TECH TIPS
Phone Photography Tips
Want to capture those priceless memories without carrying around a huge lens? Your smart phone is a better camera than you think. Here's seven tips on how to take travel shots like a pro with that thing in your pocket.
WORDS LISA MICHELE BURNS
TECH TIPS
Phone Photography Tips
Want to capture those priceless memories without carrying around a huge lens? Your smart phone is a better camera than you think. Here's seven tips on how to take travel shots like a pro with that thing in your pocket.
WORDS LISA MICHELE BURNS
The best camera is the one you have with you, says Burns.
As photographers, we say the best camera that you can have is the one that’s with you.
For most of us, our phones are never too far away and capturing beautiful images with a mobile phone is absolutely possible.
Taking great photos doesn’t have to be left to the professionals, or those with big lenses and cameras. Here’s seven ways you can improve your photography – through the lens of an iPhone or Android:
#1 Find a unique angle
Regardless of the device you're using, seeking a unique angle will lead to creating an image that stands out. We've all seen thousands of photos that capture the Eiffel Tower, but images that make viewers stop and stare a little longer will typically have a composition unlike the rest.
When searching for unique angles, you can move around, use surrounding features within the scene, place your phone closer to the ground, look up, look down and really devote time to seeing the subject rather than just taking a quick phone snap.
#2 Get close…to your subject
When taking shots with your phone, bringing the subject closer will help in enhancing its appearance within the frame. If you're photographing a person, move toward them to ensure they're the most visible feature of the photo.
Don’t forget to try out features like ‘Portrait Mode’ if your phone enables this.
#3 Framing the scene
Compose a scene by incorporating various elements that will complement the subject. Rather than just standing upright and taking a photo straight ahead, move around and look for things you could include that help to tell the story of the location or subject. For example, if you're photographing landscapes, look for bushes, flowers or interesting rock or water features that will work well with each other.
#4 Using light to your advantage
In photography we talk about the ‘Golden Hour’ - the time shortly after sunrise or before sunset, when the daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. Using Golden Hour is a great way to ensure you're making the most of gorgeous soft light that illuminates a landscape.
#4 Using light to your advantage
In photography we talk about the ‘Golden Hour’ - the time shortly after sunrise or before sunset, when the daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky. Using Golden Hour is a great way to ensure you're making the most of gorgeous soft light that illuminates a landscape.
#5 Apply the rule of thirds
Placement is crucial when considering how to ensure your subject is visible within a photo. Imagine your phone screen has three equal rows of three rectangles, nine in total, and each intersection marks an ideal spot to place your subject. This method is known in photography as the 'rule of thirds'.
Instead of placing your subject front and center in the middle of the frame, aiming for one of the intersections is best, as it's where viewers' eyes will be naturally drawn to look first.
#6 Create or seek reflections
Get low to puddles and turn your phone upside down to enhance the reflection. Adding a pop of creativity to your phone photos this way is not only fun, it also produces an interesting take on a scene.
If there are puddles in the street, on the sidewalk or a shiny surface of any kind, turn your phone upside down to ensure the camera is nice and close to the water level.
You don't have to wait for rain either, - you could even carry a water bottle and create your own puddle by making a little pool of water to produce a reflection of any scene.
#7 Capture images and video at the same time!
Did you know you can take photos while recording video on your phone? If you don't want to miss a moment, start recording a video and look for the white button on your screen. This is typically found in the bottom-right corner of the screen and once you're recording, simply click the white button as many times as you like to take photos while still recording
Lisa Michele Burns, A.K.A The Wandering Lens, is an Australian photographer who has written several travel photography guides.
You can follow her on Instagram here.
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