The iPhone Lens

iPhone photography tips and tricks

  • How to resize iPhone photos the easy way

    Have you ever taken an awesome photo with your iPhone, but found out it was too big to share with your friends or too large to fit into your storage? Don’t worry, I’m here to help! 

    Resizing your iPhone photos is a great solution for these problems. You can save space on your phone, make it easier to share pictures, and even edit them in a more efficient way.

    In this guide, I’ll show you three simple methods to resize your iPhone photos without any hassle. I’ll walk you through using built-in iOS tools, third-party apps, and even resizing on a computer.

    By the end of this guide, you’ll be resizing your photos like a pro. You won’t have to worry about size limits or storage issues ever again. Let’s dive in and explore these three proven and accurate methods to resize your iPhone photos!

    Method 1: Use the Photos app on your iPhone

    Resizing a photo in the iPhone camera app

    The Photos app that comes pre-installed on your iPhone has a basic resizing feature. To use it, follow these steps:

    1. Open the Photos app and find the photo you want to resize.
    2. Tap the Edit button in the top right corner.
    3. Tap the Crop and Rotate button in the bottom left corner.
    4. Use the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the size of the photo.
    5. When you’re happy with the size, tap Done in the top right corner.

    Method 2: Use a third-party app

    Lightroom Mobile resizing iPhone photos

    There are a number of third-party apps that can resize iPhone photos. Some of these apps offer more features than the Photos app, such as the ability to batch resize photos or to resize photos to specific dimensions.

    One popular third-party app for resizing iPhone photos is called Image Size. Image Size is free to download and use, and it offers a variety of features, including the ability to resize photos to specific dimensions, to batch resize photos, and to convert photos to different formats.

    You might also want to try Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed.

    Method 3: Use a computer

    You can also resize iPhone photos on a computer. To do this, you’ll need to connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Once your iPhone is connected, open a photo editing program, such as Photoshop or GIMP (Lightroom is my favorite).

    In the photo editing program, open the photo that you want to resize. Once the photo is open, you can use the program’s resize tool to adjust the size of the photo. When you’re happy with the size, save the photo and disconnect your iPhone from your computer.

    Which photo resizing method should you use?

    The best method for resizing iPhone photos depends on your needs. If you just need to resize a few photos, the Photos app is a good option. If you need to resize a lot of photos or if you need more features, a third-party app is a better option. And if you need to resize photos on a computer, a photo editing program is the best option.

    No matter which method you choose, resizing iPhone photos is a quick and easy way to save space on your phone, make it easier to share pictures, and even edit them in a more efficient way.

  • How to Transfer iPhone Photos to Your Computer

    After taking hundreds or thousands of photos on your iPhone, you’ll eventually want to transfer those iPhone photos to your computer.

    While having the photos on hand is nice, there are times when you’ll need to move them to your computer. Transferring your images to your computer is important when you need to clear up space on your iPhone. Or want to edit your photos on a bigger screen.

    I’ll show you five different ways to transfer your iPhone photos to your computer. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so find the one that works best for you.

    Transfer iPhone Photos to Your Computer with iTunes

    If you’re a Mac user, you already have iTunes installed on your computer. iTunes is the best and easiest tool to manage your iPhone, including transferring photos.

    To transfer photos with iTunes, follow these steps:

    1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
    2. Open iTunes on your computer.
    3. Click on the iPhone icon in the top left corner of the iTunes window.
    4. Click on “Photos” in the left-hand menu.
    5. Check the box next to “Sync Photos.”
    6. Choose the folder where you want to save your photos.
    7. Click “Apply” to start the sync process.

    Transfer Photos with iCloud

    If you’d rather not to use iTunes, you can also transfer your photos using iCloud. If you have enough iCloud storage, you can keep gigabytes worth of photos online. Otherwise, you can download your pics from iCloud to your computer.

    To transfer photos with iCloud, follow these steps:

    1. On your iPhone, go to “Settings” > “iCloud” > “Photos.”
    2. Turn on “iCloud Photo Library.”
    3. Wait for your photos to upload to iCloud.
    4. On your computer, go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
    5. Click on “Photos” to access your iCloud photos.
    6. Select the photos you want to download to your computer.
    7. Click on the download icon to start the download process.

    Transfer iPhone Photos to Your Computer with AirDrop

    If you have a Mac computer and an iPhone running iOS 7 or later, you can use AirDrop to transfer your photos wirelessly. AirDrop allows you to transfer files between Apple devices without the need for cables or other equipment.

    While there’s no limit to the number of photos you can AirDrop at once, you’re going to be bottlenecked by WiFi speeds.

    To transfer photos with AirDrop, follow these steps:

    1. Make sure that AirDrop is enabled on both your iPhone and your Mac.
    2. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
    3. Select the photos you want to transfer.
    4. Tap on the “Share” button.
    5. Select “AirDrop” from the list of sharing options.
    6. Choose your Mac from the list of available devices.
    7. Accept the transfer on your Mac to complete the process.

    Transfer Photos with Third-Party Apps

    There are many third-party apps available that can help you transfer your iPhone photos to your computer. Some of the most popular options include Dropbox, Google Photos, and OneDrive.

    To transfer photos with a third-party app, follow these steps:

    1. Download and install the app on both your iPhone and your computer.
    2. Sign in to the app on both devices.
    3. Upload your photos to the app from your iPhone.
    4. Download the photos to your computer from the app.

    Using this method is fairly simple, but it will also be time consuming. You can also be limited by the storage you have on those third-party apps. The upside is that storage options on Dropbox and Google Photos are fairly cheap, and you have the benefit of having them as backup after you’ve downloaded photos to your computer.

    Transfer Photos with a USB Cable

    You can always transfer your photos using a USB cable and go through iTunes or treat your iPhone like a hard drive. It’s not as convenient as the other methods, but it is still a reliable way to transfer your photos.

    To transfer photos with a USB cable, follow these steps:

    1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
    2. Open the Photos app on your computer.
    3. Select the photos you want to transfer.
    4. Click on “Import” to start the transfer process.

    Transferring iPhone Photos to Your Computer Wrap-Up

    As you can see, there are dozens of ways to transfer your iPhone photos to your computer. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Whether you prefer to use iTunes, iCloud, AirDrop, third-party apps, or a USB cable, you can find a way to get your photos onto your PC or Mac fairly easily.

    By following this comprehensive guide, your photos will be safely backed up and easily accessible on your computer–and from there you can also transfer them onto an external hard drive.

    The more backups you have, the better. Say goodbye to storage limitations on your phone and hello to editing and organizing your photos on a larger screen. With these five methods, you can transfer your photos with ease and choose the one that works best for you.

  • First birthday photoshoot with your iPhone

    Celebrating a first birthday is a special moment that every parent wants to cherish forever. And with the iPhone, capturing those precious moments has become easier than ever. We’ll explore how to have a first birthday photoshoot using an iPhone and provide some tips and tricks to make your photos stand out.

    Get your iPhone ready

    Before you start taking photos, it’s important to ensure that your iPhone is ready for the job. You don’t want to miss the perfect shot because your battery died or you ran out of storage. Make sure your iPhone is fully charged and has enough space to store all the photos you’ll be taking.

    Because the iPhone, like most digital cameras, can shoot and store a lot of photos, I highly encourage you to shoot hundreds–if not thousands–of photos. It sounds daunting, but you’ll thank me later.

    It also doesn’t matter too much which model iPhone you have as long as it’s a model from the past five years.

    If you’re concerned about shaky hands, you may also want to consider using a tripod or stabilizer to keep your iPhone steady while you take photos.

    Setting the scene for your iPhone shoot

    The location you choose for the iPhone photoshoot is important for the look of your photos. Pick a location with good lighting and minimal distractions. 

    A room with natural light or a shaded outdoor space are both great options. You can also add some festive decorations and props to the space to make the scene cuter and more playful.

    You want to avoid bright and harsh lighting around the area where you’ll be shooting photos. Baby photos and first birthday photos shouldn’t have dramatic lighting. Instead, you want the photos to look soft and have soft lighting.

    If you’re looking for a more cohesive look, you can also consider using a backdrop or theme for the photoshoot. You should try to take candid photos as much as you do portraits in front of a backdrop. 

    Making and remembering these moments are just as important as having posed portraits in front of a backdrop.

    Capturing the big moments

    When it comes to capturing important moments, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to take the best photos possible. 

    First, make sure your iPhone is with you at all times. You wouldn’t want to set it down just to have your baby smash some cake all over his or her face and miss that moment!

    First birthday photoshoot with iPhone photography

    Take a variety of shots. Get up close with your iPhone and take photos of your baby’s expressions, but also take a step back and get more of the scene. Don’t be afraid to overshoot! You can always delete photos later, but you can’t go back and recreate moments.

    Use burst mode to capture fast movements and candid moments. This will help you capture those fleeting moments that happen in the blink of an eye.

    Experiment with different angles and perspectives. Get down on your baby’s level to capture the world from their perspective. You can also try shooting from above to get a different view of the scene.

    As a former mentor of mine used to always say, “High, low, close, far.”

    Get different perspectives and don’t shoot everything from the same height and distance.

    Edit and share your iPhone photos

    Once you’ve taken all the photos, it’s time to edit them and share them with friends and family. 

    You can use editing tools on your iPhone to enhance the photos, or download apps like Snapseed or Lightroom mobile. 

    Feel free to play with the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels to make your photos look even better. When it comes to editing or toning photos, there is no wrong or right – only what looks good to you.

    First birthday iPhone photo wrap-up

    Capturing a first birthday celebration is an important moment that every parent wants to remember forever. Hopefully with these tips and tricks, you can use your iPhone to take beautiful photos that you’ll cherish for years to come. So, don’t hesitate to take out your iPhone and start snapping away! And once you’re done taking hundreds of photos, here are some tips on how to transfer your iPhone photos to your computer.

     

  • What is the best iPhone for street photography?

    The best iPhone for street photography isn’t the iPhone 14, or the iPhone 13 Pro Max, or the iPhone 12…

    So, which iPhone is the best for street photography?

    It’s the one you have on you.

    iPhone street photography photo by Mauricia Arias.

    Photo courtesy of Mauricio Arias

    Without sounding too trite, it’s become a cliche now to say that “the best camera is the one you have on you,” but it’s absolutely true.

    This sentiment was originally made popular by Chase Jarvis.

    And in my 13 years of experience with street photography, both with an iPhone and my Fuji cameras, the best one really is the one you have on you. More often than not, you’ll have your iPhone with you more than your “real” camera.

    The Best iPhone for Street Photography is any iPhone

    Ever since the iPhone 3G/3GS models came out where you could adjust focus and exposure by touching the screen, Apple’s smartphone became a viable camera. It was no longer just a point-and-shoot.

    There are three things you want in a camera suited for street photography:

    • Small form factor
    • Quick to fire up and take a photo
    • Quick to focus and take burst shots

    Everything else, from straps to grips to fancy shutter buttons comes secondary.

    Life on the street happens fast, and photo-worthy moments fly by in an instant. You need to anticipate when a great photo is about to happen, and be ready for it with a fast performing camera.

    The iPhone camera is great for street photography because it opens quickly and can start shooting immediately.

    When you’re trying to work a sunset photo or street portrait, don’t stress too much about whether your iPhone is capable of producing a beautiful photo.

    If you have a model that was released some time in the last 6-7 years, you’re golden.

     

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