Pro photographer reveals the best iPhone camera settings to take top-notch snaps of your own
The result is game-changing
We all want to take better photos and make those Instagram shots really pop.
With Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Pro Max, you’re likely enjoying the new 48MP camera, ultra-wide lens, and improved 12MP front-facing selfie camera - all packed with tonnes of modes to choose from.
But, if you don't see much difference in quality, don't worry, it's not you or the device.
In fact, you don't have to be a skilled photographer or have much knowledge about it to land those clean, crisp shots.
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According to pro photographer Joe Maldonado: "It's all about the settings."
And the good news is, it only takes about five minutes of your time.
Maldonado takes his shots on his highly tuned iPhone 14 Pro but most recent iPhones should have similar settings - though a Pro model is recommended for the best results.
Here are the best settings for your Apple iPhone (sorry, Android users!)
To get started, go to Settings and tap on Camera. Then, go to Formats.
Here, make sure 'High Efficiency' is checked under Camera Capture and '24 MP' is selected in Photo Mode.
Also, toggle on 'ProRAW & Resolution Control' if it isn't already.
Next, tap on 'Pro Default' and make sure both 'ProRAW Max (Up to 48MP)' and 'JPEG-XL Lossy' (available only on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max) are checked.
Now, head back to the 'Camera' menu and tap on 'Preserve Settings'.
Here, make sure to toggle on the following options: Camera Mode, Creative Controls, Macro Control, Exposure Adjustment, Night Mode, Portrait Zoom, ProRaw & Resolution Control, and Live Photo.
Doing so will ensure that your current settings will stay the same every time you open the Camera app.
Return to the 'Camera' menu. Enable 'Grid' and make sure 'Level' is toggled on.
According to Maldonado, these settings help him line up his shots.
Finally, ensure that 'Portraits in Photo Mode,' 'Prioritize Faster Shooting,' 'Lens Correction,' and 'Macro Control' are all enabled.
And that's it for the Settings tweaking.
Now for when you're actually using the Camera app, Maldonado suggests that users toggle 'Raw MAX' on as this allows you to capture the highest resolution. This is especially useful if you wish to edit your photos in software like Adobe Lightroom.
Plus, while shooting, make sure you're using '1x' which is the main sensor known as the wide camera, to get the best-quality photos.
Have fun impressing your friends with your upgraded photo quality!