Mastering professional-quality photography with an iPhone

Mastering professional-quality photography with an iPhone

You wanna know how to snap some damn good pics on your iPhone? Look no further, buddy! The iPhone, especially the latest Pro models, has got some top-notch cameras for a smartphone, and with the Camera Control feature, it's never been more fitted for professional photography.

But don't get all braggy just yet - even with a fancy camera, you can still end up with subpar pics if you don't know what you're doing. Luckily, a few simple tricks can help you create pro-level shots with your iPhone. Here are some suggestions to get you started, from settings adjustments to general tips that apply to smartphone photography in general.

Still on the fence about getting a new iPhone? Check out our iPhone 16 Pro review and our guide to the best camera phones if you're still undecided. And if you're curious about more iPhone Pro camera tips, check out our article on iPhone Pro camera tips.

How to take professional photos with iPhone

01. Embrace the Camera Control

Introduced on the iPhone 16 lineup, the Camera Control button is a game-changer for mobile photographers. Not only does it serve as a quick shortcut for opening the camera (perfect for those impromptu shooting moments), but it also grants you access to zoom, exposure, depth, and tone settings. Once you've tapped the Camera Control button to open the camera, lightly tap again to explore various settings, and slide your finger left or right to adjust sliders.

02. Apply the Rule of Thirds

One of the most valuable tips for taking pro pics on an iPhone (or any phone, for that matter) is to use the rule of thirds. Originating in Renaissance art, the rule of thirds involves dividing your image into a three-by-three grid. By placing the main subjects of your photo along these lines, you can create more visually striking images.

Our brains love a little symmetry, but not too much, and eye-catching compositions usually have asymmetrical elements on either side of the frame. Train yourself to use the rule of thirds by enabling grid lines in your iPhone camera settings. To do this, navigate to the Camera section in the settings app and toggle the Grid switch to on.

03. Seek Out Unfamiliar Viewpoints

Whenever you shoot, always try to scout for different, more original viewpoints rather than just snapping everything the same way. Explore high and low angles to see how they transform a scene. Different perspectives reveal hidden details and symmetries in ordinary settings. They tend to attract attention when viewers see a photograph of something familiar presented in an unfamiliar way.

04. Add Depth to Your iPhone Photos

When framing pictures, we often initially focus on two dimensions. Still, an image with a sense of depth can be much more eye-catching. A quick way to achieve this with your iPhone is to shoot a close-up subject against an out-of-focus background (or vice versa, with the main subject in the background and the foreground slightly out-of-focus).

The iPhone camera will usually auto-focus on what it believes is the subject of your picture, but it doesn't always make the best choice. To focus on a different area, simply tap on the screen to override the camera's choice, then experiment with including different elements at various depths in your image.

05. Skip the Flash

In photography, it's all about lighting, which can present challenges when shooting dark scenes. Luckily, recent iPhones are much better at handling low light conditions, with the iPhone 16 offering further enhancements. This often means you won't need to use a flash anymore. The flash's light is cold, harsh, and extremely unflattering, whether you're snapping a portrait or a picture of some grub. So, if you find yourself shooting at night, make use of any other available light sources before resorting to the flash (or check out our guide for the best ring lights). The same goes for Night Mode. While it's improved significantly, it can still produce an unnatural look that doesn't accurately represent the night scene you see with your eyes.

06. Steer Clear of Blurry Photos

iPhone camera sensors are continually improving, but a shaky camera can still result in a blurry mess. The iPhone's slim design sometimes means that even the slightest pressure on the shutter button is enough to cause shake. But don't worry - there are solutions! The iPhone camera's timer isn't just for group selfies. It allows you to capture shots without needing to physically press the shutter button. Just set the timer, then you can concentrate on keeping the camera steady while it takes the picture.

If you're shooting short exposures, using the timer and holding the phone steady with both hands usually works. For longer exposures, such as low-light shots, you'll likely need a grip or tripod (or an improvised support) to keep the phone steady. For video stability, check out our guide for the best iPhone gimbals.

Naturally, using the timer is best for stationary subjects. When shooting moving subjects, another option is to use the volume buttons to take the picture. It's not quite as steady as using the timer, but it often provides more stability than the on-screen shutter button, offering a choice for moving subjects.

07. Dive into Manual Mode

Using the automatic settings makes snapping decent photos a breeze, but it's often not the best route for professional photography on iPhone. Taking the time to dive into manual mode and adjust the exposure and focus yourself can help you create more creative images. Sometimes, your phone may overexpose images that have an area of shadow in them, resulting in lost detail in the brighter parts of the image. Sometimes, going for a slightly darker image can be better, as you can bring back some detail from the shadows when you edit.

To manually modify exposure without entering manual mode, just tap on the screen where you want to focus, and then drag up or down to brighten or darken the photo.

08. Use Portrait Mode for Portraits

Sometimes the most straightforward tips for pro photography with your iPhone are the most obvious ones. If you're taking portraits, use the Portrait mode. Some caution portraits against dedicated modes since tech brands tend to include gimmicky features that could be achieved better manually, often with a lot of effort. However, Portrait mode on the iPhone creates a shallower depth of field to highlight the subject and produces portraits that really stand out. You'll find it right next to Photo mode above the shutter button when you open the camera app. The iPhone 16 has introduced automatic mode detection, so it can shift straight into Portrait mode when it considers it appropriate.

09. Use HDR in Scenes with Extreme Light and Shadow

Another oft-overlooked feature is HDR (High-Dynamic-Range). HDR photos solve the problem that arises when you have areas that are very bright and areas that are very dark in the same scene. This would normally result in an image that's either over or underexposed, but what HDR does is combine multiple shots at different exposures to generate a composite image. Professional photographers do this manually by taking separate photos with different exposure settings and then merging them together in editing, but your iPhone will have a pretty good stab at doing this for you.

When should you use HDR? Use it in any situation where you have a very bright area (such as the sky) and a darker area that appears in shadow, like a mountain or any detail in the foreground that gets lost against the sky. You can manually turn HDR on or off in the Camera app by tapping the HDR icon at the top of the screen, but it's usually best to set it to Automatic so the phone employs it only when the camera sensor deems it necessary. It's better to avoid using HDR all the time because it can make images look flat if it's used unnecessarily.

10. Use Burst Mode for Dynamic Subjects

Chasing some action? Burst mode is the way to go for capturing the best shots. Whether it's your subject or you that's moving, taking a burst of numerous shots in quick succession raises the odds that at least one of the shots will be perfect.

To take a burst shot, simply tap and hold down the shutter button (or volume up button). A counter will appear at the bottom of the screen to let you know how many shots you're taking. To stop, just lift up your finger and all of the images will be saved to your Camera Roll. If you prefer to use the volume up method, you'll need to enable it first. Go to Settings > Camera and select Use Volume Up for Burst.

11. Edit Your Photos

While social media apps like Instagram have their filters and editing options, they aren't a match for dedicated editing apps and software. Editing can transform a good picture into a fantastic picture, and there's no shortage of tools. There are several free or cheap apps available for iPhone, such as Big Lens and Snapseed. Learn more about editing photos in our guide on how to edit photos.

If you're serious about your photography, consider investing in photo-editing software like Adobe's Lightroom, which now offers a mobile version. Check out our Lightroom review for more information on the software, or take a peek at our guide to the best photo-editing software. And if you're serious about taking your photography to the next level, also explore our pick of the best cameras.

1. The iPhone 16, with its Camera Control feature, offers advanced camera settings to elevate your photography game.
2. To create visually attractive images, consider utilizing the rule of thirds by enabling grid lines in your iPhone camera settings.
3. Get creative by exploring unusual viewpoints; shooting from different angles can reveal interesting perspectives and details.
4. Add depth to your iPhone photos by focusing on a close-up subject against a blurred background, or vice versa, to create a more striking image.
5. In low light situations, avoid using the iPhone's flash, which can produce unflattering results. Make use of available light sources or opt for a ring light instead.
6. Keep your shots steady by using the iPhone camera's timer function, a grip, tripod, or improvised support for long exposures or videos.
7. Dive into Manual mode on your iPhone to gain full control over exposure and focus, creating more artistic compositions beyond what automatic settings provide.
8. Use Portrait mode for taking portraits as it creates a shallow depth of field, enhancing the focus on your subject.
9. Activate HDR in scenes with dramatic differences in light and shadow for better exposure and detail in both bright and dark areas.
10. Use Burst mode for action shots to capture multiple frames quickly, increasing the likelihood of capturing the perfect moment.
11. Learn to edit your photos using photo editing apps or software like Adobe Lightroom for iOS to refine and enhance your images further.

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