
• 🔍 Accurately adjust the boundaries of the object and background.
• 🌟 Apply artistic effects (e.g., imitation of Leica lenses).

Top.-3 apps:

1. Focos (free, with in-store purchases) is powered by neural networks, supports depth-of-field editing, and is ideal for photos taken in Pro mode with depth data storage (.DNG).
2. AfterFocus (paid, ~300 ₽) It allows you to draw masks for object and background by hand, suitable for complex scenes (for example, shooting through glass).
3. Snapseed (free) In the Portrait tool, blur can be added, but the quality is inferior to specialized applications.

Instructions for Focos (the most powerful tool):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Import photos (preferably in.DNG or in Portrait mode).
3. Choose 3D Lighting or Bokeh.
4. Adjust the parameters: Blurriness is the blurring force. Bokeh Shape is the form of light highlights (circle, hexagon, etc.) Edge Refinement is the refinement of the boundaries of the object.

Export the result in high resolution.

Critical detail: Apps like Focos require a deep map photo. If your Xiaomi model doesn’t save it automatically (check in Camera Settings → Additional), the blur will be less accurate.

Method 4: Shooting from a telephoto lens (2x/3x zoom)

Few people know, but optical zoom helps to achieve more natural blurring of the background — even without portrait mode. This is due to the physical properties of the lenses: as you increase the focal length, the depth of field decreases.

How to use zoom for bokeh:

1. In standard camera mode, choose 2x or 3x (if you have an optical zoom). On models without a telephoto lens (for example, Redmi 9), this method will not work.
2. Step away from the subject of the shooting 1-2 meters to save the composition.
3. Tap the screen to focus on the object.
4. Take a picture. The background will automatically become blurred by the optics.

Example: on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, when shooting with a 3.2x zoom (Leica telephoto lens), the background blur will be stronger than on the main camera with F1.9. This method is especially good for shooting objects (food, flowers, accessories).

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse optical zoom with digital zoom (software image stretching), which not only does not add blur, but also degrades the quality of the photo. Optical zoom is only available in models with a telephoto lens (for example, Mi 11 Ultra, Poco). F4 GT).

💡

If your model does not have a telephoto lens, simulate the zoom effect by moving away from the object and using the main camera with a minimum aperture (F1.8-F2.2).

Method 5: Post-processing in Lightroom or Photoshop Express

For those willing to spend 10-15 minutes editing, professional tools will give you the most flexible blur control.

Option 1: Adobe Lightroom (mobile version)

1. Import the photo to Lightroom.
2. Go to the section Effects (Icon) ✧).
3. Select Background Blur (Background Blur).
4. Adjust: Intensity is the force of blurring. Mask is the accuracy of the object's selection (use a brush to adjust).

Apply the changes and export.

Option 2: Photoshop Express

There is no direct blur tool here, but you can use a workaround:

1. Open the photo in the app.
2. Select the Correction → Blurring (Blur).
3. Apply Radial Blur to background areas, avoiding the object.
4. Use the Lastic to restore clarity to the object.

Example: in the photo below on the left - a typical error (the background "eats" the hair), on the right - a corrected version with the correct lighting and distance:

[This may be your comparative photo, but we will describe it in text]


Left: Portrait mode on Redmi Note 10 against the window. background blurred unevenly, hair merges with the background.
Right: Same photo, but taken with side light and manual focus in Pro mode (F2.2, 60 cm distance). Blurring is natural, the boundaries are clear.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions