Until a few years ago, photographing and getting great photos was a job for professionals and people with quality equipment. Thanks to the easy availability of smartphones these days, it has become easier to get great photos. Many of these pictures look professional and there is no need for editing software either. The fact remains that smartphone cameras are not DSLRs, but technology has come a long way. Even with smartphones, capturing a great shot is not easy as point-and-shoot. The kind of smartphone on hand also matters.
If you like looking at good-quality pictures and want to know how to get professional results with your phone, these tips are for you.
Tips on taking high-quality photos with a smartphone
- Good smartphone: If you want to get started, check to see what picture quality you can get with your smartphone. You may want to invest in a new smartphone to get high-resolution pictures, especially if you plan to use these for your business.
- Learning the capability of your smartphone: Start by taking pictures of random items so that you learn what your camera is capable of. Look at pictures in automatic mode so that you get an idea of light exposure and how you can focus.
- Multiple shots: Smartphones make it easy to take as many shots of a scene or item as you want. You can go through them later and delete the ones you don’t like. Smartphones offer a way to learn and improve your technique.
- Using a grid to get the right balance: Check if your smartphone has a grid setting for photos. If it does, then turn it on and focus on the ultimate image. You can get a well-balanced picture that is pleasing. You should be able to find this feature in the settings section of your iPhone or Android device.
- Setting the camera for proper focus: Most cameras these days focus on the foreground in the frame. If you want to focus on a specific area or subject, tap the screen, and get the camera to focus on that area. This is essential for a great picture.
- Use the HDR feature: Also known as High Dynamic Range, it is now a standard feature on smartphones available in the market. This feature balances light and dark areas in a photo for better balance. This works exceptionally well for landscape pictures.
Other tips for clear and crisp photographs
- Photographing in natural light: Since smartphone cameras are not as powerful as regular cameras, experts recommend photography in natural light. This helps in getting a balanced picture thanks to ambient light.
- Subject: Every good photo has just one subject at its center. When you are trying to get a great shot, make a single subject your focal point. Make sure that the subject doesn’t take up the entire frame. There should be at least 65% of negative space so that the attention is on the subject alone. After you have your shot, use filters to correct the image so that it is correctly framed. Color, contrast, and image brightness can be corrected using the features available on the phone. You should be able to do this by working on random images for practice.
- Investing in a tripod: While smartphones make it easier for people to get professional pictures anytime and anywhere, a tripod would make it easier to get better photos. Tripods offer freedom and the ability to get a steady picture. These units are light and easy to carry – they also help in getting better pictures and even videos when needed.
- Editing tools: Every smartphone has features that can be used to edit a shot for the best result. There are other apps that one could like Photoshop or Lightroom by Adobe. You can use these for cropping and touching up pictures. Check for the best apps on the Internet and download them for personal use.
- Considering an external lens: There are external lenses available on the market which can be easily attached to a smartphone. Look for these on the Internet as well for a better perspective and enhanced picture quality.
Conclusion
All in all, a lot is possible photographically thanks to fast smartphones with good storage capacity. There is no need to worry about buying cameras and film. There is no need to go to a store to get your film developed or issue instructions on exposure and what features you want to add. You can do all of this yourself with a good smartphone, online tutorials, and a couple of apps.