UPFRONT/TECH
Get the Big Picture
Smartphones have sophisticated photography modes. When to use what
PORTRAIT MODE
What it does: Blurs the background while keeping the subject in focus.
What it’s for: Single subjects, where the camera locks in on one face. “It’s perfect for taking portraits of people or pets,” says Kate Wesson, editor of the iPhone Photography School blog.
LIVE PHOTO/MOTION PHOTO
What it does: Captures motion and sound before and after you hit the shutter.
What it’s for: “It’s great for capturing moments with subtle movement and sound that add to the memory, like the laughter of a loved one or the bubbling of a stream,” Wesson says.
NIGHT MODE
What it does: Works in low light.
What it’s for: “Whether a city skyline at night, a dinner party in a dim room or a nighttime landscape, night mode helps to maintain clarity and color in your photos,” says Wesson.
PANORAMIC
What it does: Takes wide images.
What it’s for: Photos of sweeping landscapes, large groups of people or tall objects, such as buildings. “I have even seen examples of people doing diagonal shots on long staircases,” says Chris Maliwat, a professional photographer from New York City. Just be sure to keep the lens level and move the device slowly. —Lexi Pandell