First things first: Master the built-in Camera app

iPad Camera 101 : You might think the default iPhone or iPad Camera app doesn’t need much introduction, but there are features tucked away behind buttons that can not only make it easier to get the perfect shot, but can actually help you become a better photographer. We certainly recommend that you branch out and try some of the fantastic apps we’ve got in this feature you’ve always got to start with the basics and we bet you haven’t tried all the things the Camera app can do!

01. Flash

There’s three settings: Auto, On and Off. Auto allows the app to choose whether to fire the flash or not, the others force it one way or the other. Tap the button to choose one.

02. Grid

Tapping the Options button allows you to overlay a grid on the screen’s preview. This makes it easier to compose shots according to the Rule of thirds technique.

03. High Dynamic Range

With HDR three shots at different exposures are merged to show details from the highlights, mid-tones, and shadows. You can choose to keep the normal shot too.

04. Change Camera

If your device has a camera on the front, tap here to swap from the rear-facing camera. Be aware, though, that this camera’s sensor has far fewer pixels.

05. AE/AF Lock

If you tap on the screen to set focus and exposure and then recompose your shot, the iPhone will refocus exposure. Tapping and holding for a short time will lock the exposure.

06. Tap to focus

Tap to set where you want the iPhone to expose for – if you were shooting someone with light behind them, for example, tap on them so they are not silhouetted.

07. Camera Roll

This takes you to your Camera Roll so you can look at the shots. If you’ve come to the Camera app from your Lock screen, you can only see the shots you’ve just taken.

08. Shoot

When you’re ready to take a shot, hold the device steady and tap here! You’ll probably find you need to tap slightly slower than you do for other i0S functions.

09. Shoot

Alternatively, the Camera app in iOS 5 allows you to press the ‘+’ volume button to fire off a shot. It’s easier to find and click by touch alone, and means shots aren’t as shaky.

10. Toggle between stills and video

Tap to switch between shooting normal photos and video. We’re only going to be talking about normal, still photos in this feature.

11. Zoom

Zooming is really just cropping your shot rather than doing a proper optical zoom – unpinch your fingers on the screen.

12. Shoot from Lock

On an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 5.1, it’s easy to get shooting. Tap the Home or Sleep/ Wake button, and then slide the normal Lock screen.

See also:

• New iPad Features | More Pixels Than HDTV
• Apple iPhone 4S Review | Buyer Guide
• How To Use iCloud | A New User Guide
• How To Use SIRI | iPhone 4S User Guide
• How To Use Facetime on iPad | Help And Tips