Capture Camera Basics

Camera is one of the most popular iOS apps. Thanks to the ever-improving quality of iPhone and iPad cameras, many people have abandoned point-and-shoot cameras entirely, instead using their iOS devices to capture cherished moments.

Before you take a photo or video, let’s quickly review the icons on the main screen of the Camera app (Figure 54). Read more about most of these in Pick a Camera Mode, ahead.

**Figure 54:** Here’s a look at the Camera controls on an iPhone (the iPod touch is similar): **(A)** Filters, **(B)** Timer, **(C)** HDR, **(D)** Flash, **(E)** Viewfinder, **(F)** Camera Chooser, **(G)** Take Picture (shutter), and **(H)** Photo and Video Viewer. Camera on the iPad has similar controls, but a different layout.
Figure 54: Here’s a look at the Camera controls on an iPhone (the iPod touch is similar): (A) Filters, (B) Timer, (C) HDR, (D) Flash, (E) Viewfinder, (F) Camera Chooser, (G) Take Picture (shutter), and (H) Photo and Video Viewer. Camera on the iPad has similar controls, but a different layout.

Pick a Camera Mode

Before you press the round Take Picture button (G above), you’ll want to set up your shot. Start by picking a mode.

The mode is indicated by a yellow label next to the Take Picture button.

You switch between modes by swiping across the Viewfinder (vertically if your device is in landscape orientation, as shown above), or by tapping a label.

Here is a list of the Camera’s modes:

  • Time-Lapse: The camera snaps a series of images at dynamically selected intervals. It then combines the images into a time-lapse video (see Take a Time-Lapse Video).
  • Slo-mo: On supported devices, this mode records video at 120 frames per second or up to 240 fps on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 models—adjust this in Settings > Camera > Record Slo-mo. During playback, you can choose a snippet of this high-frame-rate video to be played in slow motion (at the normal rate of 30 fps).
  • Video: This mode lets you record video at 30 fps. On any iPhone 6 or iPhone 7 model, tap Settings > Camera > Record Video to switch to 60 fps (see Take a Video).
  • Photo: This mode takes standard rectangular photos.
  • Square: In this mode, the camera takes square, Instagram-friendly images.
  • Pano: The camera takes a continuous stream of photos as you move the device horizontally, and then it stitches those images together to create a super-wide image—ideal for capturing landscapes. Follow the onscreen instructions to capture the perfect panorama.

    To take a vertical panorama, hold the device in landscape orientation and move it up instead of to the side.

    Tap the white arrow to reverse the direction in which you move to capture the panorama.

In addition to shooting modes, the Camera app provides a number of options for taking and tweaking photos:

  • Flash: On devices with a rear flash, tap the Flash button to disable the flash, enable it for all photos, or let Camera make the decision for you, depending on lighting.
  • HDR: High-dynamic-range imaging, or HDR, is a way to capture more light in a photo by combining several photos into one. When HDR is enabled, Camera takes two photos with different exposures and merges them to produce, in theory, a better final image. Taking photos with HDR enabled will leave two pictures in the Photos app: one with HDR and one without.
  • Time delay: Tap the time delay button to set a 3- or 10-second timer—then tap the Take Picture button, get in position, and smile. Camera displays a countdown and flashes the camera flash to indicate how much time is left before the picture is taken. If your device takes Live Photos, and is set to do so, it takes only a single photo; otherwise, it takes a ten-shot burst, so you should always get a usable shot, even if you’re not ready in time.
  • Camera swap: Tap the camera swap button to toggle between the front and rear cameras. The rear camera takes higher quality photos, but the front one is best for selfies.
  • Filters: Tap the filters button (iPhone and iPod touch only) to see the effects you can apply to your photo as it is being taken. You see a preview of all filters on screen; swipe to see what’s available.

Snap a Photo

Taking a photo isn’t rocket surgery, but the Camera app has many subtle features you may miss:

  1. Choose a camera mode.
  2. Make sure you’ve set the options described above, like the flash.
  3. Tap an object in the viewfinder to focus on it. A square reticule appears, indicating where the camera is focusing. You can change the focus by tapping on another part of the viewfinder. Slide your finger up or down the screen to adjust exposure (Figure 55).

    To zoom, pinch in or out on the screen. A slider appears to show the zoom level; once visible, you can adjust it manually as well. On the iPad, there’s a slider to the side of the viewfinder that lets you adjust the zoom level.

    **Figure 55:** Tap the viewfinder to show the focus reticle, which tells the camera where to focus and lets you adjust exposure manually.
    Figure 55: Tap the viewfinder to show the focus reticle, which tells the camera where to focus and lets you adjust exposure manually.
  4. Take the photo: tap the Take Picture button or press either of your device’s volume buttons.

The Camera app saves your photo to the Photos app in Albums > Camera Roll (or Albums > All Photos if iCloud Photo Library is on). Burst-mode photos are collected under a single thumbnail; tap it, and then tap Select to see all photos in the series.

Take a Video

The iPhone’s video camera is no slouch—entire motion pictures have been shot with it! I don’t have the skill to help you win film festivals, but I can show you how to get started:

  1. Switch to Video mode.
  2. To begin recording, tap the record button or press either of your device’s volume buttons.

    A counter at the top of the screen lets you know how long you’ve been recording.

  3. Tap the stop button to stop recording.

Camera saves your video in the Photos app, in Albums > Videos.

Take a Slo-mo Video

A Slo-mo video is great for capturing actions scenes where you want to emphasize the action by slowing it down—like your kid swinging a baseball bat or going down a slide:

  1. Switch to Slo-mo mode.
  2. To begin recording, tap the record button or press either of your device’s volume buttons.

    A counter at the top of the screen lets you know how long you’ve been recording.

  3. Tap the stop button to stop recording.

Camera saves your video in the Photos app, in Albums > Slo-mo.

Camera automatically sets slow-motion points in the video. To adjust them, open the video, tap Edit, and adjust the drag handles (Figure 56).

**Figure 56:** Adjust the drag handles (circled in red) to change the placement of the slow-motion effect in the video. The slow-motion portion is denoted by the widely spaced white lines.
Figure 56: Adjust the drag handles (circled in red) to change the placement of the slow-motion effect in the video. The slow-motion portion is denoted by the widely spaced white lines.

Take a Time-Lapse Video

Time-lapse videos let you capture events that happen slowly—like cloud movements—and display them at regular speed. Here’s how to take them:

  1. Try to rest the device on a ledge or other solid base, or use a tripod.
  2. Switch to Time-Lapse mode and either tap the record button or press either of your device’s volume buttons, and hold the device still.
  3. Camera starts shooting and continues until your device runs out of space or battery, or you press the stop button.

The Camera app stitches the images together to make a time-lapse video and stores it in the Photos app, in Albums > Time-lapse.

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