Mastering AE/AF Lock and Exposure Adjustment on iPhone Cameras

Apple’s iOS 18 offers advanced features in the iPhone Camera app, allowing users to take greater control of their photography. Among these features, the AE/AF Lock and exposure adjustment tools stand out, providing versatility in managing lighting and focus for various creative scenarios.

The AE/AF Lock, short for auto-exposure and autofocus lock, is particularly beneficial in complex lighting conditions. When engaged, it prevents the camera from automatically refocusing or altering exposure settings, even as you move the camera or your subject shifts in the frame. This feature is especially useful in scenes with both bright and dim areas, ensuring consistency in focus and exposure.

Activating AE/AF Lock is simple. By pressing and holding on your subject in the viewfinder, you enable this mode until the “AE/AF Lock” indicator appears. To reset it, just tap anywhere else in the frame.

For photographers seeking to adjust exposure creatively, the iPhone offers two convenient methods. The first involves tapping to focus and then sliding your finger vertically next to the focusing box to adjust brightness. Sliding upwards increases exposure, while sliding downwards darkens the image. The second method allows for more precise control. By swiping up from the bottom of the viewfinder to access additional controls, you can tap the ± symbol to reveal a traditional exposure-compensation slider. Moving the slider left (negative values) decreases brightness, while moving right (positive values) enhances it.

These tools allow users to intentionally underexpose for dramatic effect or overexpose to highlight subjects in shadow. Combined with the iPhone’s reliable metering system and HDR technology, these features make it easier to achieve a desired photographic style, whether for creative projects or routine photography.