6 Tricks to Take Better iPhone Photos
By: Delaney Jaye
Tags: Photography, Business, Marketing, How To, Instagram

6 Tricks to Take Better iPhone Photos

They say the best camera is the one you have with you

As the adage goes, the best camera is the one you have with you. While you may not be convinced that the iPhone is capable of greatness, allow me to change your mind.

Note: While this post is targeted to iPhone users, many of these features are also available on Android.

Here are some sample iPhone photos I’ve taken:

Photo by Delaney Jaye

Photo by Delaney Jaye

In fact, I don’t think I’ve taken a single photo that I ended up using on my professional camera. These cameras are powerful, so here’s how to make the most of them:

Tips for iPhone Camera Photos:

1. Live Mode

Taking photos in “live” mode is a little known way to make sure you get the right photo every time. By taking a photo in this mode, you create a mini video — about 2 seconds of pre/post photo time.

Why is this beneficial?

You can change the final image into any freeze frame within that video. So if your subject moved or the final result wasn’t quite right, you can select another image.

It gives you the effect of having shot photos in rapid succession, without the duplicate files. You can also choose to turn them into boomerangs or long-exposure shots from the edit window.

Photo created by the author.

2. Gridlines

In your iPhone Settings, click “Camera.”

Tick the box for “Grid.”

Why is this beneficial?

The grid helps you line up your photos and ensure they are symmetrical and straight. It also helps you follow the “Rule of Thirds.”

The Rule of Thirds

In photography, the rule of thirds says that splitting your image into a 9-square grid and using the intersection of the gridlines to line up your subject will create much more aesthetically pleasing and intriguing images than if your subject were centered.

Example of a “Rule of Thirds” Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

3. Panoramic Photos

We all know that turning on panoramic mode allows you to take beautiful (albeit, difficult to execute) extra long landscape photos.

What many people don’t know is that if you flip your phone horizontally, you can take beautiful (albeit, difficult to execute) extra long vertical photos.

Start low and slowly tilt your camera up toward the sky in the panoramic mode for some fun shots (like getting a person and a tall building in a photo together). Note: It takes some practice to get it right.

4. Flat Lay Photos

If you’re taking a flat lay photo (an aerial image of a scene below you — see below image), your iPhone will help you line it up.

Often when holding your phone over a scene, you may unintentionally skew the image by holding the phone at a slight angle.

When you hover with a flat iPhone, the camera will reveal a “+” shape in the middle of the screen to help you. Line up the yellow and the white “+” for a perfectly flat photo.

Example of a Flat Lay Photo by THE 5TH on Unsplash

5. Adjust Exposure

Lighting is the most important factor when it comes to taking a good photo. The best lighting is soft natural light (like an overcast day). To adjust lighting artificially, the iPhone can help.

When your phone is open to the camera, tap once on the focal point of your photo. A small box with a sun will appear (orange arrow in the below photo.

Slide the sun “up” with your finger to increase exposure, or “down” with your finger to decrease exposure.

Photo created by Delaney Jaye.

6. Lock Focus

When your phone is open to the camera, tap and hold the focal point of your photo. The photo will lock its focus.

This will allow you to move the camera without losing your focal point and take clearer photos.

Closing Thoughts

I hope this has shown you what a powerful tool your iPhone can be and has empowered you to give iPhone photography a go.

While this post was (obviously) targeted to iPhone users, many of these features are also available on Android.

Do you have any tips for iPhone photography?