iPhone Photography for an SLR User

February 23, 2012 11:25 AM

What are your favorite apps, tips, and techniques for getting the most out of photography with your iPhone? Difficulty: I'm a proficient SLR user looking for something new creatively.

Lately, I've been thinking about taking a small break from my SLR and using my iPhone more as a primary camera. However, every time I've tried using my iPhone camera for anything, I'm always frustrated by how difficult it is to control. Inevitably, I just use it for snapshots and use my SLR for everything else.

I know that people are using iPhones to take very nice photos, and I'm sure their success is a mixture between practice, knowing the right techniques for the iPhone, and having the right set of apps.

So here's my question: what are you doing to get the most out of your iPhone photography? What have you learned (or unlearned) that made using it easier or more enjoyable?

posted by fremen to Technology (6 answers total)

I wrote a blog post about this a while back. http://klassenimages.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/getting-the-most-out-of-your-iphone-camera/
But if you are already a SLR user mos of these tips will come as a no-brainer for you. My advice is to not worry so much about sharpness & detail and concentrate on shape, color & composition.
posted by randomgirl at 11:42 AM on February 23, 2012 [2 favorites]

Use the volume up button to take the shot.
posted by Dragonness at 11:54 AM on February 23, 2012 [1 favorite]

In iOS 5, on the 4S at least, you can tap and hold to lock focus and exposure.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:29 PM on February 23, 2012

Since my iPhone is pretty much within hand's reach all the time for work, I seem to rarely pull out my DSLR lately. I agree with randomgirl that you have to give up on sharpness and detail.

I was not very happy with the iPhone camera app so I bought Camera+ when it was on sale for 99 cents. I like that you can set exposure separately from focus.

Also clean off the lens, it gets dusty pretty easy.
posted by Razzle Bathbone at 1:02 PM on February 23, 2012

I like using Vint B&W app because it forces you to compose first, take into account light and shadow... and then apply the effect. I find it makes for more thoughtful photography, compared with "shoot first, slap on effect after". I've been happy with the results and the process.
posted by xo at 3:37 PM on February 23, 2012

+1 for the Vint B&W app.
It was one of the first apps that I purchased for my 3GS a million (in apple) years ago.
I'm now on my 4S and I still love that little app.
It's simple, it's quick and as XO rightly points out, it forces you to take into account light and shadow in your minds eye before you click the shutter and have the app 'apply' the effect.
posted by THAT William Mize at 4:45 PM on February 23, 2012