Everyone loves to be complimented for their photography skills (how else would the world of social networking survive). But not all photos shot using DSLRs and smartphones come out as great as expected. Luckily, there is a way to quickly transform into a pro without owning an actual DSLR camera.
As long as you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, Apple will be your mentor for all the upcoming photos. Besides your knack to see something that is worth capturing from your camera, there are some photography tips that you must know to ensure the best results.
The camera in the iPhone 7 series is one of the most talked about features. Apple added more value to that by including Portrait Mode and DSLR-like bokeh effect, which enhance the overall quality of a digital photograph on your iPhone.
Use of iPhones for some of the greatest photos is common. In fact, iPhone is the world's most popular camera and eight out of 10 camera types used for photography are from iPhones, according to Flickr. According to the photo-blogging website, 47 percent of all Flickr users uploaded photos to their communities using an iPhone.
After consulting with professional photographers, Apple has come up with a guide for that perfect shot you all have wanted to take.
Distance between the camera, subject and background
Distance matters. Placing the subject correctly adds detail to your portrait shot. If you want to get the perfect shot, get up close to your subject and place the subject further from the background. Apple will cut out the background by adding a blurred effect, which in turn pops out the subject for more clarity. As fashion and lifestyle photographer JerSean Golatt suggests, "get up close to your subject to bring out the details."
Lighting is important
Anyone attending a photo-shoot knows the importance of lighting. But we have a natural and effective source of light, the sun, to make your shots brighter and clearer. A celebrity photographer recommends using the sub as a back light for the subject. He also tipped that "pulling the exposure down just a hair really makes my images look more cinematic." Keep that in mind folks.
Animal portraits? Not a problem
Travel photographer Pei Ketron has a sensible suggestion for those who want to capture likes-fetching photos of their pets. It is best to give your pet some space of about 8 feet (recommended) as the Portrait Mode uses a telephoto lens, where such distance is necessary. Another important tip is the "have treats ready."
"You'll get the best results when your subject isn't moving," Ketron said (and we second that).
Location matters too
"Find a space that isn't too busy or distracting, as Portrait mode will create a photo that really pops," says wedding photographer Benj Haisch, adding that soft, diffused lighting will help keep your photo alive.
While these tips help you with stills, in case you want to shoot a video it is best to use landscape mode and change the camera settings to "record video at 60fps" for HD videos. You can also shoot in 4K to add that enriching detail to your videos.
