Tips for taking great photography on your phone (at home)
Improve your phone photography skills with these easy tips.
Since the Covid-19 lockdown was instated, screen time and mobile phone usage have increased rapidly.
So, while you are on your phone most of the time, you might as well have fun and learn new techniques using it.
Ask any parent to show you photographs of their children on their phone and you will be amazed at how many they have. And with lockdown firmly in place quality time with the family can inevitably result in loads more photo opportunities. For many, this uncertain time is also a time to reconnect with loved ones and spending as much time as possible with the kids.
So, while you’re at it, why not improve the quality of your home photography – be it of the kids’ latest art project or the banana bread you just baked.
Nifty250, an online printing service, shares have a few tips on how to get the perfect pic:
Clean your lens.
Lint from your pocket, dust from your handbag and even sweat from your hands leaves the little round lens of your camera filthy – which affects the quality of your photos. Give it a wipe with your t-shirt or a soft cloth before getting your shot.
Get close to your subject
Zooming in to grab a shot of something that might be slightly further away reduces the resolution of the photograph and will intensify any small movements that you make whilst holding the phone. Rather move closer to get a clear, full shot.
Tap away
It’s a simple reminder, but always tap your phone screen to specify where you’d like the focus to be. If you’re taking an upwards image of your partner as you laze in the sun on the patio, make sure you tap the image otherwise you’re likely to have their shadow set against a very bright sky.
The rule of thirds
In photography, the rule of thirds means placing a “virtual” grid on the image you’d like to capture – both horizontally and vertically – breaking the image into nine parts. Most smartphones have a grid option available in the camera settings. It’s recommended to place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines as studies have shown that when people look at photographs, their eyes naturally go to these intersections and lines and not to the centre of the image.
Take advantage of technology
Most smartphones offer a portrait-mode which slightly blurs the background of your shot and creates clear professional-looking images. Make use of the feature whenever you can, but be aware that sufficient light is critical to using this mode.
Find, don’t create light
Photographers will tell you that natural light trumps artificial light in most situations. Try to move your subject into a spot that provides better illumination and avoid using your phone’s flash. If anything, borrow a second device and create light using the torch functionality on the second device.
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