Holi is sloppy, unruly and outrageously colourful, hence many photographers dread bringing out their costly DSLR. What if there’s another way. This year, new models of iPhones (iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max) were launched with a massive camera bump, which would give photographers an edge and a reason to leave their pricey DSLR at home.
Having enhanced 48MP triple rear cameras, 8x optical zooming, improved slow-motion capture and professional video features, the new iPhone Pro models, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, are built to capture the action that takes seconds to transpire, the one that Holi provides.
The photographers know their way around cameras, but anyone with an iPhone can turn pro this Holi. Taking a page out of noted photographer Rohit Vohra, here are some top tips you can use to get those Instagram or Snapchat-worthy shots.
Seize the commotion using the correct lens
Holi is more a matter of mood than features. Start wide.
Take pictures of clouds of color, a group of friends and a whole street with the 0.5x ultra-wide lens. It is time to get a more natural view, so make the switch to 1x. To bring colors out in tighter portraits that are color contrast with skin tones, switch to 2x or the new 4x optical zoom at 100mm.
iPhone 17 Pro also has an 8x optical zoom at a distance of 200mm, which is the longest zoom on an iPhone. This enables you to isolate the subjects at a distance without necessarily moving into the mess.
Expose slightly under to have richer colors
The Holi colours may quickly turn pale in the sunshine. Rohit suggests you tap your subject before tapping the shutter and slide down the exposure slider by a single notch.
Minor underexposure enhances the depth of the reds, pinks and blues, and makes the frame look more dramatic and more like what your eyes are actually seeing at a specific time.
Do not miss out the color burst
Holi experiences are instantaneous, quite literally.
Not by tapping, but by swiping left on the shutter button and holding to switch to burst mode. This records several frames per second, and you are free to pick the best mid-air variety of color blast later on.
It is also clever not to switch off Live mode. It captures a brief motion video around every image and you are now able to retrieve the time you have missed due to a quarter of a second.
Shoot high-resolution slow motion
Gulal flying, twirling dancers, and motion pictures of laughing look magnificent in a slow motion.
The iPhone 17 Pro has the ability to record 4K at 120 frames per second. 4K120 shooting provides the ability to slow down the footage without losing the quality and detail, ideal in the dramatic Holi reels.
When you are on the move with whatever you are capturing, use Action mode to have a more stable shot. To achieve more stylised shots with a background blur, make use of Cinematic mode and introduce depth and focus transition.
Immersive storytelling: Use Dual Capture
Dual Capture, which allows recording on the front and rear cameras at the same time, is one of the highlights of the iPhone 17 Pro.
It means that you will be able to record the Holi action that will go on in front of you, as well as record your own reaction, which is perfect for creators, vloggers or even to everyone who needs to document the day on social media.
The new Centre Stage front camera has an extended field of view as well as a better resolution, so the group selfies do not leave anyone out of focus.
Clean your lens—keep it clean
The Holi powder is not only put everywhere, but also upon your camera lens.
Keep a microfiber cloth in a zip-lock bag and clean the lens regularly. A dust of color even a thin coating can dull the details and kill the contrast. It is possible to clean your lens every few minutes and make a difference between the sharp frame and the blurred frame.
Use physical buttons in cases when your hands are wet
Screens in the time of Holi are slippery.
Put the volume up or down button in place of tapping the display as a shutter. It is also faster and more reliable, and can work even if your fingers are covered with colour or water.
Zoom smarter, not harder
The triple camera system of the iPhone 17 Pro has 48MP, which enables one to zoom in and out without significant image degradation. Optical zooming (2x, 4x, 8x) should be used as much as possible rather than overstraining digital zoom.
To capture portraits, the equivalent of 100mm focal length provides a vintage compression effect, which flattens the face and isolates the subject and the noisy backgrounds.
Allow the Photonic Engine to do its magic
In the background, the image pipeline used by the iPhone 17 Pro is updated to maintain the natural detail, to suppress the noise and enhance the colour truth in image type that is highly effective in bright outdoor festival events.
With Light Photographic Style in the new iOS 26, it is possible to subtly enhance the color of the skin and bring life to color-enhanced frames. It works well, especially when taking a picture during midday sun.
Lightweight equipment, quicker reaction time
Probably the greatest advantage? Freedom.
You move faster because a DSLR and several lenses are no longer involved. You react quicker. You get closer. The Holi is not painted; it is improvised. The camera system of the iPhone 17 Pro is designed just to do so.
The device is no longer a smartphone camera, as it has 48MP sensors on each rear lens, the longest optical zoom, 4K HDR video, which is ultra-stabilized, and professional features such as ProRes RAW and Log 2. It is a pocket-sized production tool.
This Holi, you may not have to stress about covering your costly equipment with colors and water, you could simply discover that your finest shots are recorded by the device you are holding anyway.
Do share your Holi shots and tag Read India on Instagram and get a chance to be featured. Happy Holi.
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