There’s no holiday quite as colourful as Hari Raya, which marks the end of the monthlong fasting period for Muslims known as Ramadan. From delicious eats to vivacious outfits, Hari Raya celebrations are bright and vibrant in every sense of the word. And yet, capturing and preserving these vivid memories in full technicolour is another story entirely. When it comes down to commemorating these precious celebrations in your life and marking every milestone for what it’s worth, you’ll want to know which device will help you best achieve that – and exactly how to use it to make your money spend worthwhile.
Enter Apple’s iPhone 14, which comes with a host of built-in tools designed to make just about every moment of your life worth documenting. A recent trip to the beautiful island of Langkawi, Malaysia, proved just that. Against the backdrop of the popular resort destination’s pristine beaches and palm trees, it was easy to see how iPhone 14 helps even the most amateur of photographers produce quality pictures and videos like a pro – without the help of a crew or any professional equipment. Capturing every candid emotion during a family portrait shoot with the utmost detail, the iPhone 14 automatically recognised my photo subjects, making it easy to just point and shoot. Filming the tedious process of preparing a hot bowl of beef rendang, it was almost as if I could smell the dish through the screen.
Don’t just take it from me: the iPhone 14 is a favourite of Singapore-based content creators like Lee Yik Keat, better known as YK to his one million followers on Instagram, and brothers Yais and Yafiq Yusman, both smartphone aficionado photographers who also happen to be twins. “I love the fact that it’s very seamless in the capturing process,” says YK about the iPhone, “from the computation to the UI when accessing all the functions,” adding that sometimes the hassle – and pressure – of using a fancy camera makes one’s smartphone a much more natural choice.
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But with a holiday as personal as Hari Raya, how do you make sure the photos you capture stand out – and capture the unique story your own family wants to tell? Yafiq recommends focusing on the details which will make your images special and bring those important moments of yours to life: whether it’s photographing the kueh on the table so it looks like it’s right in front of you, or focusing your lens on your own version of kain songket and kain samping. “Experiment with different angles,” says Yafiq. “Try shooting from a low angle or from above to create a different perspective.” An extra tip? “Ultra wide lens is best for family photos,” says Yais, “and telephoto is best for portraits and food photos, too.”
Now, we’re here to share with you some of the tips and tricks we’ve learned about the iPhone 14 ahead of your own Hari Raya celebrations this year. Worried the bright, blazing sun will throw off the white balance of your photos? Not a problem. Think you’re unable to digitally replicate the cinematic look of your serene surroundings? Think again.