Menu
Stephen Walton
As an experienced photographer, I’ve always been passionate about capturing the world through my lens. Over the years, I’ve seen the evolution of photography technology, and one of the most significant advancements is the power of the smartphone camera.
The iPhone has revolutionised the way we take photos. In this short iPhone photography course, I’ll share some invaluable insights and techniques that will help you make the most of your iPhone camera.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer looking to refine your skills, this guide is designed to help you capture stunning images with your iPhone.
Your iPhone camera offers various shooting modes, including Photo, Portrait, Pano, and Night Mode. Each of these modes has specific uses, and knowing when to use them can significantly impact the quality of your photos.
For instance, Portrait Mode is excellent for capturing detailed shots of people with a beautiful background blur, while Night Mode is designed to enhance photos taken in low-light conditions.
In addition to these modes, your iPhone camera also has features like Live Photos, which capture a few seconds of video before and after you press the shutter button, giving you a chance to choose the perfect moment.
Understanding these features and how to use them will give you a solid foundation for taking great photos with your iPhone.
Proper exposure and focus are critical for capturing clear, well-lit photos. Fortunately, the iPhone makes it easy to adjust these settings on the fly.
To adjust the exposure on your iPhone, simply tap on the screen where you want to set the focus. You’ll see a small sun icon next to the focus square. By sliding your finger up or down, you can increase or decrease the exposure. This feature is particularly useful in high-contrast scenes where you want to ensure that neither the highlights nor the shadows are too extreme.
For more control, you can lock the focus and exposure by tapping and holding on the screen until you see AE/AF Lock at the top. This is useful when you’re trying to capture a moving subject or when the lighting conditions are changing.
By locking the focus and exposure, you ensure that your settings remain consistent, giving you a better chance of capturing the perfect shot.
Depth of field refers to the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a photo that appears acceptably sharp. On an iPhone, achieving a shallow depth of field, which results in a beautiful background blur (bokeh), is easier than you might think.
The most straightforward way to achieve a shallow depth of field on an iPhone is by using Portrait mode. This mode uses advanced algorithms to separate the subject from the background, simulating the effect of a wide-aperture lens. It’s perfect for portrait shots, but it can also be used creatively for other types of photography, such as close-up shots of objects or pets.
Even without Portrait mode, you can achieve a shallow depth of field by getting closer to your subject and ensuring that the background is further away.
This creates a natural blur that can make your subject stand out. Experiment with different distances and angles to see how the depth of field changes in your photos.
Zooming on an iPhone is another feature that can enhance your photography, but it needs to be used judiciously.
iPhones typically offer both optical and digital zoom. Optical zoom uses the camera’s hardware to magnify the image without losing quality.
Whereas a digital zoom enlarges the image digitally, which can result in a loss of quality.
Whenever possible, use optical zoom to maintain the clarity of your photos. This is usually up to 2x or 3x, depending on your iPhone model. For anything beyond that, try to move closer to your subject rather than relying on digital zoom.
When you do need to use digital zoom, keep in mind that it can reduce the quality of your image.
To counteract this, try to stabilise your phone as much as possible to avoid blurriness. You can also use editing tools afterwards to enhance the details and sharpness of your photo.
The iPhone camera app offers several shooting modes, each designed for specific types of photography.
To switch between modes, simply swipe left or right on the camera screen.
Live Photos capture 1.5 seconds before and after you take a picture, creating a short video clip. To enable Live Photos, tap the circular icon at the top of the camera screen. This feature can be particularly useful for capturing dynamic scenes or ensuring you get the perfect moment.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) combines multiple exposures to create a photo with better detail in both the shadows and highlights. HDR is especially useful in high-contrast scenes, such as landscapes with bright skies and dark foregrounds. You can enable HDR by tapping the HDR icon at the top of the screen and selecting Auto, On, or Off.
Burst Mode allows you to take a series of photos in quick succession by holding down the shutter button. This is ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as sports or wildlife. To activate Burst Mode, press and hold the shutter button, and release it when you’re done.
To adjust the exposure and focus, tap on the screen where you want to set the focus. A yellow square will appear, indicating the focus point. Next to the square, you’ll see a sun icon. Swipe up or down to adjust the exposure.
For more control, you can lock the focus and exposure by tapping and holding on the screen until you see AE/AF Lock at the top. This is useful when you’re trying to capture a moving subject or when the lighting conditions are changing.
The iPhone camera app includes built-in filters that you can apply in real time. To access them, tap the three overlapping circles icon in the top-right corner of the screen and swipe through the available filters. Filters can add a creative touch to your photos, allowing you to experiment with different styles and moods.
One of the most important aspects of photography, regardless of the device you’re using, is composition. Good composition can transform an ordinary scene into a compelling image. Here are some essential iPhone photo tips for composing better shots.
The rule of thirds is a fundamental principle in photography. It involves dividing your frame into a 3×3 grid and placing your subject along these lines or at their intersections.
This technique creates balance and interest in your photo. Most iPhones have a grid option that can be enabled in the camera settings, which can be a helpful guide as you frame your shots.
Leading lines are another powerful compositional tool. These are lines in your photo that lead the viewer’s eye towards the main subject. They can be anything from roads and pathways to rivers and fences. Using leading lines can add depth and dimension to your photos, making them more engaging.
Time-lapse photography captures a series of photos at set intervals, which are then combined into a video showing the passage of time. To use Time-lapse mode, swipe to the Time-lapse option in the camera app, set up your shot, and tap the shutter button to start recording. This mode is perfect for capturing scenes like sunsets, traffic, or the movement of clouds.
Slow-motion video captures footage at a higher frame rate, allowing you to play it back in slow motion. This effect is great for highlighting details in fast-moving scenes. To use Slow Motion mode, swipe to the Slo-mo option in the camera app, and tap the shutter button to start recording.
While the iPhone doesn’t have a dedicated macro mode, you can achieve macro photography by using clip-on macro lenses. These lenses attach to your iPhone and allow you to focus on subjects at very close distances, capturing intricate details that would be impossible with the standard lens.
Editing is an essential part of the photography process. It allows you to enhance your photos and correct any issues that might have occurred during shooting.
The iPhone’s built-in Photos app is a powerful tool for editing. It offers a range of features, including cropping, adjusting exposure, brightness, contrast, and more. Here’s a step-by-step guide to basic editing on the Photos app:
1. Open the Photos App: Select the photo you want to edit.
2. Tap Edit: Located in the top right corner.
3. Use the Adjustment Tools: At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find various adjustment tools. These include Light, Color, and B&W. Tap on each to access further controls.
4. Adjust Exposure: Tap on ‘Light’ and use the slider to adjust the exposure. You can also tap on ‘Options’ to fine-tune settings like brilliance, highlights, shadows, and contrast.
5. Adjust Colour: Tap on ‘Color’ and use the slider to adjust the saturation and vibrancy. Under ‘Options,’ you can also tweak the warmth and tint.
6. Apply Filters: Tap the filters icon (three overlapping circles) to preview and apply different filters to your photo.
7. Crop and Rotate: Tap the crop icon to adjust the framing of your photo. You can also rotate or straighten the image using the tools provided.
8. Save Your Edits: Once you’re satisfied with the adjustments, tap ‘Done’ to save your changes.
Live Photos can be edited just like regular photos, but they also offer additional creative possibilities.
Open a live photo and select the Live Photo you want to edit. Tap edit in the top right corner. Use the same adjustment tools for exposure, colour, etc.
Swipe up on the Live Photo to see effects like Loop, Bounce, and Long Exposure. These can create dynamic and creative visuals from your Live Photos.
While editing a Live Photo, tap on ‘Live’ in the top left corner to select a new key photo. This allows you to choose the exact frame that will be displayed as the still image.
A tripod is essential for keeping your iPhone steady, especially in low-light conditions or for long exposure shots. Look for tripods with flexible legs that can be adjusted to any surface. The Joby GorillaPod is a popular choice among iPhone photographers.
External lenses can dramatically expand the capabilities of your iPhone camera. Brands like Moment and Olloclip offer high-quality lenses that clip onto your iPhone, including wide-angle, telephoto, macro, and fisheye lenses. These lenses can help you achieve effects that are otherwise impossible with the built-in camera.
Portable lighting can make a big difference in the quality of your photos. LED ring lights and clip-on lights provide consistent, adjustable lighting for your subjects. These are particularly useful for portrait photography and shooting in low-light conditions.
A remote shutter allows you to take photos without touching your iPhone, reducing the risk of camera shake. This is especially useful for long exposure shots and self-portraits. Many remote shutters connect via Bluetooth and are small enough to carry with you.
The most important lesson in this iPhone photography course is to practice and experiment. Photography is an art form that requires both technical skills and creativity. The more you practice, the better you’ll understand your iPhone’s capabilities and how to use them to capture stunning photos.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings, angles, and lighting conditions. Every photo you take is an opportunity to learn and improve. So, grab your iPhone, head out, and start capturing the world around you.
With these iPhone photo tips and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled iPhone photographer.
The complete guide to help you capture beautiful family photos with any camera, DSLR or iPhone. Incredible compositions with perfect settings
Essential settings of manual flash photography. How to use TTL mode, flash power settings, multi-mode, zoom button and more in this guide.
Capture stunning images with your iPhone. Fast online iPhone Photography Course with best settings, hidden tools and more
Learn the basics of photography – fast – with our FREE 60-Second Photographer online course. Each class is short and sharp with simple, actionable steps that give you immediate results.
x 30 lessons
© iPhotography™
Become a confident and competent photographer in less than 30 minutes!