How to Use the Different Camera Modes on Your iPhone

Your iPhone camera can do much more than take basic photos. Here's how to use Portrait mode, Panorama, Time-lapse, and other powerful modes you may not know about.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Use Portrait mode for photos of people
2.Capture wide scenes with Panorama
3.Record Time-lapse videos of slow changes
4.Use Slow-Mo for action shots

Use Portrait mode for photos of people

~39s

Portrait mode blurs the background behind your subject, creating the professional-looking "bokeh" effect you see in high-quality portraits. Open Camera and swipe right to Portrait mode (available on iPhone XS and later for the rear camera, and some models support it on the front camera for selfies). A yellow "Natural Light" label appears — frame your subject so they are 2-8 feet away. The camera shows a real-time preview of the blur effect. Tap the shutter button to take the photo.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: After taking a Portrait photo, you can adjust the blur intensity and even change the lighting style in the Photos app. Tap "Edit" on the photo → use the "Depth" slider or lighting buttons at the top.

Capture wide scenes with Panorama

~33s

Panorama stitches together a series of photos to create one wide, sweeping image — perfect for landscapes, cityscapes, or large group photos. Swipe right past Portrait to reach Panorama. Hold your phone vertically. Tap the shutter button and slowly pan your phone in the direction of the arrow, keeping the arrow on the center line. Tap the shutter again to stop. The resulting panorama captures a view much wider than a standard photo.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Pan slowly and steadily for the best panorama — if you move too fast or tilt the phone, the edges of the panorama may look wavy or have gaps.

Record Time-lapse videos of slow changes

~29s

Time-lapse records at a reduced frame rate and plays back at normal speed, showing hours of change in just seconds. Swipe all the way left past Photo to find Time-lapse. Great subjects: clouds moving across the sky, a sunset, traffic from a high point, or flowers opening. Place your phone on a stable surface (a table or a phone stand), tap the red button to start, and let it record for several minutes to hours. The resulting video compresses the entire period into a short, captivating clip.

Use Slow-Mo for action shots

~34s

Slow-Motion records video at 120 or 240 frames per second (fps) and plays it back at regular speed, creating a beautifully slowed effect. Swipe left past Video to reach Slo-mo. Great for: a child jumping into a swimming pool, a pet playing, a ball being thrown, or any fast movement you want to examine in detail. After recording, you can trim where the slow-motion starts and ends in the Photos app.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: If you need to take a photo while video is recording, look for the white circle button that appears alongside the record button — tapping it takes a still photo without interrupting the video.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Use the Different Camera Modes on Your iPhone

Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

The iPhone camera is one of the most capable cameras most people will ever use — and most users only use the basic Photo mode. But iPhone cameras have a range of specialized modes that take better photos in specific situations.

Swiping left or right in the Camera app cycles through different modes: Photo, Portrait, Panorama, Video, Slow-Mo, and Time-lapse (the available modes depend on your iPhone model). Each mode is designed for a specific type of photo or video. This guide explains the most useful modes and when to use them.

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

iphone camera

portrait mode

panorama

camera modes

photography

iphone tips