How to Maximise iPhone 7 Plus’ Photography Features
Apple has launched the brand new iOS 10.1 this week. It now features the highly anticipated Portrait camera mode to the iPhone 7 Plus. The Portrait feature now enables iPhone users to apply the simulated Bokeh effect. The Bokeh effect is similar to those DSLR cameras’ function which enhances the portrait shots.
Users that it will take some time to “master” the Portrait feature. Apple says that it’s still in beta mode and the Portrait feature will improve eventually. The most notable hardware that the iPhone 7 Plus carries is its 56mm lens. This will make the Portrait feature more effective in producing quality photos.
We have listed down 5 useful tips to maximise the iPhone 7 Plus’ Portrait feature:
1.) Using the Bokeh Effect
The Portrait feature enables users to capture photos using simulated Bokeh effect. The Bokeh is the blurred background effect that highlights the subject of the picture. The Portrait mode will be available once you update your iPhone 7 Plus. It will show you a preview of the Bokeh effect before using it.
It’s recommended to shoot photos in bright light to get best results. Another great tip is to observe the proximity between the subject and the background. It’s advised that if your subject is standing too near beside a tree, it’s best to stand afar to enhance the Bokeh effect.
2.) Applying the New Flash
The iPhone 7’s latest quad-tone flash can come in handy. It’s very useful when you are capturing shots in low-light backgrounds. While the flash is limited in terms of illuminating background features, its 4 LED lights will help in capturing skin tones effectively. The use of an external LED flash will definitely produce outstanding results.
3.) Shooting Photo in Low Light
Capturing picture in low light has always been a challenge. We all want to make the most out our cameras. The iPhone 7 Plus has improved the iPhone’s camera in a number of way. Dimmer photos will now be able to have a better detailed imagery. You can play the camera’s exposure slider to adjust the contrast of the images. The iPhone 7 Plus’ camera blends black tones with low light background to create intimate shots.
4.) Editing RAW Photos
Most professional photographers don’t usually shoot JPEG images. They prefer their cameras’ RAW mode. A RAW image contains a detailed image and is useful during post-processing. The image’s white balance and contrast can easily be modified to product a quality photo.
Good news for photographers since the iPhone 7 Plus gives access to its RAW mode. It’s a function in progress, but Adobe Lightroom and ProCamera can help you edit and export RAW files.
5.) Using the Optical Zoom
The iPhone 7 Plus’ extra 56mm lens doubles the focal length of the original 28mm glass. With this in mind, it gives you a 2x seamless optical zoom which extends to 1ox using the digital zoom. So if you are shooting a video, make sure to lock your lens (in Settings > Photo & Camera > Record Video). This will prevent the flicker whenever you are zooming in or out.