It is very difficult indeed to consistently take good smartphone photos in different lighting situations. Worse still, not all techniques are portable from one context to the other or from one case to another. But a few are. Therefore, today, let me explain how I capture good smartphone photos in any environment.
Making the Most of Shadows
I can say that embracing the use of shadows in your photos will make a massive difference to their outcomes. My best use of shadows includes silhouetting a person or a building, especially when taking images using the smartphone and in areas of high light intensity.
I also like using shadows to be specific and add some sort of interesting effects. What used to be a two-second shot will now be a five-second shot- When people come out of the shadow area into the light area, I will wait for that individual to get into the light area before taking a picture. Shadows can also be used to identify differences in the type of buildings. On some occasions, you can also use shadows to depict an area where light is well-illuminated against an area which is not illuminated.
When taking pictures using your smartphone, I advise you not to place the main object inside the shade; the viewer loses direction regarding which way to look.
Understanding When to Overexpose and Underexpose
As a photographer for over seven years, I have to admit there are some times when it’s okay to break the guidelines on overexposure and underexposure. Many of the images you consider bad will have been photos with under or overexposed spots, but if you go randomly high or low, you can get really good pictures.
Underexposing images is good practice if you later plan to edit those pictures, and I prefer to underexpose my photos if I want them to have that certain mysterious look. Sometimes, in a bright room, I bring down the meter to prevent the outcome from looking too severe. If you’re scared you’ve gone too far or(debug), it’s usually rather simple to amend underexposed images on iPhone and Android, so don’t panic if it has happened.
On the other hand, I find that overexposure works well in the snow during the day or at night. Sometimes I will overexpose my skies on a bright day; this way it will be clear just how much natural light there is You just do not have to overdo it to the extent that all the picture details get washed out.
Sticking to a Handful of Smartphone Photography Tricks
Once you become more experienced in photography and change and develop your shooting style, some of the tricks and types of compositions will automatically attract your attention.
That is why it is also appropriate to provide some relevant smartphone photography tips and tricks, but only if this would be useful. For instance, you can make accurate reflections and, depending on the lighting, turn the camera up at some angle.
Knowing When to Use Each Camera Mode
Since I own an iPhone, my camera has various modes. Initially, I always selected Portrait Mode because I assumed that it would provide the highest degree of sharpness.
Selfie and main object mode are excellent for shooting people and objects, or maybe you want to be precisely near them. But they are not the best methods for landscapes; in this case, you don’t even need the burst mode, as the standard camera mode is more than enough.
Editing My Camera Settings in Advance
When you are going to take a picture, your smartphone will set the default mode, but you are free to change the settings as they are. If you have control over your phone and video settings, I have to say it is advisable to do so.
Taking photos of items and turning on the grid is a very good idea for composition, and most phone cameras will allow you access to this option. You should also turn on lens correction if you have this option.
Using Third-Party Camera Apps
Of course, I recall the time before 2012 when using a smartphone to take photos was pretty much pointless. However, smartphone cameras are not what they used to be like those of ordinary potatoes, but still, cameras have limitations.
Lucky for you, there are many third-party camera apps that you can use in order to give your camera more functionality than it would naturally have. For instance, if you wish to take retro-themed pictures, there is an application called 1998Cam; if you wish to modify the ISO, applications such as ProCam will suit you just fine.
Analyzing My Old Photos by Turning On Live Photos
Therefore, scrutinizing the pictures then and now is one of the best methods of improving in the future. For instance, if you are using an iPhone, you should be able to toggle on some sort of Live Photos. But that is the best way to know what you did before capturing an image.
When critiquing your live photos, try to decide what you did regarding camera positioning, state of lighting, and anything else that made it a good or bad photo.
Enabling Live Photos will take up more space and drain your battery percentage quicker, but if it enhances your photos, then do it. You should also read tips for improving Live Photos on your phone.
