Top 10 Tips for Amazing Smartphone Photos
- APRIL 2021 -
WHO SAYS YOU NEED AN EXPENSIVE CAMERA TO TAKE GREAT PHOTOS..
With today’s smartphones, you don’t need an expensive and complicated DSLR camera to take beautiful photos! With the right skills and settings, just about anybody can take professional-looking photos using only their phone. Whether you are taking photos of a beautiful nature scene, friends and family, or are just trying to get that perfect selfie, these tips will help you take the gorgeous photos you want without investing in expensive equipment.
Ready to get focused? Let’s dive in!
1. GET THE RIGHT LIGHTING
Natural lighting is the best lighting. The sensors on smartphones are small and make it difficult to take photos in poor or unnatural lighting. Try using light coming in through your windows to perfect your shot. Taking photos outside during daylight also provides optimal lighting. Around sunset and sunrise are the best times to take outdoor shots. When taking photos with natural light, be aware of how shadows fall on your subject.
2. AVOID USING FLASH
Getting the lighting just right can be difficult. Do not use the flash on your camera if it can be avoided. LED camera phone flashes can distort the image and result in blurry photos. It can also cause weird lighting conditions such as red-eye and discoloration and make images look overexposed and washed-out. Even if it is dark out, it’s always best to find alternative sources of light. You can try using moonlight or streetlights.
3. USE GRIDLINES
Both iPhones and Androids have an option in their settings to turn on gridlines. The gridlines split the image on the screen into nine square sections. If you place the subject of your photo on one of the lines or an intersection, it will draw the viewer’s eye to it. This is known as “the rule of thirds,” and it’s how professional photographers balance the photo to create a more aesthetically pleasing look.
4. FOCUS ON THE SUBJECT
Pick one subject for a photo! You do not need a busy scene full of subjects to take amazing and captivating photos. Too many focal points in an image can make it appear messy and crowded, overwhelming the viewer. It helps to leave negative space in your photo. Try taking photos where your subject only takes up a third of the shot. This approach will draw attention to the subject that you want to highlight. To help with focus, you can tap on the subject on your screen to help your smartphone auto-focus.
5. GET CLOSER
When trying to focus on your subject, do not be afraid to get closer. This technique will create a more detailed, high-quality photo. Using zoom can be detrimental to photo quality and take away from your shot. Getting closer will also allow you to experiment with different angles and lighting. To take unique and professional-looking photos, get closer. You will be amazed at the results!
6. DONT USE ZOOM
Zooming in on your subject can distort the image. It causes pixelization and can ruin your shot. A blurred or grainy photo is not your desired outcome. Instead of using zoom, you can move closer to your subject to get a clear photo. Though this may seem counter-intuitive at times, it pays off in the long run. You can also take your photo from the original distance and crop the photo after to bring more attention to your subject.
7. TRY NEW ANGLES
Photos taken straight on can be beautiful, but we encourage you to try new angles. Weird angles can give your photo a different perspective and really make it stand out. Some new angles you can try are taking photos from above your subject, below your subject, with the camera titled, or from the side. Trying new angles can help you take beautiful and unique photos.
8. CLEAN YOUR CAMERA LENS
We take our smartphones everywhere. Between all the time spent in our hands, pockets, and purses, it is no surprise that our camera lens can collect dirt and grime. It is important to clean your camera lens to take the best photos possible. Smudges, dirt, and fingerprints on the lens can ruin the quality of your photo and jeopardize a great shot. The best way to clean your camera lens is with a microfiber cloth. Do this regularly to ensure clear shots.
9. TAKE MULTIPLE PHOTOS
The more shots you take of an individual subject, the more likely you will get the shot you are hoping for. Taking multiple shots also allows you to experiment and perfect your photo-taking skills. A helpful feature on smartphones that can help you take multiple shots is the “burst shot” feature. It takes multiple photos very quickly and requires no extra work.
10. EDIT YOUR PHOTOS
Smartphone camera apps usually come with photo-editing software. If yours doesn’t have one, check out the app store for free photo-editing apps. The editing possibilities are endless! By cropping, playing with the exposure, darkening, or lightening and sharpening photos, you can take an ordinary photo and turn it into the masterpiece you are striving for. Another benefit of editing is that there are so many features you can experiment with. Try using photo-editing apps to turn your photos into dramatic black and white shots.
BONUS TIP: DONT USE FILTERS!
With today’s social media apps, access to filters is abundant. Though it can be a quick fix, it is recommended that you skip the filters. Filters can diminish the quality of your photos. One size does not fill all, and editing your photos can potentially create the best results. Besides, taking the time to edit your individualized photos will make them stand out in a sea of filters. Customizing is always better than using the same pre-set filters that everyone else is.
To master the art of taking beautiful photos from your phone, make sure to follow these tips and remember to practice, practice, practice! Do not be afraid to try new things and explore the features and settings on your phone’s camera app. You will have perfect photos in no time!
Once you’ve mastered the art, it’s time to curate your collection: check out our photo books today for inspiration!