Most people use their iPhone camera exactly how it comes out of the box.
They point it at something, take a photo, and hope it looks good.
A few small changes in how you use the camera make a much bigger difference than most people expect.
These are the ones we use the most.
1. Turn On the Grid for Better Composition
Go to Settings → Camera → Grid and turn it on.
This adds a grid over your camera preview so you can line things up properly.
It helps you use basic composition methods like the rule of thirds or centred framing.
Instead of guessing where to place your subject, you have a guide on screen.
2. Turn On Level So Your Photos Are Always Straight
Go to Settings → Camera → Level.
This shows a small line when you’re holding your phone level.
It’s useful for landscapes, buildings, and overhead shots.
When the line turns yellow, your phone is straight.
It saves you fixing tilted photos later.
3. Lower Exposure Before You Take the Photo
Tap to focus and slide the little sun icon down slightly.
This keeps skies from blowing out and stops bright areas from losing detail.
Most iPhone photos look better a little darker than the default.
You can brighten them later.
You can’t fix blown highlights.
4. Lock Focus and Exposure When Light Keeps Changing
Tap and hold on the screen until you see AE/AF Lock.
This locks focus and brightness.
It’s useful when you’re taking several photos of the same thing or when the lighting keeps changing.
It keeps your shots consistent instead of letting the camera constantly readjust.
5. Use the 1x Lens Most of the Time
If your iPhone has multiple lenses, the 1x lens is usually the best one.
It has the biggest sensor and the cleanest detail.
The ultra-wide lens is softer and distorts edges.
The zoom lenses work best in bright light.
For most photos, 1x gives the best results.
6. Turn On ProRAW (If You Have a Pro iPhone)
If you’re using a Pro model, turn on ProRAW in Settings → Camera → Formats.
Then tap RAW in the Camera app when you shoot.
ProRAW keeps more detail and gives you more room to edit later.
It works especially well if you use presets or Lightroom.
If you don’t edit your photos, you don’t need it.
But if you do, it’s worth using.
7. Use Presets to Edit Faster and Stay Consistent
Presets save a lot of time.
A preset is just a saved edit.
Instead of moving sliders for every photo, you apply a preset and then make small adjustments if needed.
This helps with two things:
- Editing much faster
- Keeping your photos looking consistent
It’s especially useful if you post photos online or want your images to have a similar look.
This is why we include presets in iPhone Creator Kit — so you’re not starting from zero every time.
8. Use the Volume Button as the Shutter
Use the volume button instead of tapping the screen.
It helps keep the phone steadier and reduces small shakes, especially in low light.
It also makes one-handed shooting easier.
It’s a small change, but it leads to sharper photos.
9. Keep Photographic Styles on Standard
Photographic Styles change how your photo looks before it’s saved.
If you plan to edit your photos, leave this on Standard.
Other styles bake in colour and contrast that you can’t fully undo later.
Standard gives you a cleaner starting point for editing and presets.
10. Clean the Lens More Than You Think
Your phone lives in your pocket and your hand.
The lens gets dirty constantly.
A quick wipe before taking a photo improves sharpness and reduces haze.
It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make, and most people forget to do it.
