TECH SPEC 

Two iPhone Features most People Take for Granted

First, thanks to its compact design, the iPhone is always with you. And, second, its ability to capture extraordinary shots straight out of your pocket.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY: STEVE HOLLOWAY

Always having the iPhone with you solves the biggest problem a photographer can have, watching the perfect shot happen right in front of you and your camera is in the car or back at home. Ever since the iPhone 4 came out (my first smartphone), I’ve always had a camera with me.

The second “feature” is actually a group of features. Apple has done an outstanding job of integrating all the essential features needed to capture extraordinary shots straight out of your pocket. Focus, exposure control, low light photography, image stabilization, HDR (High Dynamic Range) image capture, Portrait Mode to control background blur and a three lens design that seamlessly take you from ultra wide angle to telephoto. Plus Live mode captures multiple images giving you options after the image is captured.

All controlled by Apple’s Bionic processor and their neural image processor Deep Fusion. According to Apple “Deep Fusion uses advanced machine learning to do pixel-by-pixel processing of photos, optimizing for texture, details and noise in every part of the photo.”

And all you had to do was look at the screen and press the shutter.

These are the default settings on your iPhone. Settings you can change to fit your visual style. Or, if the shot is happening NOW, you can go ahead and shoot and still get something extraordinary.

QUICK READ: REFLECTIONS

Sometimes the Most Interesting Subject is Right at Your Feet

The beach reflection image (above) was captured midafternoon at Rockport Beach. I spent 5-10 minutes looking down at the sand, watching the people walk by and the ocean water come in and recede. I started shooting when the elements came together capturing this reflection as the ocean receded. The water ripples held enough detail that you can see it’s two people while turning them into abstractions at the same time.

Shooting reflections creates some of my favorite images. Look for glass or water in a scene that it reflecting a subject and choose your angle of view to control where the image is distorted.

Captured on an iPhone 11 Pro Max with Beastgrip and Bluetooth shutter release.

• Shot on iPhone Toolbox [ Homepage ]
• Two Essential Skills [ Change How You Shoot ]
• Two iPhone Features People Take for Granted
• Toolbox How To Guides [ 27 Deep Dive Guides ]
• Translate your Skill Set into a Working Process
• IDEA FILE Shot on iPhone Gallery One
• IDEA FILE Road Portraits One
• IDEA FILE Road Portraits Two
• Digital Evolution
• From The Batman to Shooting on iPhone
• Making the Case For Shooting on iPhone
• Camera and Light Kit Ideas
• Copied on iPhone
• The Power of One Idea
• Becoming Proficient in Post Production
• Designing with Type
• Learning From Cinema
• How the Three Lenses on iPhone Work
• Here are My Influences [ Who are Yours? ]
• Steve Holloway [ Photographs ] Pre iPhone
• Steve Holloway [ Memoirs ]