How to Take Panorama Photos on iPhone

Panorama mode first debuted on the iPhone 4S and has been a staple of iPhone photography ever since. Panorama is a series of images that are seamlessly stitched together to create a super high-resolution composite with a wider angle of view than is possible with a given lens.

In typical Apple fashion, the best iPhones and the latest iOS updates make taking panoramas quick and incredibly simple. The entire process is done in the Camera app, and the stitched images appear automatically. Here’s everything you need to know to take the best panoramas on your iPhone.

How to Take Panorama Photos on iPhone

Taking panoramas on the iPhone is incredibly simple. When you select Pano mode in the Camera app, it automatically switches to a 16:9 aspect ratio. You still get a full-screen preview like you do in other photo modes, but you’ll also notice a thin strip in the middle of the screen. On the left side is a small live view preview and a right-pointing arrow centered on a thin yellow line.

To take a Panorama, press the shutter button and rotate in a clockwise motion. As you do, the arrow will start moving as the small live view image extends, so you can preview what your Panorama will look like. If you tilt the camera up/down, the arrow will move above/below the yellow line, respectively. You aim to keep it as centered as possible on the yellow line (it takes a bit of practice). When you get to the end, you will have rotated about 180 degrees and the Panorama will be finished.

1. Open the Camera app and scroll right on the mode menu to select Pano
2. Frame what will be the left edge of your image and trigger the shutter to start panning.
3. Rotate right and keep the arrow on the yellow line, tilt the camera down/up a bit if it is above/below respectively
4. When you reach about 180 degrees, Pano mode will stop and the image will display

Aspect ratio and orientation

While it’s fun to shoot 180-degree panoramas, you’ll have a hard time getting a compelling composition with such a large image size. You can stop shooting the panorama and display the image at any time by pressing the shutter button again. It’s best to start panning a little before and finish panning a little after your intended composition. You can then refine your composition by cropping the image in editing. This gives you more control over your composition, and a little extra space is always worth having.

Panorama photos don’t have to be landscape. You can also tilt your camera to take a portrait panorama. This is useful if you’re taking a photo of something tall and thin, like a building. Simply rotate your camera 90 degrees counterclockwise. Then, start at the bottom of the object you’re shooting and tilt your camera up to take the panorama.

If you find it easier to rotate in a counterclockwise motion, or by starting at the top of a vertical object and tilting the camera downwards, you can do this by flipping your iPhone 180 degrees. The image you’re capturing will always be in the correct orientation, the only caveat is that you may have to adjust how you hold your iPhone so you don’t obscure the camera. However, you can avoid this by tapping on the right side of the screen to move the live view to the right and flipping the arrow so it points in the other direction. You can then rotate in a counterclockwise motion.

1. Press the shutter button at any time while panning to stop Pano mode and display the image.
2. Tilt the camera horizontally to take vertical Panorama photos
3. Tap the right side of the live view to move the small live view preview to the right side of the screen
4. You can now rotate counterclockwise or shoot vertically from top to bottom

How to take Pano photos on a tripod

Apple’s optical image stabilization [OIS] and computational photography are increasingly impressive. The former reduces camera shake – crucial when shooting manually – while the latter stitches multiple images together in Pano mode to create a sharp, evenly exposed, seamless image. This means the latest iPhones are extremely adept at letting you shoot manual panoramas. However, if you want the sharpest, most detailed images possible, you’ll need a tripod.

Not only does this minimize movement, it also helps you keep your iPhone on a flat surface. This will allow you to retain as many pixels as possible, since if you pan in an uneven motion, it can cause patches of pixels to be lost, forcing you to crop the photo. The Camera app has a built-in level so you can make sure your horizon is straight. Unfortunately, this only appears in Photo mode. But if you’re shooting on a tripod, your framing will be constant, so this won’t be an issue. However, when panning, having a flat horizon isn’t good enough. You want your axis of rotation to be perfectly level so that your horizon isn’t affected as you pan.

The most efficient way to do this is to remove the tripod head and place a small level on the mounting plate – just above the legs. You can then extend or retract each leg individually until the mounting plate is level. If you don’t have a level, you can use the Measure app on your iPhone. When the device is upright, it can be used to straighten horizon lines.

1. First extend the tripod legs to ensure the highest possible stability.
2. Make sure your tripod mount is level using a level or the Measure app.
3. Use the level in Photo mode or the Measure app to straighten your horizon.

How to take portrait Pano photos

It’s fun to get a shot of the same person in multiple positions in the same image. Traditionally, this would be done by setting up the camera on a tripod, taking multiple photos of the person, and manually stitching them together in editing software. However, you can achieve a similar effect using the iPhone’s Pano mode.

Position your subject on the left side of the frame and start panning. Once there is a large enough gap on the right side, keep your camera as still as possible and point your subject into the gap. Once they are in position, continue panning. Repeat this process – moving your subject to the right side of the frame – to create variety. This takes a little experimentation to get right, but the results are definitely worth it.

1. Open the Camera app and select Pano mode
2. Place your subject on the left side of the frame and start rotating until you create a large enough gap for them to move into.
3. Keep the camera still until they are in position and continue panning.