The iPhone camera has a large set of tools and settings that many users may not discover, even though they can improve the quality of photos and give photographers more control over the final results. Some of these tools are not clearly visible within the Camera app, while others are found in the main Settings list on the device. If you use your iPhone to take pictures daily, here are 5 settings that can help you get the most out of the camera.

Photographic Styles... Change the look of your photos before taking them

Photographic Styles is one of the most prominent tools offered by Apple for photography enthusiasts, especially those who do not want to rely heavily on photo editing after capturing images. Unlike traditional filters that add a general effect to the image after it has been taken, Photographic Styles modifies specific elements during the actual shooting process, giving you a more personalized and natural result.

This feature has been available since the iPhone 13, and with newer generations, Apple added greater capabilities for editing photos taken using photographic styles. The available styles include options such as Standard, Cool Rose, Vibrant, Amber, and Dramatic, with some settings within these styles being customizable and savable for use with subsequent images. However, there is an important point to consider: Photographic Styles will not appear if you are using the RAW format, as this format is primarily designed for processing and editing after photography through programs like Adobe Lightroom. To enable styles, High Efficiency mode must be used, which is the HEIF format accessible from the camera settings according to iPhone model and system version.

Macro Control: Preventing Automatic Macro Mode

While Macro mode can be very useful for photographing small objects at close range, it can sometimes become a nuisance when the iPhone automatically switches to wide-angle lens and enables macro photography. Users may notice a sudden change in exposure and depth of field as the phone automatically shifts to macro mode while setting up an image. Therefore, this feature can be controlled manually through:

- Settings > Camera > Macro Control

From here, you can turn off automatic macro control or leave it on but disable it when needed. When the phone detects that the situation is suitable for macro photography, a flower icon appears within the camera app. It can be pressed to stop macro mode at that moment.

AE/AF Lock.. Fix focus and lighting

The iPhone's automatic focus and lighting adjustment capabilities are excellent in most cases, but they can cause a problem when you want to recompose the image after setting the focus point. When you move the phone or adjust the frame, the device may automatically change the focus and exposure, which can be frustrating, especially in low-light conditions. Long exposures can result in shaky or blurry images. This is where AE/AF Lock comes into play. During image capture, a yellow square appears indicating the focus and exposure point. You can select another area by tapping the screen. However, if you press and hold the screen, the phone will lock both the focus and exposure together, and the AE/AF Lock message will appear to indicate that the lock is active. Some iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models with a Camera Control button also allow locking by lightly pressing and holding the button.

Image format settings.. Choose HEIF or JPEG or ProRAW

iPhones default to the High Efficiency (HEIF) format for saving images, which offers good storage efficiency while maintaining image quality. However, if you need greater compatibility with different software and devices, you may prefer using the JPEG format. You can change the setting through:
Settings > Camera > Formats

Then select Most Compatible to save images in JPEG format.

The iPhone Pro offers an additional option, Apple ProRAW, which is suitable for users who want to make advanced image adjustments after capturing them using software such as Lightroom or VSCO, or even the Apple Photos app. ProRAW provides greater flexibility in post-processing but produces much larger files than HEIF or JPEG.

Prioritize Faster Shooting.. Capture images at a faster rate

If you love photographing children, animals, sports, or street scenes, the speed of capturing images can be a critical factor in getting the shot you want. Apple provides a setting called Prioritize Faster Shooting, which is enabled by default. It allows the iPhone to adjust how it processes images to conserve camera and processor resources so that more pictures can be captured at a faster rate. This could be useful when a scene lasts only for a few seconds, as repeatedly pressing the shutter button increases the chances of getting the best shot instead of missing the moment. The feature can be turned on or off from:

Settings > Camera > Prioritize Faster Shooting

5 Settings That Could Change the Way You Take Photos on Your iPhone

These options may seem simple, but they give users more control over how their iPhone camera works. Photographic Styles helps customize the look of photos from the moment they are taken, while Macro Control lets you control automatic switching to close-up photography. AE/AF Lock allows you to lock focus and lighting, file format settings determine how images are saved and used later, and Prioritize Faster Shooting helps capture fast moments before they're missed. Knowing where these settings are and how to use them can make your iPhone camera more versatile, whether you’re a professional photographer or just someone who wants better photos in their daily life.