The Instagram age has made us all feel like we can capture picturesque shots with our humble smartphone, and though it is certainly easier to take a very professional-looking photo, it’s more than likely that most of the pictures we come up with aren’t anywhere near as breathtaking as we’d like.
Rightly or wrongly, the ease with which we can take great photos, and the addition of helpful filters to make them every more stunning, has made us feel as if we are all natural-born photographers but let’s face it, we are not.
Clearly, we use our smartphones all day, every day, whether it’s to check our social media feeds, respond to messages, produce a footage video, or watch endless cat videos, and they have almost become a strong attachment that we can’t unglue from, both physically and mentally.
We now take more photos than ever before but most never get a second glance as now we no longer have to wait days for photos to be processed, and we more often than not don’t review them, and the images we now take only exist in a virtual environment.
Just because we take lots of photos doesn’t mean that we are taking great photos, quite the opposite in fact. There is an art to taking a genuinely breathtaking picture, and if you follow some of our helpful tips below, you might get one step closer to reaching this thoroughly attainable goal.
Natural Light
Natural light is your friend. Clearly, there are options you can set up on even the most basic of smartphones that will help you light the subject of your photo; natural light will always work better.
Avoid using the flash, as even with the best smartphone camera technology, this never works as well as you might have hoped. Try to avoid silhouettes of bright light behind your subject and if you have access to artificial lighting, then use these sparingly.
Make Use of the Grid Line Feature
Most smartphone cameras will offer a grid feature that will make it easier to focus your attention on the vital subject of your photo. It’s a helpful way to get into the mindset of a photographer.
If you want to learn more about this, then check out the “rule of thirds,” which is essentially a guideline or rule that helps layout the composition of a photo you are looking to capture.
Know What You Want to Photograph
A lot of the time, when we are out and about, we suddenly get the urge to snap off a few shots, and that’s fine, but if you really want to take a great photograph, then it’s very useful to have an idea of what you want to display in your shot.
This might mean timing your photographic adventure for a specific time of day when the light is at its best or when the circumstances might be opportune. For instance, if you want to photograph a stylish busy intersection scene with hordes of commuters on the move, then you’d need to time that for the right time.
Keep Your Shot Steady
Though you are no doubt used to taking a picture unaided by some form of assistance in terms of steadying the shot, you may find that using a tripod or even simply placing your phone on a stand, the image you capture will be sharper and significantly improved.
Use Your Phone’s Burst Option
No doubt you’ve seen professional photographers reel off a countless number of photos in succession; this technique is an excellent way to capture shots of movement. Your smartphone will almost certainly have a burst mode feature; try it out and then look to use it when applicable.
Fortunately, in the digital age, the number of photos you take doesn’t mean the extra expense of developing them all. All you have to do is take a burst of photos and then delete those that do not pass the test.
Make Use of Editing Options
Another benefit of the internet era is the ability to access great editing tools and software that will help make even your poor shots into average ones and the half-decent ones into bone fide masterpieces.
These editing tools can be used to improve aspects of your image; say, for instance, you want to cut elements out of the photo itself, or it could be for the purpose of adding an excellent filter to really make the image stand out.
There are tons of great apps and services that can help with this aspect of your smartphone photography journey, and the best options around are super easy to use.
Try Something New
The difference between an amateur photographer and one that is professional in terms of their respective mindsets and approaches often relates to trying new techniques. Consider perhaps a unique perspective to your photos, or perhaps don’t be scared of empty spaces within your composition.
Don’t be boxed in by conventions, especially if you are new to the photographic field, and don’t be afraid to fail. A great photo is always just around the next corner.
