You don’t need an expensive camera to capture stunning photos – you have all you need just in your pocket. With a few simple tricks, you can master professional phone photography without relying on expensive equipment or complex editing software. Here are 12 easy tricks to help you take amazing photos with just your phone!
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.
Clean Your Lens (Seriously, Do This!)
A clear lens seems obvious, yet surprisingly, many people ignore it when taking pictures. Your phone constantly moves between your pocket and bag to your hands, which continuously collects fingerprints and dust. Make sure to clean the camera lens by wiping it with a soft cloth or your shirt gently before snapping a picture. A clean lens = sharper, clearer photos.
Tap to Focus for Sharper Shots
Your phone’s camera doesn’t always automatically select the proper focus point, so you need to intervene. Touch the area on the screen where your main focus is located before capturing your photo. By telling your camera where to focus, you make your subject remain sharp against a softly blurred background.
Use Natural Light Whenever Possible
Good lighting is everything in photography. Avoid using your phone’s harsh flash because it creates washed out and unnatural images. Instead position your subjects next to windows to capture soft indoor lighting. Capture photos outdoors during morning or evening times because the golden hour creates magical lighting effects. Avoid direct midday sun—it creates harsh shadows Natural light brings out vibrant colors and gives your pictures with a professional touch.
Use the Rule of Thirds for Better Composition
Have you noticed how professional photographs look “balanced”, but some images seem just wrong? That’s because of composition. Turn on the gridlines feature within your smartphone camera settings. Position your subject at one of the grid intersections rather than at the center point. This results in an aesthetically pleasing and balanced photograph.
Adjust Exposure Manually for Perfect Lighting
Your phone camera makes automatic brightness adjustments but occasionally it gets the settings incorrect. Fix it yourself! Focus your shot by tapping the screen then adjust the brightness by sliding up or down. Achieve a better-balanced shot by brightening shadow areas or reducing highlight intensity.
Get Closer Instead of Zooming In
Digital zoom reduces photo quality and creates grainy or pixelated pictures. Instead move closer to your subject to maintain sharp details in your photos.
Pro Tip: On newer phones with multiple cameras opt for the telephoto lens rather than digital zoom.
Try Different Angles (Get Low or High!)
Eye level photo shots are common but they end up being dull. Switch it up!
- Position your camera close to the ground to achieve dramatic shots that make people appear taller and pets bigger.
- Capture flat lay images by taking photos from an overhead position.
- Position your phone at a slight tilt to achieve a visually striking dynamic look.
Adjusting your shot’s angle will transform the entire image!
Use Portrait Mode for Blurry Backgrounds (Bokeh Effect!)
Want that pro-level blurred background look? Portrait Mode is available on most phones and produces a shallow depth field that maintains focus on the subject while creating a blurred background. This is best for capturing portraits, pets, food items, and even objects. For phones without Portrait Mode, you can achieve a blurred background by getting closer to your subject and tapping to focus.
Take Multiple Shots (Then Pick the Best One!)
Even professional photographers need multiple tries to capture a perfect photo. So snap multiple photos from different angles with small changes – then choose your favorite later. Press and hold the shutter button or volume button to activate burst mode. Adjust your position slightly every time you snap a photo to capture new versions. Delete the extras and keep the best—simple!
Edit Lightly (Less Is More!)
Editing helps improve your pictures but don’t go overboard. Keep colors natural and prevent artificial appearances in your photos. Instead:
- Use your phone’s editing functions or third-party apps like Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile.
- Make natural beauty stand out by adjusting the brightness along with contrast and shadow settings.
- Crop for better composition, but don’t over-filter!
A little touch-up goes a long way!
Take Advantage of Leading Lines
Leading lines move the viewer’s attention across the photo while generating a sense of depth. Look for:
- Roads, fences, railways
- Bridges, staircases, hallways
- Rows of trees, paths, or natural lines
Aligning your subject with natural lines in your composition makes your photos appear more professional.
Practice, Experiment, and Have Fun!
The best way to improve your photography? Just keep taking pictures!
- Try new lighting conditions
- Experiment with different angles and subjects
- Look at photography accounts for inspiration
Your photographic style will become unique as you continue to experiment and practice.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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