6 Smartphone Photography Tips

"The best camera is the one that's with you."  - Chase Jarvis

Intro by Chamira Young

The above quote is from photographer Chase Jarvis (and it's also the title of his past book!). Needless to say, it couldn't be more true, especially in an age where everyone has their cell phone on them 99.99% of the time. We're in an age where many view these little machines as not just an accessory, but as an extension of themselves.

As a photographer, I'll readily admit that I don't carry my hefty DSLR camera with me everywhere I go, but you better believe I have my cell phone with me just about all the time. There have been times when I've been out for an innocent errand or walk in the park, and an unexpectedly interesting scene enfolds before me. Before I realize it, I'm reaching for my cell phone to capture that moment.

Whether you consider yourself a hobbyist or pro, knowing how to use your cell phone camera is a must these days. The story behind an image is as important as the image itself, so make sure you know how to effectively use that little camera so that you can be ready to capture all of life's precious moments.

Kathy at Photodex has some great tips to make the most of these increasingly powerful little machines.

---

By Kathy at Photodex

Who doesn’t have a smartphone these days! This means you’re walking around with another camera conveniently located in your pocket. So…why not learn how to use it. Just another perk to owning a smartphone. If you know what you’re doing then you can get some nice high-quality results!
​
Take a look at a few tips below to get you started on photographing with your smartphone. Some may sound pretty basic and obvious, but it doesn’t hurt to have a little reminder. Plus, they do make a difference.

1. Know your camera: Your phone more than likely has many little hidden camera settings and features that you may not know about. Practice changing the shooting mode, brightness, lighting, exposure, change angles, and try many other techniques and settings. Keep trying to master certain photography techniques so you can avoid adding fake/unnatural filters.
   
   
2. Don’t zoom: The pixels get degraded when you zoom in on a smartphone. Try either getting closer when you take your photo or simply just wait to crop the final image.
   
   
3. Composition: Some smartphones already have a grid called the “Rule of Thirds” on it so why not put it to use! By learning basic compositional guidelines you’ll start to get a sense of how to naturally set up your photos without using the grid later on. Check out “6 Photography Guidelines for Great Composition” to get you started.
   
   
4. Clean lens: This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s really easy to forget. Have you ever noticed your photos come out looking a little fuzzy or blurry? Try giving your camera lens a quick wipe and try again.
   
   
5. No filters: By this I mean those full photo filters you find on Instagram. Instead, try to use the editing tools that are available to you on some photography apps or on your phone. They’ll look much more natural…unlike just slapping on a fake blur. Or you can always upload them to your desktop and use programs like Photoshop or Lightroom.
   
   
6. Lighting/no flash: Usually flash on your phone is harsh and can give you some awkward results like color changes, reflections or something else entirely. Take advantage of natural lighting or another light source, unless flash is the only way to capture your photo. You can also experiment with light during sunrise/sunset, with poster board, window lighting, and other options.
   
   

If you have an iPhone or iPad and you’re already using them…then take it another step further and make a slideshow using the ProShow Web app! It’s easy, just upload your photos + videos directly from your camera roll (or social accounts) and then just go from there. Go to ‘Hands on Review of the ProShow Web App for iOS‘ or watch the how to tutorial video ‘Getting Started with the ProShow Web App for iOS‘ to get started. Get the app for free here!

---

Photodex is all about the tools to help you become a better storyteller. They never slow down on their focus to help you raise the bar on your business, presentations and finding new ways to help you streamline the creative process. Visit their blog where you'll find outstanding new content being shared every day. 

The SAVE20WITHSKIP code is still active - so, put it in the code box when you purchase any Photodex product for a 20% discount. ​​
​