iOS 8: 8 tips for taking better photographs

Here are some useful tips for taking better photographs with an iOS 8 device.

The most popular camera on the planet, the iPhone 6’s camera is still 8MP with an f/2.2 lens and processor but it now boasts phase detection pixels so it can focus an image twice as fast as the iPhone 5S.

Apple is serious about photography and that’s why it puts so much energy into making the cameras inside of its devices technically better rather than just pumping in added megapixels.

Action shots

If you’re attempting to capture fast-moving action shots then you should get to know Burst mode. With Photo selected simply hold down the shutter icon on the screen (or use the volume buttons if these are configured to act as shutters). Keep the button held down and the camera enters burst mode. While shooting in this mode a number appears on the display telling you how many shots you’ve captured. Once you’ve got your photos tap the picture in the corner of the display and you’ll see all the images you created. Your device will have selected what it thinks is the best image but you can select a different one if you like.

Awkward shots

Not every image is as easy to get as others — so if you find yourself reaching in some awkward position in your attempt to capture a new angle or hard to focus upon subject do yourself a favor by using Time Mode. To enter the mode tap the clock icon in the upper right of the display. Three options appear: Off, 3s (3 seconds) and 10s (10 seconds). Tap the shutter button and after the selected delay your image will be captured automatically (using Burst mode) so all you need to do is get the image framed and in focus.

Lighten up

iOS 8 introduces a new manual exposure tool. Previously when you chose the focus point of your image (by tapping the selected point on your display) the device would also use that point to set the exposure. Now when you tap the image will focus on that point (leave your finger in place a little longer to lock focus), but lets you change the exposure by tapping the sun symbol beside the focus icon, sliding your finger up (to lighten) or down (darken) the image.

Use Favorites

When you look through your images you’ll see a heart shape at the bottom of the display. This isn’t just for show, it’s a way to define an image you are looking at as a “favourite” — just tap the heart and the picture will be placed in your favourites album, so you can keep all your best shots together. (And don’t ignore the use of Location data in the Photos app — if enabled [Settings>Privacy>Location Services] you can search for images you took at a certain place just by typing in the location.

Time Lapse video

iOS 8 introduces support for Time Lapse video. Select ‘Time Lapse’ from the imaging options (Pano, Photo, etc) and tap the record button. The camera will capture an image every few seconds, when you want it to stop just tap the button once again. Photos will stitch the images together to create the video and store it in Photos>Albums>Videos.

Edit

The image editing tools within iOS 8 have changed slightly. Rotate is now within the crop tool, the Red-Eye button has gone and theres a new volume knob that lets you access Color, Light and Black & White settings. These Smart Controls let you easily select a setting you like, but if you swipe up in a Smart Control menu you gain access to more finely tuned manual controls for settings such as contrast, shadows, black point and more.

Four fab apps

iOS 8 lets you access the features of supported third party imaging apps from within Apple’s Photos app. Here are five third party apps you should explore:

• Camera Plus (a wide selection of powerful imaging tools — brilliant app!)
• Afterlight (excellent lighting effects)
• Diptic (combine multiple photos
• Quick (add text to images)

3 great gadgets

As you become more serious about iOS photography you may want to look at items like these to support your work.

• JOBY GripTight GorillaPod tripod (an extremely flexible tripod system you can carry anywhere);
• Olloclip Lens solution (a lens extension system to improve some shots);
• Kingston MobileLite Wireless G2 (easy image storage on the move, battery pack and WiFi access).

Further information

• The iPhone Photography Awards.
• National Geographic’s tips for better iPhone photography.
• iMore’s iPhoneography guide.

I hope these ideas help you take better photographs with your iOS device.

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