With the acceleration of technological progress in the 20th century, many people have become familiar with cameras for photos and videos. Nowadays, smartphones are predominant, replacing the basic cellular phone.
Smartphones are not just communication devices but can also be used to take pictures and videos. As such, the cameras of smartphones have also been improving.
Today’s smartphones have high-quality cameras; however, skills are still necessary to take good photos. Photographers sometimes ditch their sophisticated cameras in favor of the more portable iPhone. In this article, we will give tips on how to do macro photography on your iPhone.
Tips for Macro Photography on Your iPhone
Macro photography is generally taking photos of small subjects at close-up. The commonly photographed subjects include insects, flowers, ornaments, and other small objects.
Macro photography is amazing if executed flawlessly. Here are some simple but effective tips that will improve your Macro photography skills when you are using your iPhone:
Move Closer to Your Subject
Most newer iPhone models, such as the iPhone 13, have good macro photography capabilities. If you move your iPhone at least 14 cm from your subject, the Apple software will change its view to ultra-wide mode.
Those with iOS 15.2 or higher will have a “Macro” mode in their default camera app. This can be accessed by clicking the small yellow circle with a tulip icon (the default macro mode icon for cameras). The camera lens will adjust accordingly once the software knows you’re taking a macro shot.
Also, when taking the macro photos, try to ensure that the lens focuses on the subject itself. Any experienced photographer knows that focus is important. If possible, try to center on the subject’s eyes for better results.
Adjust Settings Accordingly
The default iOS camera app can also be adjusted by modifying the phone settings and toggling the macro mode into activation. This can be found by going to Settings then Camera and enabling (or disabling) the Macro Control option.
Using the camera’s manual mode may also be useful to unlock the capabilities of your iPhone lens.
Increase Lighting
Like with other photography modes, your subject needs good lighting for better photo results. While this may be tricky, especially in uncontrolled environments, there are ways to increase the lighting of your photos naturally.
One such method is to choose an appropriate time and weather condition when taking the picture. A midday shoot could provide better lighting for plants and insects.
Higher available light will also allow you to lower the ISO of the lens without sacrificing image brightness. Shutter speed can be faster if there is sufficient lighting on the subject. Some phone angles may induce shadows, and you will need patience to find the best angle to maximize available light.
Final Words
These simple methods can be done easily, so be sure to try them out. While there could be instant improvements in the quality of your photos, on many occasions, practice is necessary to bring out the best macro photography photos from your iPhone.
One of the best advantages of smartphones compared to earlier film cameras is that you can take as many photos as you want and examine the quality of the results instantly. So, don’t be afraid to practice!
