Smartwatches and cameras rarely go hand in hand. However, Apple has revolutionized the combination with a brilliant feature on the Apple Watch – its camera app. This often-overlooked feature has the potential to transform the way you use your iPhone’s camera, opening up a world of creative possibilities and making solo photography and videography a breeze.
The Apple Watch essentially acts as a viewfinder and remote shutter for your iPhone’s camera. With just a glance at your watch, you can see a live view of what the camera sees, allowing you to compose shots and take photos without even touching your phone. It’s a lifesaver for taking selfies, capturing group photos without asking others for help, and getting the perfect angle for those essential ancillary shots.
The camera app on the Apple Watch is incredibly user-friendly. Simply open the camera app on your phone, find the camera icon on your watch’s app menu, and tap it. You’ll see a live view from your iPhone’s camera on your wrist, along with a few options. By default, the Apple Watch activates a three-second timer for photos taken using the app, but you can turn this off and adjust other settings like switching between cameras and activating the flash.
One of the key advantages of using the Apple Watch as a viewfinder is for videography. It makes it incredibly easy to frame your shots, reducing the amount of time spent editing later on. You can always see what the camera is recording, allowing you to get creative with camera positioning and capture the perfect shots the first time.
While I’ve focused on the Apple Watch in this article, similar features are available on the Google Pixel Watch 2 with the Google Camera app and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. However, the Apple Watch’s implementation stands out for its seamless integration and user-friendly interface.
The Apple Watch’s camera app may not be the most talked-about feature, but for photographers and videographers, it’s a game-changer. It empowers solo creators with the ability to capture photos and videos that would otherwise be impossible to get on their own. It inspires creativity and opens up new avenues for artistic expression. If you’re looking to elevate your iPhone photography and videography, the Apple Watch’s camera app is an absolute must-have accessory.
