3 Tips for better Smartphone Photos
Tips for better smartphone photos iphone android nexus
While smartphones continue to get larger, they're still quite light and easy to manage for grabbing some cool and creative photos. If you're serious about nailing more shots with your iPhone or Android etc. device then sit up straight - I've got 3 tips for you...
CHANGE YOUR ANGLE:
You'll have to put your drink down for this one - yes, yes... I know, I know but humour me here. There are several keys to making your photography more interesting and it starts with changing your mindset. Don't just stand there holding your phone in front of you like a tool, step outside of boring and get down low or put your subject way off to the side of your screen to change up the composition.
Don't be afraid of people questioning your sanity, they'll appreciate the effort and be blown away with the result. So get high, get low, find reflective surfaces, put your phone on the table or inside an empty glass (just try it ok?!) Try anything, just don't be boring!
RIGHT THE LIGHT:
Ask any photographer about the most important element to creating a solid image and they'll tell you, great light. All cameras require light to expose a proper image, some require more light than others. While smartphones have amazing power crammed in their camera functionality, they use tiny sensors that don't have the low-light capabilities that more expensive, professional DSLRs use. Natural lighting is optimum as the on-camera flash your phone has is not very flattering. So keeping a sharp eye for lighting will be a must for any great shot you hope to achieve.One tip for better lighting indoors or at a reception: Get a friend to use their phone's flashlight app to light your subject from an angle. They can adjust how close they stand to your subjects to get just the right lighting needed for the shot you're trying to achieve.
For outdoor shots during the day there are a few points to keep in mind.
Firstly, when the sun is at it's brightest, try and find some slightly shaded areas to help even out the light and avoid shadows. This also helps with your subjects not having a serious case of the squints - never a flattering look. While I usually shoot into the sun with my professional gear, iPhones and Android devices tend to struggle with backlit subjects so I would still to having the sun at your back providing a more light on your subject. If you want to get a little more fancy, you can bounce light off of other surfaces such as windows and even something as simple as a piece of white paper if needed. Don't limit yourself, think outside the lens.
USE THIRD PARTY APPS:
Indeed, smartphones come with their own built in edit functionality, but most often they're are fairly basic. The point of this post is to create great photos to impress your friends!
First thing I want you to do is LOSE THE FILTER-FEVER! Filters, while easy to use are the fast-track for having your images look like everyone else's - so stop it.
Your edit is the final icing of the cake, the little dash of flavour you add to top it all off. I'm not here to tell you how to edit your photos, that's a personal thing entirely.