With the speed at which technology is has advanced in the last decade, it's become easier for people to forego dedicated cameras for photographing friends, family and events and rely instead on their cell phones to get the job done.
The good news is that while the cameras in cell phones are advancing, the rules that apply to the slr cameras that used to characterize professionals also can be applied to simple cell phones cameras. Here are some of the best ones that you can use for your own phone:
1. Clean your lens
This may seem quite obvious, but whatever you had in your pockets before you put your phone in there stands a good chance of covering up your lens. If you have a case that covers up your lens, clean the case up also. Smudges from fingerprints can ruin any photo.
2. Observe Camera Phone Etiquette
Another one that seems obvious, but with how connected people's lives are to cell phones, the lines between what is appropriate and and what is not have blurred. Please take discretion into consideration before you photograph anything.
3. Know Your Phone Settings
A. ISO
Most phones can and will automate your settings if you give them a chance. For example, all cell phones will use the highest ISO possible in dark settings - which raises the problem of grain appearing in your images. If your phone allows manual control of this, change your ISO to the lowest allowable setting so as to prevent the appearance of this static/grain. Conversely, on a bright sunny day or in broad daylight, set your ISO to the lowest settng to prevent the appearance of any grain in your images.
B. Resolution
Always make sure that you use the highest resolution in all settings so as to maximize all the details and accuracy in your images. This also makes for the best data to be copied over and transferred when you inevitably upgrade and change your phone model.
C. Avoid Digital Zoom
Avoid digital zoom at all costs. Digital zoom only enlarges the pixels that the camera has, meaning that for each percent that you zoom in with digital zoom, you lose a certain percentage in detail that you cannot gain back. Instead, take the image, and then crop it in an editor - you'll have maxed out the resolution and pixels of your camera correctly then.
D. Know Your Shutter Delay
All cell phones have a delay from button press to shutter release that can make you miss that perfect moment. You can minimize this lag by holding down and NOT releasing that shutter button until you're ready to photograph your moment.
4. Know Your Light
Helping to know the light and whether it is harsh (think mid-day lunchtime sunny day type of light) or soft (think cloudy day or overcast) light will go a long way to making sure that the photos you take are top notch. Alongside those natural light rules, here are a few more that will help.
A. Avoid Flash If Possible
This one may be more subjective to a person's opinion, but direct-on flash like what is normally found on cell phones washes out the skin tones and colors of a person's face. Try to turn that off whenever possible and only use it when necessary.
B. Use The "Magic Hour"
For professional photographers, the "Magic Hour" refers to the very beginning of the day when the sun is rising (one hour before to half an hour after the sun rises), and the very end of the day (1 hour before to half an hour after the sun sets). The light at that moment is just right for taking beautiful photographs. It applies to professional photographers, why not make use of it for cell phones also?
C. Stabilize When The Light Is Low
If you want your images nice and clear, always find a way to stabilize your images when the light is low. Your cell phone will naturally default to a slower shutter speed when light is at a lower level (i.e. in a restaurant or at sunset). However any movement you have with your hands while photographing at slower shutter speeds will result in motion blur, ruining a potentially great picture. Having something simple like a mini tripod or beanbag will do wonders for your images.
5. Experiment, Experiment, Experiment
Read that headline again. Some of the best discoveries ever made in photography can be credited to experimentation. By experimenting and trying out new settings, you will learn the nuances and abilities of your phone, stretching you and your phone's creative abilities to their limits.
A. Use The Different Modes in Your Phone
Not sure what a Panorama is? Want to know what Macro mode does? Try it out. Some settings in phones are universally applicable. They may need to be accessed in different menus, but the results will be fairly predictable, knowing this allows you to adjust and work with your phone (and your future phones) more effectively.
B. Shoot In Black And White
Try shooting in Black and White. It's a surprisingly fun experience! Black and White photography has a slightly different set of rules to it. Tones that didn't quite seem right in color now stand out more and pop. High contrast lighting scenes - traditionally not favored in color photography - adapt quite well with a black and white treatment. Textures and tones also play significant roles in Black and White photography. Experimenting with Black and White photography and becoming familiar with contrasts, textures and tones will immediately affect the way you view any scene, indirectly improving your skills at color photography also.
The progression of technology has allowed most people to leave a dedicated camera at home and simply use the camera on their cellphones to record the moments and people that are most important to them. By using these techniques taken from the realm of professional photography, anyone can improve and take much better photos with the phone in their camera.
Comments