Lock iPhone Camera Exposure & Focus

Locking Exposure and Auto-Focus on Your iPhone Camera

Recent discussions have frequently highlighted the exceptional quality of the iPhone camera, often considered among the best available on any mobile phone. This article details how to utilize the features of exposure locking and auto-focus control.

Typically, the iPhone or iPad camera functions by allowing users to select a focus point simply by tapping the screen. Selecting a face will prioritize focus on that subject, while tapping an object will shift the camera’s attention accordingly.

This functionality proves most effective when framing a shot with stable parameters. Specifically, it’s beneficial when the photographer remains stationary and the lighting remains consistent.

Under normal circumstances, the camera lens will maintain focus on the chosen subject as long as it remains within the frame. However, any camera movement will result in a loss of focus, necessitating another tap to re-establish it.

Maintaining Focus with Movement

It is possible to lock the auto-focus onto a specific subject, ensuring it remains sharp regardless of device movement or fluctuating lighting conditions.

To activate this feature, first aim the camera at the desired subject and select the intended focal point. Instead of a single tap, a press and hold is required.

Confirmation of the lock is indicated by the appearance of a yellow box displaying "AE/AF LOCK" at the screen's top.

With the lock engaged, the camera can be moved freely – panning up, down, left, or right – without losing focus. The lock persists even with changing light until the screen is tapped again or a photo is captured.

Benefits and Additional Features

Locking both exposure and focus is particularly advantageous in challenging lighting or depth-of-field scenarios. Furthermore, this feature is fully compatible with the camera’s zoom functionality, providing additional creative control.

Consequently, whenever capturing a subject requiring a specific depth of field under variable lighting, locking the exposure and focus ensures the desired result.

We encourage you to share any questions or comments you may have within our discussion forum.