Photography: Five steps to better cell phone pictures
Not all images require a professional photographer, many an image we seek to capture is a snapshot of time. Cell phone photos can wow your friends and family – though it often takes a little more creativity.
How can you make cell phone pictures great? There are quite a few ways actually, far beyond the generic ‘filters’ that can be applied.
Tip One: Composition will always be key whether you are a true blue photographer or just capturing your special moments with your phone or point and shoot camera. A compelling image always has an interesting composition – rule or thirds is commonly used by photographers but a direct centered image is typical of common snap shots.
Tip Two: Crop instead of zooming in on your images – especially when using a cell phone to take the image. Cropping preserves more image integrity than zooming does which if you pay careful enough attention to your device when zooming you can see the degradation live on screen.
Tip Three: Edit your photos vs. applying a filter. Filters are great, do not get me wrong. I even use them when sharing a quick image on Instagram, but editing can enhance an image far more than a filter ever will.
Tip Four: Creative Lighting, aka, ditching the flash. Flash on a cell phone tends to blow the lighting, over expose, and cause ‘demon’ eyes. Mostly, it just isn’t flattering for anyone. There are a variety of ways to take cute images that are wowing without using artificial light from a flash. Using the lights from a christmas tree, or a low lit lamp, or even the glow of a computer screen, anything can add light without subtracting from a cool image.
BUT, sometimes to get that must-have shot you have to use flash and that’s ok – but remember, editing can be more effective than hiding with a filter!
Tip Five: Be creative but don’t over do things. Sun flares are incredibly awesome, look cool, and can make an image compelling, but having a sun flare in every image you share can bore your family and friends. Trends are great but don’t be afraid to make your own trends or break them!
Remember, photography is about preserving a memory and a moment. It isn’t exact and doesn’t have to perfectly reflect how your eyes see it. A feeling, emotion, or a moment of utter beauty can make a perfect image even if it is abstract, a landscape, or someone staring into space lost in their own thoughts. Evoke response, look for a moment, and of course, be present.
Happy shooting!
If you’re interested in hiring Tiffany, please visit her website: www.exposureonestudios.com
