Today, you don’t need any fancy equipment to take great photos. Smartphones continue to evolve and as a result it is easier than ever to capture beautiful images. Even if you don’t have the latest in technology regarding your current cell phone, you can still get great photos. These can be even better if you follow a few guidelines.
Simple Shots
Most often, it is best to always keep it simple. This means focusing on one main subject in an image without a lot of distraction in the background. This area is called the “Negative Space” and should accentuate the subject rather than take away from it. So, the next time you set up to take a picture, be mindful of the background surrounding it.
Lighting
Knowing how to work with lighting is essential. It is always best to take pictures in natural light as opposed to using the flash. This is because a flash tends to take away from the true color of the subject and can leave it washed-out. Always try to take your pictures in a shaded area or on cloudy days rather than direct sunlight. This will allow for the best exposure and you can even experiment with different angles to bring out the lighting desired.
Portrait Mode
This feature ensures that only the subject is in focus. This gives a much more professional feel to images and effectively highlights the subject. Most smartphones in use today offer this setting which allows you to click on what you wish the focus of the shot to be. This adds depth to the picture and makes it much more dramatic and eye-catching.
Accessories
There are a wide variety of products available to enhance your pictures. Just like the professional cameras have various lenses, you can purchase accessories that allow you to attach an external lens to your smartphone. This includes a wide variety of options such as wide-angle.
Zooming In?
It is tempting to zoom into a subject that is far away. Even though this seems like it will create a better picture, AVOID ZOOMING IN whenever possible. Zooming in distorts the image and also reduces the clarity of the image. It is better to take the picture normally and then crop it later to fit your needs.
Editing
You can really bring your photos to life in the editing mode. Fortunately, there are many programs and apps available which allow you to do this. Two of the better apps today for this are Afterlight and VSCO. These and other apps are excellent for editing various components of your pictures. They can also be used to add filters that can provide a wide array of special effects. The editing mode is where the photographer as an artist can add additional polish to their work.
So, anyone can set their phone up much the same as a professional studio. All you need to do is take advantage of the technology and resources available today.
