Mobile phones are getting better and better, so it is no surprise that the camera function is being used more and more. Most people only take photos with their smartphone or even their tablet anymore. After all, the smartphone is always with you, unlike a camera that might be larger and bulkier. Sometimes, however, it is annoying when the photos do not turn out as intended. Here we have collected a few tips so that you can also achieve beautiful shots with your mobile phone:
The best tips and tricks for taking great photos with your mobile phone
Ready to take photos
Often you want to photograph a situation very quickly. You shouldn't have to laboriously enter a code and select the camera icon. Almost every mobile phone has quick access to the camera, usually on the side edge. This allows beautiful snapshots to be captured quickly.
Steady hand
A steady hand is very important when taking photos, especially with a mobile phone. Blurry images are avoided by taking photos steadily with both hands. Perhaps even tuck both arms against your body so that there is more stability. A trick is also to inhale and only take the photo while exhaling. Some mobile phones also have a shutter button on the side; with this, a steadier release is possible than with the display shutter.
Avoid using the zoom
You should rather avoid the zoom function, as this pixelates the images and makes blurring more likely. With the digital zoom of the smartphone, only a section of the image is enlarged and therefore has less pixel density. Always move closer to the object or choose the image section and enlarge it later in post-processing. A good alternative for wanting to photograph smaller things perfectly is offered by the next point:
Microscope for smartphones
With the iCros microscope for smartphones allows you to take photos with 150x magnification. The microscope attachment is feather-light and very easy to install. iCros is simply slid onto the appropriate smartphone or tablet and the lens is aligned so that it lies exactly over the camera. Now movies or photos can be recorded of everything that is 5-7 mm away from the lens. It helps here to support the long edge of the device away from the camera on a surface and to determine the required distance by slightly tilting the mobile phone. I tried this out and took photos with this microscope:
Taking photos with flash
With smartphones, the mini-flash usually only helps at short distances to the subject. If that is the case, it also makes sense to use it in daylight. This way, shadows on the image that can sometimes be created by sunlight will disappear. In daylight, you have to set the flash manually.
Consider light and shadow
An old photographer's rule states: "Do not take photos against the sun, always have the sun at your back". This rule should always be followed. The mobile phone takes the best photos in daylight, especially in sunshine. If you still want to take photos against the sun, the image will be very underexposed. Try to focus on a point in the image by tapping on the smartphone, then hold the point and activate the AE/AF lock. This allows you to choose the section freely without the camera refocusing and even changing the exposure.
Not always just the center
Usually, you photograph the subject in the center of the image. In the long run, that can become a bit boring. It is considered particularly harmonious if the image is divided into thirds. So you should move the subject into one of the thirds every now and then. You can shift striking lines, such as the horizon, onto one of the dividing lines. This rule of thirds works in both landscape and portrait format. If you want, you can turn on a "grid" on your mobile phone as an aid.
Taking mobile phone photos outdoors
A very popular subject is sunsets, which, however, are sometimes only partially captured well with a mobile phone. It is even more difficult when a person is visible in the foreground. If the subject is close, i.e., about 2 to 3 meters away, it is best to use an LED flash. As an alternative, the HDR mode can be used; here, focus and tap on the subject of the photo with your finger. Landscape photos are also often taken in landscape format. One usually tries to capture everything. It can also be appealing to 'capture' only a specific object, such as a tree or an animal. Focus on this subject and the image has that certain "something". Anyone who wants to take photos from a window, such as from an airplane, should get as close to the window pane as possible to prevent reflections.
Taking photos with the mobile phone at night
Taking photos with the mobile phone in the dark is very problematic. For subjects that do not move, such as landscapes or similar, it is best to use a tripod, because pressing the shutter button causes the long exposure to blur. If you have one, you can also try it with a self-timer, but even then, night shots are usually not that nice.
Taking photos indoors with the mobile phone
Even in dark interiors, taking photos with the mobile phone is not ideal. At parties or clubs, a flash usually does not help, HDR is more likely to. However, it is difficult when the subjects move very quickly. Here, it is best to snap photos in rapid succession and hope that a few turn out well. If you have one, you can also use a burst mode here.
Image source iCros.ch
