Whether looking to take photos of people, events, or products for a small business there tend to be two different schools of thought regarding the use of Smartphones as a camera. The majority of us have seen the comments on various Websites calling for everybody to use a digital SLR camera and lenses but superior results can be obtained using a Smartphone as a camera. D. Scott Carruthers explains how to take the best photos with your cellphone.
Choosing the right phone
The starting point for any photoshoot is to make sure the equipment being used is the correct quality and capable of completing the job it was chosen for. Modern Smartphones have at least eight megapixels of resolution and a range of features which may or may not be important to the photographer; at least eight megapixels are required to create high-quality photos which can be viewed via a screen or printed for a physical print.
Avoid the zoom features
Many Smartphone manufacturers make a feature of the ability to zoom to a high rate but individuals should avoid using this feature on a regular basis as a loss of resolution can be a major problem. Instead of using the zoom feature included on most cameras it is a better idea to take a photo before using editing software to crop the image and reduce the loss of resolution seen when the zoom is used. A large amount of information and focus can be lost when the zoom is used resulting in the pixelated look seen on many images which provides a blocky look to the images.
Accessories are important
Many Smartphone users believe it is as simple as pointing and shooting to get the best image using the camera included on a phone but a little planning can aid any photographer in getting the best image. Investing in a few simple accessories can make all the difference in taking a photo to be proud of including a small tripod providing stability for any photographer looking to create the highest-quality image available. A tripod helps eliminate the issue of camera shake and can be purchased for a low price to create a better quality image on a regular basis.
Use built-in features
Framing a shot is something many first-time photographers struggle with and can leave them frustrated with the images they create. Taking a look at the cookbook and Website of D. Scott Caruthers offers a glimpse into how shots should be framed. D. Scott Carithers is a respected food critic and writer who has a long history in the restaurant industry to call on for his recipes. Most Smartphones have a built-in framing feature including a grid which can be called up and used to line up an image with the position where the lines intersect the perfect spot for framing an image.
Download an editing app
The use of Instagram filters has become a major problem for many Smartphone photographers who are looking for the best way of improving the images they take. A high-quality editing app offers a better option than filters which do not provide the same level of control seen in the majority of editing apps.
Avoid the flash
One of the major problems many Smartphone camera users become annoyed with is the bleaching out of skin created by the brightness of the flash found on most phones. There are many problems with the use of flash including the strobe effect found on most cameras which can result in a blue hue to the skin of most people; a better option is to find a source of natural light and have the subject facing this direction.
Consider setting and background
When taking a photo with a Smartphone many people focus solely on the subject and fail to consider the background of their image which will be a major talking point when the image is viewed on a larger screen. Choosing a setting which looks professional and does not distract from the subject is always an important aspect of taking a high-quality image.
Play with lighting effects
It has become a major trend of recent years to create images with a large amount of lens flare across them which can result in an artistic looking image or one where no details are visible. Moving the source of light to the edge of the lens will result in a flare spreading across the image which can be made larger or smaller with added movement, playing with this natural feature can add that he feel of an image.
Autofocus should be used with caution
The subject of an image may not always be in the foreground of an image and remain blurred when a Smartphone user allows autofocus to remain in play. Focusing on an image by pressing the screen over the position of the subject will alter the focal point and allow the depth of field to be altered for a higher quality image.
Print images regularly
Holding a physical print of an image is one of the best feelings when a high-quality image has been produced using a Smartphone. Printing images means they will not be lost or removed from a phone when storage space is low or a phone is damaged or broken.
There are many options for taking a Smartphone image to rival images produced with a digital SLR camera. The development of lenses and accessories for Smartphones has seen the options increased for creating high-quality images in a way that makes the use of SLR cameras almost obsolete.
