Want to know what camera to bring on your upcoming trip? Well, although some people will want to buy expensive equipment and carry it around with them wherever they go (even though it can be heavy and bulky), the truth is that unless you’re already into photography, this could be a waste of money. That’s because the (not so) humble iPhone is the ideal vacation camera, whether you’re on a weekend trip to the city, a trip with the family, or a trip around the world.

 

Most people underestimate the iPhone’s photographic capabilities, but these devices really can do a huge amount and give you some great results. Therefore, if you want the best possible vacation images, keep reading to learn how to get them with your iPhone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take Establishing Shots

In the film industry, an “establishing shot” is a standard opening shot. If you’ve seen any movies, you’ll know that they typically begin with wide shots of famous landmarks or other recognized places. When a specific location isn’t available, a familiar item or circumstance is often used to establish the setting. Establishing shots let the audience visualize where you were on your vacation.

 

Before you go on vacation, make sure you know how to go to the city’s best lookouts, rooftop viewing platforms, and the hub of community activity. Then you should go around snapping pictures of the regular sights in that area. It really helps give a sense of place.

 

Prepare Your iPhone 

Make sure your iPhone is ready before you leave on your trip. For starters, ensure your iPhone can accommodate a large number of fresh images. The last thing you need in the middle of an exciting journey is to run out of storage space. Transferring images from your iPhone to your computer can help you clear up a lot of space. 

 

As you could be out shooting all day with your iPhone, its battery life is crucial. To extend your shooting time, it’s well worth investing in a separate battery. In fact, this could be something you do whether you’re planning to take lots of photos or not – it will ensure your phone lasts all day. 

 

If your iPhone’s camera is producing “foggy” photos, it may be because the lens is dirty. Clear the lens with a clean lens cloth or other soft fabric, like a t-shirt, for the best results.

 

Plus, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with a few different settings before you start so you know how to take some great shots. The iPhone can do so much, you can even learn how to turn video into live photo so you don’t have to choose between filming and taking photos, which is often an issue people come up against. 

 

Use The Grid Feature 

Composition, or the arrangement of a photograph’s components, is a fundamental principle of taking great photos, and it can take professionals years to master it. Using the iPhone’s built-in grid feature is a great way to practice and perfect your photographic composition, and it won’t take you long at all. For some, it might be considered a little like cheating, but if it gives you the best shots, does it really matter? 

 

One rule to bear in mind when it comes to great composition (with or without the grid) is known as the “Rule of Thirds,” and it suggests positioning the subject along one of the lines or at the junction of the horizontal and vertical thirds in a photograph. If you want to start practicing these rules right away, turning on the grid feature on your iPhone camera will show you exactly where the grid lines are to help frame your photo.

 

You can activate the grid by going to settings, finding the camera option, and then, in the composition area, you’ll find grid, which you can toggle on and off as you want to.

 

Adjust Your Phone’s Settings

When you are happy with your composition, tap the screen to bring up a small box; this is your focal point. Having your attention precisely fixed on the target ensures that it appears sharp. That’s a resource worth tapping into.

 

The correct exposure can be found by sliding your finger up and down to test different settings. When focusing on a dark area of the screen, the surrounding area will typically become white, and vice versa. If you alter the exposure just a little, you’ll get a far nicer photo. A smartphone makes this easy.

 

Stay Still

People don’t always think of the iPhone as “real photography,” so when they take a picture with it, they often keep walking or wave their arms around. This often causes pictures to be out of focus, shaky, or not put together well. Because the iPhone is a “disposable” camera, people don’t take the time to take a good picture with it.

 

The important thing is to hold the phone still and stay still. It sounds simple, but if you use your iPhone like you would a regular camera and stand still, you can set your frame and point of focus, which will lead to a much better photo.

 

Don’t Take Cliché Shots

While it’s nearly unavoidable to avoid visiting tourist hotspots on a trip, you probably don’t want your vacation photos to seem like they were taken straight out of a guidebook, either. It will be more exciting and entertaining if you capture unusual images of well-known landmarks along the way.

 

When taking pictures at famous landmarks, it’s crucial to not do what every other tourist has done and shoot the same exact thing. Make some trips and get to know your subject. Try some different, perhaps more interesting perspectives. Taking the camera down low is a quick and simple technique to display a scene from a vantage point that most viewers would miss if they were standing up.

 

Always be on the lookout for interesting photo ops, and when you find one, don’t hesitate to capture it. You can always delete a photo that doesn’t turn out the way you wanted, but you’ll never know how it would have come out if you never took it.