7 Simple iPhone Photography Tips & Secrets

Did you know that when I started writing my blog back.in.the.day…. about 10 years ago now- I did the unthinkable. Well, unthinkable at the time because we didn’t have what we do now when it comes to amazing details and features- in a phone.

That is right. I took all the photos for my blog with my phone. Not a fancy one. Not with any fabulous editing apps. Nope. Just my phone. I actually didn’t get my first big camera until I got my first job working in social media. And so, with that first regular camera – it all began. My obsession with big cameras you can adjust every detail on to capture it just like you want to- and taking photos of everything.

I am a big camera kind of girl and you can find me lugging my Canon around usually with my go to favorite lens that happens to weigh 475 lbs. Okay. It is probably around 5 lbs for the whole camera/lens package but it feels heavy when you are carrying it all the time. But sometimes- I leave it behind. I know. CRAZY talk right there for a girl who loves to take photos all.the.time. and sees inspiration for a photo everywhere I look. But did you know when we went to Europe in fall of 2019- I went with just my iPhone and left that heavy camera behind. And the photos? Well, I think they turned out ok.

Which leads me to iPhone photos. I am sure you have seen those photos on instagram that show beautiful blooms bigger than your head? There is a simple trick to that. What about blurring the background perfectly- even After you took the photo? Yep. That too. Or maybe you are looking for the tip on How to brighten your subject in the photo – with just one touch?

There are a couple quick and easy fun things to know about using your iPhone as your camera. And today I am sharing a couple of them.

Big & Beautiful

The secret to anything being big and beautiful in an iPhone photo? Move it closer to the camera. The phone takes whatever is closest and makes it bigger. It is the same reason why I hate my selfies. My nose looks even bigger than it is. haha So for selfies- try angling your forehead closer to help with that issue.

Here are two photos taken seconds apart- just moved the placement of the flowers.

Brighten your subject with one touch

Just touch the screen where you want to brighten and focus when taking the photo. If you want the person- or flower- or whatever to be it- touch right there. The background will fade darker.

Blur the background AFTER taking the photo

Those beautiful blurred backgrounds? Pretty simple to achieve with a big camera- but with the iPhone- what is the key? Well you can adjust that setting Before OR After when the photo is taken with Portrait mode- right in the camera or photo settings. Note- I have the newest iPhone so not sure if that works in all models.

You can see the f stop number up top- click that and the adjuster bar will pop up below.

You can adjust down to blur More background- or up to focus more background.

Use a Phone Tripod

Yep. I am a big tripod girl. Big camera and phone camera photography. Even though I photograph things that aren’t moving most of the time- the chickens do give me a bit of a challenge haha. I find the tripod to be the best way to get things to stay crisp.

Here is an inexpensive one to hold your phone

Add lighting

Ever notice how some folks have that beautiful smooth bright complexion in selfies? Yeah me too. haha. I try folks. I try. Filters are definitely my friend. But another friend is lighting. Ring lights are not just for YouTube videos or zoom calls- they are amazing for making you look more like you think you should look (20 years ago and before the crazy last year) and they are very forgiving for those with dark circles. This photo was taken with my iPhone mid-2020- with a tripod and my forgiving all the spring allergies and 2020 craziness ring light.

Here is a tripod With a ring light as well. You will thank me.

Set Focus and Exposure

The same way you brighten what you want to focus on (and darken the rest) by tapping the screen where you want to- you can also set the brightness or exposure easily this way.

Just tap what you want to focus on- and then slide your finger up or down on the screen to brighten or darken the exposure. You can see the ‘sun’ pop up on the side of where the focus is set – the yellow square- just adjust by swiping up or down.

Use Live Feature for long exposure

Long exposures are beautiful- they capture so much. Here is a great sum up from Wikipedia- ‘Long–exposure, time-exposure, or slow-shutter photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements.’

Yes you CAN do that with the iPhone! Just make sure your phone has Live turned on- it is that little wheel at the top on the right and it will say LIVE when it is on. (see previous photo for what it looks like when it is turned OFF)

Hope this helps with a few iPhone photography tips! If you have any questions -let me know and I will try to answer them.

See you tomorrow morning for an ‘Inspired’ table tour.