How to shoot on iPhone | Articles | Photo, video, optics

Have you ever gone into your iPhone's camera settings? If so, you were probably stumped - what do all these terms mean and how to use it?

In this guide, we will understand all the functions to get the most out of our camera and learn how to shoot on an iPhone like a pro!

This is what the Camera section looks like in iOS 14.8.1 settings

Go to Settings, then open the Camera section. Here we are greeted with this menu.

Well, let's go in order?

Here we can choose between High Performance and Most Compatible Camera Capture.

High-efficiency capture saves space—it reduces file size and saves them in HEIF for photos and HEVC for videos.

The most compatible format does not compress files and saves them in JPEG/H.264 (photo/video) format.

In most cases, you won't notice a difference between these two options. But if you're photographing something with a lot of detail, like hair, pets, or paintings, the photo in the high-efficiency format will look grainy at very close magnifications.

By default, the iPhone camera works with High Performance Capture.

How to decide?

If detail is important to you, shoot with the most compatible format.

If you need to save space on your phone, choose the High Efficiency format.

Please note that 4K video at 60 fps and 1080p video at 240 fps require support for the High Efficiency format.

The next item on the list is Video Recording. Here you can pay attention to several important points.

Permission

How to choose resolution?

The numbers 1080 and 720 in 1080p and 720p indicate the screen's vertical resolution or height in pixels. The more pixels in an image, the sharper it will be.

So a screen resolution of 1920x1080 (two million pixels when multiplied) will be twice as sharp as a resolution of 1280x720 (less than one million pixels).

Meanwhile, the “p” in 1080p and 720p stands for progressive scan (or progressive scan), a format for displaying, storing or transmitting moving images that has been used on computer screens since the early 21st century. This format can be contrasted with traditional interlaced.

4K is the highest video resolution on iPhone, but it will take up the most space: it will be about 4 times heavier than if recorded at 720p.

Tip 4. Find an advantageous position

Look up, down, right, left, look around. Try to capture everything that surrounds you where you are standing, but not as usual, but at a different height, for example. Get down on the ground, lie on your back, aim the lens at the treetops. Move closer to objects while focusing. Try turning your camera and taking a photo at an angle. Instead of shooting the subject from the front, shoot it in profile. The image will gain volume. If you want to emphasize height, shoot vertically. If you want to emphasize the width, go horizontally. Explore the possibilities, take your time.

Frames per second*

*in English “frames per second” - fps (frames per second)

When we record video, not only the resolution is important, but also the number of frames per second.

What's the difference between 24, 30 and 60 fps?

In short: the more frames per second, the smoother the video.

24 fps

For a long time, 24 frames per second was the standard frame rate. When they started making movies, they used exactly this frequency, and over time, the picture from the film acquired its own characteristic style. At this frequency, what is happening in the frame looks very moving and realistic, as if for real.

It is at this frame rate that most feature films are shot today.

30fps

30 frames per second is six frames more than 24 frames. This means that in the same period of time the device needs to process 25% more of the captured image. Due to the increase in the number of frames, the picture appears smoother.

This is the most common frame rate on television and the Internet. It is used for live broadcasts of sporting events and concerts, as well as for soap operas. Many apps, such as Instagram, use 30 frames per second.

60 fps

If you shoot video at 60 fps, post-processing slows it down to 24 or 30 fps to create a smooth slow motion effect.

If you try to do the opposite, that is, shoot a video at 30 frames per second and bring it up to 60 frames per second, it will look like choppy slow motion because you will be missing the extra frames.

If you try to convert a video shot at 30 fps to a 60 fps video, you will miss the extra frames

Since this frequency gives the video a slow-motion effect, it is used to make the picture more cinematic, to highlight dramatic moments in the film and to work with the slow-mo effect - slow motion. This frequency is also widely used in some HDTVs and some games.

How to decide?

Depends on your needs and capabilities.

720p, 1080p and 4K are in ascending order of quality. The higher the quality and number of frames per second, the more space the file will take up.

Lower frame rates look more fluid, while higher frame rates look smoother. However, it is important to remember that a higher frame rate does not always guarantee higher video quality.

— 720p HD, 30 fps/

c - takes up the least space, but the quality is the lowest among those presented; -
1080p HD, 30 fps
- takes up more space, but the image will look better.
This frequency is often used today on the Internet, including on Instagram; - 1080p HD, 60 fps
- takes up even more space due to the frame rate;
slow motion effect - the picture will look smoother; - 4K, 24 fps
- takes up more memory than 1080p;
cinema effect - the picture looks more fluid, like real life; - 4K, 30 fps
- a smoother picture than 24 fps + this frequency is often used today on the Internet, including Instagram; -
4K, 60 fps s
- takes up the most space, but 4K gives high quality, and 60 fps makes the picture dramatic and smoothest.

If you want a cinematic effect that is characterized by movement and realism of the picture, then choose 24 fps. If you want to add drama and depth, choose 60 fps.

It is worth noting that 1080p at 30 fps is set in the iPhone camera settings by default and, in general, for a reason - it is a balance between quality, smoothness and file weight.

Plus, in general, it's not easy for our eyes to distinguish 1080p from 4K from a comfortable viewing distance. Of course, the maximum is required in cinemas, but since most video is now viewed on phones, tablets or laptops, this may be overkill for you too.

We recommend using 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. If you have enough memory on your phone to select the best quality and if you don't need a dramatic or cinematic effect, this resolution is ideal for you.

Well, finally, if you just want to capture memories and at the same time save memory on your phone, choose 720p, 30 fps.

Tip 8. Don't miss the moment

Use burst mode to capture a short event. Perhaps at least one worthwhile shot will come out.

One day during a morning photo walk, I noticed a flock of pigeons flying from place to place, circling around the roof of a building. I set the burst mode and clicked the shutter. From a whole bunch of photographs I chose the best shot.

iPhone 5s and iOS7 devices have a burst mode for the built-in camera. You can also configure this mode in the Camera+ and CameraAwesome applications.

PAL

What is PAL video format?

Phase Alternating Line or PAL (Phase Alternating Line) is a video format standard used on television in most of Europe, as well as in Africa and Australia.

Alternatives to PAL are NTSC, used mainly in the USA, Canada, Korea, Japan, etc., and SECAM, used in France, Russia, Poland, and other countries.

Why do we need PAL format when shooting video on iPhone?

In short. Let's say you've made a video and it's going to be shown on TV in Australia. If you shot a video in artificial lighting conditions, then the PAL format will help avoid flickering of lighting devices.

The fact is that in the USA the frequency of alternating current supplied to homes is 60 Hz. Therefore, there is no flicker when recording video at 30 or 60 frames per second under artificial lighting.

But in most countries the frequency of the supplied current is 50 Hz. As a result, we may see flicker in video when shooting at 30 or 60 frames per second under artificial lighting (such as lamplight).

If you pay attention, when you enable the PAL format, you will have 1080p and 4K formats at 25 fps. This helps to avoid flickering.

Processing photos with built-in tools

iPhones boast built-in photo editing tools. It's worth taking a look at the available options:

An icon similar to a speed controller or switch. Here you can adjust the lighting and color rendering. Available functions: brightness, exposure, saturation, highlights, temperature, hue, etc. An easy-to-use slider helps the user set the most precise settings for the selected parameters.
Filters. Apple provides users with a number of processing tools. There are vintage, super bright and black and white.
Trimming and straightening. A must-have tool for proper framing. With this feature, users can fix a cluttered horizon, gently get rid of unnecessary details, or straighten out an entire composition.

These tools are quite sufficient for amateur photo editing. However, to get the perfect picture, you should arm yourself with a number of useful programs.

Locking camera modes

Ingoda cameras can switch between each other, which looks like a slight glitch when recording video. This function helps to avoid automatic switching.

We return to the Camera section menu and turn to the slow-motion video settings. Everything is simple here.

720p HD, 240 fps is default

We have already figured out that 1080p is better in quality than 720p due to the larger number of pixels.

Videos recorded at 120fps or 240fps are then slowed down to 24fps, so remember: the higher the frame rate, the slower the motion will be. A little math: 120 is 4 times slower, and 240 is 8 times slower.

Stereo sound

is a multi-layered and three-dimensional sound. When we watch a video with stereo sound, it seems that it is coming from several directions at once.

Videos with stereo sound are more immersive because they sound bigger and better.

Having stereo audio means that the video has two separate audio channels. When you watch a video with stereo sound on an iPhone, you can hear it coming from two places: from the speaker at the top of the screen and from the bottom of the smartphone.

When should you not use stereo sound?

If you are filming a video of someone speaking directly to the camera from a fixed point. And also, if you most often watch recorded videos in one earphone, for example, because you don’t want to lose your vigilance in transport or when driving.

What's the matter?

The stereo signal is transmitted on two different channels and the data in each channel may differ. An alternative to stereo sound is mono sound. It arrives centrally and carries the same information in each channel.

If there is only one person speaking from a fixed point in your video and their speech is the main purpose of the video, it is better to turn off the stereo sound. Although in most cases stereo sound is not noticeable, there are times when audio separation is noticeable.

Tip 1. Shoot with passion

This book contains a lot of useful information. But now I want you to grab your camera without thinking and go on a photo walk! Relax, get rid of the swarm of thoughts from your head and go wherever your eyes lead. Trust yourself and your inner voice. I am convinced that there is something in a great photograph that touches the viewer's heart, but it is difficult to explain in words. The beauty of a photograph is determined by what subject the photographer chooses and by what means he conveys it. Technical skill is not that important. At some point you just see beauty and feel the urge to press the shutter button!

Live Photo

You can turn off Live Photo temporarily when taking pictures, but the Camera app turns the feature back on automatically.

Click the slider next to Live Photo in the Saving settings section so that Live Photo mode is permanently disabled.

If you enable this feature, the volume buttons can be used to create a series of photos. To do this, you need to press and hold any of the two buttons and you can take many photos without unnecessary movements.

If the function is disabled, then when you hold down one of the volume buttons, video begins to be recorded.

Enable this feature and go to the Camera app. If you point the main camera at any QR code, a notification will appear - click on it and you can follow the link that is linked to this QR code.

Bonus: 5 Best Photo Editing Apps

There are many paid and free photo editing programs on the App Store.

VSCO CAM

In first place is definitely the beloved application called VSCO CAM.

The multifunctional app serves not only for processing, but also for direct shooting. The application has built-in tools for fine-tuning the frame. Next, a set of basic filters is offered for editing (in the free version). If a subscription is purchased for a year, then more than a hundred effects are available to the user.

Snapseed

Another useful photo editor is Snapseed. The application was developed by Nik Software. The toolkit contains tools for:

auto-correction;
increasing contour sharpness;
cropping, rotation and alignment;
tilting and trimming;
selective editing of individual sections of the frame.

Spot correction in Snapseed saves you in case of minor errors in the photo. With its help you can remove small specks, distracting details and other small unwanted objects.

Adobe Lightroom

Next on the list is Adobe Lightroom. This is an excellent substitute for the paid Photoshop CC program. All the basic settings with more detail are present here. The application provides the ability to set lighting, shading and color correction. An important point - here you can purchase author's presets of famous bloggers, photographers and representatives of the photo industry.

PicsArt Photo Studio

We must not forget about creative manipulations. PicsArt Photo Studio is considered an easy-to-use photo editor, collage maker, and powerful sketching tool. PicsArt offers artistic features in addition to basic editing features. In the application you can add colorful lines, stickers, animations. You can also overlay several images on one canvas to create interesting collages.

Facetune

Facetune also made it into the top 5 rating. The highly targeted application is popular among users who want to correct their figure or other imperfections. The set of free tools is quite small, but a paid subscription opens the door to a world of transformation. With such a program, the model can be changed beyond recognition, or its advantages can be correctly emphasized.

Now all that remains is to go through the ratings for these applications.

Name	Paid subscription	Defining Benefits	Rating
VSCO	Yes (annual)	Huge set of filters Built-in camera with extensive settings	★★★★★
Adobe Lightroom	Yes (annual)	Incredibly precise correction Convenient use Ability to use ready-made presets	★★★★★
Snapseed	No. All tools are freely available	Free tools	★★★★★
PicsArt	Yes (monthly and annual)	Creativity support Availability of stickers, brushes Possibility of overlaying photos	★★★★★
Facetune	Eat	Excellent work with portraits	★★★★★

In order to get a true masterpiece, it is recommended to use all of the above applications. The programs will help you discover your imagination, show your imagination and unlock your own potential.

Thus, the iPhone is an excellent find for mobile photography. Intuitive controls, a good set of basic functions and a huge selection of applications allow you to take wonderful pictures without professional equipment. You just need to adhere to the described rules and contribute to the art of photography!

4.9/5 — (27 votes)

Net

Turn on the Grid feature to make it easier for you to use the rule of thirds.

On the left the Grid function is disabled, on the right it is enabled

Rule of thirds

is a principle of composition that splits the image into thirds (horizontally and vertically) so that we get nine parts - nine rectangles. According to this rule, the picture will turn out to be more harmonious and well composed if we place important parts of the composition along the lines or at their intersection.

Specifications

iPhone 10 did not become just another model; the release of the gadget marked the beginning of a new era in the development of digital technology at Apple. The camera of the 2022 model received two updated modules with a traditional lens and a wide-angle lens. More details about the characteristics of the iPhone X:

How many megapixels are there in iPhone 10 - 12 megapixels.
The f/1.8 aperture creates ideal conditions for night photography.
Optical camera stabilization. Now the picture is clear and not blurry.
Shooting video in 4K format, the dual camera of the iPhoneX records videos with a slow-motion effect.

Files are saved in the HEVK standard, weigh less and take up minimal disk space. But what's impressive is taking photos and videos in the dark. There have never been such clear images in the dark on iPhones before.

Front camera mirror

When you take a photo with the front camera, the final photo is a mirror image of what you originally saw on your phone screen.

If you prefer to see the final photo as you would normally see in a mirror, turn this feature on.

But keep in mind that other people who don't see you and your face in a mirror image may find these selfies a little strange because they're not used to seeing your image upside down.

Night shots look like footage from a ray-traced game

The first photos in the series are without night mode with automatically increased brightness. The second photos in the series are without night mode with artificially “returned” brightness (this is exactly the color scheme that was in reality). The third photos in the series are night mode with the maximum available shutter speed (9–10 seconds)

Night mode is a key innovation in the new iPhones, so it was the most anticipated. They were justified. Photos with night mode are bright, saturated, highly detailed and, importantly, natural - the photos do not give off the excessive yellowness inherent in many alternative solutions from competitors. They are so good that they resemble footage from Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing turned on - just as colorful and bright, unreal (in the good sense of the word). Separately, it is worth noting that artificial intelligence increases the brightness only of those objects that should be light - even if there are dark objects in the foreground, they will remain the same (this is clearly visible in the last series of photos in the gallery above). The first series of pictures above was taken back when I was using iOS 13.1, but it best conveys the capabilities of the night mode from my entire collection, so I couldn’t resist including it in this review - with the night mode you can even see the license plate of the car, while Without it, you can make out at most the silhouette of the car.

The first photos in the series are without night mode with automatically increased brightness. The second photos in the series - with night mode and the maximum available shutter speed

The process of creating a night shot in automatic mode on the iPhone 11 is significantly faster than solutions in competitors’ smartphones, which is an undeniable advantage - not only because the user will have to stand still for a couple of seconds less, but also because there is less chance of disturbing the composition of the photo by some unexpected incident. moving object. You can adjust the shutter speed manually, but when shooting handheld (which is how all the photos in the review were taken), its value is limited to 10 seconds (or a shorter duration if the camera algorithm decides so).

It is important to understand that night mode on the iPhone is not just about shooting with a long shutter speed, but primarily about the work of artificial intelligence algorithms. Having taken many photos in night mode with automatic (three-second shutter speed) and manual settings (ten-second shutter speed), I can safely say that manually increasing the shooting duration almost always makes no sense - the photos turn out identical in almost all cases.

Night mode is great, but sometimes it's unnecessary, and the camera's smart algorithms understand that. When there is plenty of light, the night mode does not automatically turn on (you can still activate it if you wish). The camera copes well with various neon signs, colorful LEDs and lanterns - they are clearly separated from the background, practically do not create a halo around themselves and do not overshadow the rest of the frame.

When photographing people at night, the camera does not work so well - the small aperture makes itself felt, which is why there is always noise on the faces. Night mode definitely makes photos better, but it's not magical - photos become much brighter, but noise does not disappear (they only decrease when there is enough light).

1 photo - without night mode with automatically increased brightness. 2nd photo - without night mode with artificially “returned” brightness (this is exactly the color scheme that was in reality). 3 photo - with flash

The flash sometimes comes in very handy - with it there is practically no noise on the skin and things. True, the background also becomes illuminated, and excessively.

In the dark, you don’t have to use the ultra-wide-angle camera - it can’t handle it. At best, everything is very blurry, and at worst, nothing is visible at all.

The aperture of the front camera also leaves much to be desired, so it cannot take night photographs. Surprisingly, artificially increasing the brightness does not worsen the picture. If you take pictures in the dark, the camera is completely blind (second photo in the gallery above) - you can’t do without an on-screen flash. It (in the last photo) works excellently, choosing the right light temperature.