Are you looking to improve your iPhone photography skills? Or, find your next go-to Instagram filter? Then you’re in luck. Here are 10 tips you need to know if you want to supercharge your iPhone snapshots.
These will help you create epic picture perfect memories with your iPhone.
Whether you’re just after some quick tips or looking for ways to elevate your photography skills with an iPhone, this article is for you.
Many people have been turned on to the fun and creative side of photography by picking up an iPhone. With its stunning camera, this pocketable device can take photos you never dreamed of just a few years ago. When you are looking for inspiration, follow these tips to get started.
Also read: How to use Google Lens on iPhone and How many camera iPhone 12 have?
The iPhone is one of the most popular digital cameras used today. Most people prefer to use this device because it’s not only smart but more convenient compared to a real camera. Some of the most sought after photos for post sharing are photos captured by the camera on an iPhone.
My iPhone is my most used camera. I’m out taking photos all day, every day. This has led to a pretty good amount of practice and an improvement in my photography skills.
10 Basic Tips on iPhone Photography
Many beginner photographers think they need to purchase a DSLR in order to take high-quality photos. While they make it easy to take professional-looking photographs, they also cost hundreds of dollars and are difficult to carry around.
If you have an iPhone, however, taking amazing pictures is as simple as downloading the right apps.
Here are 10 awesome iPhone photography tips you need to know if you want to supercharge your iPhone snapshots.
1 Take Photos with volume button to prevent camera shake
While good lighting can help you avoid a bad photo whether you’re using your iPhone or a DSLR, the thinner your device is, the more prone it is to shake from the launch of the camera app, or even just by holding it. This leads to blurry photos and just overall frustration.
So, when you’re taking photos with your iPhone, remember this: in lieu of pressing the Camera shutter, use the volume button to prevent camera shake. It’s a good trick for taking clear, less blurry shots.
If you try this method, take note of which direction you’re pressing the volume buttons (Up/Down), as it can also make a difference!
2 Use the exposure slider to brighten images
Sometimes when you’re shooting a picture, the exposure can be really different than what your eyes see. Maybe it looks bright, but you know it should be darker. And sometimes there are also times when the picture looks too dark even though you think it’s supposed to be bright.
With the Apple devices, now iPhone users have an opportunity to fix these problems before taking a picture by using a slider called “Exposure.”
In addition to the usual focus, exposure and flash tools, your iPhone’s camera app also contains a slider that enables you to adjust the brightness of the image.
By sliding it all the way over to a ghostly white square, you can turn an overexposed image almost entirely white, including any people in it.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can darken an image by moving the slider towards the bottom-left corner of the screen until it turns black.
The exposure slider is quite simple in that if the image is too dark, move the slider up to brighten it; too bright, slide down.
3 Take Photos until you shot the best one
If you’ve never picked up an iPhone before or dabbled in photography, the number of photos you wind up taking will be through the roof compared to a more experienced photographer who knows what they’re doing.
There are tons of amazing photographers out there who can take truly spectacular and compelling photos, but the difference between average and professional photos is only a matter of trial and error.
You won’t get it right every time but if you’re always taking pictures, you’ll eventually get a shot that people will love.
So when you go out to take photos over the next month, have a plan — a specific photo or type of photo that you want to take. That way, you’ll force yourself to be more intentional when taking photos and not just randomly snap photos of whatever catches your eye.
You can only improve as a photographer if you have the time to take lots and lots of photos.
4 Use the rule of thirds
If you’re trying to step up your photography game, position your image subject at one of the four intersections of the grid for a cleaner, more balanced composition.
For such a small device, the iPhone packs quite a punch when it comes to photographic capabilities, no matter if you are a pro or just starting out. And for those looking to create awesome-looking photos with their iPhones, your first step should be understanding the rule of thirds.
This basic principle means composing your shot so that points of interest are offset from the center. Your second step should be getting to know the concept of the camera grid, which happens to be another key element in composing truly exceptional photos.
Related: How to edit photos on Mac:
By using off-center points and lines for your subject matter, your viewer’s eye will naturally go to the point of interest in the photo. This is why you want to avoid hemming it in with a cluttered background as it will distract attention from your subject.
5 Use third-party Camera apps
I’m not a photographer by any definition of the word, but I know what I like, and the iPhone camera has yet to disappoint me.
The software Apple’s baked into its build-in Camera app does an incredible job at picking up detail in photos shot in well-lit environments, but is lacking when it comes to capturing more intricate details on the edges of a photo or shooting in low light.
When you need to snap a quick pic and don’t have time to dive into your Camera Roll for that HDR mode you just enabled, it can be frustrating trying to get the perfect shot with the iPhone’s relatively rudimentary photo options.
Luckily the App Store is filled with all sorts of ways to make your iPhone’s built-in camera more powerful.
If you’re a fan of taking photos with your iPhone, you know there are times when the phone’s default camera app is just not enough. So if you’re looking to take your iPhone photography to the next level, here are Best camera apps I’ve been enjoying lately.
6 Use Burst Mode Where necessary
Burst mode is available on all iPhones that can support iOS 11, so pretty much iPhone 5s forward. The feature allows you to take ten photos per second as long as you hold down the shutter button. In theory, this will allow your to capture quick action shots.
This is a great way to capture action shots and fast-moving objects.
Capturing action shots using Burst mode is quick and easy, and can be very rewarding.
7. Use Portrait mode
Once you’ve found your shot, detach your subject using the bokeh effect on your iPhone. This works best with objects and scenes that are at least a few feet away from the background.
Once you have achieved this effect, you will be able to create amazing shots that look great in both portrait and landscape orientations. These photos take advantage of the depth information in the image to create a stunning effect.
When you move the camera, you’ll notice that the image is in focus. However, the area surrounding the image is blurred.
This is due to an effect Apple calls Portrait mode. Sometimes called “bokeh” or sometimes featuring a shallow depth of field, this effect was previously only available on top-end models like the iPhone 8 Plus in previous years and recently updated to the all iPhone line.
The iPhone uses its built-in sensors to identify motion and capture multiple images which are then layered together into one image with a blurred background.
8 Photo Depth
What happens if you don’t have a distinct foreground, middle ground, and background? One way to get a sense of depth is to play with perspective. This is easy in landscapes, as you can move yourself closer or farther from your subject.
Another approach is to use a telephoto lens and get in tight on your subject. When you zoom in, the background blurs and gives the image a feeling of depth.
Photos come alive when you use the depth of field to direct the viewers eye. Look for something interesting to include in the foreground – it doesn’t need to be a person or anything particularly exciting.
In fact, a simple plant or stone will often look more interesting than something more conventional.
9 Use Camera Lens
Whether you’re a casual photographer or dedicated iPhoneographer, using an external lens will allow you to get pictures you otherwise couldn’t capture. With so many lenses to choose from, it can be tough to know which one is best for you and your favourite photo subjects.
Camera lenses are small, allowing you to take them anywhere and add your own personal touch to your photographs. In the past, if you wanted to take macro pictures and improve the quality of your iPhone snaps, you had to buy an expensive camera.
However, now there are a range of add-on lenses available for the iPhone which allow you to enhance and change the look of your photos.
You may not believe it — but an iPhone can be a fairly powerful tool in the capable hands of a photographer. I’ve used an iPhone to shoot some fairly professional looking shots. The only downside with shooting with an iPhone is the camera’s fixed lens:
There are no real zoom capabilities and there are no adjustment options such as you might have on a DSLR. To get those kind of nifty “flexible” features, you need to attach an external lens to your phone.
Lenses made for the iPhone are relatively cheap to buy, and you’ll find a good mix that fit all kinds of budgets. There are loads of reasons why you might want to invest in an inexpensive iPhone lense. If you already have an iPhone, lenses are a great way to beef up your existing phone setup and experiment with new, creative shots.
10 Enable HDR Auto
iPhone’s HDR feature has four modes: Auto, On, Off, and Disable. With Auto enabled, the camera will use HDR when it senses a high-contrast situation (when you tap to focus, it’ll show you if it thinks HDR is necessary).
Pro tip: turn on HDR on your iPhone. It takes a few pictures in quick succession at different exposures, then merges them for you—so that you’ll never miss something special again.
Conclusion
I have been taking photographs on my iPhone for several years, and continue to improve the quality of my shots each year. Over the last few months I’ve visited some of the popular photography blogs to find out which iPhone photography tips are most popular.
Based on these sources, as well as valuable feedback from fellow photographers, I’ve put together a list of 10 tips that should help anyone take better iPhone photos.
Professional-quality photography is no longer confined to the realm of professional photographers.
Thanks to the introduction of cameras with full huge-megapixel sensors and accompanying apps that offer manual control over settings like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, filters, and focal points, just about anyone can take photos that rival those taken by a professional photographer.
Between your phone and tablet you can carry thousands of high-quality photographs in your back pocket at any time without feeling weighed down or sacrificing the comfort of your skinny jeans.
But sometimes the most common ones (to capture memories, to shoot how your pet looks like) may not be enough. If you want to take pictures that leave a memorable mark, or simply create stunning photography worthy of Instagram, above 10 helpful iPhone photography tips I’m sure you will find handy.