Apple’s newest iPhone 13 Pro offers a lot of new features that will surely empower all mobile filmmakers and aspiring videographers. Starting from the 4K resolution, built-in stabilizing feature, shoot photos and videos in macro mode, and the innovative cinematic mode feature. iPhone 13’s cinematic mode allows you to record videos with a shallow depth of field which gives you the power to do the ‘bokeh effect’ automatically and manually.
To help you take advantage of its cutting-edge video features, here are our tips on how to film like a pro with your iPhone 13:
Setup 4K resolution on your camera settings
The default setting for iPhone 13’s camera resolution is 1080p HD at 30 fps. To enable 4K resolution, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Settings app
, then go to the camera settings
. - On your Camera settings, navigate to Record Video.
- Set the resolution to 4K at 60 fps, then turn on HDR Video.
- Set Auto FPS to 30 & 60 fps. You are done!
Find the correct f-stop
Like any devices or even digital cameras out there, iPhone 13’s innovation on focus also has a limitation. Setting up the right f-stop will surely give you the right amount of blur and focus on your subject. According to No Film School’s recent article about iPhone 13’s cinematography, using f6+ is the best for subjects with an identifiable edge (e.g. face).
You can also try to experiment with which f-stop works on different kinds of subjects and scenarios for you to be able to familiarize yourself with any kind of situation. Feel free to share your iPhone 13 photography and videography insights in the comment section below.
Shoot at night
Try to explore and save the memories of nighttime on a different level. Practice shooting streetlights, skyscrapers, night markets, and even the lights on amusement parks. You will surely grasp the technique on how to capture the best scenes each time the sun goes down. To enable your iPhone’s night mode feature, follow these simple steps from Apple’s iPhone user guide:
- Choose Photo mode. In low-light situations, Night mode turns on automatically:
the button at the top of the screen turns yellow and a number appears next to the button to indicate how many seconds the camera will take to shoot. - To experiment with Night mode, tap , then use the slider below the frame to choose between the Auto and Max timers. With Auto, the time is determined automatically; Max uses the longest time. The setting you choose is saved for your next Night mode shot.
- Tap the Shutter button, then hold the camera still to take your shot.
Just like iPhone 12 Pro Max, all iPhone 13 lineup has the night mode feature but is better when it comes to the super-wide lens. You can check iPhone 12 and iPhone 13’s night mode comparison on CNET’s latest blog post.
Join iPhone photographer groups
Joining a community of iPhone photographers will surely help you on your journey to iPhone 13. There are lots of Facebook groups, communities, pages where you can join and get tips from. They share their techniques, camera settings, outputs, etc. Here are some of the iPhone photographer groups which you can choose from:
3. The World of Photography Group
4. iPhone Photographers and Mobile Photos
Use a stabilizer
Apple added a stabilizer on their iPhone 13 to solve everyone’s shaky hands’ problem. But, despite having the stabilizing feature, we still recommend using a tripod or Gimbal stabilizers to improve your shots. Using this equipment will surely give you a smooth, cinematic, and film-like recording for your videos.
Learn on TikTok
Tiktok is now surprisingly one of the best social media apps for 2022. There are lots of bite-sized videography tips and tricks from famous photographers that you can watch for free. Some Tiktok users also share hidden iPhone features that will surely blow your mind. You may also follow Power Mac Center’s TikTok account, for videos shot by the Power Mac Center community
@powermaccenter Watch this exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Martin as he shows us how he used his iPhone to take incredible photos and videos. #HometownGlory ♬ original sound – powermaccenter
Planning to upgrade to iPhone 13? Here’s some more help to help you decide which iPhone 13 to buy. Share your iPhone 13 Pro discoveries with us! Leave us comments with your own tips, tricks, and even your portfolio link if you will!
