When the original iPhone was released in 2007, one of its many striking features was a 2 megapixel camera that was superior to other camera phones of the time. Since then, every major smartphone has made its camera a priority. 

With the first-generation iPhone ushering in the high-quality photo trend among smartphones, it makes sense that each iPhone iteration has seen improvements in the actual camera, the camera/photo app or both. The iPhone 6 features a gorgeous 8 megapixel camera that allows users to take clearer photos than ever before.

To take full advantage of the iPhone 6’s camera, which uses a dual-core 1.4 GHz Cyclone processor, it’s useful to learn some tricks that can significantly elevate your iPhone photography skills. Here are seven little-known tricks to get you started:

1. Time-Lapse Mode

Another new mode for iPhone 6 is the time-lapse mode, which enables you to take a photo every few seconds. This can be particularly effective if you want to take a photo of a busy street or capture all the action of a sporting event. To access the time-lapse mode, scroll through the various modes in the Camera app. It will be just before Slo-Mo mode.

2. Night Vision

The default iPhone camera settings can make nighttime photos look very dim. To counter this, make sure to configure the Exposure slider that Apple released with iOS 8. You can get it to pop up by tapping on the screen whenever you focus. Increasing the exposure will instruct the shutter to stay open longer, brightening your final shot.

3. Take Photos with the Volume Button

While the iPhone camera is on, you can take a photo by pressing the volume buttons on the side of your phone. This is particularly useful if you need a steady hand for a sensitive shot. You can also take a photo using the official Apple earbuds. Simply press up or down on the earbuds’ volume control while the camera app is open, and it will take the photo.

4. Fun with Panoramas

The panorama setting is a nifty feature that allows you to capture your entire surroundings. Beyond the basic setting, some panorama-based tricks include:

• Panorama cloning - If your friends move faster and in the opposite direction than the iPhone when it’s taking a panorama, you will experience an effect where they can show up multiple times in the same photo, making it appear as if they are in two places at once.
• Drive-by panorama - While you’re driving steady around 20-30mph, get a friend to take a panorama out the window from the passenger seat. The result will be a stretched-out summary of all the area’s sights.
• Panorama toss - This one is risky, but it can pay off as long as you catch the phone. By tossing your phone into the air while the panorama mode is active, it will spit out a glitchy yet colorful interpretation of the surroundings — just make sure to catch it before it hits the ground!

5. Autofocus Improvements

One camera aspect exclusive to the iPhone 6 is its impressive autofocusing technology. The focus is twice as fast as the 5s, so the likelihood of a blurry shot is reduced. 

To take advantage of this feature, tap the screen to focus on any object in the camera's view. The speed improvement should be very noticeable upon doing this. This feature is only on iPhone 6, so if you’re using an earlier phone and desperately need the improved autofocus feature, you’ll need to sell your old one or exchange it for a new iPhone.

6. Ultra-Zoom

Manually zooming in by pinching your fingers on the screen works to an extent, but it can result in a blurry photo. To take close-ups that are clear, place a small drop of water on your iPhone’s camera lens. This is very useful for taking pictures of anything from insects to stock photos.

7. Underwater Photos

No, the iPhone isn’t waterproof, but there is a trick that allows you to take a photo while the phone is half submerged in water. Take a smooth, clear glass and set the timer on your phone before you put it in. Now, partially submerge the jar, making sure the water level always stays below the rim. With this method, you'll be able to take cool photos that show both underwater and above-ground, something many assume iPhones are not capable of.

From cool panoramas to pseudo-night vision and underwater capabilities, these seven tips will help you take full advantage of your iPhone 6’s great new camera. Happy photo taking.

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Adrienne Erin is a freelance writer and designer. You can see more of her work by following her on Twitter (@adrienneerin) or by visiting her blog, Design Roast.