Whether it’s for promoting your brand or just your personal Instagram, the iPhone is a great resource for taking high-quality photos. By considering the lighting, editing, and content you post, you can create and share beautiful imagery that will draw in an audience.
1. Lighting
Lighting is your most powerful tool. While you can’t always control the light, it’s still important to consider. A few great lighting circumstances are:
- cloudy weather
- sunset
- window light
- shade
During a sunset, I place my subject in front of the sun when possible. With stills (such as food or products), I shoot by a window or under a shaded area with soft light. This ensures that there is no glare and the light is even throughout the image.
2. Editing
Editing is the one thing you have total control over. I use the VSCO app on my iPhone for all of my edits, but any simple editing app will give you the power to really transform your image. A few steps I always take are:
- increase the brightness and contrast
- add sharpness
- add a filter onto the image
- crop the image as needed
I often use the grid tool (“Rule of Thirds”) to crop my images. By placing the focal point of your image where two of the lines meet, you can create a more appealing shot. See some before and after edits below of our view outside the office and some Hobie collateral that SDA designed.
3. Content
Instagram is a great platform to share photos with friends, but as a photographer and designer, I am a bit picky when it comes to what I post. I have to consider that I am also representing myself as a professional and creative through my photos. It’s always important to think of your target audience and post content that appeals to them. Additionally, try adding some surprising elements to your feed with quotes, lifestyle images, and other photos that capture your brand’s personality while also promoting your products and services.
These are my primary tips for taking great shots on your iPhone to improve your Instagram or Facebook feed. The iPhone really is an amazing piece of equipment. See a few of my iPhone 6 shots below.
Horseshoe Bend on a cloudy day.
My friend Olivia on an overcast morning.
Joshua Tree during sunrise.
Poke lunch in window light.
Yosemite during harsh sunlight around noon.
