How to take better photos with your smartphone

With smartphone cameras improving every year, more and more people are using their phones as their primary photography device. But taking professional-looking photos takes practice and knowledge.

Learn the Fundamentals

Before diving into using your smartphone camera, it’s important to understand some key photography fundamentals that will make a big difference in your photos:

Composition - Compositional techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry and depth help you frame a strong, balanced photo. Use gridlines and align the key elements in your scene.

Lighting - Proper lighting eliminates shadows, glare and under/over exposure. Pay attention to the direction, color and intensity of light. Use natural light effectively or supplement with artificial light.

Focus - Smartphone cameras struggle with auto focus. Manually select focus points to control sharpness. Get close to subjects and minimize distractions.

Depth of Field - Adjust DOF by moving closer for blurred backgrounds. Use portrait mode selectively. Keep important elements at same focal distance.

Perspective - Shoot from different heights, angles and distances. Leverage leading lines, frames and negative space. Move around your subject.

Holding Your Phone Steady

Avoid blurry photos by holding your smartphone steady:

- Use both hands to grip the phone tightly, keeping elbows tucked against your torso.

- Brace your upper arms or elbows against your body for added stability.

- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart in a balanced stance for stability.

- Lean against a wall, tree or steady surface to stabilize your camera.

- When possible, use a tripod or clip mount to eliminate handshake completely.

- Activate anti-shake settings or the self timer so you can release the shutter without movement.

- Hold your breath and take the photo at the end of your exhale to minimize motion.

Master Mobile Photography Settings

Learn how to adjust key settings for better smartphone photos:

- Resolution - Set to highest option for crisper details. Only reduce for memory constraints.

- Gridlines - Display lines onscreen to apply compositional techniques easily.

- Leveling - Activate auto-leveling to avoid crooked horizons and angles.

- Exposure - Increase for brighter images or decrease for darker tones as needed.

- Focus and Metering - Select focal and metering modes based on your scene.

- White Balance - Adjust to compensate for different lighting like sunlight, indoors, etc.

- ISO - Increase for fast movement or low light. Use lowest setting possible without blur.

- Flash - Disable flash for natural lighting or enable when supplemental lighting is useful.

- HDR/Exposure Bracketing - Combines multiple exposures for optimal contrast in high contrast scenes.

Shoot Like a Pro

Use these professional techniques and creative ideas to level up your smartphone photography:

- Patterns, Texture, Shape - Photograph visual details in architecture, nature and everyday scenes.

- Reflections - Capture interesting reflections in water, glass buildings, puddles, etc.

- Symmetry - Frame balanced, mirror-like compositions to please the eye.

- Depth - Use leading lines, layers and foreground interest to add 3D depth.

- Close-ups - Zoom in on small details and textures that often go unnoticed.

- Minimalism - Isolate strong geometric shapes and lines against simple backgrounds.

- Negative Space - Draw attention to your subject by framing it with empty space.

- Rule of Odds - Place key elements off-center using the rule of thirds.

- Bokeh - Create blurred backgrounds with portrait mode or adjusting aperture.

- Light Painting - Use long exposure and light sources to “paint with light”.

Master Different Photo Contexts

Adapt your camera technique based on the subject matter:

Portraits: Position subject near a flattering light source. Compose tight shots or have environment provide context in wider frames. Use portrait mode judiciously. Instruct subjects how to pose and hold themselves. capture candid moments and emotions as they occur.

Landscapes: Use leading lines like paths, fences or shorelines to draw viewers into the image. Include interesting foreground elements like flowers or rocks to add depth. Shoot at “golden hours” around sunrise and sunset for dramatic lighting.

Action: Increase ISO and shutter speed to freeze motion. Anticipate the peak moment to time your shot. Shoot in burst mode and choose your best frame. Capture motion deliberately with panning or blur techniques.

Low Light: Boost ISO, stabilize with tripod or flat surface, and use flash to brighten shadows and subjects. Compose with interesting artificial light sources. Try light painting techniques with long exposure.

Night: Photograph cityscapes and landmarks at night. Use night mode. Experiment with light trails from passing cars. Capture the moon and starscapes.

Products: Eliminate shadows and use diffuse lighting. Fill the frame with your subject. Shoot straight-on for a head-on look or at an angle to add depth. Add props or context.

Food: Overhead shots framed straight down are most appetizing. Use soft natural light and avoid flash. Adjust white balance for accurate food colors.

Edit and Enhance Photos

Use smartphone editing apps to take your photos to the next level:

- Cropping and Rotating - Eliminate unwanted elements and compose tighter shots.

- Filters - Try different preset filters for quick enhanced effects.

- Color Adjustments - Fine tune brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, etc.

- Hue and Saturation - Make subtle adjustments to colors in your image.

- Blemish Removal - Remove imperfections on skin or objects.

- Sharpness - Increase structure and detail in images, but avoid over-sharpening.

- Noise Reduction - Minimize graininess from high ISO settings.

- Tonal Curves - Fine tune tones for contrast and coloring adjustments.

- Blur Background - Mimic wide aperture bokeh and attract attention to subject.

- Perspective Correction - Fix skewed horizontal or vertical lines.

Share and Store Photos

Finally, responsibly manage your photos after shooting:

- Organize into albums based on events, time periods, or people/subjects. Add titles, keywords, location data.

- Backup originals in cloud storage and external hard drive so images aren’t lost if your phone is damaged.

- Use photo book and printing services to create tangible photo products.

- Share with family and friends via messaging, email, social media, shared albums.

- Display your favorite photos as wall art, screensavers, photo books or personalized gifts.

- Sell your photography on stock image sites if people request licenses.

With some practice utilizing these smartphone photography tips, you’ll be able to capture stunning images that look professional. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for your style. The most important things are to know your camera, understand fundamentals like composition and lighting, and shoot intentionally for the desired mood and memory. Just point your smartphone camera in the right direction and start clicking!