Do you ever find yourself taking pictures using your iPhone camera, only to be disappointed with the results because the pictures are less than perfect? This often happens because you may not know exactly how to use the features of your iPhone camera.
Now that you know the basic features of your iPhone camera, the next thing you will want to learn is how to take better pictures. Teaching yourself how to do this will prepare you for those times when you may only have one chance to capture a special moment in someone’s life. For times like these, you do not want to have regrets.
Let us begin by looking at your home screen and tapping on your camera icon. Choose your subject and decide whether or not to use a flash. Your flash can have a huge influence on the outcome of your image. iPhone cameras by default are set with an auto flash; however, this will not produce an excellent photo all the time.
That said, let us address some rules for when you should use this feature.
It is best to use your flash when you want to take a picture during the daytime to help get rid of shadows on your subject. Another purpose of the flash is to light up pictures taken in very dark settings. Do not use your flash when you want to take a photo during a concert or a sporting event. In addition, avoid using the flash in front of mirrors or when capturing images through a glass window.
Once you decide about whether or not to use the flash feature, you will want to aim your camera toward your subject or object. View the image on your screen and allow it to come into focus. If you plan to take a portrait style photo, hold your phone upright and vertically; if you want your image to display in a landscape format, hold your phone sideways.
Portrait Mode: When you want to take a photo in portrait mode, be sure to hold your iPhone with your dominant hand like this:
- Hold the iPhone comfortably in your hand with your thumb on top. This will allow you to press the camera icon when you are ready to shoot your photo.
- Because the camera lens is located at the top right-hand corner of your phone, you do not have to worry about blocking the lens when shooting portrait mode.
Landscape Mode:
Depending upon which your dominant hand is, shooting in landscape mode requires a little bit more attention to detail so you don’t block the camera lens on the back of your phone.
Right-handed: If you are right handed and want to take photos in landscape mode, try this hand position:
- Hold your phone with the screen facing you.
- Orient your phone so the home button is at the right end of your phone. This position will place your camera lens at the top left corner on the back of your phone.
- Allow the right end of your phone to rest just on the inside of the fourth finger of your right hand.
- Rest your right index and middle fingers against the back of your phone.
- Rest the bottom left corner of your phone on the inside of your fourth finger of your left hand, using your thumb, index and middle finger to support the corner.
- Make sure your fingers do not go around to the back of the upper left corner and block your camera lens.
- Now the thumb of your right hand is free to push the home button whenever you are ready to snap your shot.
Alternative Hand Position (Right Handed): Here is another way you can hold your camera, so you do not block the lens on the back.
Left-Handed: If you are left-handed, try using this hand position:
- Have the screen of your phone facing you.
- Orient your phone so the home button is located at the left end of your phone. This will place the camera lens on the bottom right side on the back of your phone.
- Allow the left side of your phone to rest on the inside of your fourth finger. This offers support for the weight of the phone.
- Place your left index and middle fingers against the back of your phone.
- With your right hand, grasp the bottom right corner with your thumb and the upper right corner with your index finger, making sure your fingers do not go around to the back of the bottom corner to block your camera lens.
- Now your left thumb is free to snap a picture whenever you are ready.
When you are satisfied with what you see in your frame, you can now take a picture by tapping the shutter (home) button. You may experience a momentary shutter lag so be sure to keep still until you hear the shutter snap. Your picture will automatically be saved in the "Photos" folder in your phone. Go to this folder and review your pictures so you can keep or delete your photos.
On new iPhones, Apple has made it possible for you to take pictures using the volume + and – buttons on the side of your phone. If you decide to use this feature, it will change your hand positions from what is described above.