How to edit photos with just your iPhone

This guide is brought to you by Benedict Brain, a photographer, author, award-winning journalist and educator. He wrote You Will Be Able to Take Great Photos by the End of This Book and A Camera Bag Companion, both translated into multiple languages and sold globally. He writes the long-running The Art of Seeing column and lectures internationally on creative image-making.

Great photos are not always made at the moment you press the shutter. Often, they take shape afterwards, when you spend time refining what you’ve captured. This is the heart of post-processing. The good news is that if you have an iPhone, you already have the tools you need.

It’s important to understand that post-processing is not just about fixing mistakes (although you can do that, within reason). Good post-processing is really about shaping your image to better express what you saw and – more importantly – what you felt at the time you made the photo. With just a few simple tweaks, a good photo can become something much more meaningful.

What is post-processing?

Put simply, post-processing means editing your photo after you’ve taken it. It might involve cropping, brightening, adjusting colours or sharpening the details. It’s the part of photography where the raw material of the image becomes more finely tuned.

Before smartphones and digital cameras, this process happened in darkrooms. Photographers would dodge and burn prints under enlargers, carefully adjusting contrast and tone by hand. These days, you can do it with a few taps on your screen – no nasty chemicals or red lights required.

Why edit your photos?

Editing is not about transforming your photo into something artificial (although it can be). It’s about making subtle changes that bring it closer to your original experience. A small crop can improve the composition. A gentle increase in brightness can tease back lost detail. A slight adjustment to colour can make the image feel more vibrant.

The goal is not to impress with effects. The goal is to let your image speak more clearly. Editing helps you take a photo from a quick snap to something more thoughtful, more deliberate and more finished.

How to get started editing photos on your iPhone

To access your editing tools, open a photo in the Photos app on your iPhone and tap Edit in the top right corner. This opens Apple’s photo editor, where you’ll find controls for cropping, adjusting exposure, colour, sharpness and more.

If you’re new to editing, take your time and experiment. All edits are non-destructive, meaning you can always undo them or revert to the original. If you want to be extra careful, create a duplicate of your image first by tapping the Share icon and selecting Duplicate. This gives you a backup and the freedom to edit without worry.

Think of editing not as a correction, but as a continuation of the creative process. You’re not just capturing a moment – you’re shaping how it is remembered.

A simple photo editing workflow

Editing can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t need to be. Here’s a clear five-step workflow to help keep things focused:

1. Crop and straighten the image

2. Remove distractions using Clean Up

3. Adjust the light and exposure

4. Refine colours

5. Sharpen and save

Let’s take each step in turn.

Crop and straighten for a stronger composition

Even a strong photo can benefit from a crop. It helps remove distractions, focus attention and improve balance. In Edit mode, tap the crop icon. You can drag the edges to reframe, or use the dial to straighten.

Straightening is especially helpful with landscapes, architecture or anything where lines are important. A tilted horizon can make an image feel unsteady. Adjusting it brings a sense of calm and intention.

You can also change the aspect ratio – making a photo square, panoramic or sized for social media. Avoid heavy cropping unless necessary, as this reduces image quality and makes the photo less suitable for printing.

Remove distractions with Clean Up

If you have a newer iPhone – iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and above – you’ll see a tool called Clean Up. It looks like a small plaster or bandage. Tap it and brush over anything in the frame you’d rather not see, such as a discarded coffee cup, a background light switch or a figure in the distance.

Clean Up uses intelligent algorithms to remove the object and fill in the area naturally. It works best on plain textures like sky, grass or walls. It’s not for removing major elements or making large changes. Think of it as a digital tidy-up – not a complete remodel.

Adjust brightness and contrast

Tap the adjustment dial icon to bring up the exposure tools. Start with Brilliance or Exposure to brighten the whole image. Then fine-tune with Highlights, Shadows and Contrast.

Brightening can bring back subtle detail, especially in underexposed areas. Adding contrast helps separate tones and gives the image more presence.

Make changes slowly. Move sliders in small increments. Watch how the image changes and stop when it feels natural. Avoid pushing too far – it’s better to do too little than too much.

Refine the colours

Colour is an emotional part of photography. It influences how we feel about an image. Tap into the Colour section and adjust Warmth to make the photo more golden or cooler. Tint helps balance between magenta and green. Saturation adds or reduces intensity.

If your photo looks too blue, too yellow or just a bit lifeless, these tools can help. Pay close attention to skin tones, sky, and neutral objects like walls and clothes. When these look right, the rest often falls into place. Keep colour edits subtle. A small tweak can make a big difference. Too much saturation or the wrong colour balance can quickly make a photo look unnatural.

For a quick fix, consider using the Filters menu. Several of the available effects are quite effective, allowing for a swift one-click improvement. Great if you’re on the move and want to share in a hurry.

Sharpen – but gently

Scroll through the adjustment tools and find Sharpness and Definition. These help enhance texture in fabric, hair, fur or foliage, giving the image a crisper feel. However, use this tool sparingly. Too much sharpness introduces grain and unwanted digital noise. View the photo at full size and stop when it feels clean and detailed, but not harsh.

You can also experiment with Noise Reduction, especially for low-light images. This smooths out grain but can soften details – use with care.

Save and revisit

Once you’re finished, tap Done to save your edits. Remember, they’re non-destructive. You can return at any time, make further changes or tap Revert to go back to the original.

Many photographers like to sit with an image before sharing or printing. Time brings perspective – you may see things differently the next day. There’s no harm in coming back with fresh eyes.

When to try third-party apps

While Apple’s built-in tools are perfectly good for everyday editing, there may be times when you want more control or creativity. That’s where third-party apps come in handy – and there are plenty to choose from.

One of the best is Snapseed, a free app from Google. It offers a wider range of tools, including:

• Selective adjustments to edit just part of an image

• Healing for precise object removal

• Text, overlays and frames for personalisation

• Blur effects to soften backgrounds

• Double exposure for creative layering

• Curves and advanced tone control

• And loads more…

Snapseed is especially good if you enjoy experimenting and have a creative spirit. I often recommend it in workshops because it gives people room to explore without feeling technical or intimidated.

Other options include VSCO, known for its cool, subtle filters; and Adobe Lightroom Mobile, which is excellent for those who want more advanced control – especially when editing raw files.

Final thoughts

Post-processing is not a shortcut, and it shouldn’t be used to salvage a bad photograph. It’s part of the craft. When you edit, you’re not just adjusting sliders – you’re making choices about tone, emphasis and intention. You’re asking yourself what matters in the frame, what can go, and – most importantly – how the image feels.

Whether you’re editing a portrait of your child, a flower from a walk in the park or a view from your travels, do it slowly, with care and mindfulness. Let the process be part of the creative pleasure. Happy editing.