Tips For Better iPhone Photography: A Beginner’s Guide…

In this guide, we’ll show you the exact steps any one can take to instantly improve their photography skills. It’s simple, doesn’t cost any more, and you can start doing it right away!

Apple’s iPhone has a brilliant camera module. If you’re using one of the company’s new model – anything after the iPhone 11, basically – you have one of the most powerful photographic tools on the planet.

And if you’re running either the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max, you have what is arguably the best smartphone camera on the market at your disposal right now.

Most people just point and shoot when taking pictures with their phones. This is fine, of course, modern smartphones are designed to take great pictures with barely any input from the user.

But if you REALLY want to take better pictures with your iPhone, there are a few tips and tricks you really need to know about.

And don’t worry, all of the photography tips listed below are really simple too.

Again, these photography tips are designed for beginners or anyone that wants to start taking better looking photos with their iPhone.

We cover some basic photography theory, tips on how to frame subjects properly, and some advice on how to get the best results from your iPhone’s camera hardware (and its software, too)

Let’s do this…

iPhone Photography Tips

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Mastering Composition

One of the keys to capturing great photos is mastering composition. What is composition? With respect to photography, here’s a quick overview of what composition means (in case you’re unsure):

Composition in photography refers to the arrangement of elements within a photo. It involves the placement of the subject, objects in the foreground and background, and the use of lines, shapes, colors, and other visual elements to create a visually interesting and appealing photo.

Composition is how you organize the various elements within the frame to create a pleasing and impactful image. The composition can determine how the viewer’s eye moves around the photo, what they focus on, and how they interpret the photo.

By paying attention to composition, a photographer can create a visually engaging image that draws the viewer in and makes them want to keep looking.

The following techniques are things you can use to improve your composition skills:

• Rule of Thirds: This is a composition technique that involves dividing your photo into a 3×3 grid and placing your subject at the intersection points. This helps to create a more visually appealing photo.
• Framing: Use natural elements like trees or archways to frame your subject. This helps to draw the viewer’s eye to your subject and adds visual interest to your photo.
• Leading Lines: Use lines in your photo to guide the viewer’s eye towards your subject. Examples of leading lines could be a road, fence, or any other line in the scene.
• Symmetry and Patterns: Use symmetry and patterns to create visual interest in your photos. For example, take a photo of a building with symmetrical windows or capture the repeating pattern of a fence.

The most basic technique you’ll want to get down and started with right away is the rule of thirds. As you can see in the image below, it isn’t particularly tricky to master. You just have to know how to frame things.

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The general principle behind the Rule of Thirds is to divide your frame into nine parts with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines placed equally throughout the frame.

The Rule of Thirds specifies that placement of a main subject within a frame should fall along one of the vertical ROT lines, as this will help lead a viewer’s eye through the frame and enhance the viewer’s visual experience within the image.

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Lighting Techniques

Lighting is one of the most important factors in photography. Here are some tips for getting the most out of lighting:

• Use natural light whenever possible. The iPhone’s camera performs best in natural light, so try to avoid using the flash as much as possible.
• Adjust the exposure and brightness levels. You can adjust the exposure by tapping on the screen and dragging the exposure slider that appears. This helps to brighten or darken the image as needed.
• Use reflectors to bounce light. If you’re shooting in low light, try using a reflector to bounce light back onto your subject. You can use a white piece of paper or a reflective surface to achieve this.

Focus and Depth of Field

Most iPhone cameras – all of Apple’s modern ones, always – have an autofocus feature, whereby software automatically locates the target or subject of the image, but sometimes you may want to manually adjust the focus to achieve the desired effect.

Here’s how to manually adjust the focus inside iPhone camera:

• Use manual focus to create sharp images. Tap on the screen where you want to focus, and you’ll see a yellow box indicating the focus point.
• Use portrait mode to blur the background. Portrait mode creates a shallow depth of field effect, which blurs the background and puts the focus on your subject.

Editing Techniques

The iPhone comes with some built-in editing tools, but you can also explore third-party editing apps for more advanced features. Here are some tips for editing your photos:

• Adjust color balance and saturation. Use the color balance tool to adjust the warmth or coolness of your photo. Use the saturation tool to make your colors pop.
• Crop and straighten your images. Use the cropping tool to crop your images to the desired size. Use the straightening tool to fix any crooked photos.

Accessories for iPhone Photography

There are several accessories available for iPhone photography that can enhance your photos. Here are a few:

• Tripods and Stabilizers: Use a tripod or stabilizer to keep your phone steady while shooting. This helps to reduce camera shake and ensures sharp images.
• Lens Attachments: There are several lens attachments available for the iPhone that can enhance your photos. For example, a wide-angle lens can capture more of the scene.
• Remote Shutter Release: Use a remote shutter release to take photos without touching your phone. This helps to reduce camera shake and ensures sharp images.

For more information on accessories you can use, check out our guide to the best iPhone camera accessories.

Richard Goodwin

Richard Goodwin has been working as a tech journalist for over 10 years. He is the editor and owner of KnowYourMobile.