#iphone camera lens

These days, carrying around a bulky DSLR is more for the professional who gets paid the big bucks and needs the best of the best picture quality. But for the average person and any photographer or adventurer who wants a quick and easy way to snap photos, the built-in camera on the iPhone can suffice—especially when paired with an attachable camera lens.

With that in mind, there are plenty of common iPhoneography mistakes that many people make, yourself possibly included. Luckily these mistakes are easy to fix and can take your iPhone photos to the next level, rivaling even DSLR-shot pictures.

Mistake One: Forgetting About the Camera Settings

While it's super simple to pull your iPhone out of your pocket and snap a picture, there are some pretty advanced features and settings in the default camera app. From the ISO to the exposure and white balance of the image, you can adjust quite a bit. And, especially when paired with a quality lens, these settings can help bring your phone photos up to the professional level.

The thing is, many people don’t know these settings exist and the vast majority who do are too afraid to mess with them for fear of screwing up the photo. Don’t be scared and start experimenting with these adjustments and you’ll notice the difference in your photos.

Mistake Two: Relying on Digital Zoom

With a simple pinch or pull, you can zoom in or out on your subject quickly and easily. But what if we told you that you’re not technically zooming in, but rather “cropping in”? As with many smartphone cameras, the lens utilizes digital zoom to get the job done, but it can only do so much. Zooming in too much can lead to pixilated, lower-quality pictures. To fix this, you can simply get closer to your subject, or you can pick up an iPhone camera lens that will provide your built-in lens with some extra magnification power, all without lessening the quality of the photos.

Mistake Three: Forgetting About Composition

While iPhone cameras work great as quick ways to snap a photo, when you look back on the picture, you might wish that you had taken a few seconds more to plan how the shot would work. For example, employing the Rule of Thirds is incredibly simple, yet so few iPhoneographers take the time to do it. Simply turn on the grid lines in the phone settings and then position the subject of your image off center according to the grid lines. This simple little trick will instantly elevate your photos and make them more professional.

Mistake Four: Relying Too Heavily on Editing

It really is impressive that photo editing tools that were once only available on desktop computers are now right in the Photos app on the iPhone. They can be a great way to do small touch-ups after the image is taken, but you should never rely on them solely. Take the time to think the photo through while you're capturing it instead of crossing your fingers that editing will take care of any mistakes afterward. This way, your photography skills will sharpen, and the images will look more natural and less filtered and edited in the end.

Mistake Five: Not Using the Right Accessories

Finally, you need to understand the limitations of your phone’s hardware. It’s true that with every new iPhone the cameras get better, but if you want to compete with DSLRs, you need an attachable phone camera lens that will maximize the effectiveness of your device. There are plenty of different options available, and with a simple snap, you can capture higher quality macro, wide angle, and zoom shots with ease.

About Hitcase

Hitcase has been producing high-quality phone cases—including their highly-rated waterproof iPhone case—since the iPhone 4 came out back in 2010. Their mission is to provide products that allow people to get out more and bring their phones along, no matter how rugged or wet their adventure is. Hitcase offers a variety of products along with their cases including camera lens attachments and other photography essentials like gimbals, mounts, and more.

Explore Hitcase’s entire collection at Hitcase.com

It seems that every year, the cameras on the new iPhone models just get better and better, and with each upgrade, it makes the need for a dedicated DSLR seem less important. Even so, taking the ultimate picture with your iPhone still requires a little bit of skill—at least until Apple integrates an AI photographer into every phone. Until then, here are some tips and tricks you can use to easily take your iPhone photos to the next level.

Avoid Using Digital Zoom

Unless you have a dual-lens iPhone like the 7 Plus, 8 Plus, X, Xs, or Xs Max, your iPhone most likely doesn’t have optical zoom and works on a fixed focal length. This means that when you pinch to zoom while shooting a photo, all you’re doing is cropping in on a subject rather than zooming in on it. The problem with this approach is that the picture suffers in quality and when you edit them later, you’ll notice. So, instead of using digital zoom, get closer to the subject, or upgrade to an attachable camera lens that can shoot wide-angle shots.

Use the Right Hardware

While you can take some good photos using the stock iPhone camera lens and shooting handheld, with the right hardware, you can take your pictures to the next level. Common pieces of iPhoneography equipment include a tripod or mono pod, detachable camera lenses for macro and wide-angle shots, and an action mount for recording your high-flying adventures. With a dependable iPhone camera lens, you're ready for any occasion and can produce high-quality photos with ease.

Shoot in Burst Mode

Many of us know that burst mode on the iPhone is incredibly handy for action shots, like when you’re at a basketball game or skiing downhill. But burst mode is also useful for taking selfies and portraits. How many times have you posed for a picture, thinking that it turned out perfect, only to discover later that you blinked? By shooting portraits in burst mode, you're taking multiple rapid images of the subject, so even if they blink, there's bound to be a shot before or after that looks perfect.

Explore Different Environments

Whether you’re out at the pool, in the ocean, or sledding down a winter slope, you might be wary of taking your expensive iPhone into these harsh environments. Still, as a budding iPhoneographer, you shouldn’t let the elements hold you back from capturing your next adventure. With a waterproof iPhone case, you can take your phone into the wettest environments worry-free and capture some fantastic shots.

Edit Your Photos

Finally, you should take the time to edit and tweak your photos after you take them. While the raw images on your iPhone using a camera lens will look pretty excellent, with some additional tweaks to the contrast, exposure, or even the focus on dual-lens models, you can take your pictures from amateur to professional. There are a variety of different mobile applications and desktop programs to help you edit your photos, but with recent iOS updates, Apple has brought many advanced photo editing tools directly to the Photos application.

About Hitcase

Hitcase designs and manufactures high-quality, durable phone cases that are lightweight with built-in premium features like a detachable phone camera lens and mounting rails. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Hitcase creates products that keep your valuable phones safe in rugged environments, so you can go further and capture photos of your latest adventure.

To learn more, visit Hitcase.com

If you’re a travel guru, lifestyle blogger, artistic parent, backpacker extraordinaire, or any type of visual creative, you probably use your iPhone to take photos for your brand or personal social media. If you’re ready to step-up your photography game but don’t want to invest in an expensive camera, here’s a list of tools that will enhance your photos - using only your iPhone. Attachable Lenses Ready to fool all of your Instagram followers into thinking you have a fancy, expensive DSLR? Get a couple of attachable iPhone camera lenses and see the obvious difference even before you edit the photos. A high-quality iPhone camera lens will have a few features that make it better than your basic iPhone camera. Anti-reflective and anti-scratch coatings guarantee you can capture those adventure shots without worrying about damaging your lens (we’ll get to your case later). Look for waterproof, dust-proof, and snow-proof lenses that will withstand everything you put it through to capture the perfect photo. Wide and macro lenses change how much you can fit into the frame and the precise detailing you can capture. These are great for landscape, travel, sport, or lifestyle photography. Bonus tip: Look for lenses that include 2 element glass lenses, that way no vignetting happens to your images. Tripod + Mount Ready to capture a long exposure shot of a lit up cityscape or flowing waterfall? Use a tripod and an iPhone designed mount to shoot a long exposure photo without shaking or low-quality clarity. Make sure the mount fits with your case, a common mistake most iPhoneographers make when choosing a tripod mount. For expert level status, choose one that can tilt up to 180 degrees to capture portrait shots that you can share on your Instagram story. Pair with an iPhone camera lens for easy-to-shoot expert photos every session. Waterproof Case If you think these are only for scuba divers (and parents of toddlers), you’re wrong. Having a waterproof and shockproof iPhone case keeps your photos safe during everyday activities and extraordinary adventures. Never worry about taking those pool day photos of the kids or capturing a snowboard run while it’s sprinkling snow. Aside from iPhoneography, it’s always a smart idea to keep your phone safe from drops, falls, and weather conditions. Protect your iPhone and encase it in a waterproof and shockproof shield that keeps it adventure (and life) ready. Photo Editing App A no-brainer for experts like you. Some of the best photo editing apps include VSCO, Snapseed, Afterlight 2, and Enlight. Start with your photo’s exposure, contrast, color, and details before choosing a filter (if you want to apply a filter at all). Good rule of thumb: the closer the photo looks to real life, the better. Monopod AKA, a glorified selfie stick. Before you stick up your nose at this accessory, remember that it’s a great tool for photography and filming. Get those dramatic shots from a distance without worrying about dropping your iPhone or getting in the way of the end result photo. Make sure your monopod is durable, waterproof, and extends longer than 15 inches. About Hitcase Hitcase offers a selection of durable iPhone cases and iPhone camera lens options that allow users to take stunning pictures wherever they are in the world. The company’s innovative, top-quality products help get people ready for adventure. For more information, visit Hitcase.com

Summertime is full of activities and gatherings that make lifelong memories and encourage fun experiences for you and your kids. Before you head out on your next family summer adventure, here are a few ways to use your iPhone’s versatile features as a resource while simultaneously protecting it from summer fun. Beach Days Ocean waves, sandy beaches, and snack food make for a great day at the beach for all ages. Bring along your iPhone and a Bluetooth speaker to amp up the fun, or use an attachable, waterproof iPhone camera lens to capture family memories on the beach. But unfortunately, your iPhone alone isn’t made to handle all the fun in the sun. Get a waterproof and shockproof case to protect your iPhone from water, sand, and food crumbs. Worrying about keeping your phone dry is distracting for everyone. Keep it simple and easy by protecting your iPhone from your beach day adventures. Sport Tournaments Your all-star players probably have a soccer tournament or two this summer, and who wouldn’t want to watch them score the ultimate goal? Bring along an all-weather blanket, shady umbrella, and sports drinks to keep you comfy and energized for a day of supporting your family's superstars. While your iPhone comes with a quality built-in camera, enhance your photos with a wide lens to capture all the action on the field. Attachable lenses increase the clarity and frame size of your photos without needing a DSLR camera. Family Reunions Summer is the season of barbecues, park gatherings, and family reunions. Whether your family tends to be laid back or a more adventurous clan, capturing the memories and keeping your iPhone safe from high-impact activities should be easy. Use your iPhone as a resource while cooking a family recipe. Or keep a tally of team points during an intense volleyball match. Choose an iPhone case that’s shockproof and waterproof, keeping it safe from splattering ingredients or rogue volleyballs. Don’t forget to capture the memories with an attachable iPhone camera lens that you can take with you wherever you go. Camping Trips Your iPhone’s versatility makes it a great resource for your next family camping trip. Use the flashlight feature to help you set up a tent at twilight, or save maps to follow the trail to your favorite campsite. Having an iPhone available for emergencies is especially important, so bring along a solar power pack to keep your device charged. Keeping your iPhone charged also makes it a great on-the-go camera. Use a macro lens to get close-up nature shots with incredible detail without a pro-camera that weighs down your pack. Get a shockproof case to protect it against any drops on hard surfaces or damp trails. If you want to capture a time-lapse of the night sky or take an all-inclusive family photo with a timer, get a mount that allows you to stick your iPhone on a lightweight tripod. About Hitcase Hitcase offers a selection of durable iPhone cases and iPhone camera lens options that allow users to take stunning pictures wherever they are in the world. The company’s innovative, top-quality products help get people ready for adventure. For more information, visit Hitcase.com

Packing light when traveling makes a world of difference on the road. Less stuff means less stress, and why worry about lugging heavy bags around when you can do without? Capturing memories from your adventures can be fun and challenging, but carrying a cumbersome DSLR can seriously dampen your experience. Lucky for us, every current version of iPhone available can capture high-quality photos that compete with pro-level cameras. It’s absolutely untrue that you need training and expensive equipment to take quality photos. Here are a few tips to transform your travel pictures without adding more heavy gear to your bag. Get Inspired Following professional travel photographers and influencers on social media platforms is a fantastic way to get inspired for your own adventures. Get ideas on perspective, editing, and composition without having to take a single class. Search for photographers on Instagram through the Discovery page and check out different hashtags related to where you’re traveling. Instagram shows the photos with the most likes first, giving you the best shots without having to sort through thousands of other people’s photos. Essential Hardware Enhancing the basic features of your camera phone is easy with an iPhone camera lens. Look for lenses that are shockproof, drop proof, and waterproof. Easy enough to throw into your bag without taking up much space or adding weight, attachable camera lenses enhance photos to a DSLR level without the expensive gear. Having macro and micro lenses on hand gives you increased opportunities for photo perspective and higher quality. Check that they’ll fit with your iPhone case, which should be shatterproof and waterproof for even the toughest adventures. Soft Editing Less is more when it comes to clean and expert editing. You don’t need tons of filters or weird colors, which often distort the photo's composition and cause viewers to focus on the filter rather than the subject. Your final look should capture the rich colors and defining contrast of whatever you captured. Adjust the contrast and exposure to start. Then slightly increase the saturation to mimic whatever you were trying to capture with your iPhone. Use a filter to enhance natural colors and lighting without being distracting or obnoxious. Sometimes all you need is to adjust the contrast and saturation, and your photo looks just like the original colors. Perspective If you’re traveling to a place with a famous landmark, natural or manmade, you’ve probably seen dozens if not hundreds of photos of it. In fact, it might have been a photo that made you want to visit. While it can be fun to take your own picture that mimics a classic setup, like Machu Picchu or the Eiffel Tower, changing the photo perspective makes yours unique. Look around you to see how other people are taking photos of the landmark or landscape. Then, walk around to look at it from a different angle. Use the rule of thirds and engage the imposed grid on your iPhone camera. If it’s not already on your camera view, go to the iPhone Settings Camera menu and turn on the Grid. Capturing moments from your trips can help you remember your adventures and also let you experiment with photography. Utilize your iPhone to take pro-level photos with an attachable iPhone camera lens and some realistic editing. Hitcase makes it easy to take impressive photos using only an iPhone with their mini-lenses and tough cases. Up your photography game and capture quality photos on your next adventure. About Hitcase Hitcase offers a selection of durable iPhone cases and iPhone camera lens options that allow users to take stunning pictures wherever they are in the world. The company’s innovative, top- quality products help get people ready for adventure. For more information, visit Hitcase.com