8. Shoot, Edit, and Share Photos and Videos

Every day, more than 1.3 billion photos are taken on smartphones and tablets around the world. People love taking photos, and thanks to the two digital cameras built in to all the iPhone and iPad models released within the past few years, plus improvements made to the iOS 9 edition of the Camera and Photos apps, it has never been easier or more fun to shoot, edit, view, print, and share your digital images or video clips.

Whether you’re using one of these latest iPhone models or an older iPhone (or any iPad model for that matter), it’s possible to take crystal-clear photos and create large and vibrant full-color prints from your digital image files or share those images using options offered by the Photos app’s Share menu.

Features such as the new Selfie picture taking mode and the ability to shoot “Live Photos,” for example, work only with the latest iOS mobile devices that offer 3D Touch functionality built in to the device’s touchscreen.

Aside from shooting images using one of your iOS device’s built-in cameras, there are several ways to import photos and then store them in the Photos app:

Use the iTunes sync process with the Photos app running on a Mac or PC. By linking your iPhone or iPad with your computer (via the supplied USB cable), you can transfer photos or entire albums.

Load photos from your online-based iCloud Photo Library from within the Photos app.

Receive and save photos sent via text/instant message. Tap on the image you receive using the Messages app, and then tap on the Save command.

Save images directly from a website as you’re surfing the Web. Hold your finger on the image you’re viewing in a website. If it’s not copy-protected, after a second or two a menu appears, enabling you to save the image or copy it to your device’s virtual clipboard (after which you can paste it into another app). Tap on the Save Image or Copy options, respectively (shown in Figure 8.2).

Images can be sent to your iPhone or iPad wirelessly via AirDrop. For this feature to work, AirDrop must be turned on, which can be done from the Control Center. Launch Control Center, tap on the AirDrop option, and then select Contacts Only or Everyone. You can then send images to other AirDrop-compatible computers or mobile devices, or receive images sent to you using this method. Received photos are automatically placed in your All Photos/Camera Roll album.

Use the optional Camera Connection Kit ($29, available from Apple Stores or Apple.com) to load images from your digital camera or its memory card directly into your iPhone or iPad.

From the Home screen, tap on the Camera app icon.

From the Lock screen, place your finger on the camera icon that’s displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and then swipe your finger upward.

Tap on the Camera app icon that’s displayed in the Control Center.

On an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, press on the Camera app icon displayed on the Home screen to reveal a pop menu for using specific Camera app features (refer to Figure 8.1).

Activate Siri and say, “Launch the camera app.” If you’re using one of the newer iPhones or iPads, simply say, “Hey Siri, launch the Camera app,” without having to press and hold down the Home button.

If the Camera app is already running in the background, access the App Switcher and select the Camera app.

When using the Camera app on any iOS mobile device, the main area of the screen serves as your camera’s viewfinder.

On the iPhone, along the bottom of the screen are several command icons and options. When using the Camera app with the iPad, all command icons and options are displayed along the right margin of the screen.

To view the last photo you shot (or the last video clip recorded), tap on the Image Preview thumbnail displayed in the bottom-left corner of the viewfinder screen. You can then use the Photo app’s viewing and editing functions on that image.

At the bottom center of the screen on the iPhone is the camera’s round Shutter button. Tap on this to snap a photo or to start and stop the video recording process. In Video mode, the Shutter button icon transforms from a bright red circle into a red square (pause button) when you tap on it to begin shooting a video clip.

The Time-Lapse feature enables you to set up the Camera app to automatically keep snapping one photo at a time (the time interval is dynamically set by the iOS device) until you manually turn off this function. This feature works best if you mount the iOS mobile device on a tripod, or use it with a stand. It’s great for capturing changes that happen in a single scene over time, such as a sunrise or sunset. The content created when using the Time Lapse feature is stored in the Photos app as a video, not as a series of photos.

The Slo-Mo option enables you to shoot high-action video but play it back in slow motion. When using the iPhone 6/6s/6 Plus/6s Plus, you can capture slow-motion video at up to 240 frames per second, as opposed to 120 frames per second using the iPhone 5s and some iPad models. This shooting mode is ideal if you’re shooting a fast-moving subject or a high-action activity.

The Video shooting mode is used to shoot 1080p HD-quality video using your iPhone or iPad. Depending on which device you’re using, it’s possible to shoot at 30 or 60 frames per second. Keep in mind that your iPhone or iPad is ideal for shooting relatively short video clips. These HD video files take up a tremendous amount of storage space, so if you want to shoot long home videos, consider using a dedicated video camera.

The Photo shooting mode is what you’ll use most of the time when taking pictures. It allows you to snap regular, rectangular-shaped digital images.

The Square shooting mode automatically precrops images as you’re shooting to be compatible with services such as Instagram. You wind up with square images.

The Pano shooting mode launches the Camera app’s panoramic mode, which is ideal for shooting vast landscapes, skylines, or large groups of people (shown in Figure 8.6). You wind up with a long, rectangular image.

The iPhone and iPad each have two built-in cameras—one in the front and one on the back of the device. The front-facing camera makes it easier to snap photos of yourself (that is, take a “selfie” or participate in video calls via FaceTime or Skype).

The rear-facing camera (which enables you to take much higher-resolution photos or video) enables you to photograph or record whatever is in front of you. Tap on the camera-shaped icon located in the top-right corner of the viewfinder screen to switch between cameras.

When you take a photo using HDR mode, the iPhone or iPad actually captures several separate images simultaneously and then automatically blends them into a single image in a fraction of a second. By doing this, it’s possible to capture more depth and contrast, plus make better use of available lighting. The result is often a more detailed and vibrant photo.

You can decide whether the original photo and the HDR version of a photo are both saved in the All Photos/Camera Roll album or just the HDR version of the image is saved. To make this adjustment, launch Settings, tap on the Photos & Camera option, and then turn on or off the virtual switch associated with the Keep Normal Photo option.

Depending on which iPhone or iPad model you’re using, you might have access to HDR Auto mode. This allows the camera to decide whether a photo benefits from this feature. Turning on HDR Auto mode takes some of the guesswork out of picture taking, and often results in better-quality images.

The HDR button is displayed near the top center of the Camera app’s viewfinder screen on the iPhone, or just above the Shutter button on the iPad. Tap it to toggle the HDR mode when taking photos.

On the latest iPhones and iPads are three HDR-related options: On, Off, or Auto. If HDR Auto is available (shown in Figure 8.7), it enables you to consistently capture the most vibrant photos in a wide range of lighting situations.

The Auto option is offered only on the newer iPhone models released within the past few years. The Auto option enables the smartphone to analyze the available light for you and automatically determine whether the flash is needed.

Keep in mind that even in low-light situations, you can often achieve better results if you shoot photos using the HDR shooting mode, as opposed to using the flash.

When you do this, the Autofocus Sensor box appears in the viewfinder, and the Camera app then focuses in on your intended subject.

If you’re shooting people, however, the Camera app automatically identifies each person’s face in a photo and focuses in on those faces. An Autofocus Sensor box appears around each person’s face.

1. Launch the Camera app.

2. Make sure the shooting mode is set to Photo or Square.

3. Choose which of your device’s two cameras you want to use by tapping on the camera selection icon.

4. Compose your image by holding up your device and pointing it at your intended subject(s).

5. If desired, set the Timer feature.

6. To add a special effect to the image as you’re shooting, tap on the Filter icon and then select one of the eight displayed filters by tapping on its preview image (shown in Figure 8.8). The filter thumbnail serves as the shutter button for snapping a photo when you tap on it.

7. Choose the intended subject of your photo, such as a person or an object. Tap your finger on the screen where your subject appears in the viewfinder. An Autofocus Sensor box appears on the screen at the location you tap (refer to Figure 8.7). Where this box is positioned is what the camera focuses on (as opposed to something in the foreground, background, or next to your intended subject).

8. If necessary, use the Exposure Control slider (refer to Figure 8.7) to manually adjust the exposure just before snapping a photo. Keep in mind that using the Photos app, you can later adjust or correct a variety of problematic issues within a photo, including its exposure, contrast, saturation, color, and shadows. These are some of the editing tools built in to the iOS 9 edition of the Photos app.

9. If you want to use the Camera app’s zoom feature, use a pinch motion on the screen. A zoom slider (shown in Figure 8.9) appears directly above the Shooting Mode menu and the Shutter button. Use your finger to move the dot on the slider to the right to zoom in, or to the left to zoom out. Alternatively, use a pinch or reverse-pinch finger gesture to manage the zoom level while shooting.

10. Decide whether you want to use HDR mode or the built-in flash (iPhone only) when taking the photo. (You can also choose neither of these options.) Another option, on some more recently released iPhones, is to set both the flash and HDR mode to Auto, and then let the Camera app decide which feature to use. On the iPad, set HDR mode to Auto to allow the Camera app to decide whether this feature is needed. (iPads do not have a rear-facing built-in flash.)

11. When you have your image framed in the viewfinder, tap on the Shutter button to snap the photo. You can also press the Volume Up (+) or Volume Down (-) buttons on the side of your iPhone/iPad, which serve as a Shutter button when using the Camera app.

12. The photo is saved in the All Photos/Camera Roll album of the Photos app. You can now shoot another photo or view the photo using the Photos app.

1. Launch the Camera app.

2. Swipe on the Shooting Modes menu and select the Pano shooting mode.

3. Position your iPhone or iPad’s viewfinder to the extreme left of your wide-angle shot. (When using the Pano shooting mode, hold the smartphone or tablet upright in portrait mode, unless you’re shooting a very, very tall object).

4. Tap the Shutter button, and then slowly and steadily move your iPhone or iPad from left to right (shown in Figure 8.10). If you go too fast, a message appears on the screen telling you to slow down.

5. The panorama slider moves from left to right as you capture your image. Tap the Shutter button again when you’re finished, or continue moving the iOS device to the right until the entire length of the image has been captured.

6. The panoramic photo is saved in the Panoramas folder of the Photos app. You can then view, edit, or share it from within Photos.

1. Launch the Camera app.

2. Select the Video shooting mode option from the Shooting Mode menu. (If you want to shoot slow-motion video, select the Slo-Mo option, if it’s offered by your iOS mobile device.)

3. Tap the camera selection icon to choose which camera you want to use. You can switch between the front- and the rear-facing camera at any time. On older iPhone/iPad models, the rear-facing camera shoots lower-resolution video, as opposed to 1080p HD resolution video.

4. If applicable, tap on the Flash icon that’s displayed near the top-left corner of the screen (iPhone) to turn on the flash and use it as a continuous light source while filming video.

5. Hold your iPhone or iPad up to the subject you want to capture on video. Set up your shot by looking at what’s displayed on the screen.

6. In the viewfinder, tap on your intended subject to make the autofocus sensor appear. If necessary, and if your device supports this feature, you can also manually adjust the Exposure Control using the displayed slider.

7. When you’re ready to start shooting video, tap on the Shutter button. The red dot turns into a red square. This indicates you’re now filming. Your iPhone or iPad captures whatever action you see on the screen, as well as any sound in the area.

8. As you’re filming video, notice a timer displayed on the screen (shown in Figure 8.11). Your only limit to how much video you can shoot is based on the amount of available memory in your iOS device and how long the battery lasts. However, this app is designed more for shooting short video clips, not full-length home movies.

9. As you’re filming, tap anywhere on the screen to focus in on your subject using the app’s built-in autofocus sensor.

10. To stop filming, tap again on the Shutter button. Your video footage is saved. You can now view, edit, and share it from within the Photos app (or a video app, such as iMovie).

On the iPhone, the functionality of the Photos app is almost identical to the iPad version; however, the appearance of some of the screens and the position of certain command icons and menus differs due to the size of each device’s screen.

To exit out of the Moments or Collections thumbnail view, use the options displayed at the top-left corner of the screen. From the Years view, tap on a collection (within the main area of the screen) or tap on the Photos, Shared, or Albums icon that’s displayed along the bottom of the screen.

When viewing Moments, each group of photos that are shot at the same place and in the same time frame are automatically grouped together into an event.

As you’re viewing these events, tap on the associated Share button to quickly share all images in that event, or select and share specific images from it via AirDrop, Messages, or iCloud. Tap on the Select option at the top-right corner of the screen to choose one or more events or thumbnails. Once selected, tap either the Share or Trash icon in the top-left corner of the screen to manage those images.

On the iPhone (shown in Figure 8.13), the Share, Favorites, and Trash icons are displayed along the bottom of the screen, while on the iPad, these icons are grouped together near the top-right corner of the screen (with the Edit option).

Along the bottom-center of the screen are thumbnails for all the images stored in the album you’re currently accessing.

As you’re viewing a photo, tap on it to hide or show the Edit option, Share icon, Favorites icon, and Trash icon, which automatically appear and then disappear after a few seconds when you first open a photo. Tap on the Edit icon to reveal the Photo app’s image editing options (shown in Figure 8.14).

To exit the single-image view and return to the multi-image thumbnail view, tap anywhere on the screen to make the command icons appear, then tap on the left-pointing arrow-shaped icon displayed in the upper-left corner of the screen.

Tap on the Edit option to access the video trimming (editing) feature. Then to trim a video clip, look at the filmstrip display of the clip and move the left and/or right editing tabs accordingly to define the portion of the clip you want to edit and keep.

The box around the filmstrip display (representing the portion of the video you want to keep) turns yellow, and the Done option appears (shown in Figure 8.15). Before tapping on the Done option, tap on the Play icon to preview your newly edited (trimmed) video clip.

If it’s okay, tap on the Done option to save your changes. The Save As New Clip option appears. Tap on it. To gain access to a comprehensive and powerful set of video editing tools, download and install Apple’s iMovie app onto your mobile device.

When you tap on the More menu icon (after tapping on the Light option), another submenu with options for Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Brightness, Contrast, and Black Point is displayed (shown in Figure 8.18).

Tap on any of these options to reveal a separate slider you can use to manually adjust that option. Keep in mind that you can mix and match the use of these options to create truly customized visual effects.

Each of these tools (shown in Figure 8.19) has its own slider that you can manually adjust. Again, after making a change, be sure to tap on the Done option to save your edits. Alternatively, tap Cancel/Close to exit out of the selected editing tool without making any changes.

By tapping on the More menu icon after selecting the B&W editing tool, additional submenu options enable you to manually adjust the image’s Intensity, Neutrals, Tone, and Grain, which all relate directly to the black-and-white effect (shown in Figure 8.20).

After making a change, tap Done to save your edits or Cancel/Close to exit out of the selected editing tool without making any changes.

1. Launch the Photos app from the Home screen.

2. From the main View Images screen, tap on any thumbnail to view an image in full-screen mode. You might need to open an album first by tapping on the Album’s thumbnail if you have the Albums viewing option selected.

3. Tap on the full-screen version of the image to make the various command icons appear.

4. Tap on the Share icon.

5. From the Share menu, select the Print option.

6. When the Printer Options submenu appears, select your printer, determine how many copies of the print you’d like to create, choose the size of the desired print(s), and then tap on the Print icon.

The free KickSend app, for example, determines your current location and tells you which one-hour photo labs are in close proximity. You can then upload your photos to the desired lab directly from your iPhone or iPad, and within 30 to 60 minutes pick up your prints at the selected location. KickSend is easy to use, and works with participating Walgreen’s, CVS Pharmacy, Target, and Wal-Mart locations.

The free Shutterfly app also enables you to order prints directly from your iOS mobile device, plus it gives you the option to create custom photo gifts, such as coffee mugs, mouse pads, iPhone cases, T-shirts, and other products that showcase your images. Enlargements can also be ordered, as can canvas prints and other types of wall art that showcase your favorite photos.

You can optionally add text to the photos that are attached to the message. To add more images to the outgoing message, tap on the Camera icon. When you’re ready, tap the Send option to send the photos and message.

Select the Mail option from the Share menu and fill in the To field when prompted. If you want, edit the Subject field, and/or add text to the body of the email, and then tap the Send button.

When viewing a single image, tap on the Share icon, select Mail, fill in the To field, and edit the Subject. If you want, add text to the body of the message, and then tap the Send button.

It’s also possible to tweet photos from the official Twitter app or from a third-party Twitter-related app such as Twitterific (available from the App Store).

Next, tap the Location option to publish the location where the image was shot on Facebook along with the photo. Tap on the Audience option to decide who can view the image(s) on Facebook. Your options include Public, Friends, Friends Except Acquaintances, Only Me, Close Friends, or people within a specific Facebook group you’ve created.

To the left of the photo thumbnail, use the virtual keyboard to enter a caption for the image(s) you’re about to upload, and then tap the Post option (displayed at the top-right corner of the Facebook window) to publish the photos.

It’s also possible to use the official Flickr app to upload and manage your account from your iPhone or iPad.

You’ll also discover options for iCloud Photo Sharing and Notes displayed as part of the Share menu. To place photos online in a particular iCloud album that you want to share with other people, tap on the iCloud Photo Sharing option, and then fill in the prompts offered in the iCloud window that appears.

To export one or more photos from the Photos app and place them into the newly redesigned Notes app, tap on the Notes icon and then choose which existing note you want to place the photos into, or select the New Note option to create a new note in the Notes app from scratch that displays the exported photos.

1. From within the Photos app, select a single photo and view it in full-screen mode.

2. Tap on the image to make the command icons appear.

3. Tap on the Share icon.

4. Tap on the Copy icon. The photo is now stored in the virtual clipboard.

5. Launch a compatible app and then hold your finger down on the screen to use the Paste option and paste your photo from the clipboard into the active app.

From the Slideshow Options screen, choose to display the image on the iPhone (or iPad) or via Apple TV. Select your Transition effect from the menu, and decide whether you want music to accompany the presentation. By turning on the virtual switch associated with Play Music, you can choose music that’s stored in the Music app of your iOS mobile device. To begin the Slideshow, tap on the Start Slideshow option.

1. From within the Photos app, select a single photo and view it in full-screen mode.

2. Tap on the image to make the various command icons appear.

3. Tap on the Share icon.

4. Tap on the Assign to Contact option.

5. An All Contacts window is displayed. Scroll through the listing, or use the Search field to find the specific entry with which you want to associate the photo.

6. Tap on that person’s or company’s name from the All Contacts listing.

7. When the Choose Photo window opens, use your finger to move or scale the image. What you see in the box is what will be saved.

8. Tap on the Use icon to save the photo and link it to the selected contact.

9. When you launch Contacts and access that person’s entry, the photo you selected appears in the entry.

To select and delete multiple images at once as you’re looking at thumbnails, tap on the Select button. Tap on each thumbnail that represents an image you want to delete. A checkmark icon appears within each image thumbnail indicating that the image has been selected. Tap on the Trash icon to delete the selected images.

To turn on iCloud Photo Library on each of your iOS mobile devices, launch Settings, tap on the iCloud option, tap on the Photos option, and then turn on the virtual switch associated with the iCloud Photo Library option. Use the other options in this submenu to customize the iCloud Photo Library feature on the device you’re using.

Keep in mind that, based on how many digital photos are in your entire digital photo library, it might be necessary to upgrade your iCloud account and acquire additional online storage space (for a monthly fee). Refer to Chapter 5, “Use iCloud and the iCloud App from Your iPhone or iPad,” for more information about using iCloud.

When you turn on the Family Sharing feature within iCloud, the Family Album is automatically created. From within the Photos app, you can move images from the All Photos album (or another album) into the Family album, so they become viewable by participating family members.

Tap on the Add To option, and then tap on which album from the displayed listing you want to move the selected images to. For example, you can choose the Family album if you have iCloud Family Sharing activated.

To create a new album from scratch, scroll down in the Add To Album screen and tap on the New Album option. When prompted, type a title for the new Album and then tap the Save button.

Create as many separate albums as you need within the Photos app to properly group together and organize your images. As you create a new album, it syncs with iCloud Photo Library if you have this feature turned on.