Tips for Taking Better Smartphone Photos

Tips for Taking Better Smartphone Photos

While there are always going to be a few people who claim that a good photo can only be taken from a “real” camera, the fact remains that most people carry their smartphone with them everywhere they go, while they don’t necessarily lug a large camera with them every day. This means that you either need to make a choice between not taking a picture at all, or simply using the camera built into your phone. The same also holds true for those who don’t have a real camera, but still want to get some pictures of friends, family, and events. Thankfully, smartphone cameras are very capable of taking great pictures, as long as you know how to use them.

Get Close

Did you know that smartphones are uniquely capable of focusing on objects up close, getting a depth of field that even real cameras have trouble achieving? This makes your smartphone ideal for taking up close and personal pictures of everything from flowers to faces. So get close and take some shots you wouldn’t be able to otherwise.

Don’t Zoom

Yes, your smartphone has a zoom function, but it’s really not that great. The image quality will degrade quickly as soon as you try to get in close from farther away. So what do you do to get that tight shot? Take the wide photo, then crop it afterward. You’ll get a much better quality photo with better detail than the same shot taken in zoom.

Keep It Simple

Yes, a real camera will allow you to change your focus, blur your backgrounds, and get some really artistic shots. Your smartphone just isn’t going to give you the same capability, and editing your photos afterward isn’t going to get you the same effects either. So instead, keep your images simple. Put the focus right in the middle of the screen where it will get the attention it deserves without a lot of interference.

Get a New App

Your smartphone does come with a built in camera, but it also has the ability to use different apps that can enhance that camera and therefore your pictures. Take the time to download and try out a few different apps, which can give you the ability to take more “manual” type photos, increasing your odds of getting a better shot.

Turn Off the Flash

Smartphone cameras are a little misleading when it comes to their flashes. You’re probably used to a true flash, which emits a burst of true light to brighten the frame. A smartphone doesn’t use a real flash, however, it only uses its built-in LED light, which can give a funky coloration to your images. So opt for natural light whenever possible, and ditch the flash instead.

Have Fun

Your smartphone likely goes with you everywhere, so get comfortable using the camera function to make sure you aren’t missing out on moments you’d like to capture. You may find that photography becomes more fun than you thought before.