Mobile Photography 101

If you’re old enough to have travelled even 20 or 25 years ago, you likely did so with a really great 35 mm film camera, countless rolls of film, enough batteries to sustain your various journeys, and maybe even a few disposable cameras added into the carry-on backpack just in case. Even wilder, you didn’t think twice about it.

Ten years ago it was all about having the right digital camera, with each new model boasting more and more megapixels and other enhanced features to bring your photos to life. You likely went shopping for what seemed like an astonishingly large SD card, or maybe even a few of them, so that you would not have to sacrifice a single shot.

Today, unless you’re a camera enthusiast who’s all about quality, you’re likely shooting every last picture and video that you need on your smartphone. Most models have built-in cameras equivalent to (or sometimes better than) those digital cameras we once prized, and often with larger storage capabilities. Smartphones also let you send photos to friends and family instantly, or store them to the cloud for immediate protection. 

At a first glance your phone may not seem like as sophisticated a camera as your old handheld was. Yet when you do a deep dive into the features, you’ll discover that smartphone cameras are helpful for so much more than just facetime.

Here are a few tips to help ensure that those smartphone pictures turn out just right (or as close to it as possible!):

First, clean your lens!

Remember those family vacations you took as a kid where Dad accidentally left the lens cap on during your trip to the Grand Canyon? While smartphones don’t have lens caps, the modern day equivalent is a filthy lens. 

Give your lens and screen a quick wipedown, ideally with a microfibre cloth or even some clean clothing. Just like the rest of our phones, our lenses built up a nice coating of grease, pocket lint, makeup, sunscreen, food residue, etc. A quick wipe down can be a game changer for your image quality.

Use grid lines

Professional photographers use grid lines to help ensure that their photos are centred correctly. Instead of just assuming, they’ll check to ensure that everything is where they want it to be in the frame to make it a more interesting shot.

Grid lines can be turned on easily from your camera’s settings and they’re worth playing around with. If you’re taking a straight-on photo of someone else, try having them move slightly out of centre towards where the grid lines intersect. The end result can be a more interesting photo than just something everyday.

Practice your focus

Everyone has a relative who was notorious for taking photos out of focus. The end result is a selection of family albums where everyone appears blurry, like you’d all just come off of a rocking cruise ship together and were still finding your footing back on land.

Smartphones have alleviated a lot of that problem by being fairly impressive with autofocus, but they can be better still. Your phone will likely recognize if you’re taking a photo of people head-on, but if it’s a cityscape then that may be less obvious. Instead, tap your screen to indicate an area of focus so that the camera can adjust to give you the clarity that you deserve.

Don’t flash everyone! 

Much like those shaky photos from that one relative, there was inevitably another that ALWAYS left the flash on. Everyone in their photos had a Satanic level of red eye, and most faces were just washed out completely. There are times to use a flash, and there are times not to use a flash.

The automatic flash mode on smartphones is decent, but not perfect. If you’re shooting at a dark concert, or trying to shoot something through glass, make sure that flash stays off. If you’re drowning in light then consider cupping your hand above the top edge of the phone like a little sun shield. Front and rear flashes can be helpful in some conditions, but know when and where they don’t work. 

Play with the different modes

A true photography enthusiast with a film or digital camera is usually travelling with multiple lenses and other tools that allow them advanced capabilities for different shooting scenarios. However smartphones have improved in quality, and many of the modes allow even the most amateur photographers to take some impressive shots.

If you’re trying to shoot a sporting event, your phone might have a sports mode that allows for multiple quick photos with a single click. Shooting at night? Check out night mode where the camera can automatically adjust to dark lighting. Your phone might even offer a food mode in case you just can’t dig in without showing off on the ‘gram first. 

Final Thoughts

These are just some basic tips, but the more avid smartphone enthusiasts can start playing with a fancy tripod, additional software, editing apps, added lighting and even lens attachments! There are also digital and even film cameras still in production for those who are looking to take things to the next level.

If you really want the job done right though, don’t hesitate to call a professional. At North Brothers we have the tools to match both our vision and yours, and we’re never too far away. Send us a note to let us know what you’re looking for and we’re happy to chat about how we can help.