How to Create Stop Motion Movies on iPhone or iPad

You can shoot stop motion films with just about any iPhone or iPad. I prefer to use an iPhone, since it's smaller, easier to maneuver, and fits better on most tripods. The result is the same, though.

Your first stop should be to a retailer to find a good tripod. You can check out Best Buy or other brick-and-mortar stores or browse the virtual aisles of online retailers. I scoured Amazon for tripods with legs that could shrink or bend significantly so I could shoot on the floor, if necessary. And I wanted one with a remote control so I wouldn't have to touch the iPhone each time I wanted to shoot. I finally purchased this one.

Next, you want to find the right software to help you shoot your stop motion pictures. You can get by using the built-in camera features for Photo or Video mode, but the results will be uneven. Your best bet is to use an app specifically designed for stop motion shooting.

A few different apps in the App Store offer the ability to shoot stop motion footage, but I use Stop Motion Studio because you can control the frame rate at which you shoot, adjust the lighting and other conditions, and spruce up your video with themes and other effects. The basic app is free; for $4.99 you can add a feature pack with themes, special effects, and 4K ultra high-definition video.

After you've shot your masterpiece, you can edit it, tweak individual frames, and add text and audio.

You can then save your film as a straight video, an animated GIF, or a flip book. You can share it via YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, and other sites and services.

Looking for an idea? The Stop Motion Studio app includes a gallery of other films people have created to see if inspiration hits you. Break a leg!

Here's a quick Spider-Man clip I captured.