I was recently asked about the single most impactful tip for absolute beginners to get the most out of the iPhone 17. So today, my dear readers, I’m excited to share a few simple yet powerful tips for taking photos and videos with the iPhone 17. I personally use the iPhone 17 Pro Max, so all the screenshots and examples in this post are based on my own device.

The single most impactful tip to get the most out of your iPhone 17 is to master the new Center Stage front camera for photos and videos.

This isn’t just a simple megapixel bump; the new 18MP front camera has a square sensor that allows you to: Shoot Landscape Videos/Selfies Vertically: You no longer need to physically rotate your phone to switch between portrait and landscape orientation for the front camera. You can keep a comfortable vertical grip, and the phone’s software will seamlessly adjust the frame.
Utilize Center Stage for Photos: For group selfies, the camera uses AI to automatically expand the frame to make sure everyone is included, and can even rotate the frame from portrait to landscape as needed.
How to use it:

1. Open the Camera app and switch to the front-facing lens.
2. In the viewfinder, look for the Orientation switch icon (usually near the shutter button) to manually toggle between portrait and landscape modes while holding your phone vertically.
3. For automatic framing, tap the Center Stage icon (looks like a person in a frame) and ensure Auto Zoom and Auto Rotate are toggled on.

Macro Tip (Beginner-Friendly)

To take your macro photography to the next level with a simple, beginner-friendly adjustment, focus on eliminating blur and unwanted light changes.
The most important factor in macro photography is stillness and focus control, especially when shooting ultra-close. The slightest camera movement or automatic refocus can ruin a shot.

Lock Your Focus with AE/AF Lock
The iPhone’s autofocus is great, but in macro mode, it can constantly “hunt” for a new focus point, causing blur.
How to Do It:

1. Get your phone close to the subject until the yellow focus box appears.
2. Tap and hold your finger on the most critical point of your subject for a few seconds.
3. When you see “AE/AF LOCK” appear in a yellow box at the top of the screen, the focus and exposure are locked.

Why it works: This instantly prevents the camera from refocusing as you move slightly or adjust your lighting, guaranteeing the detail you want stays razor-sharp.

Eliminate All Shake with Remote Shutter

It is incredibly important to stabilize your phone for macro photography. Use a tripod, and I found it VERY helpful to use the Camera Remote app on my Apple Watch. Using it, I can take a picture without touching my phone, which helps me to completely avoid motion caused by touching the phone.

How to Do It:

1. Place your iPhone 17 on a tripod and frame your shot.
2. Open the Camera Remote app on your Apple Watch. It mirrors the iPhone camera view.
3. Press the shutter button on the Watch to take the picture without any physical contact with the phone.

Why it works: This gives you a cleaner, blur-free image by removing the last bit of human interaction that causes camera shake.

Tip: When it comes to mobile photography and everyday creative work, I rely on my Platypod tripods—they’re small, steady, and always ready. For iPhone photography, the Platypod Mag has become one of those little tools that completely changes how I shoot on the go and in my studio. It gives my phone all the support I need, stays rock-solid on any surface, and lets me rotate or tilt the angle effortlessly to get the perfect composition. It’s compact, reliable, and makes every mobile setup feel like a mini professional studio.

Dual Capture — Your iPhone’s Two-Eye Perspective

The next feature that completely changes how you can tell stories with your iPhone 17 is Dual Capture. This tool allows you to record video from two cameras at once—usually the front (selfie) camera and one of the rear lenses—so you can capture both your reaction and what you’re seeing in real time. It’s a true game-changer for vloggers, artists, educators, and anyone who wants to share an authentic, two-sided perspective.
To use it, open the Camera app, switch to Video mode, and tap the Dual Capture icon (two overlapping circles). Then choose your camera pairing: the front + main camera is perfect for talking while showing what’s in front of you, the front + ultra wide setup is ideal for travel or studio walkthroughs, and the front + telephoto combo works beautifully for detailed demos or close-ups. You’ll see both views in your screen—one large, one smaller—and you can drag or resize them in real time before you start recording. Once you hit record, you’re essentially filming with two perspectives at once.
Dual Capture shines because it makes your videos more engaging and personal. Viewers can see you and what you’re seeing simultaneously, which adds emotion and context. It’s perfect for tutorials, art demos, product reviews, or travel stories where facial expression and action matter equally. After recording, you can even re-frame or crop each view separately in Final Cut Pro for iPad or iMovie to achieve a professional, multicam look.
For the best results, remember to lock your exposure and focus on both cameras before recording (tap and hold until “AE/AF LOCK” appears). This ensures your face and your subject stay equally sharp and well-lit throughout the take—even if lighting changes mid-scene.

The iPhone 17 is more than just a phone—it’s a powerful creative tool that fits right in your pocket. Whether you’re experimenting with the new front camera, capturing cinematic videos, or exploring macro photography, every shot is a chance to see the world differently. The best way to grow as a creator is to keep experimenting, keep noticing the details, and keep shooting every day. The more you play with light, focus, and angles, the more you’ll realize how limitless mobile photography can be.

So grab your iPhone, find your favorite view, and start creating. You don’t need a full studio to make something beautiful—you already carry one in your hands.