We’ve taught you how to take the best Instagrams and we’ve given you tips on how to take the perfect profile picture. But what happens when pressure, bad lighting and moving runway models get thrown at you all at once? For amateur photographers like us, that just spells disaster. Who hasn’t taken photos at fashion shows, only to realize after the fact that none of the snapshots are Instagram-worthy? We’ve all been there. But before you lose all hope, we’re here to answer your photo-taking prayers. And with New York Fashion Week kicking off next week, we could not have timed this more perfectly.
The art of taking photos may take months or even years to master, especially with all the different shooting techniques and editing features. But with Twitter and Instagram playing such a big part in our lives, specifically during Fashion Week, everyone is dying to know the secret of composing the perfect photo, stat. We tapped the top iPhone photographers and videographers in the industry and asked for their tips and tricks on how to take the best photos and videos with our smartphones. Now we can have our cake and Instagram it too.
From working the exposure like a pro in lowly lit runways to taking stunning time-lapse videos for backstage content, we present you 8 easy-to-shoot techniques you need to know to take the best photos and videos for this season’s Fashion Week. You’d be surprised what a difference it makes with just a swipe and a few extra taps.
iphone photography tips auto focus exposure Molly Torian
AUTO FOCUS + EXPOSURE CONTROL
When to use: Spaces with bad lighting
Tip: Exposure control can help capture a crisper shot, which is extremely helpful in low light places like the runway. If you know you will be taking a series of photos in the same light, Molly Torian advises to focus on a certain point on the stage and tap it on the screen to lock focus and exposure. To adjust the exposure on your iPhone, tap on the area of interest and slide your finger up or down (a little sun icon will appear on the 6) before snapping your pic.
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iphone photography tips slo-mo patrick janelle
SLO-MO
When to use: Capturing the movement and outfit details on the runway
Tip: iPhone photographer Patrick Janelle says to keep your phone still and let the motion come from the moment that you’re filming. If you do need to move the camera, do so slowly in landscape mode for the best results.
Be sure to time it out so you can see a specific look coming down the runway to start the slo-mo in time.
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iphone photography tips burst mode Katja and Mal Sherlock
BURST MODE
When to use: On the runway
Tip: Fernando Colon says a good trick for capturing models on the runway is to lock your focus on that one area of the runway that you plan to shoot. Then wait until the model walks through your focused “zone” before taking your shot. After locking exposure and focus, use burst mode to get a rapid sequence of shots (10 photos per second) by just holding the shutter in the Camera app. You’ll likely have one perfect snap, which you can check out afterwards in photos.
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iphone photography tips hdr kevin lu
HDR
When to use: Street style snaps
Tip: HDR is a great tool for when the sun is behind you.
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iphone photography tips filter Fernando Colon
iOS FILTERS + EDITING TOOLS
Time of use: Quick lighting and colour adjustments
Tip: Use the filters built in the Photos app of your iPhone for quick adjustments, including decreasing background noise and muting distractions. Case in point: This front-row image featuring Anna Wintour was converted from colour to black and white to take our attention away from the pink sweater on her lap.
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iphone photography tips video Molly Torian
VIDEO MODE
When to use: On the runway
Tip: Take videos in landscape mode for the best results. And don’t forget to adjust the camera settings to enable “Record Video at 60 FPS” to capture 1080p HD video. If you want to take a picture while you are recording, grab it by tapping the white circle to the left of your record button.
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iphone photography tips time-lapse kevin lu
TIME-LAPSE
When to use: Capturing slow processes like the application of a model’s make-up
Tip: Secure your iPhone on a mini tripod and record the subject or event with the Time-Lapse mode in the iPhone Camera app. Turn on airplane mode to avoid interruption. Try using an external battery pack (Mophie makes great batteries) if phone is low on power, especially since time-lapse means you’ll have to leave the phone on for quite a long time.
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iphone photography tips grid Katja and Mal Sherlock
GRID
Time of use: At all times
Tip: Katja and Mal Sherlock suggest using the grid feature to help you follow the rule of thirds for a well-balanced and interesting shot. Start off by finding the best angle and the key character in the fashion show. Remember to look at the big picture and understand what to include and what to exclude from your shot to reduce noise.
