Most modern smartphones support some type of burst mode. Depending on the brand and type of phone you have, the process to enable this feature will vary, so the article has broken down the steps for both modern and older Androids and iPhones.
What is Burst Mode?
Burst Mode is a feature that takes multiple photos consecutively. It is also called Continuous Mode, continuous shooting or sports mode. As the name suggests, this feature is useful for taking action photos of fast-moving subjects, such as sporting events or wildlife.
Instead of trying to predict a subject's movement and press the shutter button at the right time, photographers can use Burst Mode to take multiple photos and then select the ones they want to keep from the group or arrange the photos to highlight transitions.
The maximum number of photos taken at one time is measured in frames per second (FPS), and the higher the phone's processing speed, the more FPS it can capture. Most Android phones take 20 – 30 photos at an FPS of 2 – 4 per second, while some have an adjustable burst mode that lets you choose the frame rate and number of photos taken.
In contrast, the iPhone 15 shoots at 10 FPS, higher than some professional DSLR cameras.
How to take Dynamic Burst photos on iPhone
Use burst mode on iPhone
The Burst Mode feature is available on all iPhones running iOS 7 or later. Depending on the iPhone model you own, accessing and activating burst mode is done in different ways.
For iPhones from iPhone 11 to the latest, you do not need to adjust any settings. Instead, when the Camera app is open, just tap the shutter button, hold, and slide left. The phone will continue taking photos until you take your finger off the shutter button, and a counter on the side will tell you how many photos are being taken.
If you want to change the method of activating burst mode on modern iPhones, you can do so Setting and scroll down Camera. In the list of options, you will see a button called Use the Volume Up button to take continuous shots. Selecting this option allows you to press and hold the volume button on the side of the phone to continuously take photos, instead of using the shutter button.
Old iPhone
If you have an older iPhone released before 2019 (iPhone 11 or earlier), the way to activate burst mode is a little different. Instead of swiping left on the shutter button, you can simply press and hold the button. It's also important to note that on older iPhones, if you use the self-timer, Zoom, or HDR settings, the burst mode function is automatically disabled.
How to take Dynamic Burst photos on Android phones
Android phone users may need to manually enable burst mode in the camera settings. If your device is running on the latest Android operating system, burst mode is always available and is activated by swiping the shutter button left or right.
You can adjust the number of photos taken by tapping the small arrow at the top of the screen and selecting the icon Timed Burst. This option allows you to select from 10 to 600 images at intervals of 1 to 60 seconds.
Samsung phone
To use the burst setting on your Samsung phone, you may need to enable it first. Open the Camera app and enter Settings. Scroll down and tap Swipe Shutter Button to Take Burst Shot.
On the next screen, select Take Burst Shotthen return to the camera app. Now to use the continuous shooting function, just hold down the shutter button and slide down. The camera will continue to take up to 100 photos until you lift your finger from the button.
How to take perfect burst photos
While a useful feature, using burst mode alone will not ensure that your action shots are captured at the right moment and in perfect focus.
No matter what type of phone you have, there are a few extra steps if you want your pictures to look professional. First of all, like any type of photography, you need to pay attention to lighting. If you're indoors, make sure there's a light source bright enough to illuminate your subject. If you are outdoors, think about your location and avoid shooting directly towards the sun.
Before you start shooting, check your zoom, exposure, and focus so you're ready when the right moment comes. When taking continuous photos, remember that the shutter opens and closes multiple times per second, so try to keep the phone in the same position and as steady as possible, until you lift your finger from the shutter.
If your phone has image stabilization, you can activate it with burst mode to get higher quality images with less blur, ideal for moving action shots fast. Additionally, a floor- or table-mounted phone mount will ensure the camera is completely stable when taking photos.
Choose and share your favorite burst photos
After taking a burst of photos, you can access them in your library. On Android devices, burst photos are identified by a small gray file icon in the lower left corner. Tapping a photo and then selecting the file icon will open the entire selection of photos taken, so you can see which photos are blurry or repetitive. Select the photos you want to keep and the rest will be automatically deleted.
To access burst photos on iPhone, you will need to go to the photo album, click Media Types > Bursts. This option opens a screen with all available burst photos stacked on top of each other, and you can choose to keep all or just the ones you select.
If you want to share photos from your burst photo roll with friends, you'll first need to manually select each photo you want to keep, save them to a photo album, then select and share each photo individually. However, for a more unique option, you can download an app like Gif Toaster or ImgPlay, which can convert a photo sequence into a slideshow or GIF. You can also add fun elements like text and filters to further customize your GIF.
So next time you go to a football match or walk your dog, remember to activate burst mode on your smartphone and then impress your friends with clear action shots , sharp, instead of images that are blurry or just missing highlights for a fraction of a second.
