Take better photos with your smartphone!
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You’re here to learn how to take better photos with your smartphone. Welcome to this introduction to Smartphone Photography, start taking better photos today! I’m excited to help you enhance your photography skills using just your smartphone. This blog is designed to cover an overview of mobile photography, from composition to editing, and everything in between. For an in-depth look into mobile photography, you can sign up for my workshop being released September 2023 - email me HERE to be first to get the digital download when it goes live in my online store!
This blogs serves as a snapshot of what you can expect from my comprehensive course, there’s some big takeaways for you and if you do not want to take my course, you can literally just use these tips in this blog to get started taking better smartphone photos today!
As an experienced photo/video professional - my expert guidance will leave you happier with the images you capture with that powerful photo tool you carry around everyday! Let’s take a dive into taking better photos with your smartphone today!
1: Getting Started Using Your Smartphone for Photography
Understanding the capabilities of smartphone cameras - these are incredible tools and you have them on you pretty much everywhere you go. Knowing how they work is key, so spending some time on Google, Youtube for your specific smartphone is a great place to start. If you have an iPhone - my experience is vast with it, besides one android fling, IOS has been my daily driver for years. So, drop me a note if you have any specific questions and we can look more into it.
There’s a few major takeaways that I will share that you can implement immediately - Like knowing how to adjust your exposure on the fly (tap the photo for the slider, and slide it down), switching between focal lengths and how that affects the look of your image (bottom of the camera, the settings it will allow you to drag and adjust focal length), knowing how to quickly go between photo and video (toggle options at the bottom of the camera app), and knowing the basics of how frame rates affect the look of your videos.
If your camera has a different setting for portraits, all of these and more are important things to know about your smartphone camera and will help you understand how to use it effectively!
Having a third party app will allow you to take it further, something like a free app like Snapseed, or a paid app like Lightroom are fantastic photo editing apps to enhance the details of your photos!
2: Composition and Lighting Techniques
This is important for any type of photography, whether it be a smartphone or DSLR/Mirrorless camera. Improve your composition and lighting, you’ll have better images overall. Composition is the biggest factor to improving the quality of your photos. Photography composition refers to the arrangement and organization of visual elements within a photograph to create a visually pleasing and impactful image. In my course, I will do a deep dive on composition and lighting but here’s a few fundamental principles and techniques with composition:
Rule of Thirds: Divide your image into a 3x3 grid using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Position key elements along these lines or at their intersections, known as "power points." This creates balance and interest in the composition.
Leading Lines: Use natural or man-made lines (e.g., roads, rivers, fences, etc.) to guide the viewer's eye toward the main subject or points of interest within the frame. Leading lines can add depth and dimension to your image.
Symmetry and Balance: Symmetrical compositions can be visually appealing, where elements on one side of the frame mirror those on the other. However, asymmetrical balance can also create dynamic and engaging compositions.
Foreground, Middleground, Background: Divide your image into these three sections and ensure you have elements of interest in each area. This adds depth and dimension to your photograph.
Here’s a few more:
Framing
Depth of Field
3: Point of View and Perspective - This will set you apart from 90% of the smartphone photographers out there. Look for different angle, and try to challenge yourself to not take the ‘same ‘ol shot’. Change your shooting angle or perspective to create unique and captivating compositions. This might involve shooting from high above, down low, or even from a unique vantage point. For me, the best is turning over your smartphone to get that lens as close to the ground as you can, if you have some leading lines, or a reflection - it’s GOLDEN. Here’s some other techniques that you can incorporate into your shots. Remember that all photos don’t have to have each of them but building your skillset you will identify where/when these techniques should be applied.
Symmetry and Patterns: Look for symmetry or repetitive patterns in your surroundings to create visually interesting and harmonious compositions.
Minimalism: Sometimes, less is more. Simplify your composition by focusing on a single subject or a small group of subjects, eliminating distractions.
Golden Ratio: Similar to the rule of thirds, the golden ratio is another compositional guideline that involves dividing the frame into sections based on a mathematical ratio (approximately 1.618). Positioning your subject along these lines can create aesthetically pleasing compositions.
Color and Contrast: Use color contrasts, such as complementary colors, to draw attention to your subject. Also, contrast in lighting (light and shadow) can add drama and depth to your composition.
Filling the Frame: Get close to your subject and fill the frame with it. This can create intimacy and emphasize details.
Background Awareness: Pay attention to what's in the background of your shot. A cluttered or distracting background can take away from your main subject.
Rule Breaking: While these guidelines can be incredibly helpful, don't be afraid to experiment and break the rules to create your own unique style and compositions.
Remember, photography composition is a skill that improves with practice and experimentation. As you become more familiar with these principles, you'll develop a better understanding of how to create compelling and visually pleasing photographs. The more you intentionally practice with your phone, the better your images will become over time - repetition is key here. I feel like there’s a ‘Karate Kid’ reference that would be ideal for this situation!
Learning composition principles for captivating photos.
Utilizing natural light to your advantage.
Experimenting with artificial lighting and shadows.
Part 4: Mastering Portrait Photography
Capturing stunning portraits with your smartphone.
Using portrait mode and other built-in features effectively.
Editing portraits for professional results.
Part 5: Nailing Landscape and Nature Photography
Capturing breathtaking landscapes with your smartphone.
Utilizing HDR mode and panoramas for wide scenes.
Adding drama to nature shots through editing.
Part 6: Creative Techniques and Editing
Exploring advanced smartphone photography techniques.
Using third-party camera apps with manual controls.
Editing and post-processing your photos for a polished look.
Part 7: Showcasing Your Work and Going Beyond
Building an impressive photography portfolio.
Sharing your smartphone photos on social media platforms.
Going beyond smartphone photography: accessories and more.
Why choose my course?
Expert Guidance: Learn from a skilled instructor passionate about mobile photography.
Flexibility: Study at your own pace and access course materials anytime.
Hands-On Assignments: Practice your skills with real-world assignments and receive feedback.
Community: Engage with other photography enthusiasts through our online forum.
Lifetime Access: Once enrolled, you'll have lifetime access to the course materials and updates.
One-on-one coaching - get the most from your investment by connect with me to go over specific needs you have for smartphone photography.
Go now and and Unleash Your Smartphone's Potential! The main thing you need to do is have more intention when you take photos. Take a moment to consider what you’ve learned and when to apply it. If you need that extra little bit of push, whether you're a beginner or an experienced camera photographer looking to master smartphone photography, this course is tailor made for you - turning your smartphone into a powerful creative tool! Got questions or just want to share up your smartphone photos, drop me a message on Instagram @sparkcreativeco.