iPhone Photo Tips and Techniques …

For many years DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras have produced high quality images, and recently the quality gap between DSLRs and smartphone cameras has narrowed. Cameras on some smartphones, most notably the iPhone 6, are on par with the quality of point and shoot cameras, but regardless of the camera equipment used, the most important factor in producing good photographs is the person behind the lens. The following seven tips and techniques may help you take better photos using the iPhone Camera app, but may also be applied to other apps and smartphones.  

1. Composition: To help create a well composed image, most camera apps feature grid lines that can be turned on or off. When turned on, two vertical and two horizontal lines appear on screen, dividing the screen into nine equal sections. Placing the primary subject along one of the lines, or at the intersection of two lines, results in a balanced and interesting shot. Use of the grid adheres to a fundamental principle of photographic composition, known as the Rule of Thirds (for a full explanation of the Rule of Thirds visit digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds). The grid lines can also help in positioning your image with relation to the horizon. The grid lines on the iPhone, which do not appear on the photograph, can be turned on and off in the Photos & Camera section of Settings. 
2. Light: It is said that photography is painting with light, and the best photographers use light to their advantage. Expose an image with too much light and it will be overexposed and look washed out; too little light and it will be underexposed and dark. An advantage of using a point and shoot camera over a smartphone camera is the ability to manually adjust exposure. Controlling exposure on a smartphone is limited, but still possible. On the iPhone, tapping an area on the screen will set the camera’s auto-focus and auto-exposure. Where you tap determines the focal point of the image; a yellow square appears around the focal point and a tiny sun icon appears to the right of the square — use your finger to move it up to make the image lighter or down to make it darker. Holding the spot on the screen for a few seconds will lock in the focal point and exposure, a handy feature if you plan to recompose the image.
3. Telephoto and Zoom: An additional advantage to a point and shoot camera is a built-in optical zoom lens. Controlling an optical zoom lens changes the focal point from wide angle (providing a wide viewing area) to telephoto (narrowing the viewing area and  bringing far away objects closer). The fixed focal length of the iPhone camera lens cannot be changed, but it does have the ability to apply a digital zoom, controlled by placing two fingers on the screen and pulling them apart. With a digital zoom, the image is cropped and the remaining portions of the image are made larger, resulting in some loss of image quality. It is possible to add third-party optical wide-angle and telephoto lenses to the iPhone, and an overview of lens options, and their pros and cons, are covered at the end of this column.
4. Using Flash: An iPhone flash only illuminates subjects up to six feet away, beyond which a flash is useless. A flash can also add red-eye and glare to an image, and thus should be used judiciously. The Camera app allows the user to turn the flash on, off, or set it to auto, applying the flash in all low light situations.
5. HDR: Activating HDR (High Dynamic Range) adds subtle improvements to the exposure and contrast of an image and can be used to produce richer outdoor images and low-light photos without a flash. With HDR selected, the iPhone takes three separate photos, each at a different exposure, and blends them into a single image. As with the flash, there are three states — on, off and auto. If you are hesitant about when to use HDR, leave it in auto mode. By default the iPhone saves both the HDR and the normally exposed photo, a feature that can be turned off in the Photo & Camera section of Settings.
6. Burst Mode: Burst mode is activated by continuously holding down the iPhone shutter button, capturing ten frames per second. To view photos taken in burst mode, click Select to scroll through all the images, choosing to save the one you like best (the iPhone suggests the best image with a small gray dot). Burst mode is especially useful in photographing moving objects — taking multiple photos in rapid succession improves the chances of getting an image without blur.
7. Shutter Button: The final tip is one that may make using the iPhone camera a bit easier. The iPhone shutter button is actually a virtual button represented by a large white circle on the screen. If using the virtual button feels awkward, you have the choice of either pressing the volume rocker button on the side of the phone, or attaching earbuds to the phone and clicking the volume control. All three methods achieve the same results, hopefully good quality photos.

Comparison of smartphone attachment lenses I researched. According to the manufacturers websites, they are all made with high quality glass, optics.:

• ExoLens — The ExoLenses, 3x telephoto and wide-angle, were developed specifically to work with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+. The lenses attach to a bracket which fits the phone. The reviews are pretty good, but most say there is some softness around the edges images. $130
• PROs — Made specifically for the iPhone; comes with tripod mount and lens caps; bracket is very sturdy, 3x telephoto instead of the standard 2x.
• CONs — Cannot use a case with the bracket; works better with tripod then handheld, some distortion and focus issues.
• iZZIGadget Remix 5-in-1 — The iZZiGadget is a lens system on a rotating spindle mounted on a case. There are actually four lenses, 2x telephoto, wide-angle, fisheye, and macro, as well as a polarizing lens. $130
• PROs — Lens rotate and all lenses are always available; case protects phone; case includes a tripod mount.
• CONs — Case cannot be used without lenses; Cannot use the native iPhone lens; distortion and focus issues.
• MomentLens Company — The moment lenses are the most expensive, with each lens costing $99. The lenses attach to a bayonet type mount on a plate that attaches to the phone. In June Moment is introducing a case that can replace the plate, and offers many other features. 
• PROs — Very sharp images, standard cases fit over the lens plate and can be used with the lenses, easy on / easy off.
• CONs — No lens caps (supposed to be available this summer; most expensive option.

Only one more issue of the TR Times for this season. Until next week, practice your iPhoneography.