You Took That with Your Phone?! | by Kristen Ryan
Have you ever been captivated by a photo, only to discover it was taken with a mobile phone? What is it that distinguishes a good mobile phone photo from a bad one? How can we seamlessly integrate our mobile photos with our DSLR photos to create a unified portfolio? What tools can we use to produce the best images with a limited camera? How can you elicit the reaction, "You took that with your phone?!" Let's explore five ways to enhance your mobile photography and create images that you're eager to share, inspiring you to push the boundaries of what your phone can do.
Light
As with any camera you use, light should play a significant role in how you set up your photograph. Mobile phones have a much smaller sensor for capturing light; this means you need to be very aware of what it can and can't capture well. For example, low light tends to be an issue for many mobile phones. Consider exploring slow-shutter apps where you can have more control over your shutter speed. Contrast can help create depth within your scene, so try finding those pockets of light with deep shadows to help add depth and dimension to your scene. Explore all types of lighting to see what your phone can handle and where it struggles; this will guide you on what images you can capture best and allow you to create those photos that astonish people to know the photo was taken with your phone.
Composition
Mobile phones are renowned for their overall photo sharpness. To create a powerful photograph with your phone, you need a clear subject and a vision to guide your viewer's gaze through your scene. Craft a compelling composition that directs your viewer's attention and guides them into and out of your photo or holds them to your subject. Use elements that narrate a story and reinforce the identity of your subject. Revisit the basics of composition techniques and keep them in mind when capturing mobile photos. Understanding these principles will make you feel more informed and in control of your photography.
Third-Party Camera Apps
Empower yourself with more control over your settings by using outside camera apps such as Moment or the Lightroom app camera. These apps allow you to adjust your ISO, Shutter Speed, and white balance. They even offer focus peaking to provide you with a visual layout of where your focus will land, allowing you to adjust it accordingly. Then there are apps like Slow Shutter that give you much greater control over your settings to create long exposure photos for night skies, light trails, or motion blur images. One of the first things we typically learn when taking up photography is how to use manual mode and the exposure triangle to have complete control over what we are capturing and the light we are using. You should use that same thought process with your phone photos.
Unlock the Creative Potential of Your Phone
What is fantastic about your phone is that you have a lot of creative techniques built right into one little device. Flash, wide-angle, slow-shutter, macro, and the innovative perspectives of having a smaller camera size are only a few options built right into your camera, ready for you to use. Use these to your advantage with this system. These options can give your photos a level up in how you use perception and a unique viewpoint for your viewer that you may not be able to do with your large camera. Tape your phone to the ceiling for a birds-eye view. Set your camera in the dirt to get a bugs-eye viewpoint. Use a long shutter to give energy to a night-time city drive. This little camera has great potential, so don't forget to utilize it for what it has. Just remember your light; that will be your Achilles heel if not used correctly. The sensor is one of the smallest out there; keep that in mind while capturing any of your photographs.
Get Creative in Post-Processing
Don't be afraid to get creative in post-processing. Experiment with your phone photos just as you would with any camera. Remember, you won't have a file as large as you would with a larger-sensor camera. However, it doesn't mean you can't still get creative with what you have. When editing, you may have to be less heavy-handed; since the files are smaller, a little goes a long way. Your standard preset may not look the same on your phone photos at full opacity; however, try lowering the opacity to halfway or less to get that similar look. In Photoshop, layer photos together, composite images, or use overlays on your pictures to make eye-catching photographs. Don't be afraid to edit these mobile photos like your mirrorless or DSLR ones. You may need to adjust it accordingly to fit the file size and color range. The more you experiment with what it can do, the more creative you can get.
Your mobile phone doesn't need to replace your primary camera, but how awesome to know that you can utilize it for all its potential when that's all you have with you. Or perhaps it would be nice only to have a camera you can stick in your pocket and not worry about while you travel about for the day. No matter what, as photographers, it's great to push our creative limits with new tools that we haven't yet mastered. It is a great way to expand your creativity and think a little differently than we do with our large system cameras. But like anything new or that you don't use often, you must be patient with yourself. Keep at it, and use your phone for a week or two so that you can settle into seeing through its lens.
