Top 10 iPhone photography tips you need to know!

50% of the UK’s population use iPhones which have professional-quality cameras built in, however, are you taking professional quality photos?

High quality photographs are the key to not only a more professional social media presence but vital for personal/business image.

So don’t splash out on expensive camera equipment or professional photographers, use what you have- an iPhone.

Use these 10 tips to elevate your photography game.

1. Angles

Naturally when taking an image, we shoot it straight on which gives a nice, basic image. However, try taking your photos from outside your regular sitting or standing position. Stand on an object and snap your image from above. Or drop to the ground and elongate your picture.

Be creative – more people will engage with creative, out their images rather than generic straight shot pictures.

2. Pick the right orientation for your subject

Orientation plays a big part in the overall outcome of your image. The choice between portrait (a frame taller than it is wide) and landscape (a frame wider than it is tall) can be difficult but here are a few things to consider whilst deciding.

Portrait images tend to be the go-to format for iPhone users and is effective when shooting a single subject as it captures the viewers full attention. A few examples of when portrait mode is the best choice are when you are shooting fashion content or head shots.

Landscape orientation on the other hand works best when capturing larger subjects as this orientation gives you more room to compose visual elements horizontally. This gives viewers the ability to shift their attention between equally important elements within the same photo.

When making the decision between portrait and landscape shots, bear in mind the different social media image requirements. For example, portrait images work best for Instagram stories whereas landscape look better on Twitter.

3. Keep it simple

If you’re taking iPhone photos for a social media platform like Instagram, remember that most people will view your images on a small mobile screen.

A complexed photograph which doesn’t meet the image size requirements for each individual platform can look busy and unattractive on a mobile device.

4. Use portrait mode

In the iPhone camera, a portrait mode is already built in. Here you can play around with lighting and the background of your image. This will result in a more striking and professional photo.

5. Adjust focus and exposure

The iPhones automatic camera settings already monitor the focus and exposure of each image you snap however, it doesn’t hurt to play around with these further. Two settings that can take your pictures to the next level are exposure (how much light the camera lets in) and focus.

iPhones are great for guessing what the subject of your photograph is and automatically focusing on it however, it doesn’t always guess correctly! To focus on something else, simply tap on the screen where you want to focus, and this will override your phone’s guess.

You can follow the same steps for the exposure settings. Once you’ve tapped on where you want to focus, swipe up or down to create a brighter or darker exposure.

To lock your current exposure and focus settings, tap the screen, and hold your finger down for a few seconds until AE/AF LOCK appears in a yellow box. This is how you know your setting is saved.

6. Use the camera timer for steadier shots

The camera timer isn’t just for hand free selfies anymore, you can use it for any shot so you can keep both hands on the camera which avoids blurry images.

The camera timer works best when taking photos of stationary objects as with moving shots, there’s no guarantee you will capture the desired image.

7. Stage your shot

The choice of your main subject will determine which visual elements you have direct control over. This means that you must think about what you are trying to achieve with your image and what you are actually shooting.

If you are shooting a small or movable subject, don’t be afraid to move things around to get the best composition or lighting.

For larger objects, see what different angles you can shoot them at. At each different angle you may catch a smaller object in the background which stages and compliments your image perfectly.

8. Know the recommended image sizes for different social media platforms

If you plan for your image to be uploaded onto a social media platform it is so important that it meets all the technical requirements for that particular platform.

Most social media platforms like Instagram will crop or resize your photos if the image doesn’t have the correct size or aspect ratio. Your shots will look a lot better on your account if you make all the size adjustments yourself before capturing the image rather than letting the algorithm do it for you.

9. Use accessories

The most useful iPhone photography accessories are tripods, lenses, and lights.

Tripods can range from small pocket-sized units to large free-standing models. Whichever size is easier for you, they all keep your camera steadier than you would do. Tripods work particularly well with the camera timer feature and when shooting in low-light conditions.

An additional lens can extend the functionality the generic iPhone camera as some lenses has optical zoom which is a lot more flexible than the built-in digital zoom feature. You can also purchase lenses which specialise in up-close photography.

A portable ring light or light source enables you to have more control over your images lighting conditions. It also avoids harsh lighting caused by the phones flash.

10. Use soft lighting

When shooting inside, look for places where the light diffuses. This avoids harsh lighting and your image being to bright.

Soft lighting can be achieved by placing your image near a bright light source however, blocking it slightly. For example, a light bulb with a light shade covering it.

Whenever possible, turn off your iPhones flash feature and try and capture your shot in natural or purposely created light. The flash from your iPhone creates hard and unflattering images.

We hope the above tips help you achieve the most out of your iPhone camera.