8 iPhone Camera Features Most People Ignore (But Shouldn’t)

Unlock the full potential of your iPhone camera! Discover 8 overlooked iPhone camera features, like Timer Mode, Burst Mode, and ProRAW, that can elevate your photography skills.

The iPhone camera features are one of the best in the market, and thus, the gadget is appreciated by professional photographers and ordinary people. However, the application has retained many features that could be described as its strengths. When we first touched an iPhone, the best thing we liked was photo and video, or was it touch screen. That is, only after spending time exploring some of its more obscure features did we come to find out just how much additional capabilities it possessed. Read this article and find out eight simple iPhone camera tricks that you are not using but should!

1. Use Timer Mode for Perfectly Timed Shots

Have you ever shaken a lot while taking a picture, and the result is a blurry picture, or perhaps taking pictures while you’re not part of the group? Timer Mode gets rid of both difficulties. It allows you to count one or two, three, five, or 10 seconds so you can walk into the frame if you’re the only one with the phone.

To enable it, open Camera app, tap at the arrow at the top (or swipe up) and choose the clock option. Point to choose the preferred delay, correct the framing and leave the rest on the iPhone. Even when you are alone or just with friends taking selfies or posing, the Timer Mode ensures everyone is captured in the set.

2. Quickly Record Videos With QuickTake

Recording a video can be inconvenient when the moment is fast, and changing modes is a time-consuming process. Well, that’s where QuickTake comes in. This feature enables one to begin recording from the photo mode by just pressing the shutter button.

If you don’t want to keep pressing the button while doing the recording, swipe right to lock the mode and press the stop button when done. We both have enjoyed using this feature for impromptu shots, eliminating the inconvenience of moving through modes.

3. Capture Action Shots With Burst Mode

Fast-moving scenes, like kids playing or pets running, can be tricky to photograph. Burst Mode makes this easier by taking a sequence of shots at a fast and furious pace all at once. To use it, you just have to slide the shutter button to the left within the Photo mode.

After the burst is saved, you can check out the sequence in the Photos app under “Bursts,” and pick your favorite shot and delete the rest. This feature has been quite helpful for us when something is happening on set, we do not have to look away.

4. Shoot High-Quality Photos With ProRAW

For those who love post-editing, ProRAW is a game-changer. It captures unaltered JPGs containing all information and data and is suitable for corrected exposures, highlights, or shadows.

To turn on ProRAW, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and turn on Apple ProRAW. The instructions say you should tap the RAW icon before shooting in the Camera app. This has been great, and I enjoy using it to create high-quality images. The file size is considerably larger than the previous versions, but the flexibility in editing is incomparable.

5. Perfect Your Composition With Grid Lines

Grid lines are a simple yet powerful tool for enhancing your photo composition. They mimic a 3×3 grid to assist you in adjusting elements and properties, such as the rule of thirds.

Activate the grid through the App Setting by selecting Camera and swiping on the option for Composition labeled ‘Grid’. We certainly agree with the level of accuracy this allows our shots, but do not forget that there are times when creativity shines best when one is a rebel.

6. Preserve Camera Settings for Consistency

Have you ever restarted your camera app only to find it’s reverted to default settings? This can disrupt your creative flow. Thankfully, iPhones allow you to preserve settings like camera mode, filters, and aspect ratios.

To do this, swipe up on the home screen, go to Settings -> Camera -> Preserve Settings, and turn on “Camera Mode” and “Creative Controls.” This comes in handy, especially whenever we are trying out new filters or certain modes, as we can quickly resume where we left off.

7. Capture Expansive Views With the Ultrawide Lens

The wide lens – included in iPhone 11 and the latest models – has a wider perspective, ideal for landscapes or numerous people. It’s also useful for getting creative views in small areas.

In the Camera app, tap the word “.5x” or pinch inward with two fingers to change to the ultrawide Camera. This feature is useful for capturing beautiful scenes and even group pictures that catch everyone in just a tap.

8. Prevent Lens Switching With Camera Lock

Switching lenses during videoing causes shifts in focusing and, hence, the quality of the video. The iPhone camera has a feature known as Camera Lock that helps it record using a single lens.

Unlock it by accessing Settings > Camera > Record Video and then enabling “Lock Camera”. We consider it mandatory for anyone who wants to maintain a steady level of production and have confirmed that it works very well when used in the dark.

Conclusion

It is advisable to incorporate these seemingly minor features into your photography and videography process to improve the appearance of your work. From the built-in Timer Mode for perfect shots to the new ProRAW for even more editing freedom, the iPhone camera functions are way more diverse than one might think.

The next time you open your Camera app, try these and level up your photography game. Who knows? You might find the perfect moment for that shot you have been longing to take.

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