Three Easy Steps To Take Better Photos Of Your Kids (for iPhone users)
Cameras have the capacity to record incredible things. With the right equipment and know-how, we can capture a hummingbird in mid-flight or a comet blazing across the night sky. But the photos we care most about are usually a little more down to earth. And all you need to capture them, is the device that’s in your hand.
Many photo worthy memories happen outside of big life events i.e. birthdays, holidays, and graduations. Since most of us carry our phone daily, it’s usually the best tool for photographing these moments. Especially for parents wanting to capture their child’s “blink and you’ll miss them” moments.
Here are three tips to make the photos you take of your kids even better.
​
​
1. Portrait Mode
Most iPhone users are familiar with their camera’s Portrait mode. This feature allows users to create a more shallow depth of field, meaning the subject (your child) is in focus, while the background is blurred.
Lesser known, is the ability to change your camera’s aperture within Portrait mode. This allows the user to control the depth of field. Try it out by tapping the tiny cursive “f” in the top right corner of your screen. Once open, you can adjust the aperture to your liking with a slide of your finger.
Your camera will default to f 2.8, which is great for a picture with one or two people in the frame. Your subject will be in focus and the background blurred. But if you have a larger group or would like the background displayed more clearly in your shot, slide your finger to the right until you reach f 7 or greater. Using this tool will help you get the best of depth of field every time, giving your photos a more professional look.
​
2. Make Your Camera’s Zoom Work For You
When you open your iPhone camera and tap “Photo” you’ll see several zoom settings on the screen 0.5x and 1x. This allows you to choose the width of your camera angle. The 0.5 setting creates a very wide angle. It’s great for taking landscape photos or for getting everyone in the frame when you’re in a small space. But beware, it makes everything look wider, including your subject.
Pinching your screen allows you to zoom at even more intervals. However, not all of these levels preserve image quality. Your iPhone has multiple camera lenses. When you select to zoom at 0.5, 1x, 2x, 3x, or 5x your camera automatically changes to the assigned lens, producing the highest quality image. Any setting besides the ones listed above, utilizes digital zoom. This results in a lower quality, sometimes visibly grainy image.
The best way to zoom with your iPhone is usually with your feet :-) Set your zoom to 1x for a well proportioned photo, then move closer or father from your subject until you achieve the look you want.
3. Know When Picture Time Is Over
Imagine for a moment, you’re being followed by the paparazzi. Every store you visit, bite you eat, or outfit you wear, is being evaluated and photographed. Gross right?
Sometimes we forget our children are individuals who aren’t always in the mood to have their picture taken. So before your little one turns against you like a TMZ reporter, respect their limits. When we start stressing over getting the perfect shot, the fun is over. They will sense it and the carefree joy we were trying to capture will flee. When photo time becomes stressful, put down the phone and simply be with them. That’s what they will remember most.
​
​
Here's to making memories that last.
​
- Alan
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
