There are currently more than 112 million Instagram users worldwide. Clearly, if you want your photos to stand out, you’ll need to bring your A-game and post your best visual content. Here’s how to create stunning, Instagram-worthy photos that you’ll be proud to share.

Step 1. Find an Instagram-worthy subject or scene

Photography is an art form. Photographers use a combination of creative license, composition, and lighting techniques to create images that are uniquely their own. When creating photos for Instagram, think like an artist and look for subjects, locations, and backgrounds that will stand out.

Tip 1. Look for cool street art and murals

Colorful street art and edgy murals make for fun Instagram posts, especially when you can capture them from unique angles or creative perspectives. Use Instagram’s geotag feature to scout locations, or take your chances finding locations on your own. You’ll have the best luck finding cool street art in urban areas. Adding yourself or another person in your shot will give your scene a sense of scale and add interest, too. For inspiration, check out @streetart_official on Instagram.

Tip 2. Use industrial, historic, or whimsical buildings in your photos

Urban areas provide an array of Instagram-worthy content just waiting to be discovered. Get off the beaten path, and you’ll be rewarded with amazing historic backdrops, rust-encrusted decay, and whimsical architecture that will make your Instagram photos stand out. Try framing your shot from unusual perspectives such as ground level for a unique composition.

Tip 3. Instagram loves patterns and colors

Repeating patterns and vibrant colors will increase the wow factor on Instagram, making your photos pop and attracting lots of attention from across the platform. When it comes to capturing patterns, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Any repeating design that catches your eye is fair game. If something stands out to you as a photographer, there’s a good chance it will stand out to others as well.

Step 2. Tweak your iPhone Camera settings

Now that you’ve got some ideas for your setting and composition, let’s take a look at some of the camera and lighting settings that you can use to frame the best shot possible.

Tip 1. Use natural light, not a flash

Natural lighting works for any photo. Whether you’re shooting indoors or out, it’s best to utilize and embrace the light from the sun. The best time to shoot outdoors is during the first few hours after sunrise and before sunset. When capturing an indoor image, make use of natural light by shooting near bright windows. Avoid the built-in flash on your iPhone at all costs. It will make your images appear harsh, cold, and unnatural.

Tip 2. Portrait mode is your friend

One of the benefits of using a DSLR over a phone for photography is the shallow depth of field that your camera can capture, making the subject stand out from the background. Portrait mode on iPhone uses a similar method, allowing you to capture great details in your subject, as well as an attractively blurred background. Simply select Portrait mode on your iPhone, choose your lighting effect, frame your shot, and press the shutter. You can even adjust the depth of field after taking your photo.

Tip 3. Don’t use digital zoom

If you are fortunate enough to have an iPhone with multiple lenses, use them! The iPhone X, iPhone Xs, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max have a 2x optical zoom for creating high-quality shots at different ranges. The iPhone 11 models also include an ultra-wide lens for additional flexibility. iPhone 12 models come with wide and ultra-wide lenses.

If your camera doesn’t use multiple lenses, it may be tempting to use the digital zoom on in your Camera app. This will reduce the quality of your image and make it appear pixelated. Instead, physically move your phone to frame the shot the way you want it.

Step 3. Edit and retouch your Instagram photos

And finally, your Instagram-worthy photos will need a bit of editing and retouching before they’re ready for the big reveal. Here are a couple of tips to help you with easy image processing before sharing your favorites.

Tip 1. Develop a cohesive theme for your Instagram account

Have you ever looked at a photograph on Instagram and instantly known who it belonged to — before you even looked at the account name? Some of the most popular Instagram accounts combine beautiful photos into a recognizable theme or cohesive look.

A theme can be based on the subject matter, a certain color pallet, or a photography style. Choose a favorite filter to apply to all of your photos or create your own editing style. Take some time to explore your favorite Instagram accounts before settling on a theme of your own because once you’ve developed a theme, you really shouldn’t make drastic changes.

Tip 2. Choose a favorite photo editing app and stick with it

There are many awesome photo editing apps available, and it can be tempting to use them all. But do yourself a favor and choose one editing app that you can experiment with as you grow as a photographer. Not only will using a single app help you build a cohesive theme, but knowing an app inside out will drastically improve your editing skills and make your Instagram photos more professional.

Tip 3. Don’t overdo it with filters or photo editing

Using one or two dedicated filters — either through Instagram or a third-party app — will help bring your photos together into a unified and recognizable theme. But don’t overdo it! Photos that appear over-edited and unnatural will undermine your professionalism as a photographer. When in doubt, move that slider to the left for a more understated look.

When using native Instagram filters, choose your filter, tap it again, and move the slider until you’re happy with the results.

Ready to share your best work on Instagram? Follow our tips to produce photos that will keep your followers coming back for more.

The post How to take Instagram photos like a pro using just your iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

Milky Way photography on iPhone

By default, the small sensor on your iPhone camera won’t capture the night sky as accurately as a DSLR, but there are ways to produce beautiful images using third-party apps. While you can’t change your iPhone’s camera hardware, you can improve the software by using an app that lets you control your camera’s shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.

How to take photos of the Milky Way with Slow Shutter Cam

Slow Shutter Cam is a premium iPhone app that lets you capture an array of slow shutter speed effects previously only available on a DSLR. Slow Shutter Cam features unlimited shutter speed and ISO control, a real-time preview, and a Low Light mode for night sky photography. The app is available for $1.99 on the App Store. In addition to the Slow Shutter Cam app, you will also need a tripod to keep your iPhone still while shooting.

Star and star trail photography with your iPhone

So far, we haven’t discovered a free app for iPhone that successfully captures stars or star trails, but Slow Shutter Cam is an inexpensive option at $1.99. Another great app for photographing stars is NightCap, which is available on the App Store for $2.99.

How to take pictures of stars with NightCap

NightCap is another powerful app that specializes in low-light and night photography. Dedicated astronomy modes make it easy to capture the stars, the northern lights, and light trails. NightCap’s secret is to use stacking technology to take multiple photos and then combine them into one perfectly exposed shot, no matter how low the light. To take photos of stars with your iPhone using the following instructions, you will need the NightCap app, which is available for $2.99 on the App Store, and a tripod to mount your phone.

1. Download NightCap and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap the star icon at the bottom of your screen and choose Stars Mode. 
3. To enable light boost, which will increase how much light hits your camera’s sensor, tap the sun icon.
4. Tap the settings icon to set the exposure and noise reduction levels. Set ISO Boost to High.
5. Securely attach your iPhone to a tripod and frame your shot.
6. Press the shutter button. NightCap will use an automatic timer to minimize shake and will shoot for 15 seconds. The app will automatically utilize a timer to minimize shake and will shoot for about 10 seconds.
7. Your photo will be added to your photo library.

How to photograph star trails with Slow Shutter Cam

Once you’ve practiced a bit with night sky photography, you’ll be ready to experiment with photographing star trails. Capturing star trails requires that you leave your shutter open for at least 30 seconds. This is enough time to capture the movement of the stars — or, more accurately, the movement of the earth. Stars will appear as trails curving across the sky, making for an incredibly striking image.

Ready to give it a shot? Here’s how to photograph Star trails using Slow Shutter Cam.

1. Download Slow Shutter Cam and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap the settings icon to open the camera settings.
3. Set your Capture Mode to Light Trail, set Light Sensitivity to Full, and adjust Shutter Speed to 60 seconds. ISO can be set to Auto.
4. Tap the menu icon and add a self-timer set to 3 seconds to reduce camera shake.
5. Attach your iPhone to a tripod and frame your shot.
6. Tap the shutter button and wait for the camera to finish capturing the scene.
7. Choose Clear, Edit, or Save based on your preferences.

How to edit star trail photos with Lightroom for iOS

Adobe Lightroom is a mobile photo editing app that is free to download and use. There are several premium options available at different price points. If you use Adobe Lightroom for desktop, the premium plan for the app is included in your subscription.

Ready to try your hand at editing star trail photos? Here’s a simple method using the Lightroom app.

1. Download Adobe Lightroom and open it on your iPhone.
2. Upload a photo by tapping the blue pop-up menu featuring a photo with a + next to it.
3. Choose the star trail photo you want to edit.
4. Tap Light at the bottom of the screen.
5. Move the Exposure slider to the right to increase the brightness of your star trails.
6. Slide the Contrast to the right to increase the contrast between the star trails and the dark sky.
7. Move the Highlights slider to the right to increase the highlights in the star trails.
8. Tap Color.
9. Adjust the Temp and Tint sliders to make subtle or drastic changes to the colors of your star trails.
10. When you are happy with the results, tap the upload icon to save your edited star trail photo to your photo library.

Best tips for star photography

Like any photography technique, your Milky Way and star trail shots will improve with practice. Here are some pro tips to help you get there faster, no matter which iPhone you’re using:

1. Always use a tripod. In order to take long exposure shots, you need to keep your camera as still as possible. The best way to do this is with a tripod and a self-timer so you aren’t touching your phone when shooting.
2. Find the darkest sky possible. Light pollution can be a huge problem when trying to capture the night sky. The Dark Sky Finder app will help you find great spots for star watching and night sky photography.
3. Use a timer or a shutter release. When taking a picture, either set your self-timer on your phone or use a remote shutter release to eliminate camera shake.
4. Never use digital zoom. Newer iPhones include several lenses that change the focal length of your camera. These are great tools for finding the right composition. But do not use your iPhone’s digital zoom, which uses internal software to zoom in on a scene. This will drastically reduce the quality of your image.
5. Implement noise reduction. Low-light photography will almost always introduce noise into your images, making them appear grainy. You can reduce noise with Lightroom by tapping Detail and scrolling down to the Noise Reduction slider.
6. Don’t compete with the moon. When shooting stars and star trails, you want a clear night with a very dark sky. If the moon is high and bright, it will interfere with your photography of the stars. Want to capture the moon in your photos? We’ll cover that next.

Moon and night sky photography with an iPhone

iPhone 11 and newer models are equipped with a special Night Mode that can be used in conjunction with iPhone’s wide-angle and telephoto camera lenses. These lenses have large sensors that let in more light for crisp, clear night photography.

How to take better photos of the moon with Night Mode

Night Mode on the iPhone is designed to work automatically when the lighting conditions deem it necessary. To capture the moon, use a tripod to frame your shot and follow these instructions:

1. Open your iPhone’s Camera app.
2. In low-light settings, Night Mode will be enabled.
3. Tap the moon icon in the upper-left corner of your screen.
4. Use the slider to adjust the length of your exposure. One to two seconds is great for shooting the moon, but don’t be afraid to experiment.
5. Use the self-timer or a remote shutter to take your photo.

Ready to jump-start your night photography? Invest in a tripod and a few of the apps we’ve mentioned, and get ready to explore the fascinating world of iPhoneography after dark.

The post A stellar guide to night sky photography on iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

How the Ultra Wide camera works

The new Ultra Wide camera is just part of the comprehensive rear camera system on iPhone. The main camera is called the Wide lens. As you might suspect, the Ultra Wide lens allows you to take a wider picture without physically moving back from the subject of your photo. 

What iPhones have the Ultra Wide angle lens?

Since the Ultra Wide angle lens is still somewhat new, the list of iPhones that have it is somewhat short:

• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Mini
• iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone Pro Max

How wide is the Ultra Wide camera?

The Ultra Wide camera actually has a 120-degree field of view. Apple considers it to be .5x zoomed, while it labels the main camera, the Wide lens, to be 1x. 

How to switch between the Wide and the Ultra Wide lenses on iPhone

It’s really simple to switch back and forth between the Wide and Ultra Wide lens on your iPhone. In fact, it’s possible you’ve already switched to the Ultra Wide lens without even realizing it. Follow these steps to change from the Wide lens to the Ultra Wide lens on iPhone:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap .5 above the shutter.
3. Take your picture!

And that’s all there is to switching back and forth from the Wide to Ultra Wide angle lens. If, after you’ve seen what a picture can look like with Ultra Wide, you decide you want to go back to your main camera, just tap the 1.0 button above the shutter.

When to use your iPhone’s Ultra Wide lens

Not every situation is going to be ideal for the Ultra Wide lens. Typically it works best when you want to capture more within your picture. Here’s a short list of subjects that benefit from the wider camera on your iPhone:

• Landscapes: The Ultra Wide lens is great for capturing the magnitude of a landscape.
• Architecture: Like landscapes, large manmade structures are more easily captured with the wider lens, allowing you to fully appreciate buildings and all of their design characteristics.
• Small spaces: Because the Ultra Wide lens can photograph a greater area, it helps create the illusion that small spaces are bigger.

Tips for stunning wide-angle photography on iPhone

The key to shooting incredible wide-angle photography is knowing a lens’s weak points and understanding how to play to its strengths. Here are a few quick tips when using your Ultra Wide lens.

1. Clean up your edges

Because the Ultra Wide lens captures a 120-degree field of view, it causes some distortion around the edges of your picture. If you accidentally catch a streetlight or building at the side of your photo, it will probably appear bent or curved. It’s also easier to catch your finger or your shadow in frame. So, before you snap your photo, do yourself a favor and give your photo’s frame a careful look. 

2. Center your subject

Although an off-center picture can be a fun artistic choice, the Ultra Wide camera is a little less forgiving with off-center subjects. Since edges become distorted, the closer your subject is to the edge of your image frame, the more it, too, will be distorted. And the last thing you want is to ruin your picture with an unflatteringly distorted subject. Plus, keeping your subject framed in the center helps give the illusion that the space they’re in is that much bigger.

3. Look for lines

There are two reasons you’ll want to keep an eye out for lines in your Ultra Wide photos and ensure that they’re framed in the center. The first reason is that the edges can curve or distort straight lines. Fortunately, center-framing lines will help them stay straight and not look warped. The second reason is that when capturing a wide picture, lines are your friend; they can help draw the viewer’s eyes toward the center or the subject.

4. Avoid extra flare

When light hits the edge of your lens, it can create a spot of haze — or a lens flare — in your image. Sometimes, this can create a cool effect for your picture, especially when you’re shooting a sunset or leaves caught in the sunlight. But in most cases, a lens flare will be distracting and can make your photo look messy.

Since the Ultra Wide camera is obviously wider than the other cameras on your iPhone, it is more prone to lens flares. One solution is to simply use your hand or another object to block out the light hitting the sides of your lens.

5. Think about negative space

The use of negative space can be really impactful in your photos. But you might have to use it a little differently when you shoot with the dramatic perspective of the Ultra Wide camera. The important thing is to make sure your picture strikes a balance between an interesting subject and some negative space.

The Ultra Wide camera on iPhone can be incredibly useful when you’re taking pictures in a small room. But it’s also great at capturing the vastness of massive landscapes and giant skyscrapers. And hopefully, with the help of these tips, you’ll be able to take absolutely stunning Ultra Wide photos on your iPhone.

The post How to capture more of your scene with the Ultra Wide camera on iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

Getting started with Snapseed photo editing

Snapseed is incredibly simple to use once you learn the basics. The first step, of course, is to download the Snapseed app and open it on your iPhone. From there, you simply upload your photos and start experimenting. Here’s how to upload your first photo to Snapseed:

1. Open Snapseed and give the app permission to access your photos.
2. Tap the + to open your photo library within Snapseed.
3. Scroll through your photos and choose one to edit. The photo will open on your screen with an editing menu below.

Can Snapseed edit RAW photos?

Yes! Once you import your RAW photo file into your iPhone photo library, Snapseed can use all of its editing tools and filters on your photo. When you export your edited RAW file, it will be saved on your phone as a JPEG image.

Does Snapseed reduce image quality?

The default setting in Snapseed saves your photo at 95% of the original quality. To save your photo at 100% quality, follow these instructions:

1. With a photo open in the Snapseed editor, tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Format and Quality.
4. Tap 100%.
5. Use the back arrows to return to your editing.

Adjusting colors and light with Snapseed

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s take a look at some of Snapseed’s most powerful editing tools.

Tune Image

The Tune Image feature on Snapseed is where you’ll find all the basic photo editing tools. Find these tools by tapping Tools at the bottom of the screen and then selecting Tune Image. Each tool is adjusted by sliding your finger across the corresponding slider. Here are the adjustments you can make within the Tune Image workspace:

• Brightness: This increases or decreases the exposure of your photo.
• Contrast: Upping the contrast makes the darks darker and the lights lighter in your photo.
• Saturation: This makes all of the colors in your photo more vibrant or saturated.
• Ambiance: Ambiance is a combination of Saturation and Brightness.
• Highlights: You can increase or decrease the brightest parts of the image to make your photo pop.
• Shadows: Adjusting the amount of Shadows in your photo (the darkest areas of the image) can drastically change the mood.
• Warmth: Increasing the Warmth in your photo will add warm tones to your color palette, while decreasing the Warmth will add cool tones to your colors.

White Balance

Because most light sources have certain color temperatures, the camera doesn’t always accurately capture what your eye sees when taking a photo. This is why a photo of a snowy scene will often have a blue hue, and indoor photos will sometimes appear yellowish. Fortunately, this problem can be easily addressed by using the White Balance tool. Here’s how to use it to correct the colors in your photo:

1. Open the photo you want to adjust and tap Tools.
2. Tap White Balance.
3. For a one-step correction, tap AW. Snapseed will automatically correct the white balance in your photo.
4. For more control over the adjustments, tap the slider icon, which will allow you to adjust the temperature and color tint in your photo.
5. Finally, use the eyedropper icon to adjust the white balance based on an area of your photo that you want to match your colors to. When you tap the eyedropper, a circle with a pointer will appear on the screen.
6. Drag the eyedropper across your screen to find the perfect white balance for your photo. Tap the checkmark when you are happy with the results.

Tonal Contrast

Tonal Contrast is one of those really powerful editing tools that let you pinpoint areas to increase or decrease fine contrasts for a more polished look that will bring out the details in your photo. Three separate sliders allow you to add contrast to the highlights, shadows, or middle tones in your photo. Two additional sliders allow you to protect the details in either the highlights or shadows while making adjustments. The best way to use the Tonal Contrast tool is to experiment with it until you have the results you’re looking for. Here’s how to access it:

1. Upload a photo that you want to work on, then tap Tools.
2. Select Tonal Contrasts.
3. Tap the slider at the bottom of your screen.
4. Use the first three sliders to adjust the level of contrast in the Highlights, Mid Tones, and Low Tones.
5. Use the second two sliders to protect the details from being lost when the other contrast sliders are increased.
6. Tap the checkmark to save your edits.

Brush

The Brush is a Snapseed photo editing tool that allows you to selectively adjust a photo’s saturation, exposure, light/dark areas, and temperature by using your finger as a brush. To selectively edit small sections of your photo, use your fingers to zoom in to the area you want to work on:

1. Open the photo you want to edit and tap Tools.
2. Tap Brush.
3. Choose the type of brush you want to use (Dodge & Burn, Exposure, Temperature, or Saturation).
4. Use the arrows at the bottom of the screen to choose how dramatic you want your adjustments to be.
5. Zoom in on your photo and use your finger to paint your adjustments where you want them.
6. If, at any point, you want to fix your adjustments, tap the eyeball icon to show your brushstrokes and adjust the arrows until it says Eraser. You can now erase your mistakes using your finger.
7. Tap the checkmark when you’re finished with the tool.

Curves

The Curves tool is a more powerful version of the Tune Image sliders, allowing you to make detailed adjustments to emphasize colors, tones, highlights, and shadows in an image. Unlike the Tune Image sliders, the Curves tool lets you make tonal adjustments to the light or dark areas of a photo without impacting the areas you want to remain unchanged. Here’s how to use it to make your photo pop:

1. Open the photo that you want to edit and tap Tools.
2. Tap Curves.
3. At the bottom of the screen, you will see an array of presets that make it easy to adjust your photo.
4. To make manual adjustments, drag points on the diagonal line. The upper-right point represents your brightest highlights, and your bottom-left point represents your darkest shadow. Dragging the line upward will make that portion of your photo brighter, while dragging the line downward will make that portion of your photo darker.
5. To see what your photo looks like without the diagonal line across it, simply tap the eye.
6. When you’re happy with your results, tap the checkmark.

How to use Snapseed to fix composition

The composition tools in Snapseed can be used to make adjustments to the fundamental layout of your shot. Cropping is the most common composition adjustment, but with Snapseed, you can also rotate your image, make subtle changes to the perspective, and even expand the view. Let’s take a look at some of these editing tools and how to use them.

Crop

You’ve likely used crop tools with other apps, and the Snapseed version works the same way. You can set a predetermined perimeter size for your photo or drag the perimeter edges to form a custom size. Here’s how to use Snapseed’s Crop feature:

1. Open the photo you want to edit and tap Crop.
2. At the bottom of the screen, you will see predetermined ratios to choose from. To create your own size, tap Free.
3. If you choose one of the preset photo ratios, you can drag the edges to make your crop smaller and move the cropped area around to find the perfect composition. (If you’re using the Free tool, you will be able to drag the edges to make them smaller until you’re happy with the results.)
4. Tap the checkmark when you’re finished cropping.

Rotate

The Rotate tool is useful for fixing skewed horizon lines or straightening your composition. Here’s how to use Rotate to fix your photos:

1. Upload and open the photo that you want to edit.
2. Tap Tools.
3. Choose Rotate.
4. If the photo is obviously skewed based on lines within the composition, the Rotate tool will make an automatic adjustment, which you can tweak.
5. Slide your finger across the photo to adjust the angle.
6. Tap the checkmark.

Perspective

Snapseed’s Perspective tool allows you to adjust perspective issues and further straighten elements that couldn’t be corrected with the Rotate tool. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your photo in Snapseed and tap Tools.
2. Drag your finger across the photo in the direction you want to add your perspective distortion. (This takes some experimentation.)
3. Tap the dark square inside of a light square to change the edge healing. Tapping Smart will fill in the empty spaces with pixels from the surrounding photo. Tapping White or Black will leave the edges blank so they can be cropped out later.
4. Tap the checkmark when you are happy with the results.
5. If necessary, crop your image before saving.

Expand

The Expand feature allows you to expand the edges of your photo outward while filling in the frame with pixels from the surrounding scene. As you can imagine, this doesn’t work with every photo. The best candidates are photos with a strong pattern that won’t look odd after being expanded. Here’s how to use the Expand tool:

1. Open a photo and tap Tools.
2. Choose Expand.
3. Drag the edges that you want to expand outward. The area will be automatically filled in with the surrounding pixels.
4. Tap the checkmark.

Retouching your photo

In addition to the comprehensive editing tools we’ve already mentioned, Snapseed also provides powerful retouching tools that can remove imperfections, smooth skin, and even change the head pose of portraits.

Healing

The Healing tool allows you to easily remove unwanted elements from photos — whether it’s a fly on the wall, a facial blemish, or a rogue electrical cord. Because the Healing tool replaces your unwanted object with pixels from the surrounding scene, it works best when objects are located in uncluttered spaces. Here’s how to use the Healing tool in Snapseed:

1. Open the photo that you want to edit and tap Tools.
2. Tap Healing.
3. Use your fingers to zoom in on the area with the unwanted object.
4. Use your finger to tap on the object you want to remove.
5. If only part of the object disappears, tap again until the object is gone.
6. Use the back arrow if you are unhappy with the results and want to try again.
7. Zoom out and tap the checkmark.

Portrait

The Portrait tool is actually a whole suite of features you can use to retouch your selfies or portraits. When you open the Portrait tool, you will see several icons along the bottom of the screen. From right to left, they are Face Spotlight, Fine Tuning, and Portrait filters.

The Face Spotlight tool allows you to highlight your facial features using different tonal gradients. The Fine-Tuning tools consist of sliders that enable you to adjust the amount of Facial Spotlighting, Skin Smoothing, and Eye Clarity. Finally, use the filters to change the look of your portrait with the touch of a button.

Head Pose

Think of the Head Pose tool as the Perspective tool for portraits and selfies. It’s a great fix for making subtle adjustments to face shots. It works just like the Perspective tool, too. Simply tap Tools > Head Pose and then drag your finger across the face to change the direction your subject is facing.

The Fine-Tuning sliders can also be used within the Head Pose tool to adjust Pupil Size, Smile, and Focal Length.

Creative photo editing with Snapseed

Finally, let’s take a look at some of the more dramatic tools that will give your photos a bit of artistic flair.

Double Exposure

Double Exposure allows you to combine two shots into one. The controls within the Snapseed Double Exposure toolbox allow you to select a filter and adjust the opacity of that filter. To get the results you’re after, you may need to play around with combinations of different photos. Here’s how to use the Double Exposure tool:

1. Open the first photo that you want to use in your composition.
2. Tap the photo icon to add a second photo.
3. Now tap the filter icon, which gives you different blending combinations for your two photos. Experiment with the different effects until you are happy with the combination.
4. Select the water droplet icon to adjust the opacity until you like the results.
5. Tap the checkmark to complete your double exposure.

Lens Blur

One of the ways that portrait photographers draw attention to their subject is by using a shallow depth of field to blur the background. iPhone photographers can accomplish this with Portrait mode when taking a photo, but if you already have a photo that you’d like to blur, you can easily do it with Snapseed’s Lens Blur tool. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open a portrait in Snapseed and tap Tools.
2. Tap Lens Blur.
3. A circle will appear overtop of the face on your screen. (You can use your fingers to pinch the circle and make it bigger or smaller.)
4. The Fine-Tuning icon will pull up a menu where you can adjust the Blur Strength, Transition, and Vignette Strength.
5. Tap the checkmark.

Frames

Once you have finished all of the creative adjustments you want using Snapseed, the finishing touch is to add a frame to your photo.

1. Tap Tools, then select Frames.
2. Scroll through the frame menu at the bottom of the screen and choose one that fits your photo.
3. Use the slider to adjust the width of the frame.
4. Tap the checkmark when you are finished.

How to save an edited photo from Snapseed

After all of your experimenting, adjusting, and creating, it’s time to save your photos so you can share them with your friends and family. Here’s how to save all of your edited masterpieces to your phone:

1. When you’re finished editing your photo, tap Export. A pop-up screen will open with several menu options.
2. Tap Share to send a photo through text or email, or to share it directly onto a social media account.
3. Select Save to save the new photo to your iPhone. This will replace the original.
4. Select Save a Copy to save your edited photo alongside the original.

As you’ve probably learned through experimenting with the available editing tools in Snapseed, it is one of the most powerful, easiest to use editing apps available today. And the best part? Snapseed is 100% free to use. So take advantage of the Snapseed photo editing tools, and you’ll see how much they can do for your photos.

The post Snapseed photo editing tutorial: How to use the most powerful free editor appeared first on Backlight.

The best retouch apps for your iPhone

Looking for some new apps to add to your photo editing arsenal? The following retouch apps are indispensable for touching up your iPhone photos, whether they’re landscape shots, flat lays, or selfies. Many of these apps are free to use. Others can be purchased for a nominal fee. Here are our favorite photo retouch apps for iPhone, as well as instructions for using them to touch up your photos.

1. TouchRetouch: Best app for removing objects from a photo

Got a photo that would be amazing — if not for that background photo bomber, rogue seagull, or unsightly power line? There are numerous photo apps that can remove unwanted objects from an image, but the easiest to use is TouchRetouch. The TouchRetouch app has received more than 18,000 positive reviews on the App Store and is currently available for $1.99.

How to use TouchRetouch to remove objects from a photo

1. Download TouchRetouch and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap Albums to access your iPhone photo library and choose the photo you want to retouch.
3. Choose Object Removal from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
4. Select the Brush or Lasso tool to remove your unwanted object. (The most effective tool will depend on the object you want to remove. Experiment with both.)
5. If you are removing something small, use your fingers to pinch outward and zoom in on the object.
6. To use the Lasso tool, draw a line around the object you want to remove with your finger. When you remove your finger, the object will be highlighted in green.
7. To use the Brush tool, paint over the unwanted object with your finger. This will also be highlighted in green. You can make the brush smaller or larger by tapping Settings.
8. Tap Go to watch the object magically disappear. The highlighted area will be filled in with pixels duplicated from the surrounding area.
9. To save your photo, tap the share icon at the top of the screen and then choose Gallery.

2. Snapseed: Best app for changing a head pose

Snapseed is a popular editing app created by Google. It’s easy to use, even for beginners, and one of its coolest features is the ability to change the perspective of faces in portrait shots or selfies. It’s a subtle fix, but one that can really make your portraits stand out. Remember those shots that would be perfect if you were only looking a little to the left? Snapseed can fix them! Snapseed is available for free on the App Store.

Using Snapseed to change the head pose on a selfie or portrait

1. Download Snapseed and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap Open and choose a photo to edit.
3. Tap Tools and then scroll down and tap Head Pose. A smiling emoji surrounded by four arrows will appear on the screen.
4. Use your finger to slide the face in whatever direction you want it to point.
5. Tap the checkmark when you are done.
6. Tap Export to save your photo to your library.

3. AirBrush: Fun app for changing the shape of your body

AirBrush is a full-feature photo retouching app that includes many of the same features found in other apps along with some unique features you won’t find anywhere else. One such unique feature is the ability to use the reshaper to make your body slimmer, taller, and firmer in photos. AirBrush also has various filters, a skin smoother, and even digital makeup filters. The app is free to download, but premium features require in-app purchases.

How to create a slimmer shape using AirBrush

1. Download AirBrush and open it on your iPhone.
2. Choose a full-body portrait that you’d like to reshape.
3. Choose the Reshape tool.
4. Tap Light.
5. Zoom in on the area you want to reshape.
6. Use the circular tool with your finger to make fine adjustments to your shape.
7. Zoom out and tap the orange rectangle icon to see the before and after versions.
8. Use the back arrow if you need to redo any areas.
9. Tap the checkmark, followed by the share icon to save your retouched photo to your library.

4. Facetune2: Best app for smoothing your skin

Do you love taking selfies but aren’t always happy with the results? Facetune2 excels at retouching portraits and selfies and includes a skin smoothing tool, a teeth whitening tool, and even a face reshaper. You can up your selfie game with Facetune2 for just $5.99 a month.

How to use Facetune2 to retouch your next selfie

1. Download Facetune2 from the App Store and open it on your iPhone.
2. Choose a photo to edit from your library.
3. Tap Retouch.
4. For an overall smoother look, simply tap Auto.
5. If you want to do more retouching, choose an item from the bottom menu, then use the slider to adjust the intensity.
6. Tap the checkmark when you have finished editing.
7. Tap the share icon to save your edited photo to your library.

5. Photoshop Fix: Best app for healing imperfections in your photos

Photoshop Fix allows you to repair and refine imperfections in your image, change the shape of objects, and adjust shadows and highlights to certain parts of your image. Photoshop Fix is free to download and works seamlessly with other Adobe apps like Lightroom and Photoshop Express.

How to heal imperfections with Photoshop Fix

1. Download Photoshop Fix and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap the plus sign at the top of the screen to import a photo.
3. Tap Healing to open the workstation.
4. A pop-up menu will appear where you can adjust the size of your brush and the “hardness” of the effect. The last icon will allow you to see the areas you’ve already touched up by toggling it on or off.
5. Once you’ve chosen your brush size and hardness, zoom in on the area you want to work on by swiping out with your thumb and forefinger across the screen.
6. Use your finger to paint over the imperfection.
7. You can tap the back arrow at the top of the screen to go back to the previous edit.
8. When you are happy with the results, tap the upload icon to save your photo to your library.

6. Photoshop Express: Great fine-tuning app for photos

If you’re doing basic retouches on your photos — such as changing exposure, highlights, and saturation — or you need to sharpen details, your best bet is to use Photoshop Express. This is an all-in-one photo editor that is easy to learn and to master. Photoshop Express is free to download and use, but there are some premium features that require a monthly subscription fee of $4.99 per month.

How to use Photoshop Express to retouch your photo

1. Download Photoshop Express and open it on your iPhone.
2. Give the app permission to access your photos and choose the one you want to retouch.
3. Tap Adjustments from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
4. From here, you can choose from another menu that lets you fine-tune light, color, effects, and details.
5. Choose a menu item and use the slider to add more or less intensity to your photo.
6. When you’re finished retouching your photo, tap the share icon at the top of the screen and choose Camera Roll to save your photo.

Retouching your photos is an extra step, but it is arguably a necessary one for making the leap from good to amazing. These apps help you get there without much effort or expense. Worth it? Absolutely.

The post 6 photo retouch apps and how to use them for perfect photos appeared first on Backlight.

Making the subject stand out in a portrait is the most common reason to blur out parts of a photo. But blurring an image is also useful for making license plates unreadable or making faces unrecognizable. No matter what you want to use it for, blurring photos on your iPhone is a useful skill to keep in your back pocket.

How to blur the background of your photos on iPhone

When blurring parts of a photo on iPhone, you will most often be blurring the background while keeping the main subject in focus. Many iPhones make this easy to do through the use of Portrait mode, but even if you don’t have Portrait mode on your phone, there are other ways to create a gorgeously blurred background so your subject can really shine. Here are a few different ways to blur a photo background on iPhone.

Use iPhone Portrait mode

As previously mentioned, the easiest way to blur the background of your photo is by using iPhone’s Portrait mode, which is available on iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. If you have an iPhone XR or a 2020 iPhone SE, you can only use Portrait mode to blur the background when photographing people. Capturing pets and inanimate objects won’t work in Portrait mode.

Here’s how to blur the background of your photo using Portrait mode on iPhone:

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Portrait.
3. The default setting for portraits is Natural Light, but you can scroll through the different lighting options and tap on one before framing your shot.
4. Ensure that your subject is between two and eight feet from the camera lens.
5. Check your screen before pressing the shutter button. Your subject should be sharp and the background blurred.
6. Tap the shutter button to take a photo.

Shoot close to your subject

What if you have an iPhone model without Portrait mode? Can you still blur the background with your iPhone? Yes! Another option you can try is to simply move closer to your subject. Before pressing the shutter, hold your finger on your subject to switch on Auto Focus. The closer you are to your subject, the blurrier your background will be.

Blur the background using iPhone apps

If you now find yourself wishing that you’d used one of our first two suggestions to blur the background of your photo at the time you captured it, don’t worry. There are plenty of useful apps for editing photos after you’ve taken them. Here’s how to add blur to a photo after taking it using two tried-and-tested apps: Snapseed and Photoshop Express.

How to blur the background using Snapseed

1. Download Snapseed and open it on your iPhone.
2. Give permission for Snapseed to access your photos and tap anywhere to add a photo.
3. Tap Tools.
4. Scroll down and tap Lens Blur.
5. A circle will appear over your photo. Drag the circle across your photo to pinpoint the area you want to be blurry.
6. Pinch or widen your fingers across the screen to make the circle smaller or bigger, or to elongate it.
7. When you’re happy with the results, tap the checkmark in the lower corner.
8. Tap Export and choose Save to add the photo to your photo library.

How to blur a background with Photoshop Express

1. Download Photoshop Express and open it on your iPhone.
2. Choose a photo to edit.
3. Tap Adjustments and then scroll through the menu and tap Blur.
4. A circle will appear on the screen, which you can then drag over the top of your main subject.
5. Use the slider to increase or decrease the amount of blur, and use your fingers to make the circle smaller or bigger.
6. When you’re finished, tap the upload icon at the top of the screen to add the photo to your library.

How to blur parts of a picture on iPhone

Now let’s talk about other situations where you may need to blur part of a photo. Whether you’re blurring text, faces, or other elements of a snapshot, here’s how to do it using third-party apps.

Blur out part of a photo using Photo Un.blur

1. Download Photo Un.Blur and open it on your iPhone.
2. Choose a photo to work with and tap Blur.
3. Use your finger to paint the area of the photo that you want to blur.
4. You can also choose Filter to choose a blur effect with different intensities and patterns. After you choose the filter, tap Blur to paint on the new effect.
5. When you are finished, tap Share to save it to your photo library.

Blur out faces in iPhone photos with Blur Photo Effect Background

1. Download Blur Photo Effect Background and open it on your iPhone.
2. Under Editing Tools, tap Blur.
3. Choose the photo you want to edit from your photo library.
4. Crop if desired and tap Done.
5. Tap Effect to choose the type of blur you want to add. The free version lets you choose either a blur or motion effect. You can also use the slider to adjust the brightness and strength.
6. For a more detailed blur, use your pinched fingers to zoom in on your scene.
7. Use your finger to draw blurred lines to cover the part of the photo that you want to be blurred.
8. Tap Next to add a filter if desired.
9. Tap the upload icon to add your blurred photo to your photo library.

Knowing how to blur photos on your iPhone is a useful skill to have. Whether you use Portrait mode or a third-party app, the opportunities for creative experimentation are endless.

The post How to blur the background or parts of your photo on iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

How to use the iOS Shortcuts app

The Shortcuts app is a powerful and often underutilized tool. Here, you can download pre-configured shortcuts from the Gallery and from around the internet, or even create your own. But for the sake of this article, we’re focusing on the shortcuts available in the app’s Gallery.

How to add a new iPhone shortcut

You can add a new shortcut directly from the Shortcuts Gallery just by following these steps:

1. Open the Shortcuts app.
2. Tap Gallery.
3. Either use the search bar to look for a specific shortcut or browse through the categories.
4. Tap on the shortcut and choose Add Shortcut.

You’ll see and be able to use your new shortcut when you tap My Shortcuts at the bottom of the screen.

How to use an iOS shortcut

Using a shortcut couldn’t be any easier. You can trigger it with the press of a button or just by asking Siri to run it. There are three ways you can use a shortcut:

• Open the Shortcuts app and then tap the shortcut.
• Ask Siri to “Run [shortcut name].”
• Add the Shortcut widget the Today view. (From your Home screen, swipe all the way to the left, where you’ll be able to tap on your shortcuts.)

How to add iOS shortcuts to your Home screen

If you find yourself frequently using one or two shortcuts, you can always add them directly to your Home screen by following these steps:

1. Open the Shortcuts app and tap My Shortcuts.
2. Tap the ellipses next to the shortcut you want to add to your Home screen.
3. Tap Add to Home Screen > Add.

iPhone shortcuts you’ll love as a photographer

While shortcuts can help you use your iPhone more efficiently in general, the following are shortcuts that every iPhone photographer will love.

1. Share a Portrait Photo

You can take absolutely stunning pictures with Portrait mode on your iPhone, and this shortcut does exactly what its name promises. It shows you only your Portrait photos so you can quickly share them with other people.

2. Post Live Photo to Instagram

This shortcut converts your latest Live Photo to a video and automatically imports it to Instagram. So, all you have to do is write a caption and hit Post.

3. Convert Burst to GIF

If you’ve ever taken a photo burst with your iPhone camera and wished you could stitch it together into a GIF, then this is one shortcut you need to use. When you run it, you can choose from all of your photo bursts and then save the resulting GIF to your Camera Roll or share it.

4. Time Machine

The name of this shortcut is a little misleading. While it might sound like it’s related to Apple’s backup tool, this one actually shows you pictures from your past, making it a proverbial time machine. Anytime you run this shortcut, it will bring up all the pictures you took exactly one year prior.

5. Text Last Image

This shortcut may self-explanatory, but don’t underestimate its usefulness. When you run it, it adds the last picture you took to a text message, and all you need to do is address the text to someone. While it isn’t one of the flashier shortcuts — like converting photos to GIFs or posting to Instagram — remember that shortcuts are all about being smarter with how you use your iPhone. So, instead of going into your Photos app to share the pic, you can just say, “Siri, text last image.” Or, if you have this shortcut added to your Home screen, just tap the icon.

6. Upload Last Photo

If you don’t want to text your most recent picture but, rather, to share it online, you can use this shortcut to upload your photo to Dropbox and copy the link. You’re then free to email the Dropbox link or send it in a message on an app like Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp. (This shortcut does require that you have the Dropbox app downloaded on your phone.)

You can already do so much with your iPhone’s camera and the Photos app. But you can do even more when you pair them with the Shortcuts app. Hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of iOS shortcuts and inspired you to try a few of your own.

The post The 6 best iOS shortcuts for iPhone photography and videography appeared first on Backlight.

How to make a collage on iPhone for free

You don’t need to spend big bucks to create a simple photo collage. In fact, you probably already have the tools needed to create one — right on your phone. Both Google Photos and Layout by Instagram make it easy to create a photo collage on your iPhone.

Design your photo collage with Google Photos

1. If you don’t already have Google Photos, download it and open it on your iPhone.
2. From the Google Photos home page, tap Library at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap Utilities.
4. Scroll down to Create New and tap Collage.
5. A screen will appear with all the photos from your Google Photo library with instructions to select 2 to 9 photos for your collage. Tap the ones you want to include in your collage. A checkmark will appear on each photo you select.
6. After you have chosen your photos, tap Create.
7. Your collage will be generated automatically. From there, you can tap the upload icon to add it to your iPhone photo library.

Make a photo collage with Layout by Instagram

1. Download Layout by Instagram from the App Store and open it on your iPhone.
2. Your photos will appear on the screen. Simply tap the ones that you want to use in your collage.
3. Different collage options will appear at the top of the screen above your photos. Scroll through them and choose the layout you like best.
4. You will then be directed to the editing screen, where you can replace individual photos, flip photos, create a mirror image of a photo, or add a border. You can also use your thumb and finger to zoom in on specific photos.
5. When you’re happy with the results, tap Save.
6. From the icons at the bottom of the screen, choose to save your photo to Instagram, Facebook, or your Camera Roll.
7. Tap Done.

How to create a collage with a photo collage app for iPhone

If you want some extra features for making your collage stand out, you may want to try one of these more advanced collage-maker apps. Here are instructions for making photo collages using two of our favorite apps.

Make your collage using LiveCollage

1. Download LiveCollage from the App Store and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap Collage to begin creating.
3. Tap the + to choose a layout and quick-start your collage. (Any layout option with a pink crown in the corner requires a premium subscription.)
4. Once you have chosen a layout, you can tap the + to add photos to your collage.
5. Use the editing tools listed at the bottom of the screen to change the border, layout, and background.
6. When you’re happy with your results, tap the download icon to save your creation to your photo library.

Combine photos into a collage with Pic Stitch

1. Download Pic Stitch from the App Store and open it on your iPhone.
2. Choose your collage frame from either the classic layout or fancy layouts. Your collage frame will appear on the screen.
3. Tap the center of the frame to open your photo library and select your photos, and your photos will appear at the bottom of the screen.
4. Drag each photo to the position where you want it to appear in your collage.
5. The photo will pop up so that you can edit it with filters and/or text.
6. When you’re finished, tap Done, and your photo will appear in the collage.
7. Tap each photo to reposition it within the frame.
8. Change the aspect ratio of your collage by tapping Aspect.
9. When you’re finished, tap Export to save your photo to your Camera Roll.

How to make your photo collages stand out

Now that you have the basics down, here are a few tips to make your photo collages stand out from the masses.

Use a common color

You don’t want the photos within your collage to be so similar that viewers have to look twice to notice the difference, but using a common color throughout your photos will give your photo collage a cohesive look.

Try creating an abstract photo collage

There are lots of different ways to add a bit of an abstract look to your photo collage. With the apps covered in this guide, you can create wacky shapes and unusual borders. Or you can simply use the same photo multiple times within your collage. This photo was created using Layout from Instagram without any borders, producing what looks like one abstract image.

Photo collages are a fun and creative way to tell your story. If you’re looking for a new technique for displaying your photo collection, download one — or more — of the apps mentioned above, and get busy designing new and inspiring work to share on social media or with your friends.

The post How to make a photo collage on iPhone: Apps and ideas appeared first on Backlight.

Here’s what you need to know about the golden hour so that you can take advantage of warm, glowing light to create stunning photos.

What is the golden hour in photography?

The golden hour is the period just after the sun rises and before the sun sets. This is when you can expect a softer light with highlights of orange and red hues, as opposed to midday light, which can be harsh and unforgiving. Warm, golden-hour light is perfect for many different types of photography, including landscapes, cityscapes, macro photography, and portraits. 

When is the golden hour?

The golden hour isn’t exactly an hour — the timeframe for that beautiful light depends on your geographical location. The closer you live to the equator, the shorter your golden “hour” will be. If you want to take advantage of golden-hour lighting, schedule your photoshoots near sunrise or sunset with plenty of extra time to find a good location and set up your shot.

Golden hour calculator apps for iPhone

If you want to know exactly when to take advantage of the golden hour in your area, try an app. Free apps will work if you want a simple sun tracker that will help you choose the right time to go outside for a photoshoot. Premium versions of the apps below will add weather tracking, moon cycles, and accurate location tracking. Here are a few good ones that we recommend.

Alpenglow: Golden hour app that predicts the quality of the sunset

Alpenglow is a free app that gives you sunset and sunrise times and the golden-hour time frame but also predicts the quality of the sunset for your exact location for today and tomorrow. You can set notifications to alert you up to two hours before the golden hour so you never miss a shot. If you want to predict the reliability of visible sunrises and sunsets further in the future, you can purchase Alpenglow Pro.

Alpenglow on the App Store

Magic Hour: A free app for planning golden hour photoshoots

Magic Hour is a free app that pulls up the sun, moon, and weather information based on your iPhone’s GPS. All the information you need to plan your golden hour photography session can be accessed on a single screen that you can scroll through. 

The first thing you see when you open Magic Hour is a large countdown clock telling you how many hours and minutes remain until the golden hour begins. You can also see the position of the sun, the time the sun will set and rise, the current weather forecast, and the time of the moonrise and the moonset. 

The free version of Magic Hour gives you lots of information for your current location, but you won’t be able to look up information on other locations unless you pay for the premium version.

Magic Hour on the App Store

Solarwatch: A beautiful visual for predicting the golden hour

While Solarwatch provides the same information as the other apps mentioned here, it gets extra points for its beautiful graphics and its ability to predict temperature and weather patterns in your location. 

Solarwatch gives you information on sunrise and sunset times, civil and nautical twilight, and length of day for more accurate predictions. You can also change the location to view sunrise and sunset times for different parts of the world. Finally, Solarwatch allows you to view the shortest and longest days of the year for your location. The premium version of Solarwatch shows you the path of the sun and gives you the true sunrise and sunset based on your altitude and terrain. 

Solarwatch on the App Store

How the golden hour improves your iPhone photos

Using the golden hour is an easy way to take better photos without changing anything about your technique. All you have to do is adjust the time of day that you get outside with your camera. Here’s why the golden hour allows you to take better photos.

Shadows during golden hour are softer

Harsh shadows with distinct lines are common when the sun is high in the sky. If you don’t pay attention to these shadows when shooting, they can totally ruin your shot. During the golden hour, the shadows are softer and longer, and the contrast is less pronounced, allowing your camera to capture more depth and dimension in your photos

Blue light is filtered out

The atmosphere filters sunlight during the golden hour when the sun is lower in the sky. Hues of red and orange are highlighted, and harsher blue light is filtered out. This effect creates the warm glow that makes golden-hour photographs so inviting. 

Your photo will be more evenly exposed

As the sun sinks toward or rises above the horizon, the light becomes diffused with reduced intensity. In addition to softer contrasts, your photo will be blessed with shadows and highlights that are more evenly exposed. This magical effect will allow you to get by with very little editing.

Tips for golden hour photography

Are you ready to make the most of the golden hour to take better photos? Here are a few tips that will allow you to use that beautiful warm light to your advantage. 

1. Plan your golden hour photoshoot in advance

The golden hour may not be exactly an hour, but it certainly goes by fast when you’re taking photos. In preparation for your golden hour photoshoot, plan exactly where you’re going and what equipment you will be using. This way, you don’t waste valuable time trying to find the right spot or the right gear. Use one of the apps mentioned above to time your shoot, and be sure to arrive early to take in your scene and prepare without rushing.

2. Try lighting your subject from the side

When capturing a portrait or another strong focal subject, try positioning your camera so that the sun is hitting your subject from the side. This is one of the most striking golden hour positions for portraits because much of the subject’s face is washed in a warm glow, while part of the face is within a soft shadow. A similar effect can be achieved with architecture, trees, or other prominent landscape features.

3. Be prepared for cloudy days

Clouds will change the entire look of your photos. Sometimes clouds will further diffuse the light, making for some really interesting effects, but they can often block out the light entirely, making your golden hour photoshoot a total wash. Check the local weather report before planning your outing, and if the clouds don’t cooperate, simply modify your plan and hope for the best.

4. The morning golden hour is better for landscapes

Want to capture wild landscapes or nature scenes without crowds of people? Set your alarm for a morning golden hour photoshoot. Plenty of photographers venture out every day to capture the sunset, but far fewer are early risers. Head out with your camera during the early morning hours, while everyone else is still sleeping or getting ready for work. Morning lighting is especially effective when you are trying to capture a clean image without a lot of traffic or distractions.

5. Use a tripod when capturing the golden hour

Using a tripod during your photoshoot will ensure that your images are crisp and clear. Golden-hour light is always changing, and at some point during your photoshoot, you will be using your camera in low-light conditions. To avoid camera shake during this critical time frame, set your phone or camera up on a tripod and use a remote shutter to take your photos.

Are you ready to do a little “light stalking”? The more you prioritize the golden hour in photography, the more you will appreciate it, allowing you to use it to your advantage.

The post How to use the golden hour for stunning iPhone photography appeared first on Backlight.

Fortunately, it’s also easier than ever to print photos directly from your iPhone. Whether you want to print a couple of pictures to hang up around your place or have framed to give as gifts, you can do it all directly from your iPhone.

In this article, you’ll read about how to print photos from iPhone:

• Wirelessly with AirPrint
• Wirelessly without AirPrint
• Using a mini-printer
• With a third-party app

Before you start printing your iPhone photos

It doesn’t take long for the photo library on your iPhone to fill up with duplicates and similar-looking pictures, which makes it harder to find the exact picture you might want to print. Before you start printing the pics on your iPhone, use an app like Gemini Photos to quickly clean things up.

After you download Gemini Photos from the App Store, you can follow these steps to get rid of the pictures you don’t want:

1. Open the app on your iPhone and let it scan.
2. Tap on one of the categories (for example, Similar).
3. Your pictures will be organized by month. Tap on any of them.
4. Similar photos will be grouped together. Simply select the ones you want to delete and tap Move to Trash.
5. After you’ve moved all the pictures to the trash, tap Empty Trash.
6. Tap Delete.
7. Open the Photos App.
8. Tap Albums > Recently Deleted > Select > Delete All.

After you’ve deleted your similar pics, you can go back to Gemini Photos and scan through other categories like Duplicates, Screenshots, Notes, Blurred, and Videos.

1. Print from iPhone using your home printer

Most newer printers come with Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning you’re able to print wirelessly. In fact, there are two ways you can print wirelessly. If your printer supports Apple’s AirPrint, then you’re ready to go. Otherwise, it’s likely that your printer has an app you can download to print your photos.

How to print pictures from your iPhone using AirPrint

AirPrint is a feature that allows all Macs, iPhones, and iPads to connect to a printer and print wirelessly. But not every printer comes with AirPrint support enabled. If yours does, then all you have to do is follow these steps:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Select the photo you want to print and tap the share icon.
3. Scroll down and select Print.
4. Tap Select Printer.
5. Select your printer from the list.
6. Change the paper size, if needed, under Options.
7. Tap Print.

Why is my iPhone not connecting to my printer?

There are a couple of reasons why your iPhone may not be finding or connecting to your printer. Here are some of the common causes and how to fix them:

• Different Wi-Fi networks, or Wi-Fi is turned off. Verify that both devices are on the same wireless network and have Wi-Fi turned on.
• The printer is too far away. Try moving your printer closer to your Wi-Fi router.
• Your devices need a reboot. Restart your devices one at a time, starting with your Wi-Fi router, your printer, and then your iPhone.

How to print from iPhone without AirPrint

If your printer isn’t AirPrint-enabled but still has Wi-Fi connectivity, it likely has its own app you can use to print photos:

1. Download the printer’s app from the App Store.
2. Follow the on-screen steps to connect to your printer.
3. In the app, you should be able to view and select the photos you want to print.

Can I print from my iPhone with a USB cable?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to connect your iPhone to a printer with a USB cable. And that’s because connecting to your printer with a USB cable requires installing additional drivers or support software, which isn’t something iOS can do.

Of course, if your home printer only has a USB port, another option is to email the pictures to yourself and print them using your computer.

2. Print photos using a mini printer for iPhone

Mini-printers are perfect for printing iPhone photos because they’re small and portable enough that you can always have a photo printer with you. For the sake of this article, we’ll show you how to use the Canon Ivy Mobile Mini Photo Printer:

1. Download Canon Mini Print from the App Store.
2. Launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your printer.
3. Open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth to ensure that Bluetooth is turned on.
4. Tap Canon Mini Printer.
5. When your iPhone is connected to the Canon Mini Printer, go back to the Canon Mini Print app.
6. Tap the Printer icon on the main screen.
7. On the Choose Printer screen, tap Canon Mini Printer.
8. The printer icon will show up in the top-right corner once it’s connected.
9. Use the app to view and print pictures in your photo library.

3. Print pictures from your iPhone using a third-party app

If you don’t have a home or mini printer, don’t worry — affordable printing services are available at the tap of a button. Just download an app, and you can order prints of your pictures to be shipped directly to your home.

How to print pictures using FreePrints

FreePrints is an iPhone app that lets you print up to 85 4-by-6-inch pictures every month for free. There are no subscription plans. The only thing you have to pay for is shipping, which can be as cheap as $1.99. Download the FreePrints app, then follow these steps to order your prints:

1. Open the FreePrints app.
2. Select the pictures you want to be printed.
3. Tap Next > Continue.
4. Log in or create your FreePrints account.
5. After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish your order.

How to print your iPhone photos with Shutterfly

Another popular service that’s similar to FreePrints is Shutterfly. One of the great things about Shutterfly is that you can also order products like large-format prints, canvas prints, and even photo books in addition to standard photo sizes. Download Shutterfly from the App Store to get started:

1. Launch the Shutterfly app and sign in or create a Shutterfly account.
2. Tap Photos.
3. Allow access to your photo library.
4. Select the pictures you want to print. 
5. Tap Order Products.
6. Choose your print sizes and finish your order.

While your iPhone has a stunning display that can make all your photos look incredible, there are times when you may want to have them printed out. And, depending on your printer, you might already have everything you need to print your photos.

The post How to print your best photos from iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

If your selfie game is struggling, the good news is that you can easily fix it. Anyone can take a killer photo of themselves, so long as they have the right tools, poses, and camera settings in their back pocket. In this guide, we’ll go over important things like where to look, poses to try, and how to be more photogenic in your next selfie. 

How to find flattering selfie poses

The first thing you need to master when it comes to good selfies is the pose. There are a lot of good (and not so good) options out there, but the most important thing to look for is a pose that works for you. If you’re not comfortable striking it, then try something else. 

Where do I look when I take a selfie?

It goes without saying that you can pretty much look wherever you want. However, there is one tip that may result in a more flattering self-portrait. Instead of holding the camera directly in front of you and looking at it straight on — which can be a little awkward — try holding it slightly up and facing down towards your face. But don’t hold your phone too high. We’re not trying to recreate our early 2000s MySpace photos here. 

Holding the camera slightly up will force you to look slightly upwards. We find that this is generally a more flattering look. 

What are the best selfie angles?

The best angle for a selfie is the one that makes you feel most comfortable with your unique look. That said, the only way to figure that part out is to try a bunch of angles for yourself and see which ones you like. 

Here are a couple of selfie angles you can try: 

• Pointing your chin slightly down and looking up at the camera
• Turning your face slightly to one side
• Laying down and putting the camera directly above your face
• Looking straight on at the camera but slightly elevating the arm that’s holding your iPhone 
• Pointing the camera upward and looking down at it with your chin extended out slightly 

Selfie poses you should try

The second most pressing matter to get the hang of is selfie poses. Now, there are all sorts of different things you can do. 

Here are some interesting poses you’ll likely see while doing a quick scroll on Instagram: 

• iPhone directly in front of the face 
• Face cradled in one hand 
• Hand in hair
• Side angle 
• Hand blocking sun 
• Leaning against a window

If you’re in a pinch for selfie pose ideas, the absolute best thing you can do is scroll through the top posts section of the #selfie page on Instagram. There’s tons of inspiration there, so don’t be afraid to play around with your camera and experiment with different poses. You never know what you might come up with. 

How to get the best selfie light

Now that you’ve got your eye direction, angles, and poses down, it’s time we discussed the one thing that can make or break a selfie: good lighting. 

Tip 1: Take advantage of natural light when you can 

Good news: the most flattering and all-around best lighting you can find is totally free and accessible to pretty much everyone. Natural lighting should always be your first choice when taking a selfie. And while simply being outside in the sun will work, there are certain times of day where the light hits better. 

Coined by professional photographers as the “golden hour,” the sun’s natural lighting is often the best for photos during the hour right after the sun rises and the hour right before it sets. So if you have the privilege of scheduling your selfies, try having your photoshoot during that magical, 60-minute period. 

Tip 2: Face the source of your light

Whether you’re outside in the sunlight or using the lamp in your living room, in order to take the best kind of selfie, you need to be facing the source of the light. And if you can, try to position your face so that the light is toward your nose. 

This will not only keep the subject of the photo, you, in the brightest and most visible position, but it will also provide flattering shadows and highlights to your face. 

Tip 3: Keep your lighting at eye level

If you want the most flattering lighting for your face — outside of the sun’s golden hour — then you’ll want to keep your light source at eye level. When the light is hitting above your eyes, it can create dark circles, and lighting from below can cast strange, not-so-flattering shadows on your face. 

Tip 4: Choose a background with a flattering color

Despite the fact that you are the sole star of your selfie, it’s crucial that you don’t ignore the background of your photo. While the area behind you should obviously be clean and clear of any embarrassing objects, the color of your background matters as well.

It’s best to utilize soft colors like white, light pink, gray, or tan, as these will reflect the light from your chosen source back onto your face. If you have a strong, vibrant background like blue or green, it might reflect a color onto your face that you’re not a fan of. 

Tip 5: Try a clip-on light 

If the idea of setting up a DIY lighting kit feels like a little too much, you can always purchase a simple lighting tool to enhance your photos. With over 2,000 reviews and four and a half stars, the Auxiwa Clip-on Selfie Ring Light is one of the top-rated selfie lights on Amazon. 

It’s $19.99, comes with a rechargeable battery, and is, without a doubt, the easiest-to-use tool to level-up your selfie game. 

How to take a better selfie with iPhone features

Poses, lighting, and angles can only get you so far. When it comes to mastering the art of the selfie, the most important thing you can do is figure out how to make the camera you’re using work for you. 

Try the back camera

Even though the front-facing camera was pretty much made for selfies, the back-facing camera can take self-portraits just as well. In fact, on many earlier models (such as the iPhone X), the back camera has a higher resolution than the front camera, so using it might result in a better selfie. 

The only caveat with using your back-facing camera is that it’s hard to know if your face is positioned in the best spot and if you’re looking in the right direction. 

Thankfully, the app SelfieX can fix all of that. Available for free in the App Store with in-app purchases, this app uses voice instructions to guide you in taking the perfect selfie with your back-facing camera. It directs you to guide your face right, left, up or down, and also allows you to make quick edits after you’ve snapped the perfect selfie. 

Flip the image in Photos 

Because so many of us are used to only seeing ourselves in the mirror, where our reflections are flipped, you might find that you look a little different when you take a selfie. Luckily, there’s a quick way to fix this and get the reflection you’re accustomed to seeing. All you have to do is flip the image after you’ve taken it. 

Here’s how to flip an image: 

1. Open your Camera Roll. 
2. Navigate to the selfie you wish to flip. 
3. Tap Edit at the top-right of the screen. 
4. Next, tap the crop and flip tool at the bottom-right of the screen next to the Done option. 
5. Then press the horizontal flip button at the top-left of the screen. 
6. Press Done. 

Use Portrait mode

One of the best iPhone features you can use to take a high-quality, professional selfie is to use the Camera’s Portrait mode. Released back in 2016, Portrait mode is a setting on your camera that blurs the background and brings a single subject into focus. And when that subject is you, the photos turn out stunning. 

Here’s how to access Portrait mode: 

1. Open your Camera. 
2. Scroll left to Portrait mode.
3. Take your selfie. 

Portrait mode works on both the front-facing and back-facing cameras. However, only iPhone Plus 7 models and newer have this feature. It’s not available on older devices. 

Use iPhone Camera timer

The ultimate selfie secret, however, has nothing to do with a pose or an angle. The best way to take great selfies is to use your camera’s automatic timer. 

With options for a 3- or 10-second delay, you can back up just enough to keep that killer pose while losing the sometimes awkward selfie arm. 

As frustrating as they sometimes can be, selfies are a fun way to break up your feed and show off your personality. While these tips and tricks will hopefully make you more confident in front of the camera, remember, you can always add a filter. 

The post How to take the perfect selfie with your iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

Whether you want to download your own feed photos for safekeeping, save a picture you were tagged in by a friend or screenshot an image to share later, there are a couple of rules and regulations to keep in mind. 

Can you save Instagram pictures? 

At this time, Instagram only allows you to directly download your own images through an automatic save tool (which we’ll dive more into later). You don’t have the option to save or download other people’s posts or Stories. 

The reason there is no option to save photos from other accounts is to prevent copyright issues. If you’ve taken a photo or video and posted it on Instagram, you are the owner of that content. Therefore, you have the right to stop other people from using your content without your permission. 

If you do believe someone is using your content without your consent, Instagram has a form you can fill out to take action. 

Because of its strict copyright rules, Instagram recommends that if you do save another person’s photo and repost it on your account, you get that person’s permission first or at least give them credit for the content. 

Saving your own Instagram photos

The only time you don’t have to worry about infringing on copyright issues is when you save your own Instagram photos. Because you are the owner of the content, there’s no need to get special permission or consent from anyone else. 

How to automatically save all your Instagram photos

If you want to save your photos from Instagram, the good news is that you don’t have to go through and save them all one-by-one, as long as you have the Save Original Photos feature in your account turned on. 

Here’s how to automatically save all of your Instagram photos to your iPhone: 

1. Open Instagram. 
2. Navigate to your profile by pressing the icon of your profile picture at the bottom-right of the screen. 
3. Press the three horizontal lines at the top-right of the screen. 
4. Navigate to Settings > Account > Original Photos.
5. Press the toggle to turn it on or off. 

When this toggle is turned on, every photo you post will be automatically saved to your iPhone’s Camera Roll. 

How to download your Instagram Story photo

If you want to save the Instagram photos you’ve shared or posted to your Story, there’s a simple setting in your Story Controls to automatically save your images. 

Here’s how to turn it on: 

1. Open the Instagram app. 
2. Press your Story icon at the top-left of the screen. 
3. Tap the More button at the bottom-right of the screen. 
4. Then tap Story Settings. 
5. Scroll down until you see the Save to Camera Roll option. 
6. Toggle the feature on or off. 
7. Press Done. 

And voila! Your Instagram Story images will be automatically saved to your Camera Roll. If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to have that feature on, you’ll have to remember to do the following to save your images before they disappear from the 24-hour Story mark: 

1. Open the Instagram app. 
2. Press the Story icon at the top-left of the screen. 
3. Navigate to the photo you wish to save. 
4. Press the three dots at the bottom-right of the screen. 
5. Tap Save. 
6. Finally, tap Save Photo.

Following these steps will save a single photo to your iPhone’s Camera Roll. If you want to save all the photos and videos from your Story, you can select the Save Story option instead of Save Photo. Doing this will save your Story in a video format to your Camera Roll. 

How to save a photo from your Instagram Story Archive

Even if you’re not automatically saving Story photos to your iPhone’s Camera Roll, they’re automatically saved to your Instagram Story Archive — so long as you have that feature turned on. 

Here’s how to check if you’re saving your Stories to the Archive: 

1. Open the Instagram app. 
2. Navigate to your profile by pressing the icon of your profile picture at the bottom-right of the screen. 
3. Press the three horizontal lines at the top-right of the screen. 
4. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Story.
5. Press the Save to Archive toggle to turn this feature on or off. 

Once your photos and videos are automatically saved to your Story Archive, saving them to your iPhone Camera Roll is simple. Here’s how: 

1. Open the Instagram app. 
2. Navigate to your profile by pressing the icon of your profile picture at the bottom-right of the screen. 
3. Press Archive.
4. Press Archive at the top. 
5. Select Stories.
6. Navigate to the photo you want to download. 
7. Press on the photo. 
8. Next, press the three dots at the bottom-right of the screen. 
9. Finally, press Save Photo.

Doing this will save the photo directly to your Camera Roll. 

How to download all your Instagram photos

Since some of the processes for downloading your photos can be a little tedious, you may be toying with the idea of just downloading all of your Instagram photos at once — but is that even possible? 

Yes, but you can’t do it from the convenience of your iPhone. To download all of your Instagram data at once, you’ll need to migrate to your desktop. 

Here’s how to download all of your Instagram photos from your computer: 

1. Go to Instagram’s website. 
2. Log in with your username and password. 
3. Click the icon of your profile picture at the top-right of the screen to navigate to your profile. 
4. Next, click the gear icon next to the Edit Profile button. 
5. Then click Privacy and Security. 
6. Scroll down until you see the option Data Download. 
7. Click Request Download. 
8. Type in your email address if it isn’t already in the box. 
9. Click Next. 
10. Enter your Instagram password. 
11. Click Request Download. 

How long it takes to receive your download depends on how much data you have. The more data that’s linked to your account, the longer it will take to receive an email with all of your photos and videos. But once you have it, all you have to do is save it to your computer. 

Downloading other people’s Instagram photos

There are no legal issues to wade through when it comes to saving your own content, but what if you want to download a photo from someone else’s account? 

Remember, the golden rule of avoiding copyright infringement on Instagram is to ask the creator’s permission and give them credit if you repost elsewhere. Once you have that, there are two options for saving the photo to your Camera Roll.  

How to save an Instagram photo by taking a screenshot

The simplest way to save an Instagram photo from someone else’s account is to take a screenshot of it. When you screenshot anything on your iPhone, it’s automatically saved to your Camera Roll and your Screenshots folder. 

Here’s how to take a screenshot of someone else’s Instagram photo: 

1. Open the Instagram app. 
2. Navigate to the photo you wish to save. 
3. Scroll so that the entire photo is displayed within the screen. 
4. Press your iPhone’s volume up button and the side button at the same time. 
5. Press the thumbnail of the screenshot that appears at the bottom-left of the screen. 
6. Slide the sides of the image until you’ve cropped it down to just the photo itself. 
7. Press Done. 

How to download an Instagram photo using Inscopy 

Another option for downloading Instagram photos to your iPhone is to use a third-party app. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll show you how to save an Instagram photo with the app Inscopy.

Free and available in the App Store, Inscopy has over 2,000 reviews and four and a half stars. Using an interface similar to Instagram, it allows you to download photos and videos — both from Stories and your feed — directly to your Camera Roll. 

Here’s how to use it: 

1. Open the Inscopy app. 
2. Log in with your Instagram username and password. 
3. Navigate to the photo you wish to download by going through your liked photos or by using the search tool. 
4. Press the photo. 
5. Press the download arrow button at the bottom-right of the photo. 

Doing this will automatically download the photo to your Camera Roll. 

Whether you want to collect all of your favorite posts from other accounts on your iPhone or just learn how to save your Stories so you can reminisce forever, we hope this guide taught you all the tips and tricks for saving photos from Instagram. 

The post How do you save Instagram photos to an iPhone, and is it ok to do so? appeared first on Backlight.

Editing software, artistic filters, and retouching apps can help elevate any photo you capture. But there’s one simple, free tool that’s often overlooked in the Instagram photography community: the self-timer. 

Built directly into your iPhone, this simple feature can help you create stunning photos that will level up your profile and put your content in the same bracket as the pros. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about using your camera’s self-timer — no additional downloads required. 

How to set a timer on iPhone camera

Whether you’re jumping last-minute into a group photo or trying to capture the perfect picture of your outfit before heading out, the self-timer feature on your iPhone’s camera is a great tool to understand how to use. And the first step in doing that is to figure out how to set it up.

Here’s how to set up your iPhone camera’s self-timer: 

1. Open your Camera app. 
2. Press the clock button at the top of the screen. 
3. Select the timer option you wish to use. Your options are 3 seconds, 10 seconds, or to turn the camera off. 
4. Take your photo by pressing the release button at the bottom-center of the screen.

Following these simple steps will help you set up your self-timer for all of your future photos. It’s also good to note that the self-timer is available for both the front and rear cameras. 

Can I turn off burst mode when using the self-timer on iPhone?

The default setting for using the self-timer is for the camera to take photos in burst mode, which means that multiple photos are captured in quick succession. But you can turn off burst mode when using the self-timer on your iPhone.

Some people like having burst photos to choose from, and some people don’t. Either way, it’s useful to know how to turn burst mode on and off while using your self-timer. If you want to turn it off, you must turn on the Live photo option or Portrait mode.

Here’s how to turn on Live photos: 

1. Open your Camera app. 
2. Press the clock button at the top of the screen. 
3. Select the timer option you wish to use. 
4. Press the Live option button, which is located at the top of the screen next to the clock button, to turn it on or off. 
5. Take your photo. 

To turn on Portrait mode, just scroll to Portrait at the bottom of your screen and then take the photo like you normally would.

How you can improve your photos with iPhone camera timer

Now that you know the ins and outs of your iPhone camera’s self-timer, it’s time to learn how to use it to take incredible, professionally polished photos for your Instagram. While there are tons of tips and tricks out there, we’ve rounded up our favorites for you to try today. 

Take selfies without your arm in the frame

Perhaps one of the easiest and most effective ways to use your self-timer is to capture a classic selfie — without the classic selfie-arm. Thousands of photographers and Instagram influencers have mastered this art, and now it’s your turn. 

Ideally, you want to have something to set your camera up with. While you could lean it against a wall or some books, the best way to get self-portraits like a pro is to use a stand or tripod. The Lamicall Phone Stand is adjustable so you can capture your best angles, and the UBeesize 51″ Extendable Tripod Stand comes with a Bluetooth remote. 

Once you have your iPhone secure, do the following: 

1. Open the Camera app. 
2. Position your iPhone to face a neutral background and position yourself toward your light source.
3. Select the 10-second timer so you can give yourself enough time to get into position.  
4. Turn Live mode off so burst mode is activated and you get more photo options. 
5. Press the shutter button. 

There are tons of positions, angles, and poses you can experiment with to take creative self-portraits, so play around and have fun with it. 

Reduce blur in Night mode photos

If you’ve ever tried to take a photo in the dark, you know how difficult that can be. Blurry, shaky photos are often the result because there isn’t enough light to stabilize the frame, even with iPhone’s newest Night mode feature. 

However, your self-timer can help reduce the blur of your nighttime photoshoots because you won’t be holding the camera. Once again, so long as you have a way to secure your iPhone, your nighttime photos should come out just as crisp and clear as your daytime shots. 

Luckily, iPhone’s Night mode turns on automatically, so all you have to do is set up your iPhone, turn on your self-timer, and make sure to follow these other tips: 

• Only shoot still subjects. People or objects that are moving are already hard enough to capture during the day. At night, they’re even harder to capture and will likely result in a blurry image. 
• Reduce the exposure on your camera before you take a picture. To avoid that grainy overlay on your photos, tap the part of the image you want to remain dark and crisp. When the set focus box comes up, swipe down to make the area of the image darker.
• Choose a well-lit area. Night mode doesn’t work in the total pitch black. The best evening photos are taken in places that have at least one available source of light. Another good trick is to surround the well-lit area you’re placing your subject in with very dark negative space. 
• Shoot in black and white. If you have bright lights and dark shadows in your picture but not a lot of vibrant colors, shooting in black and white can make the image look clearer and more professional. 

Whether you’re capturing your entire extended family after a holiday meal or shooting a creative nighttime portrait, we hope these self-timer tips will help you upgrade and improve your iPhone photography skills. 

The post How iPhone camera timer can help you take better photos appeared first on Backlight.

What is double exposure?

In simplest terms, a double exposure is one image superimposed on top of another. One image is usually overlayed at a reduced opacity so that just a hint of one photo shows up. Double exposures are mainly used for creative endeavors, such as superimposing a creative landscape inside of a portrait. No matter what two photos you choose, you will usually need a base photo with the main subject and a neutral background, plus a layer photo with more intricate details.

Can you do double exposure on iPhone?

You can absolutely create stunning overlay pictures on your iPhone. All you need to do is download a photo editing app and start experimenting. We’ll go over the process using three different apps for creating your double exposure, but there are dozens of iPhone apps to choose from. The one you choose for your double exposure shots will largely depend on your budget and personal preferences, as the procedure differs slightly depending on the app you’re using.

How to superimpose photos on iPhone

The steps for creating your double exposure will vary from app to app, but in general,  you will need to take two photos (or find two photos, either stock or in your photo library). Before you begin the process, you should think about how you want your final photo to look. You can do a Google image search for double exposure or search the #doubleexposure hashtag on Instagram. 

How to create double exposure photos with Snapseed

Google Snapseed is a free photo editing app with tools that are intuitive and easy to use. Snapseed is a great app for photographers who are just beginning to experiment with superimposing images. Here’s how to create a double exposure using Snapseed:

1. Download Snapseed and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap anywhere to open a photo.
3. Select your first photo from your photo library.
4. Tap Tools at the bottom of the screen.
5. Scroll down and tap Double Exposure.
6. Your first photo will appear on the screen with an icon menu at the bottom. Tap the photo icon with the plus sign in the corner and choose your second photo.
7. From here, you can use a variety of editing tools to adjust your image. 
8. When you are finished, tap the checkmark. 
9. Tap Export and then Save to save your finished image to your photo library.

How to do photo overlays in Photoshop Express

Photoshop Express is a robust photo editing tool created by Adobe. The overlay feature in Photoshop Express allows you to use a selection of predesigned overlays and superimpose them over your images. The current overlays in Photoshop Express include a variety of light-leaks, bokeh, grunge effects, raindrops, wallpapers, and patterns. 

You currently can’t superimpose one of your own images over another using Photoshop Express. Here’s how to create double exposures using overlays in Photoshop Express: 

1. Download Photoshop Express and open it on your iPhone.
2. Choose a photo to edit. The dropdown menu at the top of the screen will allow you to choose photos from your photo library, Facebook, Google Photos, or Dropbox.
3. Tap the overlays icon, which looks like two connected circles.
4. Scroll through the overlay options at the bottom of the screen. If you click on a theme, you will open up a menu of even more options to choose from.
5. Select your overlay and then use the slider to adjust the opacity.
6. When your design is completed, tap the share icon and save it to your Camera Roll.

How to superimpose photos using Enlight 

Enlight Photofox is another comprehensive photo editing app with a lot of great tools you can experiment with, including a really fun double exposure tool. You can download Photofox for free, but if you want to save your images, you will have to purchase a subscription, which is $7.99 per month or $35.99 per year. Here’s how to create awesome image overlays using Enlight Photofox:

1. Download Photofox and open it on your iPhone.
2. The home screen is the QuickArt section, where you can choose from a variety of easy-to-use effects. Scroll through the selections and choose Double Exposure. 
3. Choose a photo with a strong focal point or main subject for your double exposure and tap Start Now.
4. The main subject of your photo will appear with a stock image superimposed inside the silhouette. You can move the position of the overlay by tapping and using your finger to reposition it. 
5. To change the overlay image, tap Overlay, and then choose a new image.
6. When you’re happy with your edit, tap the share icon to save your photo or share it on social media.

Creating double exposures from two images opens up a whole new world of photo editing and is a way to be creative with photos you’ve already taken. Use the apps mentioned above to get started creating your photo masterpiece.

The post How to make creative double exposure photos on iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

Contrary to popular belief, photo editing apps aren’t just for Instagram influencers and professional photographers. Everybody who enjoys snapping photos can use and enjoy a photo editor. The best apps can make your photos more colorful, artistic, and stylized — or they can simply help you erase that rogue photo bomber.

The best photo editing apps for your iPhone photos 

Your choice of iPhone photo editor app will depend on a few factors. What do you like to take photos of? Where do you share your photos? Do you want to invest in a professional photo editing app or just play around with a free one? 

It’s okay if you can’t decide on the perfect editor just yet. Our list of the best editing apps for iPhone will help you choose one that’s perfect for you:

1. Enlight Photofox
2. Snapseed
3. TouchRetouch
4. VSCO 
5. Adobe Lightroom
6. Afterlight 2
7. Darkroom
8. Adobe Photoshop Express

1. Enlight Photofox: Best photo editing app for artistic creations

Enlight Photofox is a professional-level editing app with a free and premium version. We’ve found several free editing apps that outperform the free Photofox app, but if you’re willing to pay for a premium subscription, you will find a wealth of tools, including the ability to combine multiple layers, make tonal adjustments, and target small areas to make adjustments to. 

A robust set of tutorials makes it easy to learn new features, and artistic filters work to add unique elements to your photos. Enlight Photofox probably isn’t the best photo editing app for beginners, but it’s perfect for hobbyists who already have some editing hours under their belt. 

Enlight Photofox on the App Store

2. Snapseed: Best free photo editing app for iPhone

Google Snapseed came onto the photo editing scene in 2011 and has a dedicated following of novice and professional photographers alike. 

While Snapseed does make use of some powerful manual editing tools, its most popular features are its filters and enhancement tools, which allow users to quickly transform photos with the swipe of a finger. Users can also access their complete editing history with Snapseed, making it easy to tweak adjustments at any stage of the editing process. If you choose one free photo editing app for your iPhone, Snapseed is our recommendation.

Snapseed on the App Store

3. TouchRetouch: Best photo editor for removing objects

It doesn’t take much to ruin an awesome photo. Anything from power lines and low-flying birds to a misplaced thumb or a group of strangers can wreak havoc on an otherwise awesome composition. The good news is that unsightly objects can easily be removed with TouchRetouch. 

TouchRetouch’s object removal tool lets you choose from a brush or lasso to remove unwanted objects with exact precision. This is a photo editing app that should be in every iPhone photographer’s toolkit, and at $1.99, it’s a great deal.

TouchRetouch on the App Store

4. VSCO: Best iPhone editor for unique filters

VSCO is an extremely popular editing tool that is best known for its array of film-style presets. Several VSCO presets are available with the free version, which will at least give you a chance to try them out and get used to the interface. If you choose to sign up for VSCO’s premium subscription, you’ll gain access to more than 200 filters. 

Basic image adjustments can be made in combination with presets, and the VSCO social media platform is a great place to share your VSCO edits with followers and friends. 

VSCO on the App Store

5. Adobe Lightroom: Best iPhone photo editor for workflow with a Mac

If you already use Adobe Lightroom on your Mac, then using the Lightroom app will make your workflow seamless. The app gives you access to all of your photos stored in Creative Cloud and allows you to share presets and workflow between your phone and computer for editing on the go. 

The Lightroom photo editor for iPhone has a more streamlined interface than the desktop version, and using it in conjunction with Lightroom Creative Cloud gives you lots of flexibility that you can enjoy from just about anywhere. 

Adobe Lightroom on the App Store

6. Afterlight 2: Great editor for creating your own filters

If you’re looking for a powerful photo editing app with a simple interface, check out Afterlight 2. Many preset filters are included in the Afterlight app. But one of the most awesome features is being able to create your own. Not only does creating your own filters cut down on editing times, but it’s also a great way to create a cohesive theme across your social media channels. 

Afterlight 2 on the App Store

7. Darkroom: A must-have app for professional iPhone photographers

Using Darkroom is like having a professional editing tool in your pocket, with the ability to add beautiful filters, fine-tune images, and make minor or major adjustments to your photos before sharing on social media or exporting your image to your iCloud library. 

The app can edit RAW files or JPEGs with ease, and instead of forcing you to manually import images for editing, Darkroom integrates with your iCloud library for ease of use. Darkroom also allows you to batch-edit multiple photos at once, which is a huge plus for busy photographers.

Darkroom on the App Store

8. Adobe Photoshop Express: Best iPhone photo editor for quick edits

If you’re editing a lot of photos on your phone, one of the best available tools is Adobe Photoshop Express. This is a complete photo editing app for iPhone, making quick work of cropping, fine-tuning, and even blending photos with textures and overlays. 

You can also use Photoshop Express to add frames and text or create custom collages. It’s especially useful for people who are already familiar with Adobe’s photo editing products, as the interface is similar to Lightroom and Photoshop. 

Photoshop Express on the App Store

If you take most or all of your photos with your iPhone, then a great editing app is a necessity. The photo editing apps mentioned above are the best of the best. They are free or inexpensive to use and will make your best photos even better.

The post The 8 best photo editor apps for perfect iPhone photos appeared first on Backlight.

Understanding watermarks 

A watermark is designed to do a few things. First and foremost, it can make your images harder to steal or less desirable for thieves. Watermarks are also useful for promoting your work by branding your photo with a logo that is easily recognized as your own. 

Believe it or not, watermarks are pretty controversial in the world of photography, with some photographers believing that they are incredibly useful and others considering them to be a waste of time and a distraction from the photo itself.

What is a watermark in photography?

A watermark is a logo or text that is superimposed over an image. When designed and added correctly, a watermark should be nearly transparent and shouldn’t interfere with the composition. Watermarks are easy to apply to your photos digitally, but careful consideration should be made to ensure that the watermark isn’t too large and doesn’t distract from the overall image.

Does a watermark copyright-protect your photos?

The minute you create a photo, your work is copyrighted, whether it is watermarked or not. A watermark may deter thieves from using your work, but if your photo is posted online and someone wants to use it without permission, it’s pretty easy to do, with or without a watermark. 

Why you should watermark your pictures

Now for the controversial stuff. If you’re thinking about watermarking your photos, you owe it to yourself to read through the pros and cons before deciding. There are some compelling reasons to use a watermark on your photos, and for many photographers, it is worth the extra time to add them. Here are some reasons why adding a watermark to a photo makes sense.

You want to build brand recognition

When done correctly, watermarking your photos is a good way to build your brand. Your followers and clients will begin to recognize your watermark as your own, and when your work is shared, you may gain recognition because viewers will know exactly who took the photo. For some photographers, using a watermark is how they sign their artwork.

You want to discourage theft of your photos

Despite the fact that anyone who really wants to steal your photos will do so with or without a watermark, you may still want to add one to at least make the process a bit more difficult. Basically, this means that honest folk and lazy thieves will leave your work alone. On the plus side, pirates who do choose to use work with your watermark attached will give you some free marketing before you ask them to take down your photo. 

You don’t want paying clients to print their own photos from your digital proofs

If you are a professional photographer who sends clients digital proofs of photos, a watermark will discourage them from having the photos printed themselves. In this case, you’ll want your watermark to be prominent across the photo without distracting the viewer from the main subject. 

Why you shouldn’t watermark your images

There are just as many reasons why you shouldn’t watermark your photos. Here are the most compelling reasons to stay away from watermarks.

A watermark will detract from your photo

As a photographer, you spend a lot of time planning and executing the perfect composition, and even the most unobtrusive watermark will distract viewers. 

A watermark only keeps honest people honest

If someone wants to steal your photo and use it for their own purposes, they will either use it with the watermark or remove the watermark through the use of various editing tools. In other words, watermarks may discourage theft, but they definitely won’t prevent it.

A watermark may appear unprofessional

I’m sure there are plenty of lovely watermarks out there, but the majority are too large, too colorful, and positioned in a way that makes them look unprofessional. A badly designed or poorly placed watermark will make even the best photos look tacky. Producing beautiful photographs is the best way to earn your reputation as a professional.

Using watermarks

If you’ve read through the pros and cons of watermarking and still want to use one on your photos, use the following guidelines to ensure that your watermark is professional and unobtrusive:

• Your watermark should be simple and easy to read.
• Place your watermark in a spot where it won’t be a distraction.
• A monochromatic watermark — black, white, or gray — will get the job done without being too loud.
• Make your watermark transparent (but still opaque enough to see).

How to add a watermark to a photo on iPhone

There are numerous ways to add a watermark to your photos, from the most simple text option to fancy logos. Because we are advocating simple and unobtrusive watermarks, we’ll go over how to add a text watermark in the Lightroom app on your iPhone or another mobile device. 

Lightroom is free to download to use, but there are some premium features that require a monthly fee to access. Here’s how to add a watermark to your photos using the Lightroom mobile app:

1. Download Lightroom and open it on your iPhone.
2. Tap the settings icon in the upper-right corner. 
3. Tap Watermarking.
4. In the text box, type the text that you want to use for the watermark.
5. Tap anywhere on the photo example to move the watermark on your photo.
6. Use the sliders at the bottom of the screen to make your text bigger or smaller and to make your watermark more or less opaque.
7. To use your watermark in a photo, tap the share icon when you’re ready with your edits.
8. Tap Export as > More Options > Include Watermark.

How to bulk-watermark your photos using the Watermark Photo app

With the Lightroom mobile app, you can set up a watermark so that it appears on all of the photos you export and share, so you shouldn’t need to watermark your photos in bulk. If you do want to bulk-watermark your photos, you can use the Watermark Photo app. The basic version is free to use, but the premium version has extra graphic design features and removes the app’s own watermark for $39.99 per year. Here’s how to bulk-watermark your photos using the Watermark Photo app:

1. Download Watermark Photo and open it on your iPhone.
2. From the home screen, tap Watermark Multiple Photos.
3. Your photo library will open so you can select the photos you want to watermark.
4. Tap Done.
5. Choose from custom stickers, text, an imported logo, or a signature watermark.
6. Tap the checkmark when you are done, and your photos will automatically be saved to your photo library.

Whether or not you choose to watermark your photos is based on your own personal preferences. If you do choose to use a watermark, you’ll find that a basic text version is easy to apply with Lightroom or Watermark Photo.

The post Should you watermark your photos, and how do you do that? appeared first on Backlight.

How to turn a photo into a drawing

Playing around with different photo-to-sketch converter apps isn’t the worst way to pass the time, but if you’d rather just get to it, we’ve narrowed the process down a bit for you by narrowing down the best apps for the job. Here’s how to turn a photo into a sketch or line drawing using Painnt and Prisma, which are both easy to use. 

Convert your photo into a line drawing with Painnt

Painnt is a simple app with more than 2,000 art filters, 90 of which are sketch effects. The Painnt app is fun and easy to use, and many of the filters are included for free with your initial download. Premium filters can be accessed for a subscription fee of $9.99 per year. Here’s how to use Painnt to turn your favorite photos into incredible sketches.

1. Download the Painnt app and open it on your iPhone. 
2. Scroll through the massive array of filters and choose one you like. The newest filters will be available at the top of the screen, followed by the “Free only today” section. From there, you can scroll through filters by genres such as faces, modern, mosaics, nature, sketch, and more.
3. Tap Photo Library to open your photos and choose the one you want to convert to a drawing.
4. Tap Done to convert your photo to a sketch or drawing.
5. An editing screen will open up, allowing you to use sliders to adjust transparency, brightness, contrast, saturation, and more. 
6. When you are happy with the results, tap the download icon. Then choose whether you want to share your creation on social media or save it to your device. Unless you decide to purchase the premium subscription, your drawing will be saved with a small watermark in the corner. 

Turn a picture into a drawing with Prisma

Prisma is another app that is affordable and easy to use. By affordable, we actually mean free, but you will have to pay a subscription fee for premium filters. The Prisma filters are based on the works of famous artists like Pablo Picasso, Edvard Munch, or Salvador Dali, and a new, free Prisma filter is released every day. Here’s how to use Prisma to convert your photo to a drawing.

1. Download the Prisma app and open it on your iPhone.
2. Your photo library will open up inside the Prisma app. Choose the photo you want to edit.
3. There are 12 free artistic filters you can apply to your photo, plus several more premium filters. Choose one to have it applied to your photo. 
4. Tap the tuning icon to make further adjustments to your photo. 
5. Tap the checkmark. Then tap the share icon.
6. Choose whether you want to share your photo or save it to your device.
7. Your drawing will be saved without a watermark.

How to take a picture that looks like a drawing

Another way to experiment with photo-to-drawing conversion is to use apps that will automatically turn your photo into a sketch when you take a photo. This method gives you instant gratification and is great for easy social sharing. Use either your iPhone Messages app or Photo Lab to make it happen. 

Turn your photo into a drawing with Messages filters

Did you know that there is a hidden filter within your iPhone’s Messages app that allows you to take photos and selfies and then turn them into sketches that look like comic book drawings? It’s true! Here’s how to access them.

1. On your iPhone, open the Messages app and type the name of the recipient that you want to send your drawing to.
2. Tap the camera icon to create your image.
3. Before you snap a photo, tap the filter icon, which looks like three connected circles in different colors.
4. Scroll through the filters at the bottom of the screen and choose Comic Book.
5. Frame your shot and tap the shutter button.
6. Tap the arrow icon to send your photo drawing.

Turn your photo into a sketch with Photo Lab filters

There are a few different apps that will let you apply your drawing filter within their camera screen before you take a photo. We love Photo Lab because it is free and easy to use. With the free version, you can apply a variety of artistic features, from simple sketches to elaborate scenes that will totally make-over your photo. The downside is that the free version includes ads as well as a watermark on your finished photo. The pro version is $4.99 per month or $9.99 per year. 

Here’s how to use Photo Lab to take a photo and turn it into a drawing.

1. Download Photo Lab and open it on your iPhone.
2. Scroll through the screen of available filters. The premium filters will have the word Pro in the corner. Tap the filter you want to use.
3. Tap the camera icon to open the Photo Lab camera.
4. Frame your shot and tap the shutter.
5. Tap Use Photo if you are happy with the image. Otherwise, tap Retake.
6. The next screen will allow you to crop your photo or change the orientation. Tap the arrow when you are finished.
7. A processing screen will appear, followed by your finished sketch. From here, you can tap the + icon to add text. Some filters also allow you to modify the results or turn your photo into a GIF.
8. Finally, tap the share icon in the upper-right corner to save your photo or share it on social media.
9. If you have the free version, you can remove the watermark by tapping it. A pop-up menu will appear, asking if you want to watch a short sponsored video to have the watermark removed. Tap yes to watch the video. Now you can save your photo-to-drawing without the watermark.

Your iPhone can do much more than take pretty photos. Get creative with unique apps that will allow you to turn your picture into a drawing, painting, or other digital work of art. The opportunities are endless, and the process is totally addictive.

The post How to turn your iPhone photo into a sketch or drawing appeared first on Backlight.

What is Night mode?

Night mode is an automatic feature that uses the larger sensor on the iPhone’s new cameras to capture more light when you take pictures.  And because this requires a larger sensor, Night mode is only available on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

How Night mode works

Using Night mode actually requires quite a bit of power from your iPhone. It combines the larger sensor with machine learning algorithms and the new A13 processor present in the iPhone 11 lineup. 

When you take a picture with Night mode, it captures a series of images over a certain period of time ranging from 1 to 9 seconds, depending on how dark the environment is. The iPhone camera analyzes how much light is required and captures frames at various exposures. Longer exposures let more light in and make the picture bright, while shorter exposures are darker.

Most DSLR cameras have a long exposure feature that captures brighter pictures. The iPhone camera could have simply done just that, but instead, the real magic of the iPhone camera is due to its machine learning. Because it takes a series of frames at different exposures, it can stitch the best parts of each frame together, like an HDR pic, to create a perfectly lit image that still feels like it was taken at night.

Using Night mode on iPhone

One important thing to keep in mind about Night mode is that it’s an automatic setting that’s enabled when the iPhone camera decides it needs help with the lighting. So unlike other camera modes like portrait or pano, you can’t go into Night mode whenever you want. 

Where is Night mode in the Camera settings?

You’ll only see the option for Night mode when it’s enabled in the camera app. It’ll show up as a gray/yellow button with a moon in the top-left corner of your screen.

How to adjust and turn off Night mode 

If the Night mode button is yellow, that means it’s enabled and turned on. But if you take a photo and it’s too bright for your liking, you can adjust the exposure for your pictures or turn it off altogether. This is how you adjust and turn off Night mode:

1. Tap the moon icon.
2. Adjust the slider.
3. Tap the shutter to take your picture.

How to shoot great night photos on iPhone

While Night mode might feel a bit like magic, it’s not entirely point-and-shoot. The following are some tips and techniques you can utilize to ensure that you’re taking the best picture possible.

Tip 1: Hold still

Because Night mode takes a series of photos and stitches them together, you’ll want to hold your iPhone as steady as possible. To help reduce the risk of blurry images, the iPhone camera has an optical stabilization tool and will even discard frames if they’re too blurry to use in a Night mode picture. But for best results, use your iPhone on a tripod or balance it on a flat surface to reduce any movement.

Tip 2: Keep your subject stationary

While it’s important that the camera remains still during a low-light photo, you’ll also want the subject of your photo to be as still as possible. Kids or pets running around outside or a car driving through the frame will make for a very blurry Night mode picture.

Tip 3: Use a bit of light

At first, this might seem counterintuitive to Night mode’s intended use, but a small amount of light can go a long way. The darker your photo, the more your iPhone will have to brighten it, which can make your picture look more grainy. If you have even a little bit of light, then your iPhone won’t have to brighten the photo as much, meaning the picture won’t have as much grain in it.

Tip 4: Experiment with exposure times

The default exposure time in Night mode will usually take the best picture. But, like other camera settings, the default might not get the result you want for your photo. Don’t be afraid to adjust the exposure time if you want your picture to look darker or brighter.

Night mode on iPhone 11 is truly an incredible feature. It’s never been easier to take great pictures without much light. And like most things on your iPhone, the more you use it and become familiar with it, the better the pictures you’ll be able to take. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how Night mode works and can start taking your own amazing night photos.

The post The ultimate guide to Night mode on iPhone appeared first on Backlight.

HDR isn’t magic, but the results are near-magical, thanks to an iPhone processing technique that implements HDR in the background. This article will cover HDR and Smart HDR and how to use them on your iPhone.

Understanding HDR and Smart HDR on iPhone

No matter what iPhone you’re currently using, your camera has an HDR feature to help you shoot high-contrast scenes that are exposed properly. There is little guesswork to using HDR, as the post-processing takes place behind the scenes in your iPhone’s processor. 

What does HDR mean?

HDR stands for high dynamic range, which allows your camera to exceed its dynamic range by stitching several photos together that accurately capture the different exposures of a scene. Dynamic range is the difference between the lightest light and the darkest dark that your iPhone can capture in a photograph. When the scene you are trying to capture exceeds the dynamic range of your camera, the result will be washed-out highlights and shadows that are simply black.

What is HDR on an iPhone camera?

On an iPhone, the camera’s processor automatically blends photos together — one to capture the bright highlights, one to capture the dark shadows, and one to capture the mid-tones. All of this happens behind the scenes, resulting in an HDR image that is accurately exposed. 

What is Smart HDR on iPhone?

Newer iPhone models have what’s called Smart HDR, which uses Apple’s A12 Bionic chip to adjust the dynamic range using AI technology. 

With the Smart HDR features, your camera shoots “buffer” frames before and after you tap the shutter. Each frame is captured in a different exposure so that your iPhone can capture every highlight, shadow, and background object in great detail. Once you have taken your photo, Smart HDR takes the best parts of each frame to create a perfectly exposed, high-quality photo.

iPhone models that have HDR and Smart HDR

No matter which iPhone you’re currently using, you’ll be able to take advantage of HDR or Smart HDR. Check your model to find out which one you’re using.

iPhones with HDR

• iPhone 4, 4S 
• iPhone 5, 5S, 5C 
• iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus 
• iPhone SE 
• iPhone 7, 7 Plus 
• iPhone 8, 8 Plus 
• iPhone X 

iPhones with Smart HDR

• iPhone XS 
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (second generation) 

Using HDR on iPhone

If you are using an iPhone model with HDR, you will find the process fairly simple. The default camera setting enables you to keep HDR on or off for every photo unless you change it. Your camera will remember the setting that you choose.

How to turn on and turn off HDR

1. Open your Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Tap HDR at the top of the screen.
3. Choose between Auto, On, or Off.
4. Tap the shutter to take a photo.

Should HDR be on or off?

When you use the HDR feature, your iPhone will take two photos, one using HDR technology, and one without, so you will be able to choose the best photo. I almost always shoot with HDR on, which is what I’d recommend unless you are tight on space. HDR photos do take up more storage than normal photos.

Because an HDR photo is a combination of several photos stitched together, it will sometimes come out blurry. When that happens, simply delete it; you’ll still have a regular backup photo you can keep.

Are HDR photos actually better?

Not always. HDR photos work best when shooting high-contrast scenes with dramatic highlights and shadows. In low-contrast shooting conditions, you may not even notice the difference between an HDR photo and a shot taken without HDR. Having two photos stitched together may also cause blur, so be sure to hold your camera steady when using the HDR feature.

Why does HDR take two photos?

Using the HDR feature will add two photos to your Camera Roll. The first will be a normal photo without the HDR feature enabled. The second will be the HDR photo, which takes up a lot more space than the normal photo. Your iPhone does this so that you can choose the best-quality photo to keep. You can easily turn off this feature so that your iPhone only saves the HDR photo. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open the Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down to Camera.
3. Under HDR, toggle off Keep Normal Photo.

Using Smart HDR on iPhone

Smart HDR is far more advanced than HDR, taking nine photos in under a second and stitching the best parts to make one incredible shot. 

How does Smart HDR work on iPhone?

The good news for iPhone users is that Smart HDR is totally automatic, which means you can spend more time framing the perfect shot and less time fiddling with your camera settings. Smart HDR uses the best parts of nine separate photos taken before and after you tap the shutter. 

Should I turn off Smart HDR?

If you are unhappy with the Smart HDR photos that your iPhone takes, you can certainly turn off the Smart HDR feature. When you disable Smart HDR, you will enable regular HDR, which works just like HDR in older iPhone models and must be turned on and off in the Camera app.

Here’s how to disable Smart HDR.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Camera.
3. Scroll down to Smart HDR and toggle it off.
4. Exit the Settings app.

HDR and Smart HDR use the power of the advanced iPhone processor to capture incredible details in your photos. The best part is that both HDR and Smart HDR will improve your photos with virtually no effort on your part. What’s not to love about that?

The post HDR and Smart HDR on iPhone: What’s the difference, and how do you use it? appeared first on Backlight.

Whether you’re snapping pictures for fun or seriously pursuing a career, understanding the ins and outs of iPhone’s latest camera features is key. And one of the most important features for iPhone photographers of all skill sets is Portrait mode. 

What is Portrait mode? 

In 2016, Apple released a new camera feature for iPhone called Portrait mode to help users photograph a specific subject with more clarity and focus. 

Essentially, using this lens keeps the subject of your photo sharp and crisp while the rest of the background is blurred. Within Portrait mode, you can add lighting effects and even use it when taking selfies. 

Portrait mode also zooms in on the subject of your photo, as you can see in the above example. 

What iPhones have Portrait mode?

Unfortunately, not all iPhones are created equal — at least, not when it comes to Portrait mode. Below is a list of the iPhones that have this feature: 

• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone 11 Pro Max 
• iPhone 11 Pro 
• iPhone 11 
• iPhone XR 
• iPhone XS Max 
• iPhone XS 
• iPhone X 
• iPhone 8 Plus 
• iPhone 7 Plus 

It’s also safe to say that any iPhone released in the future will more than likely include Portrait mode. 

When it comes to the least expensive iPhone featuring Portrait mode, the new iPhone SE will be the cheapest option, at a price tag of $399 from Apple.  

iPhones with Portrait mode on the front camera

As mentioned previously, some iPhone models also include an option to use Portrait mode with your front camera (also known as the “selfie camera”). Below is a list of the iPhones that have this feature: 

• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone 11 Pro Max 
• iPhone 11 Pro 
• iPhone 11 
• iPhone XR 
• iPhone XS Max 
• iPhone XS 
• iPhone X 

Again, the cheapest option available for purchase is the 2020 iPhone SE. 

Using iPhone Portrait mode

If you’ve never used your iPhone camera’s Portrait mode before, don’t fret. It’s as simple as snapping a picture. 

How to put your iPhone camera in Portrait mode

Here’s how to use Portrait mode: 

1. Open your Camera either by clicking on the app or swiping right on your locked home screen. 
2. Swipe right on the Camera screen once. 
3. Follow any instructions that pop up on the screen to move closer or further away from your subject. 
4. Press the large white button at the bottom-center of the screen to take a photo. 

If you’re too close to your subject to capture it in Portrait mode, the camera will tell you to move further away so that you’re standing the optimum distance for the right depth-of-field. It will give a similar notification if you’re standing too far away. 

How to adjust the light in Portrait mode

When you switch your Camera into Portrait mode, you also have the option of adjusting some of its features, such as the lighting. 

There are five different kinds of lighting available in Portrait mode: 

• Natural Light, which makes for a soft, less harsh light 
• Studio Light, which evenly spreads light across the subject of the photo
• Contour Light, which contours the face of the subject with shadows 
• Stage Light, which turns the background black 
• Stage Light Mono, which makes the entire photo black and white and turns the background black

You can change the lighting type by swiping through and selecting which option you want to use before taking your photo. You can also adjust the lighting after taking the photo by following these instructions: 

1. Open your photos. 
2. Select the photo you wish to edit. 
3. Press Edit at the top-right of the screen. 
4. Swipe the lighting buttons directly underneath the photo and select which one you want to use. 
5. Press Done. 

Your photo, now in its new light setting, will be saved directly to your Camera Roll. You can change it back to its original setting at any time by following those same instructions. 

How to adjust the depth of field in Portrait mode

While using Portrait mode, you can also adjust the depth of field. At this time, you can only control this setting after you take the photo, and this feature is only available on iPhone XS models or later. 

Here’s how to adjust the depth of field: 

1. Open your photos. 
2. Select the photo you wish to edit. 
3. Press Edit at the top-right of the screen. 
4. Press the button with a lowercase f at the top-left of the screen. 
5. Drag the slider left or right to adjust the blur on your background. 
6. Press Done. 

If you have an iPhone X or any other previous model that doesn’t include the Depth Control slider feature, you can simply download a free third-party app like Focos. 

How to undo Portrait mode

If you took a photo in Portrait mode but didn’t mean to, there is a simple way to undo the setting: 

1. Open your photos. 
2. Select the Portrait photo you wish to undo. 
3. Press Edit at the top-right of the screen. 
4. Then press the Portrait button at the top-center of the screen. 
5. Tap Done. 

Shooting on iPhone in Portrait mode

Using iPhone’s Portrait mode is a simple way to get professional, high-quality looking photos. However, if you truly want to take your iPhone photography to the next level, there are a couple of tips and tricks from the pros you should try. 

Use natural light

You’ll find that if you attempt to use Portrait mode in a low-lit setting, it will refuse to work (that’s what Night mode is for). Thus, it’s important to seek out and use only the best lighting: bright, natural light. 

Among the best ways to utilize natural lighting include: 

• Going outside during the daytime 
• Standing near a window during the daytime 
• Taking advantage of the “golden hours” (one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset) 

Tap the screen

Sometimes, simply aiming your camera at your subject isn’t enough. If you want to make sure that the person or item you’re photographing is in focus, you should tap on the subject while your camera is open before you take the photo. Doing this will bring that subject directly into focus. 

Choose quality backgrounds

Even though the background of your image might be blurred in Portrait mode, it’s still important to choose one wisely. 

Pick a background that has some detail (like a brick wall, which adds for a cool effect when blurred) but not one that’s overly complex. You don’t want to use something plain, like a white wall, as that won’t add much interest to the photo. 

Using your iPhone’s Portrait mode is a great way to level-up your photo-taking skills. And since this is easy even for amateur photographers to learn, you can be snapping next-to-professional images in no time. 

The post How to use iPhone Portrait mode for near-professional portraits appeared first on Backlight.

While technically all you need to participate in this trend is your Camera app and your face, there are additional tools available to help level-up your selfie game. In this article, we’ve rounded up our top 10 favorite apps that will help you capture the perfect selfie. 

The top 10 selfie apps for iPhone

When it comes to taking a great selfie, quite a few factors come into play. You need to make sure you have a steady hand, a neutral background, and good lighting — outside, during the golden hour right after sunrise and right before sunset, is the most ideal. Even with all of those components, there are other things you can do to make sure that your selfie stands out from the rest. 

Whether you’re looking for the perfect camera or a tool to retouch your photo, the apps below will help you take the perfect selfie: 

1. Facetune 2
2. BeautyPlus
3. Everlook
4. AirBrush
5. A Color Story
6. VSCO
7. Perfect365
8. Retrica
9. YouCam Perfect
10. Selfie Editor

1. Facetune 2: Best selfie editing app

Facetune 2 is a staple of every good selfie toolkit. Described as your own personal “glam squad,” this award-winning app features easy-to-use tools such as smooth skin, teeth whitener, glitter brushes, and red-eye removal. Within the app, you can also enlarge or minimize features on your face and body, as well as change the direction of the light source. 

But perhaps the best thing about this app is that you can use the live retouching feature to touch up your photo before you even take it. 

Facetune 2 is free to download and comes with in-app purchases such as a membership subscription that grants unlimited access to all features.  

Facetune 2 on the App Store

2. BeautyPlus: Snap, edit, and filter your way to a better selfie 

With almost five stars and over 150,000 reviews, BeautyPlus is one of the top photo editing apps available for iPhone. While it has tons of powerful editing tools like a lip plumper, a hair volumizer, and fun augmented reality filters, the feature that draws the most praise from users is the auto-beautify tool. 

While you have the option to manually edit the photo however you desire, the auto-beautify tool turns your photo into the perfect selfie with just the push of a button. The app is free to download but comes with in-app purchases for premium features like reshaping and firming tools. 

BeautyPlus on the App Store

3. Everlook: One of the best selfie apps for accessories

Everlook is one of the most powerful face editing apps out there. Not only can you essentially remodel your entire face — which is a controversial editing tool, to say the least — you can also give yourself facial hair, change your eye color, and even dress up in accessories like a hat or glasses. 

The app’s face recognition technology makes editing your selfie not only a breeze, but fun. While the free version comes with many features, even more tools are available with the paid Everlook VIP Subscription. 

Everlook on the App Store

4. AirBrush: Hide blemishes and give yourself glowing skin

This retouching app will help you fine-tune your features and hide any unsightly marks so your selfie will be even more Instagram-worthy. Free to download in the App Store, AirBrush features multiple editing tools to give you glowing skin, brighter eyes, and voluminous hair with just the push of a button. 

While the app’s free version includes tons of editing capabilities, the AirBrush Black paid subscription features even more. 

AirBrush on the App Store 

5. A Color Story: Paint your selfie with light leaks and vintage filters

A Color Story can help turn your classic selfie into an aesthetically pleasing masterpiece through its over 400 professionally designed filters and 20 different advanced editing tools. Not only can you add movable effects to your photo, but you can also smooth your skin and color your face with light leaks. 

While A Color Story is free to download, you have to purchase a subscription to access all of the filters and tools. 

A Color Story on the App Store

6. VSCO: The classic selfie editor 

VSCO is a classic selfie editor that every Instagram self-photographer should have on their iPhone. The dozens of filters available are just some of the many reasons this app is so popular. The editing tools included within the free version are the same as those used by the pros, so, needless to say, downloading this app will give your selfies a real upgrade. 

The paid subscription of VSCO gives you access to more filters and tools. 

VSCO on the App Store

7. Perfect365: Selfie editor with a makeup tool

With four and a half stars and over 114,000 reviews, Perfect365 is a virtual makeup app that can give you a complete makeover with just a single tap. With tons of makeup brands and looks designed by top Instagram influencers, there’s no limit to how you can experiment with your personal style. 

While the free version has all the beauty tools you need to capture the perfect selfie, the paid subscription gives you access to unlimited makeup looks. 

Perfect365 on the App Store

8. Retrica: The original filter camera

This photo editing app features a variety of overlays and editing tools that can give your selfies the ultimate vintage look. Between multiple light leaks and over 190 filters, the free version of this app will help you post some seriously fabulous selfies. 

The premium feature gives you access to Retrica’s entire library. 

Retrica on the App Store

9. Selfie Editor: A simple retouching app for your best selfies 

This simple photo editor is great for retouching selfies to give you radiant skin, whiter teeth, and more. The beauty camera also features tons of picture-perfect filters so you can capture a great selfie every time. 

The app is free to download, but the in-app subscription gives you access to premium selfie tools. 

Selfie Editor on the App Store

10.  YouCam Perfect: A selfie cam with live editing features

This app is known for being one of the best selfie cameras around. Thanks to the live effects option, you can perfect your selfie before you even snap the photo. After you’ve taken your picture, you can add bursts of shapes and colors with the magic brush or conceal any unsightly parts of the image with the blur tool. 

Most of the features are available within the free version. However, the premium version includes even more unique tools. 

YouCam Perfect on the App Store

Whether you’re looking to simply touch up an old selfie you want to post or hoping to capture your best angle with a beauty camera, these apps will get you one step closer to achieving the self-portrait of your dreams.

The post The 10 best selfie apps to take that perfect selfie appeared first on Backlight.

What is iPhone photography, aka iPhoneography?

You don’t need to be a skilled photographer to take amazing photos on your iPhone — a pastime also known as iPhoneography. In fact, the iPhone camera is so easy to use that beginners will love experimenting with it.

Can you be a photographer with an iPhone?

iPhones take incredible images, but it’s up to the photographer to find a suitable subject, create a striking composition, and maintain a steady hand to ensure a sharp image. With each new iPhone release, the camera gets better, but there are still a few limitations to shooting with an iPhone compared to shooting with a DSLR. 

A DSLR will be better at capturing distance, as well as changing shutter speed and aperture, and the overall resolution will be higher. Nevertheless, iPhones are more than adequate for most novice photographers, and there are even photographers who make a living shooting exclusively with an iPhone. 

10 cool iPhone photography tips you might not know about

Using your iPhone camera couldn’t be easier. Open the Camera app, point your camera at your subject, and tap the shutter. Impressive software and a powerful processor will ensure that your photos look good straight out of the camera. You can, however, take steps to make your photos even better. Here are some of our favorite iPhone photography tips to improve your shots.

1. Hold your finger on the screen to lock focus

When you frame a shot with your iPhone, the camera will work its magic to set the focus automatically. This feature is useful, but it’s not perfect. If you want to ensure that the camera focuses on what you want it to, you’ll need to use the lock focus feature. Point your camera at your subject and press your finger on the area you want the camera to focus on. Hold your finger until the focus locks in place. You will see AE/AF Lock on the screen. Tap the shutter button to take a photo.

2. Use the on-screen slider to change your exposure

When you use the Auto Focus Lock by holding your finger on the screen, you also bring up the Auto Exposure slider. It will appear next to the Auto Focus box on your screen when you are taking a photo. To adjust the exposure level, simply drag your finger up or down on the slider to make it brighter or darker. When you hold your finger down on the yellow box, it will lock the focus and the exposure you’ve set.

3. Snap your photo with the volume button to reduce camera shake

Using that big white shutter button on your screen is easy and useful, but it also tends to introduce camera shake when taking a photo, making your photos blurry. Did you know that instead of snapping a photo with the shutter button, you can use the volume button on the side of your iPhone to snap a photo?

This will help you keep your iPhone steady while taking a photo. For even more control, use the volume control on your earbuds as a shutter release or invest in a remote shutter so you can keep your camera super still when taking a photo.

4. Use burst mode to take action shots

Looking for that perfect action or wildlife shot? Ensure that you capture it perfectly by using burst mode on your iPhone, which will take a series of shots, allowing you to pick the best one later.

If you are using a pre-iPhone 11 model, simply hold your finger down on the shutter or the volume control to shoot continuously. If you are shooting with one of the iPhone 11 models, you’ll need to swipe left on the shutter button before holding it down to take a series of photos. The number of photos taken will appear in the shutter button.

5. Create depth using leading lines in your composition

There are many ways that you can compose your scene to make a more interesting photograph, but one of the most effective methods is to use leading lines in your photography. To do this, look for lines within your scene that will draw a viewer into your shot. Leading lines can be roads, rivers, fences, shorelines, or architectural lines. Once you start looking for them, you’ll see leading lines wherever you go. 

6. Use a tripod for sharper images

We mentioned earlier that when you tap the shutter button, you sometimes add a slight shake to your iPhone, which makes for a blurry photo. When taking selfies and simple snapshots, your photos will come out great when you point and shoot while holding your phone. But when it comes to taking trickier shots, like low-light photos, action shots, or photos of moving water, you may want to invest in a tripod to eliminate camera shake for sharp-as-a-tack images. 

7. Use your iPhone’s compass to set up shots on your tripod

When using a tripod to take sharp images, you’ll also want to make sure your camera is level so that your photos aren’t crooked. To do this, quickly open your compass app before framing your shot. Adjust your phone so that the small plus sign is perfectly aligned with the vertical line on the compass. Now you can open your Camera app to shoot your photo.

8. Look for an anchor in your composition

Composition anchors are especially useful in landscape photography, either to show a sense of scale or to highlight a pop of color within the frame. Vast scenes can be grand and beautiful, but finding an angle that shows a flower in the foreground will provide your viewer with more interest. Nothing beats an ocean sunset, but an expanse of water and sand can be boring. Look for a sailboat or a seagull to anchor your composition and make for a more interesting shot. 

9. Capture outside the frame

If you’re taking a photo with iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max, your camera allows you to capture the scene outside your frame for better compositions. If you have this feature turned on in your Settings, your camera will automatically adjust your photo for the most striking composition. A blue Auto badge will appear in the corner of any photos that have been automatically edited in this way.

If you want to apply further edits, you’ll see that content taken outside the frame appears when you use the crop, straighten, or perspective tools in the Photos app. 

10. Look for unusual angles and perspectives

Most photographers automatically hold their cameras at eye level to capture a scene in front of them. While this is perfectly acceptable, you can instantly add interest to your photos by shooting from above or below your subject. Buildings look larger and more imposing when shot from a worm’s-eye perspective, and images shot from above lend a whole new perspective to the scene. Before you snap your photo, consider all the angles and find the one that creates the most interest for your viewer. 

iPhone photography is simple, but mastering the craft requires practice — not only with your camera settings and tools but with composition and lighting. Use the iPhone photography tips outlined in this article to help you get started taking amazing images with your phone. 

The post 10 surprising iPhone photography tips for beginners appeared first on Backlight.

In this guide, we’ll give you all the tools you need to change, edit, or remove the background from an image. 

The 7 best background photo editors for iPhone 

Thanks to modern technology and the increasing capabilities of our handheld devices, editing the backgrounds of photos has never been easier. Whether you want to blur the trash can behind your killer pose or switch out your city scenery for something tropical, we’ve rounded up the 7 best background photo editor apps for iPhone users. 

They are as follows: 

1. Background Eraser
2. Cut Paste Photos Pro Edit Chop
3. Blur Photo Background
4. Object Removal Lite
5. Blur Photo Editor Background
6. Focos
7. LightX Photo Editor & Retouch

1. Background Eraser: Erase, remove, and cut out the background of any photo

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for the background of a photo is to just delete it. That’s where the Background Eraser app comes in. This free app allows you to easily remove the background of a picture and save the transparent version of the photo as a PNG or JPEG. 

Once the photo is removed, you can use it as a stamp within other apps like Snapchat, or you can use it in a collage. You can also use it in one of the other apps listed below and add it on top of a different background. 

This app also features advanced erasing tools, as well as restore and reverse options. It’s currently free in the App Store. 

Background Eraser on the App Store

2. Cut Paste Photos Pro Edit Chop: The easiest image background changer app

Maybe you love the way you look in a certain photo but wish it was on an exotic beach instead of your mother’s front porch. A cut and paste app like Cut Paste Photos Pro Edit Chop can transport you to any destination in the world with just a few swipes of your finger. 

This app is mostly used for its easy photo cut tool and its over 40 fun camera-ready backgrounds to choose from. You can also cut objects and people from multiple photos and merge them all together in a new one — a great tool to have on hand for those group pictures where at least one person has their eyes closed.  

The app is free to download, but its premium features are only available with a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription. You do, however, get a free three-day trial of all the features upon downloading.  

Cut Paste Photos Pro Edit Chop on the App Store

3. Blur Photo Background: Artfully blur the background of any photo

Maybe the background of your photo isn’t terrible, but it could still be improved. Many people find that blurring the background of an image makes it look more polished, and apps like Blur Photo Background make this easy to accomplish. 

Blur Photo Background offers sophisticated yet simple-to-use tools to blur the background, an unwanted object, or even a stranger’s face. There are different types of blur tools (like Gaussian Blur and Motion Blur), as well as effects like Pixel, Glass, and Mosaic. 

The app is free to download and includes some in-app purchases for more advanced tools. 

Blur Photo Background on the App Store

4. Object Removal Lite: Remove unwanted objects from any photos

Still, sometimes the only way to make a photo work is to separate it from the background. Object Removal Lite is one of the leading apps in photo object removal. 

By using artificial intelligence and image processing technology, you can remove people, buildings, phone lines, and even blemishes from any photo you choose. The app also includes filters, editing functions, and other tools. 

Object Removal Lite is free to download in the App Store, but premium memberships are available and include more functions and ad-removal. 

Object Removal Lite on the App Store 

5. Blur Photo Editor Background: Add a unique blur effect to your Instagram photos

If you want to get a little more creative when you blur your photos, Blur Photo Editor Background is a great option. This app features tools that can blur a background quickly and easily, as well as 10 different blur effects to make your photos pop. 

In addition to artistically blurred photos, users also enjoy high-resolution editing, which allows you to zoom in on the tinier details you might otherwise miss. The app is free to download and comes with in-app purchases such as a Pro Subscription that features even more functions and tools. 

Blur Photo Editor Background on the App Store

6. Focos: Edit your iPhone photo like you have a DSLR camera

While iPhone cameras have come a long way since the first iPhone model, they’re still not as sophisticated as DSLR cameras. However, apps like Focos make it easier for iPhone photographers to edit their pictures into more professional shots, which is often created by a blurred background effect. 

With nearly five stars and thousands of reviews, Focos makes it possible to focus on a subject long after the photo was taken. You can adjust the depth of field and blur any unsightly backgrounds so your photos are always post-ready. 

Focos is free to download and offers some in-app purchases like additional features and built-in tutorials. 

Focos on the App Store

7. LightX Photo Editor & Retouch: Completely erase a photo’s background

Need to erase a background entirely? LightX Photo Editor & Retouch has got you covered. This all-in-one editing app offers tools such as cutouts, blur, and even a background changer. 

After you’ve cut out your subject and superimposed it onto a new background, you can add more flavor to your photo with its professional editing features like color splash effects, stickers, frames, doodles, and photo filters. 

The LightX Photo Editor & Retouch app is free to download and comes with additional in-app purchases. 

LightX Photo Editor & Retouch in the App Store

Thanks to modern advances in technology, editing photos has never been easier. And thanks to the apps mentioned in this article, you can blur photos, remove objects, and even change backgrounds directly on your iPhone.

The post 7 photo background apps for iPhone to change the background of your shot appeared first on Backlight.

How to fix your composition in the Apple Photos app

You can easily crop, rotate, and straighten photos to improve the composition of your image using the Photos app. The Photos composition tools are useful for fixing skewed horizon lines, cropping your thumb out of a photo, and rotating photos for a new perspective. 

How to straighten a photo on iPhone

1. Open the Photos app and navigate to the photo you want to straighten. 
2. Tap Edit in the upper-right corner.
3. Tap the crop icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. The first editing icon is the Straighten tool (it looks like a circle with a horizontal line going through the middle).
5. Tap the straighten icon and then use your finger to straighten the elements of your photo.
6. When you are finished, tap Done.

How to crop photos on iPhone

1. To access the Crop tool, open the Photos app and tap on the photo you want to crop.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Tap the crop icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. If you want your photo to be a certain aspect ratio, tap the resizing icon in the upper right. This looks like a box with smaller rectangles inside it.
5. Choose whatever aspect ratio you want from the menu, then use your fingers to change the borders on your image.
6. When you are happy with your crop, tap Done. 

How to flip, skew, and rotate photos on iPhone

1. Open the photo you want to edit in the Photos app and tap Edit.
2. Tap the crop icon.
3. To flip your photo (create a mirror image), tap the bisected triangle in the top-left corner of your screen.
4. To rotate your photo, tap the rectangle with the arrow above it in the upper-left corner. 
5. Your photo will make one turn clockwise. Continue tapping the rectangle until you’ve rotated your photo to the desired position.
6. To skew your photo, either from right to left or top to bottom, use the two perspective icons next to the straighten tool. 
7. Choose the icon with the vertical line to change the vertical perspective. Choose the icon with the horizontal line to change the horizontal perspective. 
8. Move your finger across the slider and then tap Done.

How to edit pictures on iPhone with its editing tools 

The Photos editing tools all work by sliding your finger back and forth on a slider until you achieve your desired results. These editing tools allow you to make subtle or dramatic changes to a photo quickly and without navigating out of your Photo Library. 

Below are the editing tools available in the iPhone Photos app, as well as a short description of what they can be used for. To locate the individual editing tools, open your editing screen and scroll through the icons under your photo. The name of the tool will appear over each icon.

Exposure

The Exposure tool is for making your photo as dark or as bright as you want. It’s useful for bringing out more details in an image that was taken during low-light or toning down a photo that was taken on a bright, sunny day.

Brilliance

Want to make your photo look richer and more vibrant? Check out the Brilliance tool, which makes details clearer while brightening shadows and toning down highlights.

Highlights

The Highlights tool adjusts the details in the brightest part of a photo. This is useful if you are shooting in bright light and have a photo with blown-out highlights. Reducing highlights with the Highlights slider will introduce detail into an otherwise bright white part of your photo. 

Shadows

The opposite of the Highlights tool, the Shadows tool adds detail to the darkest part of your photo while making the shadows less prominent. It’s useful for brightening up a dull foreground and bringing out details in subjects that are very dark. 

Contrast

In certain shooting conditions, your final images will appear flat and lifeless. This is often because the scene you were trying to capture didn’t introduce a lot of contrast. If the foreground and background are similar in tone and color, you may need to add a bit of contrast by moving the slider to the left on the Contrast tool. By comparison, if your photo has prominent contrast already, you can tone it down by moving the Contrast slider to the right. 

Brightness

The Brightness tool is similar to the Exposure tool, but it brightens or darkens all of the colors within your photo. Brightness is best used with a light touch, as moving the slider too far to the right or left will make your photo look unrealistic. But, then again, that may be the look you’re going for. 

Black Point

The Black Point tool sets the point where the darkest part of your image becomes completely black, without any detail at all. If your image is washed out, without a lot of contrast, you can use the Black Point tool to increase the contrast in relation to the point you’ve set. 

Saturation

Saturation is useful for uniformly increasing the intensity of all the colors in your photo. A little saturation goes a long way to improve drab, washed-out photos. Be careful when upping the saturation on portraits or group photos of people, as it tends to impart an orangish tint to skin tones.

Vibrance

Vibrance is also used to increase the saturation of your photo. The difference is that it only increases the saturation in subdued, washed-out colors while leaving the bright colors alone. If you’re editing a portrait or a shot featuring people, increasing the vibrance creates a more natural image than upping the saturation. 

Warmth

If your photo seems a little too blue or too yellow, you can use the Warmth tool to make adjustments. Moving the slider to the left will increase the blue tones in your image. Moving the slider to the right will increase the warmer tones.

Tint

Use the Tint tool to add color tints over your entire image. This can be useful for correcting photos with a sepia cast, or you can use it creatively to add unrealistic drama to your photos. 

Sharpness

The Sharpness tool brings out details along the edges of your subject, making them appear crisper and clearer. It doesn’t actually make blurry photos sharp; it simply highlights the edges for an illusion of more detail. Introducing too much sharpness to your image, however, will make it appear grainy.

Definition

This is another tool that is useful for making your photos clearer and sharper. Definition increases contrast and texture so that your main subject stands out from the background of your photo. 

Noise Reduction

When you take a photograph in a low-light setting or with your camera’s digital zoom, you will capture a lot of variations between pixels, making your photos appear grainy. This “noise” can be decreased with the Noise Reduction tool, which will smooth out the pixels, but also make your photo appear less sharp. 

Vignette

The Vignette tool simply darkens the edges of your photo, drawing attention to the center. You can use this to focus your viewer’s attention on your photo’s main subject or to give your photo a more vintage look. 

How to edit photos on iPhone by using filters

Filters are an easy way to change the look of your photos without making lots of little adjustments with the tools mentioned above. With Filters, you simply tap a button and adjust the strength of your filter by using the slider. 

To access your Photo Filters on iPhone, head to the editing screen, then tap the icon with the three intersecting circles. From there, you can try out different filters to see which you like best.

Vivid

The Vivid filter is an overall brightener that also ups the saturation of your image. 

Vivid Warm

This filter brightens your image, ups the saturation, and increases the warm tones in your photo.

Vivid Cool

Vivid Cool increases the cool tones in your photo while making it slightly more saturated.

Dramatic

The Dramatic filter decreases the saturation slightly while increasing the clarity and texture. Just as the title implies, this edit adds drama to your image.

Dramatic Warm

Dramatic Warm brings the saturation way down on the cool tones while increasing warm tones. At the same time, it adds more definition to your photo.

Dramatic Cool

Dramatic Cool brings the saturation down on the warmer tones while increasing the cool tones in your photo. It also increases the texture and clarity for a more dramatic image.

Mono

This black and white filter is a low-contrast option with beautiful details and soft tones. 

Silvertone

Silvertone is a warm black and white filter with dark shadows and high contrast. 

Noir

The Noir filter is another great black and white filter featuring cooler tones, low contrast, and intense details. 

How to use the Markup tool in iOS Photos to add text and draw on photos 

If you’re searching for photo editing tools that go beyond image adjustments, Photos has you covered. The Markup tool is a fun way to add text, drawings, or shapes to your photos. Here’s how to use it to do all of the above.

How to draw on photos on iPhone

1. Open a photo that you want to draw on in the Photos app.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Tap the ellipses in the upper-right corner and choose Markup.
4. Choose a tool from the bottom of the screen. There are simulated markers, pens, and eraser tools. 
5. Choose the thickness of your line from the pop-up screen.
6. Use your finger to draw on your photo. Pinch your fingers together across the screen to zoom in on your photo for more detail. 
7. Tap Done.

How to add text to an iPhone photo

1. Open the photo you want to add text to in the Photos app.
2. Tap edit.
3. Next, tap the ellipses, then Markup.
4. Press + in the bottom-right corner, then choose text.
5. A text box will appear in your photo, and you can type your text in the box.
6. Change the color of the text by choosing a color at the bottom of the screen.
7. Change the size of your text and the font by choosing the aA icon.
8. You can change the placement of the text by moving the box with your finger.
9. When you’re finished adding text to your photo, tap Done.

The iPhone Photos app isn’t just for scrolling through your favorite images. It’s also an incredibly powerful editing tool that rivals the most expensive photo editing apps. 

The post How to edit photos on iPhone with iOS Photos and nothing else appeared first on Backlight.

The 10 iPhone camera settings and features to master

The camera features available on your iPhone will obviously depend on which model you’re using, but even the older models have a decent camera with cool settings. Here are 10 iPhone camera settings to play around with right now:

1. The ultra-wide camera
2. Night mode
3. iPhone Camera Live
4. iPhone Portrait mode
5. Optical zoom
6. iPhone Camera timer
7. Burst photos
8. The iPhone Camera grid
9. Exposure/focus lock
10. iPhone HDR

The iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro camera features 

iPhone’s newest phone models have some features we’ve never seen until now, including the ultra-wide camera lens and Night mode. If you’ve been using the iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro, check out these features. If you haven’t upgraded yet, skip to the section on features for earlier models.

1. The ultra-wide camera

The ultra-wide camera on iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro enables users to capture a much greater field of view than the standard iPhone camera lens and is equivalent to a focal length of 13mm. This lens is useful for shooting landscapes when you want to capture the scale and magnitude of a scene, as well as urban streetscapes, architecture, and building interiors. 

How to use iPhone’s wide-angle lens

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone 11.
2. Tap 0.5x just above the shutter button on the screen to enable the ultra-wide camera.
3. If you press and hold one of the zoom buttons, you can adjust it even further, between .5x for ultra-wide and 2x for telephoto. 
4. Hold your camera steady as you tap the shutter button. This is especially important when using your ultra-wide camera because it doesn’t have built-in image stabilization like the other two lenses. 

2. Night mode

Night mode on iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro is great for shooting in low-light settings where most cameras would produce blurry photos. It will automatically take a series of photos at different exposures for a set amount of time and then pull elements from all of the frames to create one crisp image. 

How to use iPhone’s Night mode

Night mode is an automatic feature that turns on whenever you try to take a photo in less than optimal lighting. It can only be used with the standard wide-angle camera, not the telephoto or ultra-wide lenses.

Tapping the moon icon in the upper corner of your screen within the camera app will allow you to access the Night mode settings, where you can choose to turn the feature off entirely or set the amount of time you want the shutter to remain open for your photo. If you don’t adjust these settings, your iPhone will use its processor to automatically adjust the settings to suit the lighting conditions.

Crucial iPhone camera settings on earlier iPhones

Earlier iPhone models may not have all the latest bells and whistles, but they still have lots of features and settings that you can use to take awesome photos. Here’s an overview of some of the camera settings you’ll want to check out.

3. iPhone Camera Live 

Live Photos is a feature that allows photographers to take a short three-second video that captures movement, sound, and still frames on your iPhone. It’s a standard feature on every iPhone model starting with the 6S, and it is the default camera setting for the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus. Live Photos are great for capturing photos with movement or group photos where you want to ensure that everyone is looking at the camera. 

How to use Live Photos 

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the Live Photos icon at the top of your screen, which looks like a series of concentric circles. The icon will be highlighted in yellow when it is activated.
3. Your Live Photo will be automatically saved to your Photos library. 
4. You can access all of your Live Photos by tapping Albums within your Photos library and scrolling down to Live Photos. 

4. iPhone Portrait mode

Portrait mode can be used to take portraits, selfies, and photos of objects that stand out from the background by gently blurring the background and keeping the subject matter crisp and clear. This is especially useful when you are trying to capture a portrait in front of a distracting or cluttered background. 

Portrait mode was rolled out with the iPhone 7 Plus and is available on the iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

How to use iPhone’s Portrait mode

1. Open your Camera app on your iPhone.
2. A selection of shooting features will appear above the shutter button. Scroll through and tap Portrait.
3. Make sure your subject is 2 to 8 feet from your camera before tapping the shutter button.

5. The optical zoom 

If you are shooting with an iPhone 7 Plus or later model, you can make use of the optical zoom feature, which allows you to zoom in on an object without a loss of quality. This is a far better way to zoom than using the digital zoom (which you access by spreading your pinched fingers outward across the screen). 

How to use the optical zoom on iPhone Camera

1. Open your iPhone’s Camera app.
2. You will see 1x above the shutter button.
3. Tap the 1x to toggle to 2x, which will zoom in closer to your subject.
4. If you hold your finger on the 1x, you can adjust the zoom settings, but this will implement your camera’s digital zoom and will result in a lower quality photo.
5. Tap the shutter button to take a photo.

6. iPhone Camera timer 

The iPhone Camera timer was one of the Camera app’s earliest features and is available on all iPhone models. The timer is useful for capturing selfies or group photos where the photographer is to be included. The timer can also be used to reduce shake when taking photos in low-light settings.

How to use iPhone’s photo timer

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone. 
2. If you are trying to take a selfie or group photo, attach your iPhone to a tripod and frame your shot without you in it. Leave room in the frame for where you want to position yourself.
3. Tap the timer icon at the top of the screen. (It looks like a clock with only one hand.)
4. Choose 3 or 10 seconds. If you want to be in the photo, choose 10 seconds to give you plenty of time to pose yourself. If you’re trying to reduce camera shake, 3 seconds is fine.
5. When you are ready, tap the shutter button. The camera will count down and take a photo after 3 or 10 seconds.

7. Burst photos 

Burst photos allow you to capture and save photos of fast-moving subjects so you can choose the best one later on. In Burst mode, your camera captures images at 10 frames per second. When you are finished recording your photos, you can scroll through them to find your favorite shots.

How to use the Burst feature on iPhone

Burst mode for iPhone works differently depending on which model you have. If you are using an iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or earlier model, all you have to do is hold down the shutter button to enable Burst mode. With these phones, Burst mode will not work if you are also using the timer, HDR, or the flash.

If you are shooting with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max, simply slide the shutter button to the left when taking a photo to activate Burst mode. 

8. The iPhone Camera grid

Did you know you can set gridlines within your Camera app to help you frame a more pleasing composition? Gridlines divide your screen into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Once you’ve used it for a while, you’ll hardly even notice it’s there. 

How to turn on gridlines on iOS Camera

1. Go to your Settings on your iPhone and tap Camera.
2. Toggle on Grid.
3. Frame your photo using the gridlines to make sure your horizon is straight and the elements in your photo sit along the lines on your screen.

9. Exposure/focus lock

Your iPhone camera comes with a cool feature that allows you to automatically choose and lock your focus and exposure when shooting your photo. If you do not choose your focus and exposure, the iPhone will do it for you, but the results may not always be what you’re expecting. The AE/AF Lock (Auto Exposure/Auto Focus Lock) feature enables you to set your focus and your exposure and then lock in your settings for the current photo. 

How to lock focus and exposure on iPhone Camera

1. Open your Camera on your iPhone and frame your shot.
2. Find the part of your photo that you want your camera to focus on and tap it on your screen. This will set your focus.
3. If you want to change the exposure, you can slide your finger up for lighter and down for darker.
4. To lock your focus and exposure, hold your finger down on the yellow square on your screen. Now, even if your subject moves, it will remain in focus.
5. Tap the shutter button to take a photo. 

10. iPhone HDR 

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and using it allows you to create properly exposed photos in all sorts of tricky lighting conditions. Your iPhone uses HDR to take a series of photos that highlight different areas of the scene you are shooting. HDR will give you more detail in the shadows and bright highlights that aren’t washed out. It’s great for landscape photography, bright sunlight, and street scenes.

How to use HDR on iPhone Camera

The following instructions are for iPhone models earlier than iPhone X models. Newer models have Smart HDR, which is used automatically in scenarios when it would be most effective:

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. At the top of the screen, you will see an HDR icon. Tap it and then tap On. 
3. Frame your shot and take your photo by tapping the shutter button. 

Using your iPhone camera settings correctly will drastically improve the quality of your photos. Fortunately, these settings are super easy and intuitive to use, even for novice photographers.

The post 10 iPhone Camera settings that radically improve your photos appeared first on Backlight.

The best photo apps for iPhone as of 2020 

1. VSCO: More than 200 filters for quick photo editing
2. Gemini Photos: A photo gallery cleaner for iPhone
3. GIF Maker: Convert your photos and videos into GIFs
4. NightCap Camera: Take stunning long exposures with your iPhone
5. Snapseed: A free photo editing app for all types of photography
6. Adobe Lightroom CC: A photo editing app for professional photographers
7. Adobe Spark Post: Perfect editing app for creating quick graphics
8. Camera + 2: A camera app packed with advanced features
9. Airbrush: Best selfie app for iPhone

1. VSCO: More than 200 filters for quick photo editing

If you want to quickly edit your photos with beautiful, professionally designed filters without a lot of fuss, check out VSCO. There are more than 200 filters to choose from for all types of photography, from landscapes to portraits. 

Save your favorite VSCO presets to use again and again or combine them to create your own unique looks. VSCO is one of the most popular photo editing tools for Instagram, and the results are truly stunning. 

VSCO on the App Store

2. Gemini Photos: A photo gallery cleaner for iPhone

The more storage your iPhone comes with, the harder it becomes to keep your photo library clutter-free. That’s where Gemini Photos comes in. With this app, you can tackle photo clutter in bite-sized pieces. Gemini Photos will start by helping you find duplicate photos, then will go on to find and delete blurry shots and help you choose the best of similar shots so you can delete the rest. Using the Gemini Photos app weekly is a great way to keep your photo clutter to a minimum.

Gemini Photos on the App Store

3. GIF Maker: Convert your photos and videos into GIFs

Are GIFs a part of your everyday conversations on social media? If you answered “yes,” then maybe it’s time to stop searching for the perfect GIF and start making your own. GIF Maker is a free app that allows you to turn your favorite photos or videos into one-of-a-kind GIFs. With it, you can create loop-style videos, add custom text, adjust the frame speed, and add beautiful filters before sharing. Now, all you have to do is find your best GIF-worthy shots.

GIF Maker on the App Store

4. NightCap Camera: Take stunning long exposures with your iPhone

If you’ve been playing around with low-light photography, you will love NightCap Camera. This app allows you to shoot long-exposure photos, time-lapse captures, and star trails with an array of settings that are easy to use. 

NightCap’s Long Exposure mode is great for amazing motion blur effects in low light. It also has an ISO Boost feature that allows for a 4-times higher ISO setting than any other app, producing bright photos in very low light. NightCap is a fun app for more advanced photographers who want to experiment with new techniques and settings. 

NightCap Camera on the App Store

5. Snapseed: A free photo editing app for all types of photography

Snapseed’s editing tools are free to use and provide professional-quality effects that are as simple as they are beautiful. Choose from a range of ready-to-go filters or fine-tune your edits by using powerful tools like HDR Scape, Healing, or Brush features. 

Snapseed is one of the easiest photo editing apps available — the tools are intuitive to use, and even if you’re a novice photographer, you can dramatically improve your shots.

Snapseed on the App Store

6. Adobe Lightroom CC: A photo editing app for professional photographers

If you have been taking your photography seriously for a while, you probably have some experience using Adobe Lightroom on your computer. Now, you can take those professional editing tools and use them on your iPhone. 

The Adobe Lightroom app uses an interface similar to its more powerful desktop editing software, and if you already use Adobe’s Creative Cloud, you’ll have access to your entire photo library on your phone. The Lightroom app is free to use with in-app purchases. If you aren’t already a subscriber, there are a variety of packages available for photographers. 

Adobe Lightroom CC on the App Store

7. Adobe Spark Post: Perfect editing app for creating quick graphics

Another of the many photo apps for iPhone by Adobe enables you to create quick promotional projects to post on social media. 

With Adobe Spark, you can make collages and add custom-colored borders and text overlays. You can also make custom posts for all of your social media platforms using a personalized color and font palette for easy edits, or you can choose from a variety of templates that are ready to personalize and post.

Adobe Spark Post on the App Store

7. Camera + 2: A camera app packed with advanced features

Despite the hardware and software upgrades that make new iPhones awesome, manual controls are still lacking on the native Camera app. That means if you want to play around with long shutter speeds, aperture, or ISO, you’ll have to install a camera app that can go the extra mile. 

Our recommendation is Camera +2, which enables you to utilize all the features of a fancy DSLR on your phone. You can virtually change lenses, set your shutter speed, focus manually, and shoot in RAW for maximum editing capabilities. This is an advanced camera app for experienced photographers and can be downloaded for $3.99. 

Camera+ 2 on the App Store

8. Airbrush: Best selfie app for iPhone

While Airbrush is a great general photo editor, it really excels at perfecting selfies and portraits. Before you post your photo on social media, edit your selfie to get rid of blemishes, smooth out wrinkles, and even out your skin tone. 

For even bolder effects, you can use Airbrush to add volume to your hair, enlarge and brighten your eyes, and whiten your teeth. Whether you want to fine-tune imperfections or change your look entirely, Airbrush will work wonders on all of your selfies and portraits.

Airbrush on the App Store

Even with all the amazing features available with your iPhone camera, you can still dramatically improve your photos with some of these amazing apps. Our favorite photo apps for iPhone make life easier and photography more fun, which is something we can all appreciate. 

The post 9 photo apps for iPhone that every photographer needs appeared first on Backlight.

Understanding iPhone Live Photos 

Live Photos on iPhone were introduced in 2015 with the rollout of the iPhone 6S series. This was one of the flagship features of this series and caused quite a bit of excitement when it was first introduced. Live Photos are now considered a staple of every iPhone, and they’re a great way to bring your still photos to life.

What is a Live Photo?

A Live Photo is like a photo/video hybrid, capturing a still image and also a 1.5-second video on either end of the still photo. You can take a Live Photo with any iPhone starting with the iPhone 6S. You can set your iPhone to always take Live Photos, or you can turn the feature on whenever you want. 

What’s the point of Live Photos on iPhone?

Live Photos capture a short video with sound, so they are perfect for capturing movement, wildlife, or active toddlers. They’re also great for capturing group shots because you can scroll through and find a still photo where everyone is actually smiling and looking at the camera. You can use Live Photos to create long-exposure images and GIFs, too!

Do Live Photos have sound?

Yes, sound is captured in your Live Photo for about 1.5 seconds before and after you press the shutter button. 

Using the iPhone camera’s Live feature  

Ready to use iPhone Live Photos to capture fantastic moving images? The feature is easy to turn on and off using your iPhone’s native Camera app. Here’s how to use Live Photos on your iPhone. 

How to take a Live Photo

Taking Live Photos is easy. In fact, it’s the default setting for taking photos on your iPhone. You can also turn it on and off as needed. Here’s how:

1. Open your iPhone’s Camera app.
2. You will see a series of concentric circles at the top of your screen. If the circles icon is yellow, it means the Live Photos feature is already turned on. If the circles icon is white, the feature is off. Tap the circles to turn on Live Photos.
3. Once Live Photos is on, all you have to do is snap a photo by tapping the shutter button.

How and when to turn on Live Photos

You toggle Live Photos on and off by tapping the concentric circles icon before taking a photo. Because Live Photos take up a significant amount of space on your phone, it’s probably smart to only use Live Photos when you are hoping to capture movement and/or sound. Toggle the feature on just before taking a Live Photo and off when you are finished. 

How to play a Live Photo on iPhone

Viewing a Live Photo on iPhone or iPad is easy: 

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the Live Photo that you want to view.
3. Hold your finger down on the Live Photo, and it will automatically begin to play.

Getting creative with iPhone Live Photos

Now that you know the basics, let’s take it a step further. Here are some creative ways to use your Live Photos. 

How to edit a Live Photo on iPhone

You edit a Live Photo on your iPhone in much the same way that you edit any photo using the Photos app. You can use all the same photo editing tools that you would use for a still photo. Plus, you can extract the Key photo, trim the length of your Live Photo, and mute the sound. Here’s how to access the iPhone Live Photo editing tools: 

1. Open the Photos app and navigate to the Live Photo that you want to edit.
2. Tap Edit.
3. Choose the Live Photos icon from the bottom of the screen. 
4. Scroll through the series of still photos on the bottom to choose your favorite. Tap Make Key Photo on your favorite. This still image will be the one that shows up in your Photo Library. 
5. To make your Live Photo shorter, drag the arrows on either side of the scroll until your Live Photo is the desired length. 
6. To mute the sound, tap on the speaker icon in the upper-left corner. You can toggle the sound on or off using this icon.
7. In addition to these tools, which are specific to Live Photos, you can also access the regular photo editing tools by tapping on the icons at the bottom of the screen.
8. When you are finished editing, tap Done.

How to extract a still from a Live Photo

To extract a still photo from your Live Photo, you don’t even have to go to the editing screen. Here’s an easy way to do it:

1. Open the Photos app and choose the Live Photo that you want to extract a still from.
2. Tap the share icon at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. Tap Duplicate.
4. Tap Duplicate as Still Photo.

How to turn a Live Photo into a video

Making a video from your Live Photo is just as easy. Here’s the easiest way to save your Live Photo as a video file:

1. Open the Photos app and choose the Live Photo that you want to turn into a video.
2. Tap the share icon at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. Scroll down and tap on Save as Video.

How to take long-exposure photos using Live Photos

To create a long-exposure photo from a Live Photo, you will essentially be stitching multiple photos together to create a special effect. This will work best with a tripod because you want the still portions of your photo to remain still while capturing some sort of movement, such as running water, clouds, or traffic. Once you have framed your shot, you can take a long exposure image using the following method:

1. Before shooting your photo, toggle on the Live Photo feature within the Camera app.
2. Take your photo by tapping the shutter button, being careful not to shake your phone. If you want to ensure a steady shot, use the self-timer by tapping on the timer icon at the top of the screen.
3. Once you’ve taken your photo, open it in the Photos app.
4. Swipe up across your photo, which will open the effects menu.
5. Scroll through and tap Long Exposure and watch your photo transform.

How to create looped or Boomerang-like GIFs with Live Photos

You can use Live Photo effects to also create looped GIFs (similar to the Boomerang feature on Instagram). To make a custom GIF, you use the same effects screen that you used to create a long exposure:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone and navigate to the Live Photo you want to edit.
2. Swipe up to reveal the effects screen.
3. Tap Loop, which will create a looped video that will play over and over again.

Ready to start experimenting with Live Photos and the cool effects they create? Keep this guide handy for your next Live Photo shoot. 

The post How to use iPhone Live Photos for creative photos and videos appeared first on Backlight.

For more flexibility, consider purchasing a small tripod so that you can use a self-timer for your selfies. This will make for more natural-looking photos and get the camera a little farther away from your face. 

We have divided these poses into categories for women, men, and couples, but feel free to experiment with all of them, no matter which category you fall into.

Cute selfie poses for girls and women

There are many selfie options for girls and women that are both cute and flattering. If you’re stuck trying to figure something out, try these ideas.

1. The pensive profile

There’s something about a portrait of the subject looking away from the camera that makes for a more natural capture. Side-profile selfies leave the viewer guessing — what is the person thinking, and where is she looking? This is also the perfect selfie pose for people who are a bit camera shy. 

2. The fun reflection selfie pose

There are a million ways to use reflections to create fun selfies that are totally unique. Think beyond the bathroom mirror, a selfie that has been done to death. Reflections can be created using mirrors, of course, but lakes, puddles, and windows can also be used. Find a reflective surface and let your creativity run wild. 

 3. The looking-over-the-shoulder pose

While this is a common portrait pose for weddings, senior portraits, and the like, you rarely see over-the-shoulder selfies. This type of shot may not feel entirely natural, but it stands out with a unique look that is perfect for everyone — girls, women, boys, and men. For the most natural look, shoot the over-the-shoulder pose at eye level and crop as closely as you are comfortable. 

The best selfie poses for boys and men

Who takes the most selfies — men or women? The verdict is out and pretty difficult to calculate, but these awesome selfie poses are perfect for guys who want to give it a go. 

5. The closely cropped pose shot from below

One of the problems with traditional selfies is that it’s tricky to find a background that isn’t busy and overwhelming, and you’ve always got the weird shoulder hunch from stretching your arm out to capture your face. You can solve both of these issues by getting in close and shooting from below so that the sky becomes your background. 

 6. The classic headshot

If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, try this: Hold the camera an arm’s length away at eye level. Look straight into the camera and press the shutter. Smiling is optional. When you’re finished, crop as tight as you wish to limit background distractions. The classic headshot looks great in black and white or color and is great for showing off that new haircut.

7. The partial shadow selfie

This type of selfie is similar to the classic headshot. The only difference is that you want half of your face to be in shadow. To do this, stand next to a sunny window so that the natural light shines on half of your face. Artificial light also works. The goal is to have a deep contrast between light and dark. Hold your phone off-center with the light source shining behind the lens.

Great selfie poses for couples

It can be tricky to nail down a natural-looking couple pose. On the one hand, having two people in your photo takes some of the pressure off, but on the other hand, now you have to pose two people in a way that is natural and attractive. Our advice is to use the following couple posing suggestions as inspiration and experiment with what works best for you.

8. The piggyback selfie

For something less romantic and more fun, try out the piggyback selfie. It’s an awkward pose to get right, but even the bloopers make great memories. For this one, we recommend a tripod, a timer, and a lot of patience. Don’t forget to smile!

9. The adoring gaze selfie pose

For this pose, one of you should be looking at the camera while the other stares adoringly at his/her partner. It doesn’t matter who does what, and it’s fun to try this one both ways. It’s way less awkward than both people staring into each other’s eye, making this one easier to share.

10. The foreheads touching profile pose

For this pose, you’ll need a tripod and a self-timer. Stand facing your partner, hold hands, and lean into each other until your foreheads are touching. Close your eyes, enjoy the moment, and snap a photo. For the best results, shoot this one from mid-thigh up. (Ambiance from a nearby fountain is totally optional.)

Hopefully, these unique selfie poses will encourage you to get out there and start shooting, no matter what type of camera or phone you’re using to capture the moment.

The post The 10 best selfie pose ideas for natural-looking selfies appeared first on Backlight.