There are actually four different ways to snap a photo with the iPhone camera.  With so many iPhone users, I thought you might find a review of these tips useful. Each solution is different.  By using one of these four methods, you capture the perfect image.

The most obvious and most commonly used technique is to tap the shutter release button on the iPhone is directly in the Camera app. This large, white button always appears in the camera preview next to the physical home button. Taking a photo at the right moment is accomplished by touching the button on the screen.

Often this can be a cumbersome exercise depending on how you are holding the iPhone. Cold or dry hands might not trigger the shutter release, risking a missed photo. When wearing gloves forget about it, the virtual shutter release button won't respond.

My preferred alternative is to activate the shutter by pressing either of the physical volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons. Simply open the Camera app and snap photos every time one of these two buttons are pressed. I like to hold the iPhone horizontally like a point and shoot camera with the volume buttons oriented up for easy access.

The third way of releasing the shutter on the iPhone is available when your EarPods are plugged into the device. The volume up and down buttons built into the microphone also release the shutter. This means that any compatible headphone with volume controls can be used as a remote shutter release on the iPhone. Shooting pictures with the EarPod release means the iPhone camera will remain stable, avoiding any vibration or movement from pressing buttons on the device.

Finally, a camera timer can be set on the iPhone. While this feature is not available in the stock Camera app in iOS 7, there are free third-party apps that serve this function. One example, Self Timer Camera - TimerCamera is free on iTunes. Simply open the app, choose the length of time, and tap start.

When the allotted time elapses, the iPhone will snap the picture. The self-timer is a great way to assemble a group of people for a photo, including the photographer!  It’s a great tool for “selfies”, too!

Until next time, keep shooting!