1. Use High-Contrast Light For Dramatic Portrait Photos

If you want to create more dramatic portrait photos, shoot in high-contrast light!

High-contrast light means you have both bright light and dark shadows in the scene.

So where can you find high-contrast light?

Well, a sunny day is the perfect time to look for this kind of light. Head outside and find a building or wall where the bright light meets a dark shadow.

Then position your subject partly in the shadow.

Tap on your iPhone screen to set focus on the subject’s face. Then swipe down to reduce exposure so the shadows appear dark and dramatic.

Photos taken in high-contrast light look great in black and white. To create this look, simply find the black and white options in your favorite photo editing app!

You can also capture contrasting light indoors. Look for a dimly-lit room that has soft light coming in through a window.

Place your subject near the window. Then position them so that half of their face is lit by the window while the other side is in shadow.

If necessary, reduce exposure to ensure the shadows look dark and dramatic.

The contrasting light and shadow will create a wonderfully moody portrait!

2. Get Creative With Light Patterns

Light patterns allow you to create really interesting portraits.

Indoors, you can find light patterns when the sunlight shines through window blinds or beveled glass.

Outdoors, you can find patterns when the light shines through leaves or a fence line.

You can also get creative by holding different kinds of objects in front of a light source. For example, you could use a strainer to create unique light patterns on your subject’s face.

In most cases, it’s best to position your subject so that the light pattern shines onto their face.

If the pattern is shining on a wall, have your subject stand against the wall for added visual interest.

If necessary, tap your iPhone screen to set focus on the subject’s face, then swipe down to reduce exposure.

Reducing exposure ensures that the subject’s skin isn’t overly bright. And the deep, dark shadows will add a sense of drama to your photo!

Move your subject around in the light and try different poses. For example, you could capture the pattern on just the side of their face. Or use the light to illuminate a certain feature such as their eye.

3. Experiment With Different Poses

The way you pose your subject can make or break your photos. If you want to avoid dull and lifeless poses, you need to get a little creative!

Here are three simple poses that will add interest and drama to your portraits…

The first posing technique is a really easy one to try. Simply use your subject’s hands to frame their face.

Place one hand higher on one side of their face. Then place the other hand lower near their jawline, lightly touching their face.

This type of pose creates a natural frame, drawing attention to your subject’s face. It also gives them something to do with their hands, making them feel more relaxed during the shoot.

The next posing technique creates a bit more mood and drama. Ask your subject to tilt their head back and place their hand lightly on their neck.

This pose creates a wonderfully sensual vibe. And it’s a great one to use to make your subject feel confident and beautiful.

Now, if you want to create more unique portrait photos, try shooting from a low angle. Get your iPhone low to the ground and shoot upward towards your subject.

Use the wide-angle lens on your iPhone and get close to your subject’s feet. Have them kick toward your lens for an exciting portrait photo with a unique perspective.

This technique shows your subject from an angle that people don’t normally see. So it’s bound to grab attention!

4. Evoke A Dreamy Mood In Your Portraits

We’ve talked about adding drama to your photos. But how do you evoke a dreamy mood in your portrait photos?

Well, it’s easier than you think!

There are three main things to think about:

Movement. Relaxed dreamy expressions. Elegant arm and hand placements.

A great way to include movement in your photo is to have your subject wear loose fabric or a long dress.

Once they’re in position, get your camera ready and asked them to throw the dress or fabric up. Then capture some photos as the fabric is falling down.

To maximize your chances of getting the perfect shot, you can use the iPhone camera’s burst mode.

To activate burst mode, simply drag the shutter button towards the image thumbnail (bottom left if holding the phone vertically). Or if you’re using an older iPhone, just hold down the shutter button.

Your iPhone will keep taking photos until you release the shutter button. Then you can choose the best shots from the burst and discard the rest.

This technique allows you to capture the unique way the fabric falls. And it’s perfect for creating a dreamy vibe in your iPhone portrait photos.

Next, think about the subject’s facial expression. An easy way to create a peaceful, dreamy vibe is to ask your subject to relax their face and close their eyes.

You can then take your dreamy pose to the next level by adding some elegant arm placements. Have your subject raise their hands above their head with their elbows bent slightly.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! Direct your subject by asking them to slowly move their hands and arms around to see what works best.

5. Create Interesting Portraits With Two People

Posing two people for a portrait can be challenging… whether it’s a couple, siblings, or friends.

But once you know a few tricks, you’ll be able to create interesting portraits with two people in the frame!

Let’s start with a really simple technique. Ask both subjects to stand next to each other with their faces on the same level.

Then get up close so that only half of each person’s face is in the frame. This is a great way to get a close-up detail shot of siblings.

If your subjects are of different heights, you can create an interesting portrait by having them stand at different distances from the camera.

Have the taller person stand closer to your camera facing one direction. And have the shorter subject stand a few steps back facing the opposite direction.

This creates a more interesting perspective than having them stand side by side. It also allows you to play around with blurring the background or foreground.

For example, if the nearest subject is quite close to the camera, they’ll appear slightly out of focus. You can also shoot in iPhone Portrait mode to create a shallow depth of field effect.

If you’re doing a couples photoshoot, here are some simple posing techniques to try…

Instead of having your subjects look at the camera, ask them to look into the distance while hugging. This creates a thoughtful, dreamy vibe in your photo.

Another option is to have them close their eyes while giving each other a hug. This type of posing creates a strong emotional connection in your portraits.

Once you get started, there really is no limit to the way you can pose two people. So don’t be afraid to experiment and get creative!

6. Use Props To Convey A Story Or Feeling

The most interesting way to be creative with your portrait photography is to tell a story.

And props are the easiest way to add a storytelling element to your photos!

The options are endless when it comes to using props in your photos. Just make sure you choose a prop that helps create the story you want to tell.

For example, you could use flowers as a prop to help tell a story of love or a broken heart.

You could have your subject hold the flowers. Or place the flowers creatively in the frame.

If you want to tell a story of a vintage time period, look for vintage props such as an old car or clothing from that era.

Props such as books or coffee cups can evoke feelings of coziness.

If you want a creative way of conveying inner emotions, have your subject wear a blindfold. In the photo below, I even incorporated flowers into the blindfold for additional creative flair.

As you can see, props add a whole new element to your photos. And once you start using them, you’ll be able to create so many interesting portraits with your iPhone!

7. Style Your Subject’s Outfit To Emphasize A Theme

Your subject’s clothing is more important than you might think.

Their outfit can tell a story or emphasize a theme. And it has a big impact on the overall aesthetics of the image.

So when you’re planning your portrait photography shoot, think carefully about what you’d like your subject to wear.

Try to match their wardrobe to the theme or location (or vice versa).

For example, if you’re shooting in a natural setting, you might want to use floral patterns or neutral-tone clothing.

If you’re in a city setting, trendy or grungy outfits are the way to go.

For a cozy vibe, think about using soft fabrics, woolen jumpers, shawls, blankets, etc.

To add a touch of glamour, you can’t go wrong with sparkly or sequinned outfits!

Also, consider how the color of the outfit interacts with the environment.

Matching the clothing color to the surroundings will create a harmonious image that’s pleasing to the eye.

With that said, don’t be afraid to use a clothing color that contrasts with the background. That pop of color can be a real head-turner!

Of course, the clothing should also reflect the subject’s personality. So get them involved with choosing the outfits too.

And remember, styling your subject doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes a simple hat or a piece of flowing fabric is all you need!

About The Author
Aeriel Orndorff has been passionate about photography since 2013… And during the last few years, the iPhone is her camera of choice. Why? Because she enjoys the creative freedom that iPhone photography brings! Aeriel is also a fan of rainy weather, reading books, and cute coffee shops! You can see more of her compelling portrait photos on Instagram.

The post 7 Ways To Shoot Interesting Portrait Photos On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

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1. Research Your Destination To Find The Best Photo Opportunities

Before your trip, I recommend researching the destination to find the most interesting photo opportunities.

I always research the location I’m traveling to. I do this extensively and obsessively!

It’s up to you how much research you do. But you should definitely spend a bit of time looking up some great places to take pictures.

So, what kind of research can you do?

First, you could search for photos that other people have taken at the locations you’re planning to visit.

Search on Instagram or Google to get an idea of the kinds of photos people take there.

Which photos jump out at you?

Find out where those places are. And then add them to your list of places to visit while you’re on vacation.

You could also use Google to search for specific things in the area you’re visiting.

For example, you could search for the most remote beach, the most unique architecture, the most beautiful train station, the highest viewpoint for taking photos, etc.

You could even use Google Maps to search for places to photograph.

Use the aerial satellite view to “fly” over a city. Look for interesting features that might look good photographed from ground level.

Or use the street view to “walk” through the city, searching for beautiful architecture or colorful walls.

Research the best times to visit. Check the time of sunrise and sunset so that you can take photos during the beautiful golden light.

And find out when the location will be quiet or empty so that you’re not shooting amongst the crowds.

A bit of research will give you a headstart when you get to your destination.

You’ll know the best locations, the best times to visit, and the most interesting viewpoints to shoot from.

Of course, spontaneous travel photos are awesome… and I take plenty of them. But some photos take a bit more planning.

It might sound like extra effort, but the results will definitely be worth it!

Read on to discover how to take good vacation photos as soon as your journey begins…

2. Capture Your Journey To Tell The Complete Story Of Your Travels

Travel photography isn’t just about photographing the destination.

For a more complete photographic story, capture your journey to and from the location you’re visiting.

If you’re traveling by plane, try to get a window seat where you have a view of the wing or propeller.

And of course, you could capture a beautiful aerial view of clouds, mountains, or city lights as you’re flying above.

Your journey will often involve several different types of transport. And they all offer great photo opportunities.

Whether you’re traveling by car, taxi, bus, train, boat, or plane, try to capture some interesting photos.

For example, you could photograph the view outside, using the window to frame the scene.

Look for interesting features within the vehicle. It could be as simple as a colorful seat, or the way the light and shadow falls.

You could take candid photos of strangers traveling alongside you.

And don’t forget to take pictures of your travel companions too.

Try to capture the mood that you’re in. If you’re traveling alone, you’re likely to be in a thoughtful mood. So taking photos out of a train window would help to convey that mood.

If you’re excited to be going somewhere with family or friends, try to capture that sense of energy in your photos.

Finally, don’t forget to photograph the buildings that you pass through when traveling.

Train stations can be amazing to shoot in. If I’m catching a train, I often get there early to take pictures of the station.

Of course, I will have researched the train stations that I’ll be passing through. So I’ll know what kind of photos I can capture!

Take photos of station names and street signs too. This will be a great reminder of the places that you traveled through.

3. Shoot Your Travel Photos During The Beautiful Golden Hour Light

Light makes a huge difference to the quality of your photos.

The same location can look completely different depending on the time of day that you shoot.

For the most beautiful light, shoot during the golden hours around sunrise and sunset.

When the sun is low in the sky, the light is soft and warm. It casts a stunning golden glow over the scene. And this will look amazing in your travel photos!

This is especially true if you’re shooting landscape photos. You can’t beat golden hour landscape photography!

During the middle of the day, it can be difficult to capture a sense of depth in a landscape. But the soft, warm light of golden hour makes it easy to take breathtaking landscape shots.

It’s a good idea to take several photos at different exposure settings until you achieve the best result. To adjust exposure, tap the screen to set focus, then swipe up or down to adjust exposure.

I find that sunrise is usually a better time to shoot than sunset.

I prefer the quality of morning light. At sunset, the light can be a bit hazy. And there will also be more people around at sunset.

If you get up early, you can capture your location in perfect lighting with hardly anyone around.

Sunrise and sunset are also excellent times for creating silhouette photos.

To create a silhouette, shoot towards the light. Tap to set focus on your subject, then swipe down to darken the exposure. The subject will appear as a dark silhouette against the brighter sky.

Golden hour is perfect for shooting landscapes. But it’s also a great time for city photography.

If you’re traveling to an urban location, be sure to explore the city around sunrise or sunset.

Notice how the golden light hits the streets and buildings.

Find a high vantage point and capture the sunlight illuminating the city.

The golden light of sunrise and sunset adds a magical quality to your travel photos. So whenever possible, shoot during these times of the day.

You don’t have to get up early every day. You’re on vacation after all!

But if you want to capture a location in the best light possible, you can’t beat a beautiful sunrise.

4. Include People In Your iPhone Travel Photography

Wherever possible, try to include a person in your travel photos.

Why? There are several reasons!

A person creates a strong focal point in your image.

In other words, it adds a point of visual interest amongst the surroundings or background.

A person also gives the image meaning. It creates a little story of a very specific moment during your travels.

You could experiment with including just a single person as well as crowds of people.

Crowds can add a sense of movement, energy, or tension to your travel photos.

I usually prefer to wait for just one person to be in the scene.

A single person creates a strong focal point. And I like the mood that it creates.

Stride-by photos of a person walking by are a great way to capture a single person in your travel photos.

You often have to be patient to capture these kinds of shots. So get a coffee, sit there, and wait for someone interesting to walk past.

Waiting for that perfect moment will distinguish your travel photos from other tourist shots at the same location.

When photographing people, you could shoot close-ups to capture detail and emotion. Or you could shoot from further away so they appear smaller amongst the surroundings.

Having the person appear small within the frame adds a sense of size and scale.

You’ll often capture the best photos of people away from the main tourist destinations.

Get someone to show you the places where the locals go. And then wait for interesting moments and interactions.

Another technique is to take photos of tourists as they’re looking at a beautiful view.

The person will create a more interesting story than just the view on its own.

There will be plenty of strangers for you to photograph when you’re traveling. But don’t forget to include your travel companions too.

You want to preserve the memories of being on vacation with your friends or family.

Finally, you could also include yourself in the scene.

Just set your phone on a small iPhone tripod (or any steady surface). Then use a remote shutter or the camera’s self-timer to capture yourself in the photo.

5. Find An Interesting Perspective For Striking Compositions

If you want to learn how to take better travel photos, you have to experiment with different angles and viewpoints.

This is what’s going to set your iPhone travel photography apart from the typical tourist snapshots.

When you find a scene that you’d like to photograph, don’t just shoot from the most obvious angle.

Explore the scene. Look for an angle or viewpoint that’s more unusual. This is what will make your photo more interesting and unique.

Try lots of different angles until you find something that works.

Wherever I go, my first stop is always to get to the highest point in the city.

Try to find a high vantage point that allows you to shoot down on the scene. It could be a tower, a bridge, a tall building, or a mountain.

A high vantage point is great for capturing long leading lines, such as roads or rivers, that lead into the distance.

Next, try shooting from a low angle. Hold your iPhone close to the ground and point it up towards a tall subject, such as a building.

Try shooting through something to create additional layers in your composition.

You could use a window or a hole in a fence as a frame.

Explore the insides of buildings. And capture the view outside from within.

My favorite technique is to look for symmetry. Symmetrical scenes allow you to create a really strong composition.

Symmetry instantly sets your photo apart from ordinary tourist shots. It shows that you’ve carefully planned the composition to create the most striking image.

Buildings and architecture are great places to find symmetry. They often have strong lines that can be used to help you create perfectly symmetrical compositions.

Another thing to consider is whether the scene would look best shot with a wide-angle or telephoto lens.

I love to use the Moment Wide and Telephoto lenses while traveling.

The Wide lens is great for architecture shots. It allows you to capture much more of the building in the frame.

And the Telephoto lens is great for landscape photos. You can get a closer view of a distant scene, eliminating any distracting foreground.

Of course, if you have an iPhone with multiple built-in lenses, you can zoom in or out in the Camera app.

Just tap the zoom icons at the bottom of the viewfinder to switch between iPhone lenses.

The new iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max have three lenses: Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto.

The lens that you choose will dramatically affect what you can include and exclude from the composition.

Knowing how to take travel photos that stand out from the crowd is all about finding the most interesting viewpoint.

So here’s another great tip for capturing unique perspectives in your iPhone travel photos…

6. Use Reflections To Capture A More Unique Viewpoint

Reflections offer an amazing way to capture the scene from an interesting perspective.

A reflection can turn a very ordinary scene into something far more interesting.

I often carry a small mirror with me when I’m traveling.

If you place a mirror within the scene, you can capture the view in front of and behind you.

The reflection in the mirror will add a strong focal point to your image.

Rather than holding the mirror, it’s often easier to put it down – for example, in the sand.

If you’re traveling with a friend, you could ask them to hold the mirror while you capture an interesting reflection in it.

Using a mirror in this way is a great way of creating an illusion in your photo.

It makes the image confusing… which is a good thing as it makes it more intriguing.

Mirrors aren’t the only place to find reflections, though.

Puddles are perfect for reflection photography. You can do so much with a small puddle on the street.

After the rain, hunt for reflections in puddles. Get down super low. And hold your iPhone upside down to get the lens closer to the water.

Cities are great places to find reflections.

Once you start looking, you’ll notice reflections in windows, metallic buildings, polished floors, and other shiny surfaces.

Reflections are a great way to create symmetry, especially when photographing architecture.

If you’re shooting in the city, look out for reflections in windows at sunrise and sunset.

You can even take a self-portrait by capturing your own reflection.

7. Get Creative With Props & Perspective Tricks

Creating more unique travel photos can take a little bit of imagination.

Here are some fun ways to get more creative with your iPhone travel photography!

An easy way to get started is to use some kind of prop in your photo.

You’ve already seen that a small mirror can add an intriguing focal point to your image. But think of other small items that you could take on your travels and include in your photos.

I love to take a toy airplane with me when traveling.

I’ve created a series of images using this small prop.

I find an interesting building or famous landmark (I usually research this before my travels). Then I get someone else to hold the plane while I lie on the ground and take the picture.

Another fun technique is to use perspective tricks.

Find a beautiful landscape or an interesting urban location. Have a friend stand in the distance so they appear small within the scene.

Then include your own hand (or another friend’s hand) in the foreground. Position your hand to make it appear that you’re picking up a tiny person.

Another trick is to tilt your camera on an angle when you shoot. In the photo below, the buildings aren’t really leaning to one side.

The buildings are actually built on a steep hill. But tilting my iPhone camera so that the hill appears level makes the buildings look like they’re leaning.

A simple prop or perspective trick can add a fun or confusing element to a photo.

And when you’re at a location that gets photographed a lot by tourists, this is one way to make your picture stand out.

The post 7 Tips For Shooting More Interesting Travel Photos With Your iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Choose A Light Or Dark Background For High-Contrast Portrait Photography

Are you looking to take gorgeous high-contrast portrait pictures with your iPhone?

You might be tempted to begin by selecting a model.

However, I’d advise against this.

Instead, start your photography process by choosing a background for your portrait. Only then should you choose your model.

Why should you focus so heavily on the background?

When shooting high-contrast portraits, the background is extremely important. The subject and the background must work together to create a stunning photo.

And so you must pick the background deliberately.

Once you’ve chosen a perfect background, you can select a good model.

But what makes for a perfect background?

A perfect background is, above all, simple. It is generally uniform in color, like the white fabric in the photo below.

But a great background is also very dark or very light.

For instance, the white sands of a beach make for an excellent light background.

And the brown metal of a building makes for a fantastic dark background.

By choosing backgrounds that exist at such extremes, you’ll be able to ensure high contrast between the background and the model.

Which is exactly what you want.

Then you can choose the perfect model.

If you’re using a bright background, you can choose a model with dark clothes or a dark complexion.

If you’re using a dark background, you can choose a model with light clothes or a light complexion.

When your model is photographed on the perfect background, the photo will have a lot of power. The dark-light contrast will stun the viewer!

However, you can do even more to create contrasty photos. Because you also should pay attention to the light:

2. Shoot In Harsh Sunlight For Amazing Contrast

Most photographers like to shoot in the early morning and late afternoon. That’s when the sun casts a gorgeous golden glow over the scene.

(These times are known as the golden hours.)

But if you want to create amazing high-contrast portrait photography, you must avoid the golden hours.

You should also avoid cloudy days.

Why?

When the sun is low in the sky (during the golden hours), or when the sunlight is diffused (on cloudy days), the light is soft.

Which is exactly what you don’t want when photographing high-contrast portraits.

Instead, you should shoot on bright, sunny days—when the sun is high in the sky.

When the sun is high above the scene, the light is harsh and contrasty. And so the scene will have dark shadows and bright whites.

In most photography, dark shadows and bright whites are avoided at all costs.

But when you’re shooting high-contrast portrait photography, it’s perfect!

You can even play with the heavy shadows by placing your subject partially in darkness. This will create a gorgeous, dramatic image—one that will stun the viewer.

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re looking to take the best high-contrast portraits, then you must shoot on sunny days.

I recommend going out for a few hours in mid-afternoon. That’s when the light is perfect.

And that’s how you’ll get the best images.

3. Visualize The Shot In Advance For The Most Compelling iPhone Portrait

You know how to find a background and a model.

You know how to shoot in the best light.

But how do you create powerful compositions? How do you create photos that look very pleasing to the eye?

Start by visualizing the shot in advance. Think about the mood you’d like to create with the photoshoot.

If you want to create a dramatic photo, then you should probably have your model stare at the camera. Have them tilt their head downward. Have them pull a blank expression.

If you want to create a more subdued shot, have the model look away. You might even want to have them turn their back to the camera. That way, the shot will be less intense.

Then think about the different photos you’d like to get.

I’d recommend you take at least a few different compositions: a headshot, a head-and-shoulders shot, and a full-body shot.

But you can experiment with these in your mind’s eye. You can imagine various other possibilities. And you can imagine unique versions of these basic portrait photos.

Once you’ve done this visualization, you’re ready to go out with your model…

4. Simplify Your Compositions For The Best Portraits

Here’s a key to gorgeous high-contrast portrait photography:

The best photos are the simplest photos.

Remember this. And be sure to use it when you’re taking your portraits.

But what’s the best way to simplify your photos?

First, you should make sure that your images have zero distractions.

Because distractions take away from photos. They cause the viewer to focus on something other than the subject—and this isn’t what you want.

To prevent distractions in a composition, look around the area. Are there any unwanted objects, lights, or colors in the scene?

If so, then make sure you eliminate these distractions when you compose your image.

For instance, you can crouch down low to avoid distractions on the ground.

Or you can move to the side to avoid distractions behind the subject.

Just make sure you avoid distractions in the background.

But that isn’t the only way to simplify your shot.

You can also simplify your shots by using minimalistic compositions.

Minimalism is a technique where you include only a few elements in your photos.

For instance, you might include a single person and a white background.

Here’s the bottom line:

Only include what’s necessary.

So make sure that every part of your photo is essential.

If you can do this, your photos will be far better.

5. Use Contrasting Colors For A More Powerful Portrait Photo

You can create contrast with dark and light tones. You can enhance that contrast with harsh light.

But did you know that you can create further contrast?

You just have to use color.

Certain colors are very similar. They create very little contrast.

For instance, pink and red don’t stand out when placed next to one another.

And blue and green look pretty low-key when side-by-side.

But if you put red next to green, both colors really pop.

This is because red and green are contrasting colors. Some other great color pairs are blue/orange and purple/yellow.

So when you’re out looking for backgrounds, see if you can find some interesting colors. Perhaps you can find a blue wall or a red sign.

Then, ask your model to wear clothes of a contrasting color.

It can also be interesting to give your model colored props—which is a great way to introduce contrast.

You could give your model some brightly colored fruit or a colorful umbrella.

The important thing is that you add as much contrast as possible.

And color is a great way to do this!

6. Return To Locations Repeatedly For Creative Portraits

When you’re searching out portrait locations…

…how do you consistently find something that works?

First, I recommend that you spend a lot of time walking and scouting out locations. You should make lots of notes.

Think about how the light will hit the scene. And think about how the backgrounds might work with different models.

That way, you’ll be able to come up with a few possible locations for any photoshoot.

However, I’d also recommend another approach:

Find a few locations and stick with them.

You see, a good location can be used again and again. And you’ll always get great images there!

In fact, your shots will likely improve over time—as you get to know the location better.

You might be worried you’ll take the same shot over and over again. You might be worried that your shots will become stale.

Don’t be! Here’s why:

Locations are always changing.

The light changes. The weather changes. The scenery changes.

And so, if you come back repeatedly, you’ll get different shots each time.

You’ll also come up with some unique and inspiring ideas—ideas that you wouldn’t have come up with otherwise.

And this only happens when you know a location intimately!

So don’t be afraid to return to the same location day after day.

Locations are like fine wines: They only get better with time!

7. Experiment Constantly For Creative High-Contrast Portrait Photography

Once you have an idea for a high-contrast portrait, what should you do?

Do you just go out and take that single portrait? Or do you explore other ideas, too?

Here’s what I recommend:

If you want to get really stunning portrait photos…

…you shouldn’t settle for the first shot you take.

Instead, once on location, you should shoot as many different photos as you can.

Because it’s often not the first idea that’s best. So you shouldn’t focus on getting that one shot.

Once you’ve taken your initial shot, I recommend that you experiment with other, similar shots.

Ask your model to change their pose.

And then change locations, but keep the original pose.

Or change your angle.

Find a high vantage point, and shoot down toward your subject.

Or crouch down low, for a unique, upward perspective.

Have your model change their clothes.

The point is to try different things. Have fun, and experiment!

One last thing: Don’t be afraid to try anything that you think of—even if the idea is strange.

Strange photos can be the best photos!

So if you want stunning, high-contrast portraits, make sure you experiment constantly.

Your last photo might be the best!

The post 7 Tips For Stunning High-Contrast Portrait Photography On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Find An Interesting Subject For Eye-Catching Portraits

Do you want to create really eye-catching portraits?

Then you’ll need to find an interesting subject.

An interesting subject acts as a focal point in your portrait. It ensures that the photo will grab the viewer’s attention.

Fortunately, there are interesting portrait subjects all around! You can photograph children, family, friends, and even strangers.

In the portrait above, I used my daughter as a subject.

When I was starting out, I often used my friends as models. You can do the same!

Pets also make great portrait subjects.

To create the most powerful portraits, you need an interesting subject. Interesting subjects exist everywhere. Just take the time to look!

2. Find A Portrait Background That Makes The Subject Pop

Portrait photography isn’t just about having a great subject. It’s also about having a great background.

What does a great background look like?

A great background is straightforward and simple. You want your subject to remain the focal point of the photo. You don’t want the subject to get lost in a chaotic scene.

In the photo below, my subjects stand out against the simple brown wall.

Also, make sure that your subject wears a color different from the surrounding elements. Otherwise, your subject will blend into the background!

Another tip is to use an app that blurs the background–or even Portrait mode!

If you want to take incredible iPhone portrait photos, make sure you have a simple, uncluttered background. That way, your subject will really pop.

3. Shoot In The Best Light For Flattering Photos

If you want to create beautiful portraits, you need to shoot in the best light.

Why is this?

Light is one of the most important factors in portrait photography. Great light flatters the subject. Mediocre light makes the whole image fall flat.

What’s the best light?

The best light for indoor portraits is diffused window light. Using a window produces rich, directional light.

Notice how the light falls nicely on my portrait subject:

When photographing indoors, make sure you have enough natural light. Having plenty of natural light ensures that the photo is crisp and clean, rather than grainy or blurry.

When shooting portraits outdoors, it’s best to work when the sun is low in the sky. The lovely golden hours of early morning or late evening are perfect.

Overcast skies are also great for portraits. An overcast day provides subtle, diffused light. Best of all, you can shoot with overcast light at any time of day!

Notice the way soft overcast light falls on my portrait subject below:

However, it’s best to avoid shooting portraits in bright sunlight. Bright sunlight causes harsh, unflattering shadows. Plus, bright sunlight can cause your subject to squint.

Therefore, to capture flattering portraits, shoot in the best light. You won’t regret it.

4. Consider Your Composition For The Most Pleasing Shots

Do you want to really take your portrait photography to the next level? Then you need to compose carefully.

Composition refers to the placement of elements in an image.

It’s important to compose deliberately. That way, you make sure that your portrait subject really stands out.

How do you decide which compositions are best?

A great starting point is to follow the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds states that you should place your subjects a third of the way into the frame.

Therefore, when framing or composing your shot, keep in mind that you don’t need to center your subject. A portrait is usually more interesting if the subject is placed off-center.

In the photo below, I placed my subject off to the side. This resulted in a much more pleasing, powerful image.

Another composition tip is to frame your subject.

Do this by using a natural frame such as a doorway or window. If you’re photographing outdoors, look for trees or bushes. Then place your subject inside them. In the photo below, my subject is framed by the stable doors.

Finally, use leading lines. What are leading lines?

Leading lines are lines that direct the eye through the photo. Also, when viewers see leading lines, they’re drawn into the image.

A ray of light, an arm, or a hand under the chin can provide subtle leading lines. In the photo below, the lines of the blinds lead from the foreground toward the main subject.

If you want to create even more compelling images, make sure you consider your composition. For especially captivating photos, use the rule of thirds, frame your subject, and use leading lines.

5. Use Portrait Mode For Beautiful Blurred Backgrounds

Do you want to have incredible backgrounds in your mobile portrait photography? Then use Portrait mode!

Portrait mode software recognizes the subject and background in a picture. It then blurs the background so that your portrait subject really pops.

If you have the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XS, then you’ll be able to use this incredible feature.

How do you use Portrait mode?

On your camera screen, you’ll see the shooting mode options across the bottom. Scroll to find Portrait.

Then make sure that you’re at least two feet away from your subject. Also, make sure that your subject isn’t more than eight feet away from you. If you violate either of these conditions, your camera screen will give you a warning.

When Portrait mode is ready, you’ll see the words Natural Light in yellow.

Then take your shot!

When you look at it in the Photos app, you’ll find that your subject has been framed by a beautifully blurred background.

Therefore, if you want incredible portrait backgrounds, use Portrait mode.

6. Use Portrait Lighting For Dramatic Portrait Photography

If you have the iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max, then you can use Portrait Lighting.

What is Portrait Lighting?

Portrait Lighting is a Portrait mode feature. When you activate Portrait Lighting, the resulting photos look like they were taken under studio lighting.

To add a Portrait Lighting effect to your photo, open the image in the Photos app. Then tap Edit.

Portrait Lighting has five different options. To switch between them, scroll through the Portrait Lighting menu (cube icons).

Natural Light does nothing to your photo. It’s the default setting. Use this if you want to keep your portraits looking as natural as possible.

Studio Light brightens the face of your subject. Contour Light adds shadows to the face of your subject for a more defined look.

Stage Light blacks out the background, making it look like the subject is standing under a spotlight. Stage Light Mono has the same effect as Stage Light, but it turns the photo black and white.

Do you want to create photos that look like they were taken in a studio? Then try using Portrait Lighting!

7. Use Depth Control For Incredible Backgrounds

Do you have the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max? If so, you can use the newest Portrait mode feature: Depth Control.

Depth Control allows you to control the amount of background blur after you’ve taken your portrait photo.

How do you do this?

First, take a photo in Portrait mode. Then open the portrait in the Photos app. Tap on Edit.

Use the Depth slider at the bottom to change the strength of the background blur. Swipe to the right for more blur. Swipe to the left for less blur.

More blur makes your subject pop off the background. Less blur emphasizes the scene as a whole.

If you want to create the best possible background, use Depth Control.

8. Use A Telephoto Lens For More Flattering Portraits

If you want to take flattering portraits, use your camera’s telephoto lens.

Unfortunately, not all iPhones have a telephoto lens. This feature exists on the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

Why is the telephoto lens important?

The answer is simple: A wide-angle lens, which is the default on your iPhone, distorts faces. A telephoto lens does not.

Distorted faces have exaggerated features. This is something that you want to avoid as a portrait photographer.

The image below has no distortion. Notice the very natural features.

How do you turn on the telephoto lens?

When you switch to Portrait mode, the telephoto lens is automatically activated. But if you’re shooting in Photo mode, you’ll have to switch to the telephoto lens yourself.

Simply tap the 1x icon on your camera screen. Then watch as the screen is magnified! The icon will now read 2x. To switch back to the wide-angle lens, tap the 2x icon.

When doing portrait photography, use your telephoto lens. This will result in far more flattering portraits.

9. Focus On The Eyes For Powerful Portraits

The eyes are the key to great portraits. When taking a portrait photo, you must focus on the eyes of your subject.

Why is this?

The eyes are the most expressive part of the face. They’re where the viewer will look first.

If you nail focus on the eyes, your portraits will be more powerful. If you miss focus, then your portraits will almost certainly be ruined.

How do you nail focus on the eyes?

First, make sure you hold your iPhone very still. Then simply tap on the eyes to set the focus. Take your shot.

If you make sure to always focus on the eyes, your portrait photos will be much more powerful.

10. Experiment With Different Perspectives For Creative Portraits

Do you want to take original portraits? Then try experimenting with different perspectives.

Different perspectives create unique and creative portraits. Different perspectives tell a story.

How do you experiment with different perspectives? It’s easy!

Try standing, kneeling, stooping, or lying on your belly. In the photo below, I got down on the ground so that my iPhone was touching the grass.

This is especially powerful when photographing children. If you position your camera down low, children will look larger than life.

You can also try shooting from above the subject. This will make them look small and more vulnerable.

In portrait photography, there’s no one correct perspective. However, experimenting with different perspectives will give you far more creative options. It will ensure that you come away with unique portraits.

11. Use Props To Make Your Subjects Feel More Comfortable

Do your subjects struggle to pose naturally? Then try using props!

Props can make a subject loosen up. When your subject holds props, they’ll act more natural.

This is especially useful when photographing children. If you can get them interested in props, they’ll start having all kinds of fun!

If your subject is a bit camera-shy, then props can be a great way to make them feel comfortable. Next time your subject is looking a little stiff, pull out some props!

12. Pose Your Subjects To Add Energy To Your Portraits

Do your portraits seem a bit flat? If so, I’d recommend carefully posing your subjects.

It’s easy to forget about posing. Yet posing is a critical part of taking stunning portraits. A good pose adds a sense of life to an image. It draws the viewer in.

How do you pose a subject?

One technique is to think about your subject’s personality. What are they like? Then try to convey their personality through a pose.

You can even try to pull the personality out of your subject. Keep your comments positive and affirming. Talk to your subject about things they’re interested in. Then your subject will pose naturally!

Another technique is to experiment. Have your subject sit, stand, kneel, or lean on an object. Explore all the options for the best and most engaging portrait. For the photo below, I had my subject run and jump. This resulted in a very dynamic, exciting pose.

It only takes seconds to pose your subject. Plus, it can prevent lots of frustration later. Next time you go out to shoot photos, don’t forget about posing your subject!

13. Edit Carefully For A Jaw-Dropping iPhone Portrait

There are so many great portrait photographers out there. How do you rise above the rest?

One way is to edit very carefully. There’s so much you can do with editing. Don’t waste the opportunity!

Once you’ve taken your portrait, go ahead and open it in your favorite editing app.

Your first goal should be to make your subject’s skin tones look soft and natural. This generally requires a small amount of editing. Start by playing with the exposure and the temperature.

Then you can move on to more noticeable edits. Do you want to create drama? Add a bit of contrast to your image.

Do you want to create a darker, moodier photo? Drop the exposure.

Do you want to create black and white portraits? You can do this easily in the Snapseed app or in VSCO.

In the image below, I boosted the contrast and dropped the exposure for a moody portrait feel.

Do you want to create even more powerful edits? Use apps such as Snapseed, VSCO, and Mextures. These apps have filters that will really take your artistic editing to the next level.

If you want to create the best possible iPhone portrait, then make sure you do some editing!

The post 13 Tips For Stunning Portrait Photography On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

Whether you’re shooting for a professional-looking photograph or a quick keepsake, following these steps will help you create images you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

1. Get The Timing Right

Timing your photo correctly is absolutely critical. Of course, you’ll want to select the time of day when the light is best. But much more importantly, you’ll want to choose the time when your subjects have had the most rest and are looking their best.

The sports photo below is not a very flattering group shot. Yes, everyone is positioned nicely, and some children have great smiles. But some members of the group would clearly rather be somewhere else.

What’s the difference between the sports photo above and the one of the Canada Day children below? The answer is simple: timing.

The sports photo was taken on a hot day, at dinner time, after an hour of soccer play. The children were asked to sit or kneel and then say the magic word “cheese.”

The Canada Day photo was taken at the very start of the festival. The children weren’t hungry or tired, and everyone was in good spirits. The result is obvious in their universally cheerful smiles!

So, what does this mean? If you have to take a group photo at an event (which is where most group photos are taken), it’s generally a good idea to rally your group as early as possible to take your most memorable group photo.

Take advantage of your subjects’ positive energy before they have a chance to get tired and hungry or need to fix their hair and make-up.

2. Communicate Your Vision

Before you even get started with a group photo, you’ll want to gather everyone together and talk about what type of photos you’ll be taking and what to expect along the way.

If you’re photographing adults, you’ll want to share your vision of the final product. It’s a great idea to encourage your group to share and contribute their ideas.

Who should be in front? Should anyone be holding a prop, wearing a special item of clothing, or standing in a particular spot?

Let everyone know “if you can’t see me, I can’t see you.” Encourage everyone to lean forward or move their head so that they can be seen clearly.

If you’re photographing children, you can turn the conversation into a game, a challenge, or an opportunity. For example, “Today I’m going to take your photo and I want you to teach me your best dance moves. Can you show me how to do a ballerina pose?”

3. Compose Your Photo

Effective composition can take your group photo to the next level. Positioning your subjects to follow general composition rules rather than posing will allow you to achieve amazing results with a natural candid feel.

While you may be tempted to line your subjects up and have them face the camera with big smiles on their faces, you may want to try a more unusual approach.

In this photo, the ladies are positioned with a triangle composition technique (faces all in line to make a triangle). This composition technique adds a little bit of interest to the photo and captures the casual effect naturally.

This picture of young dancers shown below is an excellent example of unique and interesting composition. The girls aren’t looking at the camera, but if you look closely you can see their faces reflected in the mirror. 

Even though the girls don’t all have smiles on their faces, the group shot is beautiful and natural.

When you have a small group of people (like the hockey boys below), positioning them in a straight line works very well. Try that pose with a larger group, though, and you’ll wind up with with a lot of dead space in the top and bottom of your photo.

To avoid the dead space issue, you can create a panoramic photo as seen with the girls in this photo, below.

Or you can shake things up a little more and position your subjects in a circle, as shown in the photo of baseball players below. This team shot will last a lifetime!

It’s always a great idea to shake things up a little and look for a new angle. You may find results that will surprise you.

4. Relax Before The Big Moment

Most people will pose as soon as you pull out your iPhone, and will try to hold their biggest smile for as long as they can. But it’s nearly impossible to hold a perfect smile for more than a few seconds – and the strain will show in your photos.

To avoid this problem, let your group know that they can relax until it’s time for them to give their best smile.

When working with children, it’s a good idea to have them practice their best smiles ahead of time – off camera. Then you can collaborate on a code word to use when you’re ready for them to show that wonderful smile.

This is a fun twist on the classic “say cheese,” which can be effective but can also turn out some robotic smiles. Choose a silly code word, which leaves the children laughing at you. It’s a great way to capture those special smiles.

5. Have Your iPhone Camera Ready To Go

There’s nothing more frustrating than having a subject who’s ready and a photographer who isn’t!

Before posing and cueing your subjects, it’s important to know how to use your iPhone’s settings. Access the camera app, so you’re ready to take photos the second your subjects are ready.

Set focus and exposure ahead of time. Look at your composition, tap on your group to set focus, and hold your finger down for a few seconds to lock the focus point (you’ll see the letters AE/AF Lock in a yellow box on the screen).

A little yellow sun slider will appear on the screen. You can use your finger to slide the sun up and down in order to adjust the exposure (image brightness).

Now that your camera is set and your subjects know what to expect, it’s time to say your code word – and the result is beautiful.

6. Use The Art Of Distraction

When taking group photos of children (and some adults), you need a lot of patience and a goofy personality to capture genuine smiles and keep your group focused. Games and props can also make a big positive difference.

The right kind of distraction can turn a mediocre photo into a memorable keepsake. Try using a crazy distraction like the light saber glow rings the kids are wearing in the photo below.

Another great option is to stick a mirror on the lens side of your iPhone so that the people being photographed can see themselves while you’re taking the picture.

If you’re really having a hard time getting your group to smile, whoopee cushions are a terrific ice breaker too!

Some simple props from the dollar store, a goofy personality behind the camera, and some fun games like “Simon says” can help you get amazing iPhone photos of groups.

7. Use Your iPhone Camera’s Burst Mode

 Your iPhone has an amazing “hidden” feature… burst mode. This allows you to take ten photos in a single second, which will dramatically increase your ability to capture your subjects at just the right moment.

In seconds, you’ll have taken a series of photos that you can then go through to find the perfect composition in which every face is smiling.

To use the iPhone camera’s burst mode, simply press your finger down on the shutter and hold it. As you hold your finger down, you’ll hear the shutter fire multiple times. When you lift your finger, you’ll have a selection of images to choose from.

Sometimes you have to take a lot of photos to capture that special moment – especially when taking group shots.

The post 7 Steps To Capturing Perfect Group Photos With Your iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

Leah Eddy

Afifi

Agneta Andersson

Akanksha Kargwal

Amy Lynn

Claire Williamson

Dariusz Sobiecki

Deborah Coulthard

Ellen Nightingale

Evan Bardos

Farshad Bahramian

Fiona Grose

Idiosyncratic

James Ballantyne

Lynne Garell

Judy Smith

Karsten Schoenberg

Kathy Dee

Liz Anderson

Lolly Kakumani

Arlene

Marcos Losada

María Cristina González

Margaret Mayo

Nancy Sherman

Nidhi Singh

Paula Danner

Paula Lake

Rebecca

Zaw Latt

Which one of these photos is your favorite? Please let everyone know in the comments below!

The post 30 Enchanting iPhone Photos of Rural Scenes appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Make Your Subject Comfortable

If your subject is standing or sitting in an awkward position, they’ll look uncomfortable and unhappy. Try a few different poses, snapping images until your subject looks and feels relaxed and natural.

What could be less comfortable than squatting for a long period of time? When you look at the subject’s face in the photo above, you can see how hard he’s working to look cheerful.

Allowing your subject to find a position that’s comfortable for them will result in a smile that’s natural and warm.

To be sure your subject is really comfortable in their pose, keep communication open and honest. Let your subject know that it’s fine to say “I feel weird like this,” or “this hurts!”

After all, mobile portrait photography should be fun to create and share. Effective communication is key to creating stunning iPhone portraits.

2. Position Your Subject To Make Good Use Of Natural Light

Too much light can create harsh shadows. Too little light will leave you with a dark, dull portrait.

The girl in the photo below is positioned directly in front of the light. The shadows on her face aren’t flattering, and her squinting eyes make her look uncomfortable.

This problem is easy to fix. If possible, schedule your portrait shoot for early morning or late afternoon when the sun is softer. Then you can position your subject in shade or in areas with hints of light that will dance over them, creating stunning effects.

If you can’t choose a particular time of day, choose a more flattering location where the sun isn’t quite so direct. The photo below was taken on the other side of the building, where it was easier to capture a portrait in beautiful soft light.

You may not need to move very far to get the right lighting for your subject. Below, you can see how it was possible to use reflective light by simply changing this subject’s position to a different angle.

You can have fun with positioning! Ask your subject to move around in a circle and look at how the light falls over them. When you see the effect you like best, ask them to “hold it right there.”

3. Choose Flattering Postures

Have you ever said, “I don’t like the way I look in pictures?” Very often, there’s a good reason for this: poor posture.

Posture is the key to showcasing our best features. The following posing tips will help make your portraits as flattering as they can be.

In the photo above, the man looks comfortable, but his appearance could be improved with just a few small changes.

To create a more flattering portrait, have your subject sit or stand with their back straight and shoulders rolled back and down. This will instantly give them a nice long neck.

To further accentuate the neck and jawline, ask your subject to push their chin out slightly and angle their head down.

To eliminate the dreaded double chin, have them press the back of their tongue to the roof of their mouth.

The photo below is much more flattering, because the subject now has a straight back and a long neck with a defined jaw line.

It’s easy to get comfortable in this position, but be ready with your iPhone to take the portrait as soon as your subject is ready. The most natural poses and expressions come out if your subject isn’t holding a single pose for too long.

4. Position Your Subject At An Interesting Angle

Most of the time we engage with other people face to face. So when we pose for a portrait, we often stand straight in front of the camera and smile.

For conversations this is great, but for portraits it’s a problem. We end up looking a little like a deer in the headlights, as in the portrait below.

Here’s how you can pose your subject so that they’ll love their portrait. Ask them to place their weight on their back leg and angle their hips three quarters toward you. It’s easiest if you show them the angle and then hold the pose while they imitate you.

This will instantly create a slimmer figure while adding interest to your composition. For added effect, you can now ask them to very slightly lean their front shoulder down.

Be sure your subject is comfortable with the desired angle. Your photos won’t look natural if your subject is thinking too much about where their weight is and what their body looks like.

5. Position Your Subject’s Hands

Now that your subject’s posture is good, you’re ready to take your photos! But wait, what do they do with their hands?

Your subject won’t look good with their hands at their sides. If your subject presses a hard closed fist under their chin, they look like they’re ready for a fight!

Instead, have them slightly turn their wrist outward toward the camera and open their fingers to lightly brush their face. You now see the long edge of their hand, which helps to create a more inviting and attractive portrait.

You can also have your subject place their hand on their hip or hold their jacket.

Another nice option for girls and women is to have your subject touch their hair.

Arms crossed or hand in hand placement can be flattering, but be cautious of arms crossed – keep it soft or it may portray someone who’s closed and uninviting.

In the photo below, relaxed hands create a pretty, casual look.

Having hands in the photograph will dramatically improve the portrait’s composition. The position of hands in a portrait is a powerful tool for showing emotion.

Decide what emotion you’re looking for in your portrait, and use these hand placement techniques to guide you along the way.

6. Help Your Subject Choose A Smile

Some people smile with full teeth, some smile with just their eyes, and others choose to not smile at all. They can all be beautiful, so long as you avoid the fake smile that occurs when someone has held a pose for too long or is uncomfortable.

A little trick of the trade is to ask your subject to close their eyes. Then when you’re ready to take the photo, ask them to open their eyes and smile! This is a great way to capture natural raw emotion in your portraits.

If you have a subject who doesn’t want to smile, ask them to smile with their eyes and open their mouth slightly.

If someone has a closed mouth, typically that will also mean they have a clenched jaw. A clenched jaw will add unwanted weight to their face, so soften it up a bit by asking them to breathe through their mouth.

A true smile is one of the hardest things to capture. Using these tips will help you capture more of those amazing smiles in your portraits.

7. Pose Children To Get Their Attention & Smiles

Kids are always on the move – so how do you pose a child to get a stunning portrait?

Start off by asking them to lay on their stomach and face you. They may prop their head up with their hands. Even if they don’t prop their head up with their hands you’ll still get an amazing portrait.

Another great option for kids is to have them lean up against a wall, post or sibling.

Once children are posed, you only have a few seconds to take a few shots with natural smiles, so you have to act fast. If you act silly, you’ll get their attention and their smiles!

If you like, have them bring along a favorite toy. This is a great way to take a photo that becomes a wonderful keepsake, with a special memory from their childhood.

Simplicity is the key to successful portraits of kids. Remember, children love to play. As long as the process is fun, children will naturally smile. Those are the best moments to capture.

8. Check The Small Details

Now that you have your subject ready to go, there are a few other areas that may also need attention. Before you snap that portrait, do a quick check of the following:

• Hair – Check that it’s either all on one side, or all behind or in front of the shoulders. It should never be over the shoulders or in the subject’s face.
• Clothes – Position dresses, and ensure they’re not scrunched or sitting inappropriately. Smooth out any bulky jackets and check blouse buttons.
• If you see any grass or lint on clothes or shoes, take a minute to remove it.

Conclusion: Portrait Posing Tips

Your iPhone is an ideal tool for great portraits. But to capture that perfect smile in just the right way, you’ll need to work closely with your subject. Be sure you’ve followed the tips for positioning, lighting, and posture before snapping the photo.

Attention to detail, and using all of the portrait posing tips you’ve just discovered, will take your iPhone portrait photos to the next level. In fact, they’ll be so good you’ll want to print them and hang them on the wall!

The post 8 Portrait Posing Tips For Gorgeous Portrait Photos On iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Be Discreet

Try to go unnoticed as much as possible when shooting street photography. In most cases, if your subject is aware that you’re taking their photo, they’ll change their behavior and the story you wanted to tell will be gone.

Being discreet allows you to capture people being their natural selves within a city environment.

Luckily, the small size of the iPhone makes it easy to be stealthy while attempting to take a photo. But there are certain ways to make sure you go unnoticed.

One technique is to photograph your subjects from behind so that they don’t see you. This also allows you to preserve the anonymity of the people you’re photographing.

Rather than standing in the middle of the street taking photos, hide away in the shadows or sit down on a bench.

Keep your iPhone close to your body rather than shooting with your arms out in front of you. Holding the phone in vertical orientation will make it less obvious that you’re taking photos.

Another way of shooting without drawing attention to yourself is to pretend you’re listening to music with your earphones plugged in while holding your phone.

The volume button on the headphones can be used as a shutter release so that you don’t have to tap the screen to take a photo.

2. Watch For Interactions Between People

Photographing interactions between people on the street is a great way to tell interesting stories that will capture the viewer’s imagination.

Look out for people having conversations, meeting and greeting each other, holding hands, or interacting in some other way.

It’s easy to catch people having conversations in the morning before work, on a lunch break in front of office buildings, and at recreational spaces like parks.

These interactions will get the viewer’s mind going, making them intrigued about what the people were talking about or why they were meeting.

Some of these interactions may be very brief, so be sure to use burst mode to capture moments like people hailing a cab or shaking hands as they meet.

To activate burst mode, simply hold down the shutter button in the camera app to fire off a series of shots in quick succession.

The most powerful aspect of storytelling is that a viewer may relate to the photo in many different ways other than the intended caption.

So remember that your job is to capture a moment in a photo, but the viewer gets to interpret it in their own way.

3. Isolate The Subject

A typical street scene is often busy, so it’s really hard to focus on a subject when the rest of the scene is distracting.

Isolating your subject from their busing surroundings will create a stronger subject and give an overall powerful visual impact to the story.

A great strategy is to find a good location like a wall or building facade, and then patiently wait for someone to appear in the frame.

Try to capture them in a position where they’ll be most visible. For example, if they’re wearing dark clothing, capture them against a bright part of the background, and vice versa.

Another option is to get to a high vantage point and shoot down at the ground in order to capture a subject without any of their distracting surroundings.

Generally, periods before rush hour or on weekends in certain parts of the city might be less busy, making it easier to isolate the subject from their surroundings.

Try to get an idea of when your city is less busy so that you can go out to shoot at these times.

Even at busy times of the day, it’s possible to isolate subjects during small windows of opportunity, such as when people are crossing the road.

Another great way of isolating subjects in a busy scene is to take advantage of lighting. In certain instances, harsh sunlight can cast dark shadows which can often hide other people who are walking within the frame.

Even if they’re visible in the original capture, a bit of photo editing can easily eliminate the distracting figures within the dark shadows of the scene.

4. Capture Facial Expressions & Emotions

Capturing the facial expressions, body language and emotions of your subjects will go a long way towards helping you tell a particular story in your street photography.

For example, is your subject happy, excited, sad, angry, frustrated, bored, etc?

To capture facial expressions you need to get quite close to the subject. This can be difficult to do in candid street photography as you have to maintain a balance between being discreet and keeping a good distance.

Try to capture your subject just as they walk past you, or when you’re sitting on public transport for the best chance of getting a close-up shot.

Alternatively, if you meet a stranger on the street and start up a conversation with them, they might agree to pose for you if you ask politely.

Another non-candid way is to simply stage a shoot with a friend on the streets. In the photo above, there’s enough body language to bring this photo to life.

5. Capture The Daily Commute

People are constantly on the go in street photography. You’ll often find people walking, running, sitting, cycling, or waiting as part of their daily commute.

There’s a lot of action to be photographed, especially when people are crossing the streets.

You’ll often find people on their phone or listening to music while they’re walking. Watch for interesting body language, interactions and moments, and be ready to capture them with your iPhone.

Use burst mode to fire off a series of shots in order to get at least one photo with the subject in the perfect position and stride. You can easily delete the other unwanted photos after.

Make sure you hold down the shutter button to activate burst mode just as the subject enters the frame, and don’t stop shooting until they’ve gone.

Another great place to capture the daily commute is on the subway – both on the platforms and on the trains.

Here you’ll capture all sorts of interesting moments and interactions. I especially like to photograph the energy and atmosphere of street performers in these locations.

6. Take Photos At Events

Be on the lookout for interesting events happening in the community. Protests, sporting events, marathons, parades and carnivals are perfect opportunities to capture incredible storytelling moments.

Each event will have a different atmospheric feeling that you can capture in your photos to tell a particular story.

For example, at a protest you may capture sadness, frustration or anger. At a holiday parade you’ll capture a different type of energy amongst the crowd.

Sporting events are another great place to photograph crowds of people and emotional moments.

In the photo above, even though it’s a busy scene, the crowd adds an extra storytelling element to the image.

7. Venture Out In Bad Weather

Rain and snow provide great opportunities to capture the atmosphere of the city and tell a profound story, especially when there are people in the frame.

Look out for umbrellas as their bold colors and geometric shapes will add a strong focal point to your composition.

On rainy and snowy days, couples often tend to huddle together under umbrellas. Capturing these moments can add a romantic and atmospheric feeling to your photos.

Watch how people act differently in bad weather, for example, rushing to get out of the rain or having fun in the snow with friends.

Capture these moments to tell a story of the weather in the city on that particular day.

On a rainy day I love to shoot through raindrop-covered windows at bus stops and coffee shops.

This adds wonderful visual interest to your photo and really conveys what the weather was like.

8. Capture Silhouettes & Shadows

Part of storytelling in photography includes creating a cinematic atmosphere.

Silhouettes and shadows are perfect because they add a sense of mystery and drama to your photos.

They make the viewer more intrigued about what’s hiding in the darkness. Anything that intrigues the viewer and makes them ask questions will make your story more powerful.

Using shadows to create negative (empty) space in a scene adds an intense atmosphere where the viewer becomes aware of the depth and scale of the surrounding area.

To create silhouettes and shadows you need a strong light sources such as harsh sunlight.

Look out for interesting shadows cast by the architectural elements around you, then capture a person as they walk into the illuminated part of the scene.

During the golden hours of sunrise and sunset when the sun is low in the sky, you’ll be able to capture wonderful long shadows.

To create a silhouette, the light source must be behind the subject. After tapping to set focus, swipe down on the screen to reduce the exposure until the subject appears as a dark outline against the brighter background.

Conclusion

Storytelling is all about living in the moment and being quick enough to capture the interactions and emotions of your subjects. It also requires you to be patient, waiting for just the right moment that will tell an interesting story.

To capture people in their most natural state, try to be discreet. Once they become aware that you’re taking their photo, the moment you wanted to capture will probably be lost.

Remember that light and weather will have a big impact on the atmosphere of your photos. So make use of shadows, silhouettes and bad weather conditions to add drama and mystery to your images.

The post How To Tell Compelling Street Photography Stories With Your iPhone appeared first on iPhone Photography School.

1. Working Environments

By reviewing the images from great documentary photographers of the past century, such as the National Geographic photographers, one common theme that runs through almost all of the collections is a heavy interest in the “working man and working woman.”

Photographing people at work, or even just working environments without people present, will leave a visual historic legacy showcasing how people worked in this particular era.

Most people around the world spend a quarter or even half of their lives in the act of working. Because of this enormous percentage of time spent, documenting “work” is a valid and fascinating form of documentary photography.

Think about different work environments that you might be able to photograph, for example, construction workers, bus drivers, street vendors, office workers, window cleaners, etc.

Think about how you might go about photographing these workers to tell a particular story.

You could photograph people hard at work, or capture them taking a well-earned break.

You could capture candid shots from a distance or you could approach them and ask them to pose for you.

If you’re lacking the confidence to photograph strangers, an easy way to get started would be to photograph the people at your own workplace.

2. Cultural Items & Events

Whether you’re in a foreign location or shooting in your own locale, keep your eyes peeled for items of cultural significance.

This small fishing boat is painted in the colors of the Acadian flag. In the Maritime provinces of Canada, the French Acadian culture is rich and celebratory.

When visiting the Acadian regions you can often see the flag colors painted on almost everything.

Anything that tells a story about your location is perfect for documentary photography.

Whether it’s a flag or a small items such as this Japanese teapot, it should conjure up images about the culture it belongs to.

Another way to document culture in your photos is to shoot at cultural events or celebrations.

Street parades and carnivals are perfect for capturing the way a particular city or group of people celebrates certain events.

Try to immerse yourself in the celebrations so that the viewer really feels like they were there. Your aim should be to capture the energy and emotion of the event.

3. Built Environments

Another great opportunity for documentary photography is capturing people within built environments.

A built environment simply means any location that was created with machines and construction techniques (rather than natural environments such as forests and lakes).

The value of photographing people within built environments is that the photos give future viewers a glimpse into how people interacted with what was modern in their own day.

Explore different areas within your city to find interesting locations and architecture.

You could capture a single person walking past a building’s facade, or shoot a crowd of people inside a busy building.

Don’t forget to think carefully about your photo composition. Architecture provides you with many great opportunities to make use of leading lines, symmetry and framing elements.

4. Sports Events

Sports photography is already its own photographic genre, so we can’t fit sports solely into the genre of documentary photography.

However, sports photography can certainly be included in documentary photography, especially when the outcome of sporting events have a profound effect (either positive or negative) on the culture of that day.

Try to get as close as you can to your subjects, and use the iPhone camera’s burst mode to fire off a series of shots for the best chance of getting a decent shot of fast moving subjects (just hold down the shutter button).

Try to capture the energy and emotions of the day, and don’t forget to get some shots of the crowd as well as the participants.

5. Street Art

The art forms of street photography and documentary photography are distinct, however the two often mix together.

As a documentary photographer, it’s your job to see things like street art or street signage, and save them for future generations to see and enjoy.

Street art is a rich subject matter to photograph, as the scenes often give us glimpses into that certain society’s mind-sets and thinking patterns.

Street art and signage on buildings is often photogenic enough to capture on its own, but adding a person into the photo can create extra visual interest as well as a stronger storytelling element.

6. Store Windows

Fashion districts in big cities are always rich in documentary content because fashion changes constantly.

When you photograph mannequins wearing the latest fashions, you’re taking a snapshot of fashion history.

How long will it take before those styles become popular again? Thirty years or so from now you’ll find out!

The great thing about store windows is that the clothing and other items have already been arranged in visually pleasing layouts.

So all you have to do is find the best viewpoint and you’ll end up with an amazing shot.

I like to take these kinds of photos at night as the artificial lighting creates a wonderful spotlight effect.

Conclusion

Hopefully you now feel ready to start documenting the history taking place in your own city or in locations you visit on vacation.

Remember, what seems boring and normal to you right now won’t be boring or normal decades from now.

The iPhone is a great documentary tool because it’s always with you.

These kinds of photos are rarely planned –  they just happen out of the blue. So have have your iPhone ready to use at a moment’s notice.

By shooting documentary style photos, you’re literally becoming a documentary historian when you capture daily life scenes. Your hard work will definitely be appreciated in years to come.

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