Sorry, but it’s very nearly impossible to set up the iPhone 3G to take a bad photo by mis-setting the settings. There aren’t any. Controls for speed, aperture, focus and other doorways to photographic disaster are non-existent on the iPhone 3G. All you’ve got is a shutter button and that’s it.
I did have a go. I was in hospital at the time. Under the influence of pain killers, which was a help. Several bouquets of gorgeous flowers arrived. I fumbled at once for my brand new iPhone and snapped a number of artistic photographs.
…Or so I thought. Arriving home, I hunted for my beautiful mementoes. Where were my works of iphone art? Not a trace. Nowhere to be found.
Sparse as the iPhone photo controls are, let alone the buttons on the physical machine, I had still managed to press the wrong one.
I had clicked with the physical button below the screen. The virtual camera icon, on screen below the preview, is the spot that takes the photo.
Unfortunately, even now I know where it is, I’ve found this virtual iphone button gives little scope for adding a spot of chiaroscuro, vulgarly known as the out-of-focus look to my photographs.
You can get a certain amount of camera shake just by pressing the physical shutter button on most digital cameras and camera phones. The iphone’s onscreen button wouldn’t dream of giving so rude a jolt. It’s so responsive you barely have to touch it.
How about taking a photo in low light? I’ve noticed my iphone always takes photos at the same aperture (f2.8). So when light is lower, it probably has to leave the shutter open longer.
Ha! The perfect opportunity for a bit of artistic smudge, fuzz and blur for that extra hint of mystery.
I did find this worked. For best results I waved the camera around a bit immediately after tripping the shutter.
TIP. Did you know that your iphone starts to take the picture, not when your finger goes down on the shutter, but when you lift it again?
If you really insist on a clear shot, try keeping your finger down while you frame your shot and steady the camera, then lift it. You could end up with very little camera shake at all.
…Provided, that is, you also hold the iphone still for a second or two after the shutter trips.
Tags: Art on the iPhone, camera phones, iphone camera, photography, photos, tips, tutorial
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PAINTER BRUSH BOX .
Put your worst face forward
I had no idea either. If I ever get one I’ll be ready now
Anita
Glad to impart something new, Karol. Thanks for telling me. I always like to be useful!
I haven’t come across this bit of information myself in anything Apple puts out. Sorry to say I can’t credit my source. I read it on some iphone or photography website, but can’t remember where.
That’s very good to know. You would think I’d have figured that out already!