Capture DSLR-like crisp festive photos this Diwali with your iPhone: 4 photography tips

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you do this.

Always shoot in high-resolution

The camera capture button in action. (Image credit: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)

Your iPhone can take high-resolution photos. However, to save storage, the phones, by default, do not shoot in full resolution. There are plenty of iPhone models with a 48 MP main camera. This camera takes 24 MP pictures by default, and if you change the resolution from 24 MP to 48 MP, you can immediately notice a difference in the picture quality. Do note that these pictures will take a bit more storage space.

In fact, the iPhone 16 Pro series has 48 MP wide-angle and ultra-wide angle you can use in case you want to click a group of people.

Record videos at maximum frame rate

iPhone 16 series comes with a new physical camera shutter button. (Image credit: Apple)

If you have the brand new iPhone 16 Pro or the iPhone 16 Pro Max (review), the first set of iPhones that can shoot 4K videos at 120fps, we recommend enabling the same from the settings menu. These high-resolution, high-frame videos will come in handy. Remember, you can always compress an image or a video to make it low-resolution, but you will never be able to add more details or clarity to an existing photo or video.

Try creating some high-resolution videos this Diwali, which you can, later, if you wish, convert it into super slow-motion videos.

Make use of cinematic mode

Cinematic video mode is seen on the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s camera.

Cinematic mode enables iPhone users to capture videos with excellent bokeh effect. In this mode, the camera keeps the subject in focus, and when you pan from one subject to another, the iPhone automatically switches the focus, helping you to create a cinematic visual. Cinematic mode is available on the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and the iPhone 16 series of smartphones.

Go “Pro” with the iPhone 16 series

The iPhone 16 has the same dual camera setup as its predecessor. (Express Photo)

If you are even more serious about capturing stunning pictures this Diwali, and you have one of the iPhone 16 (review) series models, you can make use of the new Camera Control button to further tweak various parameters like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. To capture stunning low-light images you can tweak the exposure levels as well.