Rock Your iPhone (or Other Phone) Camera with These Tips

If this looks familiar, that's because it is. I posted a slightly abbreviated version of this on my Instagram account awhile back. But, I figured the topic warranted a revised repost here because, well, who couldn't use a reminder or two on taking better iPhone pics?! 

Maybe you have heard some version of "The best camera is the one you have with you." I believe that wholeheartedly. You could brilliantly use the fanciest camera on the market, but if you don't carry it around with you on a regular basis, how much good does it do you? And, chances are, the camera you almost always have with you, no matter what, is the one on your phone. Can you use it well? Check out these 5+ simple tips for better iPhone photos, and see how you fare! 
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1. HOLD STILL: Stand with your back to a stable object, hold your arms against your body, and by all means, stop walking. 
2. FIND THE LIGHT: The more light you have, the more action you freeze. Taking photos of a moving child in a dimly light room is a recipe for a crappy photo because you are sure to get unintentional blur. Move somewhere with lots of natural light. And don’t use your flash unless it’s a moment you absolutely have to catch in the dark. Flash = deer-in-headlights. 
3. CONSIDER POSITION: Try to get the light BEHIND your subjects, meaning NOT in their eyes. Squinting into harsh light is not ideal. This is called backlighting, and you may have to move yourself to make it happen if the moment is candid. There are plenty of other lighting scenarios that are fun to explore, but I suggest starting with backlighting your subjects as it is easy to remember and implement.
4. LOCK FOCUS/ADJUST EXPOSURE: On your native camera app, touch the screen to lock focus, then scroll up or down to adjust exposure if you'd like to lighten or darken the scene. This is a game-changer if you don’t know about it. 
5. USE YOUR SHUTTER OPTIONS: I am not a fan of that burst-mode that happens when you hold down the shutter. On my beloved iPhone 5, I'd hold down the shutter, line up my shot, and lift to take the photo (Note: This happens upon release). For me that reduces shake and results in sharper photos. You can try using the volume + button on the side of your phone or headphones to release the shutter, but that's not for me. So I : 
6. USE AN APP: "There’s an app for that", and I choose Camera+. It's your native camera kicked up many notches. I can, once again, use the shutter on the screen like I want: Press down and hold, line up shot, lift to take the photo. Bam. It also offers a host of other helpful tricks, like separate focus and exposure locks. It may also help you cull through your images: Take a zillion photos of your child eating an apple within Camera+, then save only the best ones in your camera roll. Seriously. You only need 1-2.
APP BONUS!: Try Snapseed for post-processing. It’s the shiz. You can even spot-adjust/dodge & burn.
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There you have it! 5+ tips for taking better photos with the camera I'm guessing you almost always have with you. Now, get out there and take your iPhone photos to the next level! A little practice goes a long way.