How to take quality photos on your smartphone

We often have our phone with us and its most convenient to use as a camera, rather than lugging around a large camera all the time. 

Here are a few tips for using your phone as a camera to take some sweet shots. 

You don’t have to use the stock camera app

Your phone probably comes with a stock camera application, although these applications often have many features, it might be worth looking around the app store to see what other camera applications are available and may have more advanced features that you could use to your advantage.

On IOS I have used both Camera+ and ProCam apps which allow you to set things like IOS, aperture and white balance and allow more control over the type of photo you’ll end up with. 

Use grid lines

Many stock camera apps and third party applications allow you to turn on grid lines. This can be really helpful for the rule of thirds and making sure that your photo is straight, which I have definitely had issues with in the past! 

Clean your camera

Your phone is often in your pocket or bag. Before you start taking photos remember to give your phone’s camera lens a clean to make sure you don’t end up with dust or dirt featuring in your photos!

Use the volume button

Many smartphones allow you to take photos by pressing a physical button such as the volume button on your phone, rather than a button on the screen. This is a simple but helpful tip as it helps to keep your phone more stable using both your hands to hold the phone.

Don’t use the zoom 

To get the best possible photo, don’t use the zoom on your phone camera. It’s digital zoom and it will degrade the quality of your photo, if possible get closer to the subject of your photo rather than zooming in.

Don't use flash

There's not really any need to use your phone's flash, not ever. The flash on phones is often very close to the camera lens and can just create burry photos rather than a nice sharp photo. If it's dark, use or find another source of light, in the long run you’ll end up with a better quality photo.