How To Take Awesome Live Photos With Your iPhone
Matt Klein has nearly two decades of technical writing experience. He’s covered Windows, Android, macOS, Microsoft Office, and everything in between. He’s even written a book, The How-To Geek Guide to Windows 8. Read more…
If you purchased a recent iPhone , then you may be loving the new Live Photos feature. If you arent, then maybe you just havent become well acquainted with it.
The best way to describe a Live Photo is to compare it to an animated GIF. You take a photo of your subject, which should be moving, and the camera on the iPhone will actually capture a short movie. When you apply pressure to it using 3D Touch, it will spring to life.
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If you look closely, you see it actually creates;a small MOV file. This file will take up much;more space than a simple still photo, so you should use Live Photos selectively.
Live Photos are one of the coolest features to appear on an iPhone and we wholly recommend you check them out. To that end, we want to talk a bit about the best way to take Live Photos, how to turn them off as needed, and how to edit them.
How To Look Through A Photo Collection In Messages On iPhone And iPad
If you send four or more photos, the photo collection will appear as a set of images stacked on top of each other. This allows you to quickly swipe through the photos or view them all as a grid.
To swipe through the photos, follow these steps.
If you would prefer to see a grid of all the photos, follow these steps.
Make Sure Your Subject Is Moving
The whole point of;Live Photos is;to create short clips that animate when you touch them. To that end, its absolutely necessary you shoot something that is moving, whether its the ferris wheel at the carnival or your cat licking its chops after eating. Live Photos are only effective when there is motion.
The other important thing to know is because youre essentially shooting a movie, a Live Photo will take just a few seconds longer than still;photos to capture. You can tell when a Live Photo is being shot because a Live box will appear in the center of the upper portion of the camera view.
Once this box disappears, you know your Live Photo is done, and you can then view it in Photos. To fully capture your subjects motion, you will need to keep the camera focused on it until it is done. Therefore, you need to remain fairly still so that your Live Photo doesnt come out all shaky. Practice breathing slowly when you tap the shutter button and use the Volume Down;button for best results.
Also, keep in mind Live Photos will record sound as well, so make sure you dont say anything unless you want it recorded as well.
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Removing A Photo From The Photos Widget
If you see a photo in the Photos widget on your iPhone that you dont want to be there, you can easily remove it.
To remove a photo from showing in the Photos widget, double-tap the photo that is being shown in the widget.
The Photos app will open with that photo being shown. Tap the button below the photo.
Youll see a menu appear below the photos with options for sharing the photo. Scroll down through the options until you see one that says Remove from Featured Photos. Tap that option to remove that photo from appearing in the Photos widget.
How To Download A Photo Collection In Messages On iPhone And iPad
One of the best things about photo collections is how easy it is to download all the photos someone has sent you. You can download all the pictures at once with the tap of a button, or you can select images separately and download only specific photos.
To download an entire photo collection, follow these steps:
To download a specific photo, follow these steps:
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The Materials You Will Need:
- Your fully-charged iPhone. Dont operate on a half-charged battery! You might take a few tries before you take a good photo, thus draining your battery.;
- A room with even lighting or outdoor space without too much glare. Its best if you choose a room with natural lighting or, if youre outside, pick a shady area.
- Tripod with iPhone adapter. Your hands might start to shake later if you get tired. Its best if you rely on a tripod with an iPhone adapter. You can also use a 3-in-1 selfie stick tripod, which you can use as a selfie stick, iPhone tripod, and DSLR camera tripod.
- A portable wooden easel. Get a portable wooden easel so that youll work with something lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. You can also choose the multi-angle easel with wheels, so you can move it around easily. If you dont have one, you can put your artwork on the floor and take a picture of it from the top.
- Clear or matter magic tape. If your artwork is a drawing on a piece of paper, then you will need this to tape it on the bare wall. We suggest you get a magic tape with a matte finish. Its easy to cut and wont peel off the paper when you take it off.
- Grey cloth. If youre intending to take a lot of photos, we recommend you get a reusable grey cloth. It should be okay to wash in a washing machine. Now, if your room or studio has no bare wall, then you should include this as the backdrop for your artwork.;
1. Prepare the room or studio.
Why use natural light in capturing your painting?
Save Data With This Quick Fix
Sending photos via text messages can be data-intensive. If you have a mobile data cap, you can eat through it in no time. You dont always need to send megabytes-worth of material by text message, especially when youre not connected to Wi-Fi.
To save bandwidth, you can opt to send low-quality photos in your iPhone text messages instead. Here hows you do it: Go to Settings >> Messages >> and scroll all the way down and toggle Low Quality Image Mode to On.
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Do A Bit Of Planning For The Best Black And White Photography
If you want to create amazing black and white photos
then you need to plan your shots in advance.
Its as simple as that.
The best photos take thought and previsualization. If you just go out and see what you can find, you probably wont capture anything incredible. There will be too many things left up to chance.
So dont leave things up to chance.
Instead, you should plan your shots in advance.
Previsualize your images. Think about what you want to convey.
Do you want to create a sense of awe and wonder? Then identify some huge buildings that you might include in your shots.
For the photo above, I used a huge building as my focal point. Look at how the building conveys a sense of breathtaking power!
Do you want to create drama? Then think about the lighting. What lighting will best create a dramatic image?
For the shot above, I used dark shadows and a silhouette to create drama.
Do you want to create a sense of tension? Then think about the composition. Figure out how you can put your subjects off centerso that there is clear visual tension.
Once you have all of these elements in your head, only then should you go out and shoot.
Thats how youll get incredible images.
Know Who Texts Without Looking At Your Phone
Similar to having special ringtones for your special someone, you also can set special text tones for specific contacts. This is great for knowing exactly who just sent you a text.
To set up a special text tone on your iPhone, select the specific Contact , then tap Edit on the upper right. Now on the Text Tone section, change it from Default to something else. You can also change the specific contacts vibration alert in this section.
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Check Metadata Of Images On iPhone And iPad With Ease
Thats all there is to it! So thats how you can dive into the metadata details of any photo on your iPhone and iPad. While I prefer to go with the Files app, I welcome the addition of a built-in tool to check EXIF metadata right from the Photos app. The native tool makes the process dead simple. What is your opinion on this new iOS 15 feature? Let us know in the comments section below.
Reply Directly From A Notification
If you have an iPhone 6S , youre probably familiar with 3D Touch even if you dont use it very much. This feature lets you press your screen with different amounts of finger pressure to access more options. This is kind of like hovering over an icon with your mouse, but better. Once you start using 3D Touch, you get it.
For example, with 3D Touch, you dont have to open the Messages app to reply to a message. Just do a long hard press on the lock-screen text notification itself to reply. If youre in a hurry, this feature will save you time, although 3D Touch does require some practice.
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Consider How The Light Affects Your Image
What kind of light is best for nature macro photography?
And how do different kinds of light affect the quality and mood of your photo?
For best results, Id recommend shooting on a slightly overcast day.
Why?
Because a cloudy sky creates a soft, even light which is much easier to shoot in.
The problem with a sunny day is that your macro lens can cast a dark shadow on your subject.
But a cloudy sky diffuses the sunlight. And this means you wont get any of those harsh shadows.
Of course, shooting on an overcast day isnt always convenient. So here are some tips for capturing great macro photos in bright sunlight:
If you have to shoot on a sunny day, the mid-morning and mid-afternoon light tends to be best. At these times, the light is less intense and the shadows arent so harsh.
If the sun is casting shadow lines on your subject, you could try using your body to block the light.
Stand with the sun behind you so that you cast a shadow over the entire subject. Just be careful that the scene doesnt become too dark.
You could also try shooting with the sun to one side of you. That way, youre less likely to cast a shadow with your lens.
Sometimes, backlighting can work well too. This is where you shoot into the light so the subject is illuminated from the back.
Leaves can look beautiful when theyre backlit. The color and texture will be enhanced when the light shines through them.
View Metadata Using Photos App In Ios 15 And iPados 15
2. Now, select an image from your photo library and tap on the tiny i;info button located at the bottom.
3. Now, you will see the EXIF data for the image in a section right below the date and time. It will show you plenty of details including, the device used to capture the image, camera settings, location, and more.
4. If you want to tweak the date and time of the image on your iPhone, tap on Adjust and do the needful. In the end, make sure to tap Adjust again at the top right to save the changes.
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View The Type And Amount Of Data An App Collects About You
If you go into the App Store and look at the listing for any app, you’ll now find an app privacy section where each developer is required, by Apple, to list out all of the data they track and use to serve you ads. Some apps collect more data than others, and it’s eye-opening to see just how much information an app developer can collect about its users. Don’t believe me? Check out the app privacy label for Facebook Messenger. Make sure to tap or click;See Details and then start scrolling. And keep scrolling.;
Starting with iOS 14.5, apps are now required to ask if you want to allow them to collect this data and use it to serve better ads to you. However, you can start making decisions right now on whether or not you want to even have apps that collect an abundance of information installed on your phone.;
Your hidden photo album can actually be hidden now. Cool, right?;
Select Frames From Live Photos
Live Photo, an iPhone feature that produces a 3-second video clip, is a convenient feature for capturing just the right moment. This comes in handy when you’d rather not bank on a single millisecond for your photo, but instead, choose a single frame from a range of facial expressions or movements. iPhone Photos automatically selects a frame among your Live Photo “clip,” but you can also manually select your own, and convert it into a stand-alone still.
How to Edit Live Photos: Pull up a Live Photo, head into edit mode, then select the “Live” icon appearing as three concentric circles. Along the bottom, you’ll see a series of frames that you may slide to select your favorite. Once you tap “Make Key Photo,” you may also tap the yellow “Live” button at the top to turn off the Live Photo mode, transforming your selected frame into a single image.
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Shoot From At The Right Angle
What if your painting has a glossy finish?;
Sometimes, all it takes is several adjustments and patience. Move to different positions until you cant see shine or glare on your viewfinder.;
Do your windows give off harsh lighting? You can also create a DIY softbox or diffuser by draping your bedsheet on them. If you have white ones, then you should use that.;
Include A Person In The Frame For The Best Story
Whats the best way to engage the viewers of your black and white photography?
Use your photograph to tell a story.
This may seem difficult. How do you tell a story with an image?
But a story doesnt have to be complex. It can be a feeling. Or it can be a brief, compelling moment.
In my images, I often tell a story of lonely, small individuals. I like to photograph people standing beside giant buildings. I like to convey a sense of scale and smallness.
You can tell stories, too. In fact, black and white photography is fantastic for telling stories. Black and white images lack color. And so the story comes through much more powerfully.
Look at the photo above. Do you see how the tiny figure stands in relation to the hulking building? Does this bring a feeling to mind?
Let me emphasize: If you want to tell a great story, then include people in your photos. People are great for establishing interesting characters.
Plus, when theres a person in your photo, the viewer is often drawn to them. The viewer wants to know: What is the person doing? Why are they there? How are they feeling?
A final tip for telling a great story is to include mystery in your photographs. That is, make sure that there are some aspects of your photos that leave room for interpretation.
Look at the mysterious figures in the photo below. Dont you want to know whats happening?
In fact, you already know a great technique for adding mystery: shooting silhouettes!
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How To Hide Photos From The Photos Widget On Your iPhone Or iPad
Q. I really enjoyed your article about using widgets on the iPhone. Ive added some widgets to my home screen and theyre really great!
My favorite widget is the Photos widget. I love seeing some of my favorite photos and remembering fun times Ive had with friends and my family
But sometimes the Photos widget shows photos I dont want to see. I dont want to delete the photos, but I dont want them showing up in my Photos widget, making me sad. Some memories Im just not ready to deal with.
Is there a way to hide a sad photo from the Photos widget on my iPhone without deleting the photo?
Thanks for your help.
A. Great question! Yes, widgets on the iPhone and iPad can be very helpful and even fun! The Photos widget is one of my favorites too. Seeing fun photos can certainly bring a smile to my day.
But youre right, some photos are best avoided. You dont need reminders of every moment of your life in the Photos widget. Sometimes photos arent a happy reminder of joyous times.
The good news is that you can easily remove a photo from the Photos widget without deleting that photo. You can also prevent a photo from ever being shown in the Photos widget.