Burst mode on the iPhone 12 is a fantastic feature for capturing action shots or ensuring you get the perfect picture from a series. It allows you to take a rapid sequence of photos, increasing your chances of capturing a fleeting moment with clarity and precision. While some users find it automatically engaging, understanding how to effectively use burst mode can significantly enhance your iPhone photography skills. This guide will walk you through how to take burst photos on your iPhone 12 and when to use this powerful feature.
Understanding Burst Mode on iPhone 12
Burst mode is designed to take multiple photos in quick succession. On the iPhone 12, this is incredibly useful when photographing moving subjects like pets, children, or sporting events. Instead of just one shot, burst mode gives you a selection of images, so you can choose the best one where everyone is smiling, the action is perfectly framed, or the subject is sharp.
How to Activate Burst Mode on iPhone 12
Activating burst mode on the iPhone 12 is straightforward and intuitive:
- Open the Camera app: Start by launching the Camera app on your iPhone 12.
- Prepare your shot: Frame your subject and get ready to take your photo.
- Press and hold the Shutter button: Instead of tapping the shutter button, press and immediately slide it to the left and hold it down. You will hear the camera rapidly taking photos, and a counter will appear showing how many photos you’ve taken in the burst.
- Release to stop: Once you’ve captured the desired number of shots, simply lift your finger from the shutter button. The burst mode will stop automatically.
How to Select and Save Photos from a Burst
After taking a burst of photos, you don’t have to keep them all. iPhone 12 allows you to review the burst and select the best images to save, discarding the rest to save storage space.
- Go to Photos app: Open the Photos app and navigate to your recent photos.
- Identify the burst: Burst photos are grouped together and appear as a single thumbnail in your library.
- Tap “Select”: Tap on the burst thumbnail, then tap the “Select” button at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose your favorites: Swipe through the burst photos. You’ll notice that the iPhone might suggest some “favorite” photos, indicated by gray dots below the thumbnails, based on sharpness and composition. Tap the circle at the lower-right corner of each photo you want to keep. A checkmark will appear on the selected photos.
- Tap “Done”: Once you’ve selected all the photos you want to save individually, tap “Done” in the top right corner.
- Choose to Keep All or Just Favorites: You will be prompted to “Keep Everything” or “Keep Favorites Only.” If you choose “Keep Favorites Only,” the unselected photos will be discarded, and only the photos you checked will be saved as individual photos. “Keep Everything” saves all photos in the burst as individual photos.
Tips for Taking Great Burst Photos on iPhone 12
- Steady your hands: While burst mode is fast, keeping your hands steady will minimize blur, especially in lower light conditions.
- Focus on your subject: Ensure your subject is in focus before you start taking burst photos. Tap on the screen to focus if needed.
- Consider lighting: Good lighting is crucial for any photo, including burst photos. Natural light often works best.
- Experiment with angles and composition: Move around and try different angles to make your burst photos more dynamic and interesting.
- Use burst mode for action and portraits: Burst mode isn’t just for action shots. It’s also excellent for taking portraits, especially of groups or children, where capturing the perfect expression in a single shot can be challenging.
Addressing Concerns about Unwanted Burst Mode
While burst mode is a useful feature, some users, particularly photographers, find the automatic engagement of burst mode with the shutter button press to be occasionally intrusive, especially when attempting to take single photos with the timer. Currently, there is no direct setting on the iPhone 12 to completely disable burst mode for the standard shutter button press.
Workarounds for Timer and Single Shots:
- Using Live Photos: Some users have found that when the Live Photo feature is enabled, the shutter button press may be less likely to trigger burst mode, especially with the timer. You can toggle Live Photos on or off from the camera interface.
- Using the Volume Up Button (with setting adjustment): You can customize the volume up button to trigger burst mode, but this does not disable the shutter button burst. To check this setting go to Settings > Camera > Use Volume Up for Burst. Disabling this may or may not affect the standard shutter button behavior.
It’s important to note that these are workarounds, and the fundamental behavior of the shutter button to activate burst mode remains consistent on iPhone 12. For users desiring more control over burst mode engagement, providing feedback to Apple through their feedback channels is the most effective way to voice this preference.
Conclusion
Burst mode on the iPhone 12 is a powerful tool for capturing dynamic moments and ensuring you get the best possible shot. By understanding how to activate and manage burst photos, you can significantly improve your iPhone photography. While some users seek more granular control over burst mode, mastering the current functionalities allows you to leverage this feature effectively for a wide range of photographic situations. Experiment with burst mode, practice these techniques, and you’ll be capturing professional-looking action shots and perfect portraits in no time.
