How to shoot sunset time-lapse with an iPhone ?
- Singapore Photography Workshops
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
This techniques uses the built-in iPhone Camera app in Time-Lapse mode to shoot a sunset. iPhone’s default Time-Lapse feature is surprisingly good and super beginner-friendly.
Why the iPhone Time-Lapse Mode Works Well?
Automatic speed adjustment: The iPhone calculates the frame interval based on how long you record — longer recordings = smoother results.
No major technical setup required: No need to choose frame rates, intervals, or edit later — it’s all automatic.
Good in low light: iPhones handle transitions from day to night quite nicely with built-in processing.
Start Shooting - The Set Up
Open the Camera app. Swipe over to “Time-Lapse” mode.
Set up your iPhone on a tripod. Stability is key.
Frame the shot.
Focus on the horizon.
Tap and hold to lock AE/AF (Auto Exposure / Auto Focus).
Swipe up/down to manually adjust the brightness (exposure).
Start recording. Hit the red button just before the sun starts to dip, and let it roll through the sunset and even a little after (for twilight colors into the blue hour).
Let it run. The longer you record, the smoother your time-lapse. iPhone automatically adjusts the interval based on recording duration, so you don’t need to tweak frame rates manually.
Keep your phone powered. Sunset time-lapses can take 20–60 minutes. If your battery is low, plug into a power bank.
Sunset time-lapse shot on iPhone 16 Pro.
The built-in iPhone camera app's time-lapse mode only records at 1080p (Full HD). To capture time-lapses in 4K, you'll need to use a third-party app like Blackmagic Camera or ReeLapse.
Want to dive deeper into iPhone time-lapse photography ?
Sign up for our 2-hours iPhone Photography Workshop and request for evening to night time workshop. We will bring you to the next level of iPhone photography.
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