With the popularity of Instagram stories and TikTok videos ever-increasing, iPhone users have a world of creative possibilities at their fingertips. According to the Pew Research Center, 68% of Americans use social media! Professional photographers may love their SLRs and digital dark rooms, yet the latest iPhone 15 Pro boasts seven pro lenses and 5x the optical zoom of any of its previous models. If you want to leverage these tools, here are some helpful tips.
HDR Exposure
You can adjust your aperture—or exposure to light—for example, if you are in a dark room and want to increase light. Another instance of editing the exposure is on a sunny day out when you'd like to see the features on someone's face. You can lock your exposure by holding down where you want it to be. After, you will notice the box expand and go back to its original size with a sun symbol next to it. You are able to adjust the lighting by moving the sun icon up for more lighting and down for less lighting to the desired aperture.
Camera Filters
There is a faster way to edit your photos with a desired filter. Press the arrow right under your front camera to see what types of adjustments you are capable of making before you take the final shot. Press the icon with three overlapping circles all the way to the right. You have endless options after that!
Photo Cropping
As Instagram has specific picture dimensions, sometimes it is easier to use this hack instead of going back and cropping the perfect picture after the fact. Press the arrow right under your front camera, then press the icon that says "4:3." There, you will be able to take square photos or take up your entire screen.
Adjusting Exposure
If adjusting the HDR exposure in the first tip is tricky, there is another way to change your exposure. Press the arrow right under your front camera, then the circle with an addition and subtraction symbol. There, you can adjust the dial and see how your photo may look with more or less light before you shoot.
Editing Vibrance
Vibrance is, at times, softer than saturation and is easier to control in photographs. Press the arrow right under your front camera, then the three squares stacked on top of each other. You have the option to select a filter and add or subtract warmth and vibrance on your phone.
Timer
The timer option is the best way to take a group photo with you still in it! There is the option to have the timer go off in three or ten seconds. Find this under the arrow right under your front camera, then click the clock icon that almost looks like a stopwatch. There, you can adjust how long you want your timer to be!
Long Exposure
To take a long exposure photo, be sure to have your camera set to the "live" photo setting. After taking a picture of your subject, go to your photo, and click on the live button on the top right. There will be the option "long exposure," and there you will be able to see your new photograph. This trick is a fantastic way to capture running water, and there is also an option to have your original photo and then save a copy with the long exposure feature.
Photo Information
To find more information about your photo or video, press the "i" icon or swipe up. There, you will see what settings your photo was taken in and where it was located. It is also able to identify what plant, animal, or person is in your photo. You are also able to "tag" people in a photo to identify who is who. If it does not show where the photo took place or who the person is, you are able to add it by pressing "add a location" and clicking on the contact's face icon on the bottom left side of your phone.
Macro
You can take close-up photos if your phone has three cameras. All you have to do is move your phone close to your object, and it will automatically focus on the object you want to photograph or video.
In summary, these nine tips can help make your iPhone camera your personal darkroom. Small business owners can use these tools to promote their brands in a professional way within a budget. No one will ever know that you captured photos or videos on an iPhone instead of a professional camera!