Your iPhone 6 may be a few years old now, but its 8MP camera is still more than capable of capturing great shots—if you know how to use it right. Whether you’re snapping pics for Instagram or just trying to get a solid family photo, these tips will help you make the most of your iPhone 6 camera.
1. Use Burst Mode for Action Shots
Trying to catch the perfect moment during a fast-moving scene? Use Burst Mode. Just hold down the shutter button, and your iPhone 6 will take a rapid series of photos. Great for pets, kids, sports, or anything that moves.
After shooting, head to your photo gallery, tap the burst set, and select the best shot(s) to keep.
2. Play with Filters Right from the Photos App
You don’t need a separate app to add filters. Open a photo, tap Edit, and scroll through the filter options at the bottom. You can preview them live and even adjust their strength. Don’t worry—you can always revert to the original later if you change your mind.
3. Try the Self-Timer for Better Group Shots
Want to jump into the frame? Tap the timer icon at the top of the camera screen and choose a 3- or 10-second delay. The camera will also take a quick burst of shots when the timer goes off, so you’re more likely to catch a good one with everyone smiling.
For best results, prop your phone on a steady surface or use a tripod.
4. Shoot Time-Lapse Videos
Swipe over to “Time-Lapse” in the camera mode selector to capture a sped-up video of sunsets, traffic, or even yourself cooking dinner. Just be sure your phone is stable while recording to avoid a shaky final result.
5. Manually Adjust Exposure
If your photo looks too bright or too dark, tap the screen to focus, then slide your finger up or down on the yellow sun icon to adjust the exposure. This gives you more control over the lighting, especially in tricky conditions.
6. Skip the Flash When You Can
The flash on the iPhone 6 isn’t great—it often makes photos look harsh or adds weird colors. Try boosting exposure manually instead, or move closer to a natural light source. For night shots, use a tripod or rest your phone to reduce blur.
7. Turn on HDR Auto for Balanced Lighting
HDR (High Dynamic Range) blends multiple exposures into one photo, helping you capture scenes with both bright and dark areas—like a sunset or a shadowy street. Just tap “HDR” at the top of the camera screen and set it to Auto. Your phone will use it only when it makes sense.
8. Use the Volume Buttons to Snap a Pic
Tapping the on-screen shutter button can shake your phone slightly. Instead, press one of the physical volume buttons to take a photo—less movement means a sharper shot.
You can even use the volume buttons on your headphones (if you still have a pair with a cable) to snap hands-free.
9. Edit Photos Right in the Photos App
Tap Edit on any image to adjust exposure, contrast, brightness, saturation, and more—no extra apps needed. You can also crop, rotate, or add filters. And if you go too far, just hit “Revert” to return to the original.
10. Explore Third-Party Camera Apps
If you’re feeling limited by the built-in Camera app, try downloading alternatives like Camera+, VSCO, or ProCamera. These apps give you more manual control over focus, ISO, and shutter speed, helping you get pro-level results from your iPhone 6.
Try a few of these out and you’ll be surprised how much better your iPhone 6 photos can look.