5 TIPS FOR TAKING BETTER SMARTPHONE PHOTOS

Although we would all love to drag our cameras around with us everywhere we go, particularly when our kids are with us, it’s just not practical. Fortunately, today’s cell phone (and tablets) have very good photo-taking abilities, as long as we take the time to learn how to use them. Here are some tips:

It Craves Light

Like your two year old, your camera needs to be “in the spotlight,” since it doesn’t have a large sensor to work with. Full sunlight or bright days are best. Also ensure that the main light source is coming from behind the camera for the best results.

Keep it Steady

For once, the compactness of your phone is not your friend as it may be hard to hold steady. Pull your elbows into your body, take a breath and capture the shot as you slowly exhale. Always try to hold the phone with both hands for a steadier grip.

Try the Flash

Make use of the flash, it can be of use – and not just for dark rooms. Using the flash outside can help to reveal details that would have been lost in shadow. It’s also good for balancing out photos with a bright background to give your subject more prominence. If the flash simply isn’t giving you the results you want, find another light source.

Get in Close

If at all possible, do not use the digital zoom on your camera – it will merely make each pixel larger, resulting in a “blocky” effect. Get closer if you can, if not you can crop the photo later for a better final photo.

Don’t Forget the Rules

Even though you are using a non-camera to take photos, don’t forget that by applying a few of the rules of photography you can create awesome images, rather than just snapshots. Stay tuned here for future blogs on each of the primary rules of composition.

A final note – clean your lens! After living in your pocket or purse (or being held tightly by sticky fingers) your lens will need a good cleaning to give you crisp photos, so keep a lens cleaning cloth handy.