How to use a tripod with an iPhone

Apple’s iPhones feature some of the most capable cameras in the smartphone world, but did you know that you can further improve the image quality by using a tripod? The iPhone already has excellent stabilisation, even allowing you to capture long-exposure shots at night and capture cinematic videos.

However, what you perhaps didn’t know is that the iPhone knows when it’s on a stable surface or tripod and adjusts camera settings to take advantage of the added stability. Here’s what you need to get started.

A tripod (duh!)

Given how light an iPhone is, you won’t need an expensive tripod. In fact, even a selfie stick or monopod with a solid base will do in most cases. When looking for a tripod for your phone, get one that’s lightweight and easy to set up. 

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You don’t want to be messing with settings and fiddly dials while prepping for your shot. We’d also recommend going for something like a gorilla pod as it doubles as both a tripod and grippy arm that you can use to mount the iPhone to almost any surface. What you’re looking for is convenience and stability.

Tripod heads

Since you intend to use your phone on a tripod, make sure that the tripod comes with a compatible smartphone holder. You’ll need one that’s grippy enough to hold your phone without applying so much pressure as to damage the phone’s case or the coating on the frame. Look for a head that has a padded grip, preferably rubber or dense foam.

Gimbals are nice, too

Another option is to look into getting a gimbal for the phone. Smartphone gimbals are more expensive than tripods, but they’re more compact and have active stabilisation that allows the gimbal to double as a tripod of sorts for both stills and video. Gimbals can also be used to track movement more smoothly, making them a much more flexible and compact option.

How to shoot with a tripod

Shooting with a tripod is easy enough. You put the phone on a tripod and just press the shutter button. When the phone detects that it’s on a tripod — because there will be much less shake than normal — it automatically drops ISO and increases the duration of the exposure for a much cleaner image. At night or in low light, you’ll even see an option to extend the exposure to 30 seconds as opposed to the 3-5 seconds that are normally available to you. 

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Using third-party camera apps such as Final Cut Camera, Focos, or Halide can also help give you more control. If possible, please use a remote trigger — this is possible via your Apple Watch or AirPods — to engage the shutter. This eliminates the camera shake that comes from you tapping the iPhone screen to capture an image or video.

Have fun shooting long exposures and capturing cleaner, richer images with your iPhone and a tripod! For some added fun, you could also get a magic arm and attach the iPhone to your mirrorless camera for some interesting POV shots.