The iPhone’s built in camera takes pretty decent photos… in fact, I never bothered to use a mobile phone camera until I bought my iPhone 3G. But it’s still a bare-bones camera with a tiny sensor and no flash, so taking acceptable nighttime photos can be challenging. Here are a few tips for improving your nighttime iPhone photos (which, realistically, apply to any camera):
1. Steady your posture
Getting sharp photos requires the camera to be held as still as possible. I doubt most people will be using their iPhone camera in conjunction with a tripod, so that means optimizing your posture to reduce camera shake. Stand firmly on the ground with your feet should-width apart. Hold the camera firmly with both hands, and tuck in your elbows close to your sides. If there is anything nearby that you can lean on, use it — light poles, walls, and benches work great.
2. Stabilize the iPhone camera
Look for any type of surface, such as a ledge or table, upon which you can stabilize your iPhone. These surfaces act like natural tripods, allowing you to hold the iPhone steadier than if you were just using your bare hands.
3. Keep the camera still throughout the exposure
Tap the shutter button softly and firmly — not so hard that you cause the iPhone to move. As the iPhone is exposing your photo, you will see an animation of aperture blades block out the screen. Do not move the camera at all during this time. Wait until the viewfinder comes back up, and you can once again see the scene on the iPhone screen. If you do move the iPhone during this time, you will increase the amount of blur present in your photo.
4. Take multiple exposures from slightly different angles
Sometimes the iPhone camera will try to capture too much light, and over-expose the photo. If this happens, your photo will appear too bright and the details will be very blurry. Tilt the camera to a few slightly different angles, and re-take the photo. By taking a few different shots, you increase the probability that one will come out sharp and well-exposed.
5. Instruct your subject to stay still
Since the iPhone camera does not have a flash, you cannot freeze motion in low light. If you are taking photos of people, you will need to instruct them to stay still.
Photo by iLounge.
