WASHINGTON – With smartphone cameras being able to take amazing photos with a touch of the screen, the next hurdle for phone photogs to cross is keeping the phone steady while pressing the virtual shutter.

Problem solved.

With the edition of iOS 5 to Apple’s iPhone, photos can now be taken within the camera app by pressing the volume up button.

Taking the process a step further, a user on the MacWorld Forums discovered that pictures can also be taken by pressing the volume up button on the headphones that come with the phone.

The feature turns the headset into a common tool among professional photographers called a cable release, a cord that allows photos to be snapped without actually touching the camera.

The feature also allows photos to be taken through some bluetooth headsets.

The shortcut can be used with the stock camera application or Camera+, a third-party camera app.

When combined with a glif, professional photos from people with no professional experience are at the world’s fingertips.

(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All rights reserved.)