Key Takeaways
- Burst mode takes rapid successive photos for action shots like sports events or wildlife.
- The iPhone 15 has a high 10 FPS burst rate, while Android phones vary, some allowing FPS adjustment.
- After taking burst photos, select, store, and share your favorites manually or use apps to create more engaging content.
Most modern smartphones support some kind of burst-mode photography. Depending on the make and type of phone you own, the process of activating this feature varies, so I’ve broken down the steps for both modern and older Android and iPhones.
What Is Burst Mode?
Burst mode is a feature that takes multiple photographs in rapid succession. It is also known as continuous mode, burst shot, or sports mode. As the latter name suggests, it is highly useful for taking action shots of fast-moving subjects, such as sports events or wildlife.
Rather than trying to anticipate the movement of the subject and press the shutter at the exact right moment, photographers can use burst mode to take multiple shots and then select the images they want to keep from the group or sequence the images to highlight the transitions.
The maximum number of photos taken in one shot is measured in frames per second (FPS) and the higher your phone’s processing speed, the more FPS it can capture. Most Android phones take 20–30 images with an FPS rate of 2–4 per second, while some phones have an adjustable burst mode that allows you to select the frame rate speed and how many photos are taken.
The iPhone 15, on the other hand, shoots at 10 FPS, which is higher than some professional DSLR cameras.
How to Take Dynamic Burst Photos on an iPhone
The burst mode feature is available on all iPhones running on iOS 7 or later. Depending on the model of iPhone you own, accessing and activating the burst mode is done in different ways.
For the latest iPhones and going back to the iPhone 11, it isn’t necessary to adjust any settings. Rather, when the Camera app is open, simply tap the shutter button, hold, and slide left. The phone will continue taking photos until you remove your finger from the shutter button, and a counter on the side will tell you how many images are being taken.
If you want to change the method for activating burst mode on a modern iPhone, you can go to Settings, and scroll down to Camera. In the list of options, you will see a button called Use Volume Up for Burst. Selecting this option allows you to long-press the volume button on the side of the phone to take burst photos, rather than using the shutter button.
Older iPhones
If you have an older iPhone that was released prior to 2019 (iPhone 11 and earlier), activating burst mode is slightly different. Rather than swiping left on the shutter button, you only need to press and hold it. It’s also worth noting that on older iPhones, if you use the timer, Zoom, or HDR settings, the burst mode function will be automatically disabled.
How to Take Dynamic Burst Photos on an Android Phone
Those with an Android phone may need to activate the burst mode manually in the camera settings. If your device is running on the latest Android operating system, burst mode should be permanently available and is activated by swiping the shutter button to the left or the right.
You can adjust how many images are captured by pressing the small arrow at the top of the screen and selecting the Timed Burst icon. This option allows you to choose from 10 to 600 images at intervals of 1 to 60 seconds.
Samsung Phones
To use the burst setting on a Samsung phone, you will likely need to activate it first. Open your Camera app and go to Settings. Scroll down and tap Swipe Shutter Button to Take Burst Shot.
On the next screen, select Take Burst Shot, then return to your camera app. Now to use the burst function, simply hold the shutter button and slide it down. The camera will continue to shoot up to 100 images until you lift your finger off the button.
Taking the Perfect Burst Shot
Although it’s a useful feature, using the burst mode alone won’t ensure that your action shots are well-framed and perfectly focused.
Regardless of the type of phone you own, there are a few additional steps if you want your images to come out looking professional. Foremost, as with any type of photography, you want to think about lighting. If you are indoors, make sure there is a light source bright enough to illuminate the subject. If you are outdoors, think about your position and avoid shooting directly into the sun.
Before you begin to shoot, check your zoom levels, exposure, and focus, so that you are ready when the right moment comes. As you take your burst shots, remember that the shutter is opening and closing multiple times per second, so try to hold your phone in the same position and as steady as possible, until you lift your finger off the shutter.
If your phone has an image stabilization mode, you can activate it with burst mode to achieve even higher quality images and less blur, which is ideal for rapid-moving action shots. Alternatively, a floor or table-mounted phone stand will ensure that the camera is completely stable as the shots are taken.
Selecting and Sharing Your Favorite Burst Images
Once you have taken a series of burst photos, you can access them in your gallery. On Android devices, burst images are identified by a small, gray file icon in the bottom left corner. Tapping on the image and then on the file icon will open the full selection of captured images, so you can see which are blurred or repeated. Select the ones you want to keep, and the rest will be automatically deleted.
To access your burst images on an iPhone, you will need to go to your photo album, click on Media Types, and select Bursts. This option will open up a screen with all your available burst images tiered on top of one another, and you can choose to keep them all or just the ones you select.
If you want to share images from a burst reel with friends, you will first need to manually select each image you want to keep, save them to your photo album, and then select and share them individually. However, for a more unique option, you can download an app such as Gif Toaster or ImgPlay, which can convert your photo sequence into a slideshow or a GIF. You can also add fun elements like text and filters to further customize your GIFs.
So, the next time you’re at a ball game, or out walking the dog, remember to activate the burst mode on your smartphone and then impress your friends with clean, crisp action shots, rather than blurred images or ones that just miss the highlight by a fraction of a second.
