Mobile Photography Tips and Tricks Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Travel Tech 460 460 people found this article helpful

Mobile Photography Tips and Tricks

Snap amazing pictures on the go

By Brad Puet Brad Puet Writer Washington State University. Brad Puet has written for the Huffington Post and other outlets about music and photography. His commercial photography has appeared in the Washington Post, VICE, and Slate. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 14, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography Mobile photography is on the rise as camera technology improves with each new model. Want to learn how to take great pictures on your phone? You'll be a pro in no time following these 10 tips. 01 of 10

It' s All About the Light

Artur Debat / Getty Images It's true. It's all about the light. That's what helps make a good image a great image. Check out the shadows that the sun makes on subjects. Notice the reflective light off buildings. Practice during the 'golden hour,' the period shortly after sunrise or just before sunset. Watch how the light from a window falls inside a room at different moments. A smartphone is not the greatest in low-light situations. It's best to capitalize on lighting conditions under which your device best functions. 02 of 10

Avoid the Zoom

Brad Puet Do not ever use the zoom on your smartphone. Zooming in could be the first mistake made when taking a picture. Often the images come out grainy or hazy. Instead, move closer to the object so that you don't have to rely on the camera. This is mainly due to the size of the lens. If you had a larger lens, the quality of the zoomed image would be clearer. 03 of 10

Stabilize Your Shots

Ekely / Getty Images Camera shake when taking pictures is a factor on all cameras. The key to fixing this is to practice how you hold your phone. Hold it horizontal at all times instead of vertical to get a wider image. Try burst mode when snapping pictures of moving objects. Know what you will use for the shutter (the button assigned, a software shutter button, a timer, or the volume on your headphones). The idea is to get to a place where you take clear images with no camera shake. Use a tripod for stability. This frees you up to focus on better pictures. 04 of 10

Mix Up Your Angles

Brad Puet Change your perspective on things. Trying different angles gets you a better shot, and it shows how you see the subject. So get down on the ground, climb to a high vantage point, or move to the side to change your point of view. Try as many angles on your subject as possible. 05 of 10

Try Some Apps

Danielle Tunstall / Getty Images Mobile photography is awesome because of the thousands of apps that are dedicated to the camera on smartphones. These apps are helpful in editing your work. While you can't correct problems like bad lighting, you can improve other details to make a subject look acne-free, sharpen specific aspects of an image, or add text or other effects over the photo. Find your favorite photo app, learn to use it well, and you can take your already awesome image to the next level. 06 of 10

Keep It Clean

Sinan Saglam / Getty Images Clean the glass on the camera lens. Much like when you have a dirty windshield, cleaning it can give you a sharper view and improve results. A shot with a clean lens will always be better than a shot through a greasy thumbprint. 07 of 10

Experiment With the Flash

Shutterbug75 / Pixabay Even though your phone camera doesn't have as powerful of a flash as a digital camera, you can still get some interesting results by using it. The flash can help emphasize shade, make colors brighter, and add other interesting effects. Experiment by taking one photo without, then one with the flash. Make notes and compare the differences. 08 of 10

Quality and Quantity

Brad Puet Don't be afraid to take another shot. Snap away at anything and everything that suits your fancy. The more photos you shoot, the more comfortable you will get and the more you will determine the direction you'd like to take your mobile photography. The only thing holding you back is how much storage is on your phone and how long your battery can last. 09 of 10

Use Reflections for More Interesting Shots

Brad Puet Mirrors, glasses, puddles and bodies of water, and smooth and shiny surfaces make for good reflections. Push yourself to look for reflective surfaces and place your subjects at angles or in direct comparison to the reflection. Even simple shades of light can make amazing reflections. 10 of 10

Have Fun

Brad Puet This is the last and really the only rule that you should stick to. If you don't listen to anything given here, "Have Fun" is the one rule that you have to promise yourself that you will use when getting into mobile photography. Join in photo walks with other photographers and communities in your area. It's always fun when you do it alongside others who are learning and enjoying the art. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Have Success With Crowd Photography Shoot Long Exposure Pictures on an iPhone Using Slow Shutter Cam How to Use the iPhone Camera How to Use the Motorola Camera App How to Use Google Pixel Night Sight How to Avoid Camera Flash Problems How to Take a Selfie on iPhone What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It Mobile Photography: Light Trails Tutorial The 8 Best Wi-Fi Cameras of 2022 DSLR Autofocus vs. Manual Focus Camera Terminology for DSLR Camera Lenses The 6 Best Canon Cameras of 2022 Tips for DSLR Close-Up Photography Snow Photography Tips: Improve Winter Photography What Is a Point and Shoot Camera? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies