Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a beginner, learning how to take great pictures with your iPhone 6 can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for the perfect candid picture of your kids, a beautiful landscape or a dramatic night shot, there are several simple tips and tricks you can use to help you take better photos with your phone.
Setting the f-stop
A f-stop in the iPhone camera is no small feat. While you have to be patient to get it to work, there is a learning curve to follow if you want to take a decent picture. For example, a slow shutter speed will make a moving subject blurry, so it’s best to go with the fast lane.
To truly get the most out of your f-stop you need to find the perfect balance between exposure and focus. That is why it’s best to learn the tricks of the trade. With a little practice, you can make your f-stop do your bidding. In fact, you’ll be surprised at how well it takes pictures. Plus, you’ll be able to pick the winner from a series of shots without having to touch the camera.
Thankfully, Apple has provided a list of best practices to follow when experimenting with the iPhone’s image sensors. This includes making sure you have the proper exposure for the desired lighting conditions and following a few basic guidelines for the camera to avoid having to reshoot your photos. After you’ve set the f-stop to your liking, you’ll be rewarded with the best pictures of your life.
There are many other important considerations to consider when shooting the best iPhone pics. The aforementioned rules of thumb can be applied to a variety of settings, including focus and metering, as well as color schemes. As for f-stops, a quick scroll through the camera’s settings will show you that there is a range of f-stops on offer, with an impressive maximum of -8 to +1.
Using the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is one of the most basic compositional rules. It is a simple way to create a more balanced and pleasing picture.
This simple technique breaks the image up into three horizontal and three vertical thirds. The idea is that it will direct your viewer’s attention to key elements. In general, the more important elements are off-center, the better.
The Rule of Thirds can be applied to all kinds of photographs. Some photographers use it to create striking compositions. Others rely on it to create a more harmonious image.
For example, landscape photographers might place their subject at the top or bottom of the frame. Likewise, action photography can benefit from the rule of thirds. By creating a sense of motion, the viewer will be encouraged to follow the subject’s gaze.
You can also add negative space to your pictures when using the rule of thirds. It can make the overall effect of the photo flat. However, when used correctly, negative space can be very effective.
Another useful feature of the iPhone is its ability to overlay grids on a photograph. Using grid lines can help you keep the horizon level and ensure that walls are at 90 degrees.
Once you have established the rule of thirds, you can use the grid feature to position your subject at the intersection of the grid lines. Placing points of interest along the gridlines can make your photos more visually interesting and interactive.
When taking photographs with an iPhone, you should use high and low angles. Different viewpoints can reveal hidden details. Moreover, different angles can also highlight hidden symmetries in common everyday scenes.
Using the backlight
Backlighting is the best way to get a glowing effect around your subject. It can be created with natural sunlight, or you can try artificial lighting. However, you’ll want to choose your light source carefully. The sun can hurt your eyes, and you don’t want to cast too much of it on your subject. For best results, point your camera at a light source that is directly behind your subject.
A backlighting gimmick is not only fun to play with, it can also make for interesting photographs. There are plenty of apps out there to do the hard work for you. You can even buy a wireless flash that’s compatible with your iPhone. This will add more light, but can cost you a whopping $120.
If you’re wondering how to use the backlight to your advantage, check out the following tips and tricks. Remember, you can’t always be near a lighted source, so you’ll need to find alternative options.
One of the best ways to light your subject is to shoot into the sun, but this isn’t always possible. You can get a similar effect by shooting into an outdoor wall, or using an umbrella to diffuse the light. Also, remember to keep the camera out of the way when taking photos of people. That way, they won’t end up with dark shadows on their face.
Another trick is to use the front facing camera to take a series of photos. You can use the light meter to get a more accurate reading of your surroundings, and then adjust your exposure accordingly. By doing this, you can minimize shadows and create a more appealing shot.
Using the Live Photo feature
When it comes to using the Live Photo feature of the iPhone 6 to take great pictures, there are many options. You can play a live photo, share a live photo, and edit a live photo.
Apple Photos also provides a few tips for using the Live Photo feature. One is to take a key photo, which is a static image that you’d like to use as the background for your live photo. Then, tell the subject to move a few seconds before you press the shutter button.
Another option is to capture a video. A live video is a short clip of 1.5 seconds that records the scene before and after the photo was taken.
You can also save a live photo as a JPG or MOV file. Live Photos save space on your phone. They are similar to a JPEG, but they are much smaller and better compressed. If you want to share a live photo, you can send it as a video to another iOS device, or to a friend via iMessage.
You can edit a live photo, or turn it off and on, depending on the situation. If you have an older model of smartphone, you may not have the ability to send a live photo to someone. However, it can be sent via AirDrop or iMessage.
In addition to sharing, you can use Live Photos to record background music. For example, if you take a picture of a street scene, you can set the music to a song of your choice. This will create a great video to share with family and friends.
Some people are concerned about the stability of using Live Photos. While they are stable on current iPhone models, you can easily disable the animation.
Locking focus and exposure
When taking great pictures with your iPhone, there are a few things you can do to lock focus and exposure. This feature is a very useful one especially in varying light conditions. Besides helping you keep your pictures in focus, it also helps you get a cool looking effect.
The first thing you need to do is launch the Camera app on your iPhone. Then, you need to set the type of picture you want to take. You can set it to either a close-up or a landscape. Once you’ve done that, you can move around the viewfinder area to adjust your exposure.
If you’re shooting in a low-light situation, you can use the AE/AF Lock feature to lock your focus and expose. Even if the camera shakes, you’ll still be able to focus on the subject. And if you’re shooting a portrait, you can focus on the subject while keeping the background out of focus.
Another option is to use the ‘Live Photo’ feature. This feature allows you to set the scene and the camera will automatically adjust exposure and focus. However, this is not the best option for complicated lighting conditions. Ideally, you’ll want to lock both exposure and focus separately.
To lock exposure and focus, you can tap the screen. The iPhone will then focus on the area where you tapped. After a few seconds, the message “AE/AF LOCK” will appear. Tap again to release the focus and exposure.
While it is easy to lock both exposure and focus, it can be difficult to get back to auto exposure. If you’re shooting in bright sunlight, you can use the sun icon to help you.