Steady with that iPhone: You get the picture

I love the camera on my new iPhone 6s Plus.

Its image stabilization makes my videos look more professional, and the new Live Photos feature, which captures three seconds of video when you shoot a still photo, is a blast. So I've been shooting more photos and videos than usual lately, and I have come up with some tips to help you get better results when you shoot photos or videos using your iPhone.

First, keep your iPhone as still as possible. If you can, use a tripod or monopod, or set your iPhone on a solid surface.

I'm a big fan of Square Jellyfish (www.squarejellyfish.com), which offers inexpensive pocket-size tripods and mounting hardware for iPhones and other small cameras. Or, if there's no suitable surface available, try bracing the iPhone against a wall or other stable object. Steadying your camera gives you clearer photos and videos.

If you can't use a tripod or other method, try to stabilize your iPhone by tucking your elbows in tight to your body, then using both hands to keep the iPhone still. You'll usually get better results this way than shooting with one hand.

Second, although exposure and focus are automatic, you can also set them manually by tapping an object or area on the screen. This displays a rectangle that sets the focus and exposure while disabling face detection temporarily. To lock the exposure and focus, press and hold - instead of tapping - until the rectangle pulses, which tells you that exposure and focus are locked to the rectangle.

If a shot looks too light or dark, adjust its exposure by tapping an area or object on the screen and then pressing the little yellow sun icon next to the exposure rectangle and sliding your finger up (brighter) or down (darker) to adjust the exposure. When you're finished, tap the screen again to re-enable automatic exposure, focus and face detection.

Finally, don't snap just one photo. If something is worth shooting, it's worth shooting more than once. Press and hold the big shutter release button for a continuous burst until you lift your finger, or take a few different shots, changing the composition, exposure and/or focal point for each.

One last thing: I'll be appearing at the Houston Area Apple Users Group this Saturday at 10 a.m.; www.haaug.org. Admission is free, and topics will be OS X El Capitan, iOS 9 and cool gadgets for Apple devices.

See you there!