Focos Review: Professional Bokeh and Focus Control for iPhone
Focos brings the power of a DSLR's shallow depth of field directly to your iPhone. Focos transcends typical photo editors by leveraging advanced computational photography, allowing you to create stunning portraits with realistic background blur and, most impressively, change the focus point long after you’ve taken the shot.
Key Features and Highlights of Focos
Utilizes a true depth map to generate professional-level, adjustable bokeh effects that are far superior to simple software blurring.
The revolutionary after-shot focus control lets you tap anywhere on the image to set a new focal point, a feature core to the Focos experience.
Offers an extensive suite of simulated aperture shapes and specialty lens effects (swirly, creamy, reflex) for unique creative expression.
Includes a unique 3D depth map viewer for precise editing and applying gradient depth filters with intuitive controls.
The intuitive interface of Focos is complemented by helpful built-in tutorials, making advanced photography techniques accessible.
Advantages
Focos produces arguably the most realistic and natural-looking bokeh available on a mobile platform, rivaling expensive camera gear.
The non-destructive editing workflow means you can return to any photo and completely alter its look without any loss in quality.
The powerful computational engine in Focos automatically calculates depth information for incredible creative flexibility.
It effectively turns your iPhone into a powerful light-field camera, capturing data that allows for extensive post-processing.
Disadvantages
As a powerhouse of computational photography, Focos can consume significant battery life during extended editing sessions.
The sheer number of features and controls can be overwhelming for absolute beginners seeking a one-tap solution.
Achieving the absolute best results with Focos often requires well-lit conditions and a clearly defined subject for accurate depth mapping.
The advanced technology powering Focos is primarily optimized for newer iPhone models with dedicated depth-sensing hardware.
Tips for Using Focos
For the best results, ensure your subject is well-lit and stands out clearly from the background to help Focos build an accurate depth map.
Don’t just stop at blur; explore the "Lens" and "Aperture" menus to apply unique bokeh shapes and character effects for a distinctive look.
Use the 3D depth view to visually understand the scene's layers and apply more precise depth-based filters and lighting effects.
After finalizing your blur settings in Focos, consider exporting the image to another app like Lightroom Mobile for final color grading.
More Similar Apps
Halide: A premium manual camera app that excels in RAW capture and also offers advanced depth mapping tools.
AfterFocus: A simpler app that allows for selective focus and blur effects using both automatic and manual selection tools.
Tadaa SLR: A well-known app focused primarily on creating high-quality depth-of-field and bokeh effects quickly.
Conclusion and Personal Opinion
Focos is not merely a photo editor; it is a fundamental rethinking of what is possible with mobile photography. It successfully demystifies and delivers professional-grade focus and bokeh control to the palm of your hand. While it has a learning curve and performs best on supported hardware, its capabilities are unparalleled. The freedom to recompose a shot's narrative by shifting focus is genuinely powerful. For any iPhone photographer serious about portraiture and creative control, Focos is an essential, transformative tool that consistently produces stunning, DSLR-quality results.
