How to Adjust Exposure in the iPhone Camera App (2023)

There are two ways to adjust exposure in your iPhone Camera app, and both are super easy! Learn how to quickly adjust your exposure and get the perfect shot.

By Cullen Thomas Updated 01/09/2023

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. Sign Up. *

Did you know you can brighten and darken your iPhone camera shots before you even take them? You can do this by setting the exposure, and it's as easy as sliding your finger up or down. Adjusting exposure is a way to make the darks a little darker or the lights a little lighter. We'll show you how to change the exposure on your iPhone camera and create the image you want every time.

Why You'll Love This Tip

Turn the exposure up or down on your iPhone camera with a simple swiping gesture.
Always get the perfect picture and avoid taking photos that are either too dark or too bright.

How to Adjust Exposure in the iPhone Camera App

As of iOS 14, there are two ways you can adjust exposure in your iPhone camera app, either on the image display or in the menu below. Let's learn both. For more iPhone photography tutorials, check out our Tip of the Day. To further up your photography game, check out our article for the best new camera accessories. Now, let's get started.

Open your Camera app.
Frame the shot you want to take.

Tap the point in the photo you want to focus on. A yellow box will appear around that point.
One way to adjust exposure is to slide your finger up and down on the sun icon next to the yellow box. Sliding up will make the photo lighter, sliding down will make it darker. Note: This yellow slider may appear faintly on your screen; you may have to look very closely to see it.

For a more precise adjustment, tap the caret at the top of your screen.
A menu will appear below your Shutter button. Tap the plus and minus icon.

Swipe left and right to adjust exposure. Swiping to the left will make your photo brighter, swiping right will make it darker.
If you want to make sure your exposure and focus stay how you set them and don't auto-adjust with light changes or movement, long press on the yellow box around the focus of your shot. AE/AF LOCK will appear at the top of your screen, letting you know those settings are locked. To undo this, tap anywhere else on the screen.

Now you know how to adjust the exposure on your iPhone. This is such a useful feature when taking photos in dark places or with a bright light source somewhere in the frame, like taking a photo in front of a window, in a dark restaurant, or on a super sunny day! Try it out for yourself! Next, learn how to troubleshoot a common problem and find out why your iPhone camera is shaking and how to fix it.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Did you like this tip

Author Details

Cullen Thomas

Cullen Thomas is a senior instructor at iPhone Life. For ten years as faculty at Maharishi University, Cullen taught subjects ranging from camera and audio hardware to game design. Cullen applies a passion for gadgetry to answer questions about iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple cloud services; to teach live classes; and to specialize in the privacy and security aspects of the Apple ecosystem. Cullen has dual degrees in Media & Communications and Literature, and a Masters degree from the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.

Offline, Cullen designs videogames with Thought Spike Games, writes fiction, and studies new nerdery.

Featured Products

Organize Your Life: Stop Scrambling Around for Cords & Cables

Keeping your tech safe and organized while you are on the go can be tough, but CASEBUDi Electronics Organizer Case has your back! These nylon bags keep your electronics from getting lost in large luggage and safely stored to prevent damage. Available in Midnight Black, Sunset Orange, Cool Grey Fog, and Bright Sky Blue, this compact bag is stylish and practical. This case is 9.5 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 3 inches tall, so it is small and lightweight, yet it fits cords, cables, charging blocks, and other small accessories with ease. Stop wasting time digging through your purse or bag once and for all!

Take Your iPad to the Next Level with a Zugu Case

Are you looking for an iPad case that checks all the boxes? Look no further! Zugu creates convenient cases in a wide variety of colors that are protective and slim. Thanks to the eight-angle magnetic stand, your iPad will always be ready for work, play, and even travel. In the rare case of any iPad damage, Zugu will cover AppleCare+ repair costs and offers free 60-day returns plus a 2-year warranty. With 10% of profits donated to a charitable cause, your Zugu case purchase will take your iPad to the next level while making a meaningful difference.