iPhone Car Photography Series: Episode 1 – Mastering the Basics with Just Your Phone

If you’ve ever wanted to try car photography but felt overwhelmed by gear and costs, I’ve got great news: you don’t need to drop thousands of dollars on a camera to get started. In fact, you already have a powerful tool in your pocket—your iPhone.

This is the first episode in my iPhone Photography Series, where I’ll show you how to go from bland snapshots to professional-looking car photos using nothing more than your phone. No fancy accessories, no paid apps—just your iPhone and some technique.

Why Start with an iPhone?

A lot of beginners believe they need the latest DSLR or mirrorless camera before they can take “real” photos. But that belief often stops people before they even start. The truth is, cameras are just tools. Spending more money won’t fix the number one problem most new photographers have: skill. Your iPhone already has a powerful camera that rivals some professional gear. By learning how to use it properly, you’ll not only save money—you’ll also build the skills that will make you a better photographer no matter what camera you eventually use.

Step 1: Dial In Your iPhone Settings

Before you start snapping, let’s get your phone set up for success.

1. Enable ProRAW (if available). On iPhone Pro/Pro Max models, you’ll find this under Settings > Camera > Formats. Turn on ProRAW and set it to 48MP. This captures more data in each photo, giving you far more flexibility when editing later.

- Base models don’t support RAW, but that’s okay. You can still capture great shots using JPEG/HEIC and apply the same composition and lighting principles.

2. Turn on Grid + Level. In Settings > Camera > Composition, enable Grid and Level. The grid helps with the “rule of thirds” while the level ensures your horizon stays straight.

3. Set your resolution + format. In the camera app, make sure your format is RAW and your resolution is 48MP for maximum detail.

4. Turn off Live Photos. This is more of a creative effect tool, but for car photography, we want clean stills. Disable it to avoid unnecessary file sizes and inconsistencies.

These tweaks take just a minute but make a huge difference in your results.

Step 2: Master Composition Basics

Composition is about how you frame your subject. A car is something we see every day, which means

you need to think differently to make your shots stand out. Here are a few go-to compositions that work

every time:

- Head-on + Rear Shots: Capture the car directly from the front or back to highlight design lines.

- Side Profile: Show off the silhouette of the car in full.

- 3/4 Angles: One of the most popular compositions in car photography. Stand at a corner of the car(front or back) and angle your shot so you capture two sides at once.

- Low Angles: Crouch or even rest your phone on the ground for a dramatic look. Cars often look more aggressive when photographed from below.

- Top-Down: Hold your phone above your head to get a taller perspective. This works especially well for capturing the car’s shape against its environment.

Pro Tip: Don’t just stand in one spot. Walk around the car, capturing

Step 3: Experiment with Detail Shots

Cars are full of character-defining details—badges, wheels, headlights, tail lights, interiors, stitching on seats. These close-up shots often make your photos feel more professional and intentional. This is where you can get creative with the iPhone’s 0.5x ultra-wide lens. Get up close to the detail (like a wheel or emblem), and the distortion can create dramatic, unique images. While ultra-wide isn’t great for full car shots, it shines in detail work.

Step 4: Use Lens Options Wisely

Your iPhone gives you multiple lenses to work with:

- 0.5x (Ultra-Wide): Avoid for full car shots (too much distortion), but perfect for dramatic close-ups.

- 1x (Main Lens – 24mm): The best all-around option for car photography. Great for wide establishing shots that show the car in its environment.

- 2x (Telephoto – ~50mm): More natural perspective, similar to what the human eye sees. Perfect for compressed shots that make backgrounds blur slightly. Use this lens when you want to isolate the car more from its surroundings.

- 5x (Digital Zoom): Skip it. The quality degrades significantly. Stick to 1x and 2x for most car photography, mixing in 0.5x for detail work.

Step 5: Lighting Fundamentals

Lighting is the most overlooked part of car photography. The wrong light can ruin even the most carefully composed photo.

- Golden Hour = Best Hour. Shoot during the hour after sunrise or before sunset. The softer, warmer light makes reflections manageable and gives cars a beautiful glow.

- Avoid Midday Sun. Harsh sunlight creates strong reflections and blown-out highlights. If you must shoot midday, find shade to soften the light.

- Night Photography. Parking garages, city streets, and well-lit areas can give you a moody, cinematic look. Just avoid bright, direct lights that cause harsh glare.

Pro Tip: Always clean your phone’s lens before shooting. Smudges and dust can ruin your sharpness.

Step 6: Exposure Lock

Your iPhone loves to auto-adjust exposure, which can lead to inconsistent results. To fix this: tap and hold on your subject to lock focus and exposure. Then, use the slider to adjust brightness. This ensures all your shots in a set have the same lighting consistency.

Step 7: Practice Angles with Compression

The 2x lens is especially useful for compressed shots. Step back and zoom in—it makes the background appear closer and can subtly blur it, isolating the car. While it won’t fully replicate a DSLR with a telephoto lens, it’s a great way to experiment with perspective.

Step 8: Apply What You Learn

The key to improving is practice. Don’t just read these tips—go outside, find a car, and try them. Walk around, adjust angles, test lenses, and shoot in different lighting conditions. The more you experiment, the more your “photographer’s eye” will develop.

Extra Tips

- Burst Mode: Great for rolling shots or action sequences.

- Interior Shots: Use ultra-wide when sitting in the backseat to capture the entire dashboard and cabin.

- Avoid Portrait Mode for Cars: The artificial blur often looks unnatural. Instead, use the 2x lens for

more natural separation.

- Lens Cleaning Kit: A cheap microfiber kit can save you from ruined shots caused by smudges.

Final Thoughts

The most important takeaway from Episode 1 is this: you don’t need expensive gear to get started. Skill beats equipment every time. By learning to control settings, angles, lighting, and composition, you can create professional-looking car photos with nothing more than your iPhone.

In the next episode, I’ll show you how to edit your car photos directly on your phone using free apps.

That’s where the magic really happens—turning raw shots into polished, share-worthy images.

So grab your iPhone, head outside, and start practicing today. The best way to get better is to keep shooting.

Full Gear List

- [All gear I use](https://amzn.to/3ARfpy3)

- [Acura NSX Print](https://www.etsy.com/listing/4336617348/acura-nsx-gt3-poster)

- [Sony A7 IV Camera](https://amzn.to/4eszDxw)

- [Sigma 24-70 Lens](https://amzn.to/4lDKesb)

- [Cleaning Kit for Lenses](https://amzn.to/3ARfpy3)