How To Shoot Better-Looking Photos & Videos On Your Current iPhone

Every Fall, new smartphones flood the market, each with better cameras than its predecessor. If you follow the topic on social media, you've probably seen all the fantastic photos taken on the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max since it was released last Fall. Especially with the new telephoto lens and, for video, the all-new ProRes Log recording formats, pushing the boundaries of what you can do with a phone. Next month, Apple should announce the 2024 iPhones, including even more camera enhancements. However, some of you may not want to upgrade your phone every year, but maybe you feel a little bit left out of all the hype for the new models (FOMO when you hold us!). But here's the thing: if your phone is only a few generations old, such as the iPhone 13 or 14, it still takes excellent images. You could probably take even better photos by switching a few settings and getting some accessories to unlock even more out of your phone.

1. Settings

First, if you have only used the default camera app so far, try a more professional app that allows you to adjust camera settings manually. Moment has a great app that gives users manual controls and has creative features. The cherry on top is that this app can shoot photos, videos, and even timelapses!

Download the ProCamera by Moment

The other advantage of the Moment app is the ability to shoot RAW images in DNG format. A RAW image comes straight out of the sensor with no computational edits, offering greater flexibility in post than the standard processed HEIC format.

If you have an iPhone 12 Pro, 13 Pro, or 14 Pro, you might already be familiar with ProRaw, the default camera app. ProRaw merges the best of both worlds: a raw image and some computational enhancements.

Unfortunately, this feature isn't available for the iPhone non-pro. So, using the Moment app still gives you access to shooting standard RAW.

To learn more about RAW, check out my previous article: RAW Vs ProRaw.

2. Filters

The next step is to try physical filters. There are a variety of them, and some filters will allow you to get results that cannot be replicated in post-production.

I have three favorite filters that I often use with my iPhone.

1. Mist Filter

The first filter is a mist filter, a bloom or fog filter. These are great for removing the digital edge from smartphones' images. They also smooth highlights in a similar way to film. Finally, a mist filter smooths skin tones, making it an excellent tool for portraiture.

Moment offers three different densities for its CineBloom diffusion effect: 5 %, 10%, and 20%. The 20% is the strongest and will make everything you shoot look dreamy, which could be too much for everyday use. The 5% will simply remove the digital edge. I like the Moment Cinebloom 10%; it removes the digital edge while subtly blooming highlights.

2. Circular Polarizer

The second filter is a circular polarizer (CPL). This filter cuts the light reflecting on some surfaces such as the water, windows, and cars. A circular polarizer also produces bolder colors with more profound contrast, rendering the sky darker. A CPL filter will cut between 1 to 2 stops of light.

Tip: Position yourself between 30 and 90 degrees from the sun for the best results with a CPL filter. Shooting directly in the sun or with the sun behind you will have no effect when using a polarizer.

3. Variable Neutral Density Filters

A Variable Neutral Density filter (VND) cuts the light hitting your sensor. These filters are often used for shooting video, but I like to use them for photography since the iPhone has fixed apertures. For example, you can use a VND to keep a slower shutter speed and introduce motion blur.

I have also written an article about shooting motion blur with your iPhone if you want to learn more.

Mounting Filters Onto Your Phone

You will need an adapter to mount your filters onto your phone. Moments offers a variety of solutions.

If you don't like cases on your phone, this might be the best solution: the Moment 67mm Phone Filter Mount.

This simple clamp allows you to utilize filters for the three lenses on your iPhone (yes, even the ultra-wide!). If you decide to get a case such as the Moment iPhone Case, the adapter will be compatible. However, this adapter won't let you fit MagSafe accessories.

For the proud owner of iPhone 14/15 Pro and Pro Max, Moment came up with an ingenious system: the Moment 67mm Snap-On Filter Adapter for iPhone 14 Pro & Pro Max. This adapter is compatible with MagSafe, so you can use a filter while mounting your iPhone on a tripod.

Finally, if you don't like the look of a bulky 67mm filter on your phone, you can try the dedicated M-mount 37mm filters. These can be used with your Moment cases, and they are the smallest filters available, perfect for everyday capture. And yes, they fit in the pocket watch on your jeans (I've tried.)

3. Use Moment Lenses

If you're bored with the focal lengths on your iPhone 12, 13, or 14 and wish you had a little extra reach to capture a subject, you could always digitally zoom in, but you'll lose quality. Instead, try a new lens for your phone, such as the Moment 58mm T-Series/M-Series. This lens is perfect for capturing portraits and separating your subject from the background by creating a beautiful shallow depth of field.

1. Tele 58mm Lens: Although the iPhone 13 and 14 have a built-in ultra-wide lens, they don't have the macro feature from the Pro models.
2. Macro 10x Lens: T-Series & M-Series; you can use it on the primary lens, which has a wider aperture than the ultra-wide, resulting in sharper details. Macro photography unleashes a whole new tiny world to explore anywhere you go.
3. Wide 18mm Lens: Mounting it to the standard lens on your iPhone will surpass the quality of the iPhone's ultra-wide angle. In addition, you will be able to mount filters onto your wide 18mm Moment lens.

Hot Tip!

When using a Moment lens combined with the Moment App, you can select which lens you are using and have metadata attached to your images, including the lens used. When you pick up a Moment lens, mount it with the drop-in adapter on your case! Also, look at the 67mm Lens Filter Mount to combine Moment lenses and filters!

4. Mobile Filmmaking

For several years now, the iPhone has been known to capture fantastic video. Since the iPhone 13 Pro, you can even shoot ProRes directly on your phone, offering more post-production flexibility. But at the end of the day, iPhone footage still looks like iPhone footage. However, with a few settings and accessories, you can transform your iPhone footage to look more cinematic and even make your friends and family doubt that you shot it with an iPhone.

Use an app with dedicated manual controls.

The default camera app on the iPhone is excellent for its simplicity and velocity. The iPhone takes care of all the settings, so you don't have to worry and can simply concentrate on that decisive Moment that may never happen again.

However, if you plan to shoot more scripted content, you should look into a dedicated video app to control your recording settings.

Plenty of apps offer manual controls, and here we will look at the Moment Pro app, which provides a good balance between manual controls and ease of use.

Open the Moment Pro Camera App, tap the photo icon, and choose video. A new interface appears. If this is your first time using the video mode, you might need to change some parameters in the settings panel. Navigate to "video settings."

Under Standard Video Format, you can choose between HEVC and H264. I suggest keeping HEVC, as most video editors can handle this codec nowadays, and it takes less space on your iPhone storage.

Turning on stabilization will help eliminate the jitters caused by holding the iPhone.

Frame rates have two options. By default, they are set to NTSC. If you are in North America, leave them as is to access 24p and 30p. However, if you live in Europe, switch to PAL to enable 25p, which is the standard.

Set the bitrate to High for the highest quality recording.
Finally, turn on the RGB histogram and waveform to better monitor your exposure.

As you can see, the interface differs slightly from the photo mode to accommodate video shooting. A new banner helps monitor your audio inputs. By default, it shows the internal microphone, but you can monitor an external microphone (which we'll see later.)

On the left sidebar, you have three options:

1. Color Profile
2. Resolution
3. FPS (Frames Per Second) for better quality, switch to 4K (remember that 4K takes more space than 1080p.)

Under frame rates, choose 24fps, the standard for filmmaking in North America.

Under the colour profile, leave it as default if you don't want to deal with colour grade; otherwise, try the log profile. This will render the image flat but ultimately give you more room in post-production to colour-correct and grade your footage!

You can even import your own luts and use them right inside the Moment app!

You'll find settings for shutter speed, ISO, EV, focus, and white balance on the right sidebar. You can leave all these settings in auto mode and let the app decide on the best exposure. However, one setting will dramatically change how your footage looks: shutter speed.

One of the main rules of filmmaking is to keep your shutter speed double your frame rates, which correspond to the shutter angle on cinema cameras.

To keep things simple:

• When shooting at 24fps, set a shutter speed of 1/48
• When shooting at 60fps, set a shutter speed of 1/120The correct shutter speed will introduce the motion blur necessary to render your footage more cinematic. The problem is that you won't be able to set the shutter speed to 1/48 without overexposing your shots in broad daylight. To remedy this, you'll need the Variable Neutral Density (VND) filter we mentioned earlier.

Filters for Mobile Filmmaking

A VND filter reduces the amount of light hitting your sensor. Set your shutter speed to 1/48s, then rotate the VND to cut light and get the correct exposure (keep an eye on your histogram!) Keeping your shutter speed double your frame rate will bring your iPhone footage to new heights.

If you shoot in a studio or at night, I strongly suggest trying one of the mist filters, such as the Moment CineBloom. A mist filter will create a halo or bloom around a bright light source, miming how motion picture film handles highlights. Plus, it will remove the over-sharp look of iPhone footage, rendering your video more filmic.

Rigging Your Phone

A camera rig consists of a cage with mounting points and is used to add accessories to your iPhone, such as an external microphone and light, handles, tripod mount, and lens support. The Moment Mobile Filmmaker Cage for MagSafe® is the perfect example of a filmmaking cage.

Your iPhone is secured through the MagSafe port, making it simple to set up.

External Microphone

One aspect often overlooked in filmmaking is audio. Bad audio can ruin a movie. The audience will likely forgive a slightly out-of-focus shot, but a scene with lousy recorded audio will make people cringe. Consider adding an external microphone such as the RØDE Microphones VideoMic GO II.

You'll also need a TRRS adapter to Lightning to connect your microphone to your iPhone. When you connect a compatible microphone, the Moment app will recognize it, making it easier to monitor your audio input!

External Light

IPhones are getting faster lenses every year, but you might still need additional light in dark situations. For mobile filmmaking, consider adding a light onto your rig. An external fixture will light the subject and help you keep a lower ISO, resulting in less noise in the image.

Grip

Although recent iPhones have excellent image stabilization, you might still encounter shakiness and jitters when shooting hand-held. A side handle can give you a better grip and help eliminate unwanted jitters. If you plan to track your subject, try a phone gimbal to smooth your footage.

Finally, remember that motion doesn't always need to be present in your film. For example, mount your iPhone onto a video tripod when shooting establishing shots or details.

Additional Mobile Lenses

Did you know that you can shoot with anamorphic lenses on your iPhone? Anamorphic lenses are widely used in filmmaking for their unique look.

An anamorphic lens produces a stretched image, which looks odd without the correct processing. However, once you de-squeeze the image, you are left with an ultra-wide ratio of 2:39.1, a popular aspect ratio often used in movies (the Moment App also has a setting to automatically de-squeeze your footage.) However, the most sought-after look of an anamorphic lens is the unique lens flare it can produce.

Moment offers several anamorphic lenses for different looks. My favorite is the Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Lens in the blue flare version. Don't forget your 67mm Lens Filter Mount to pair with your VND filter, and keep that shutter speed at 1/48!

Final Thoughts

I enjoy taking photos with my iPhone. In fact, I began my photography journey with a phone long before the iPhone was released. I even filmed my first travel video using an iPhone 4S! This goes to show that modern smartphones are fantastic for unleashing creativity. So when the iPhone 16 Pro is released next month, don't feel left out — instead, consider purchasing some accessories and sticking with your current iPhone!