How To Take Better iPhone Photos

2022-09-09 20:33:35 By : Ms. Amanda Zhang

Professional level pics are already at your fingertips.

It’s become a running joke of the digital age that just about any average person can become a photographer with their smartphone camera. And, as smartphone models like the iPhone 13 come out — granting us features like professional-level 4K video quality and multiple lenses — many “iPhone photographers” are actually no joke. In fact, you may have even decided to prioritize a new iPhone purchase over a fancy new DSLR camera.

“The iPhone camera is so advanced these days,” travel blogger and photographer Kristi Hemric tells Bustle. “You don’t need an expensive camera to take great pics.” In fact, Hemric recommends for anyone looking to get into photography to start with their phone before leveling up to any professional cameras.

Of course, while you can yield some great results with an iPhone camera, it’s important to know how to use it to your advantage. “Light is your best friend,” advises Hemric. Hemric also says to utilize your smartphone’s composition grid to your advantage. “You want to be able to lead the viewers eye to where you want it to go.”

Once you’ve mastered some photography basics like lighting and framing, and gotten to know your iPhone’s capabilities (FYI: Hemric highly recommends using shooting in RAW format if you have an iPhone 11 Pro Max or later), you can only go up from there.

And, if you’re looking to take your iPhone photography to the next level, there are plenty of products out there to help you do so. From reflectors that will always ensure lighting is your best friend, as Hemric suggests, to tripods that help to perfectly frame a shot, here are some of the best products to help you take better iPhone photos.

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Using a reflector can quickly level up your candid photo shoot into a studio-quality shoot. These reflectors will redirect natural light (or indoor lighting) to properly highlight your subject.

Review: One reviewer describes this as, “useful to anyone shooting film or videos or adverts or magazine spreads.”

Colors/Shades: Black, gold, translucent, silver, white.

Review: “It’s very sturdy and the swivel action on the head is fantastic,” writes one user.

Review: “The metal frames are solid and well-machined, and the lenses are very clear glass,” writes on reviewer, “This looks like something I might have purchased for my SLR [camera].”

Includes: 0.45x wide angle lens, 15x macro lens, clip-on LED light, travel case, and lanyard, cleaning cloth.

Review: One user writes that they even placed the tripod in sand and it “held up very well.”

Review: “My skin looks amazing with this light. The phone holder is sturdy. Excellent product and price,” writes one reviewer.

Options: White, natural, and warm light. Adjustable brightness range.

Review: “Finally when we are on vacation, I will be in the pictures as well,” one reviewer jokes.

If you’re looking to level-up product shoots (or any smaller scale still life shots), this light box can pose as a mini studio for your iPhone photos.

Includes: Light box, six colors of waterproof PVC backdrops, light diffuser, reflection boards.

Compatible with: iPhone 13 Pro Max

Includes: Lens protector, screen protector.

Nothing expands your horizons in photography quite like being able to take your phone underwater. This waterproof pouch allows you to shoot in water or in the rain without worrying about damaging your phone.

Review: One reviewer says they brought their phone on an ATV trip in the case, and “the case was easily wipeable and allowed for great pictures and videos while continuously being doused in muddy water.”

Compatibility: Best with any product up to six inches in length.