Long exposure photography can create stunning effects, blurring moving elements while keeping stationary objects sharp. To achieve this on your iPhone, you’ll need to adjust your camera settings or download a third-party app. The process involves stabilizing your phone, setting the exposure time, and editing the photo afterward for the best results.
Step by Step Tutorial for Long Exposure on iPhone
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand that long exposure photography involves capturing a scene over a longer period, usually seconds or minutes, to blur motion and create a dreamy effect. Here’s how to do it with your iPhone.
Step 1: Stabilize Your iPhone
Make sure your iPhone is steady and won’t move during the exposure.
Using a tripod or resting your iPhone on a stable surface is crucial for long exposure photography. Any movement can cause the image to blur, and not in the artistic way you’re aiming for.
Step 2: Set Your Exposure Time
Choose the exposure time appropriate for the effect you want to achieve.
On the iPhone, you can do this by using the live photo feature and then swiping up to select the ‘Long Exposure’ effect. Or, if you’re using a third-party camera app, you can manually set the exposure time.
Step 3: Take the Photo
Press the shutter button and keep your iPhone still until the exposure time ends.
Once you press the shutter, it’s crucial to not touch your iPhone until the photo is taken. Even a slight tap can ruin the long exposure effect.
Step 4: Edit Your Photo
After capturing the photo, edit it to enhance the long exposure effect.
You can use the editing tools in the Photos app or third-party apps to adjust the contrast, brightness, and other aspects to make your long exposure photo pop.
After completing these steps, you’ll have a stunning long exposure photo that captures movement in a beautiful, ethereal way.
Tips for Long Exposure on iPhone
- Use a remote shutter or the timer function to avoid shaking the camera when pressing the shutter button.
- Experiment with different exposure times to see what effects they create.
- If you’re shooting in daylight, consider using an ND filter to prevent overexposure.
- Always edit your long exposure photos to bring out the best in them.
- Practice, practice, practice! The more you experiment with long exposure, the better your photos will get.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special app for long exposure on my iPhone?
You can use the built-in Live Photo feature and edit it to a long exposure, or you can download a third-party app for more control.
Can I do long exposure photography during the day?
Yes, but you may need an ND filter to reduce the amount of light coming into the camera to prevent overexposure.
What can I photograph with long exposure on my iPhone?
You can photograph anything with movement, like waterfalls, traffic, or stars, to create a blurred, dynamic effect.
How long should my exposure be?
It depends on the effect you want. Start with a few seconds and experiment from there.
Can I use my iPhone’s flash during long exposure photography?
It’s not recommended, as the flash will freeze the motion, counteracting the long exposure effect.
Summary
- Stabilize your iPhone.
- Set the exposure time.
- Take the photo.
- Edit your photo.
Conclusion
Long exposure photography on the iPhone is a fun and creative way to capture the world around you. Whether you’re looking to blur the motion of a cascading waterfall or capture the trails of cars zooming by, long exposure can turn an ordinary scene into a work of art. Remember to stabilize your phone, set the right exposure, and edit creatively. With patience and practice, you’ll master the art of long exposure on iPhone, creating photos that stand out and impress. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different subjects and settings, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.