Before smartphones were introduced into the world, getting a fantastic picture required a lot of effort. You would need to spend a significant amount of time learning the skills to utilize a high-end camera and editing software on your desktop computer. But nowadays, thanks to smartphone photography, we can shoot high-quality images without using too many bells and whistles.

Using your smartphone camera is a wonderful way to capture the day-to-day wonders of life, be it a visit from family and friends, or even a beautiful bird you see on your morning walk around Seasons communities! The photos are then easily accessible on your smartphone, so you can look back and reminisce anytime you like.

In this blog, we go through some easy tips and tricks that you can use to capture the memories that matter using your smartphone!

Tip 1: Hold your smartphone with two hands 

Using your smartphone with two hands is the best way to ensure that you capture a fantastic photo each time. The steadier you are able to keep your phone, the less likelihood for blurry photos or accidentally out-of-focus elements. Smartphone cameras are getting better at image stabilization, but you don’t want to rely on that technology. Instead, ensure that your camera is stable before you take the shot!

Tip 2: Use gridlines to balance your shot 

You might be familiar with the ‘rule of thirds’ that’s known in the photography world. While there are no set rules for anything, adhering to this rule by using your smartphone makes for beautiful images.

The ‘rule of thirds’ is a composition type in which a photo is divided evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. According to the rule, by positioning key elements along the gridlines, you’ll end up with better compositions. With your smartphone, there is a setting that helps you turn on a faint grid over your camera. This helps you visualise the rule of thirds to create a more balanced and level photo.

Here’s how you can turn on this setting:

• iPhone: Go to “Settings,” choose “Photos & Camera,” and switch “Grid” on.
• Samsung Galaxy: Launch the camera app, go to “Settings,” scroll down and switch the “grid lines” option to “on.”

Tip 3: Try not to zoom 

Smartphone cameras have something called digital zoom, which is distinct from a regular camera lens. Since the camera is “digital,” it actually “zooms in” on the image itself rather than the subject you are photographing. When you do this, you end up with an image that’s less clear and less sharp. Instead of using zoom, try your best to come closer if you want to get a shot with a smartphone camera. If you’re unable to achieve that, consider taking a variety of images. You will find that there’s always another way that you can capture something with smartphone photography!

Tip 4: Avoid using flash at night 

This one might sound counterintuitive, but it’s been tried and tested. Most modern smartphone models use Night mode to shoot well-lit photos taken at night without using the flash. The flashes on smartphone cameras often produce harsh results that look far different from the scene you are experiencing. So we recommend not to use the flash feature at night unless you are trying to capture a particular object, such as a  sign, receipt, or something else specific.

But that doesn’t mean that the flash feature doesn’t come in handy sometimes. In fact, there are certain times when using the flash makes for better photos. For example, you can turn it on when you’re taking outdoor portraits and you’d like to fill in the shadows, or when you’re shooting against bright backgrounds.

Tip 5: Invest in accessories to help you take better photos 

There are so many accessories out there that can help you capture the memories that matter most! Using a selfie stick is a wonderful way to take nicely framed self-portrait pictures and videos. The stick lets you hold the phone far enough away so as to capture a flattering shot of yourself and your surroundings. This is also great to make sure everyone you love is included in the photo!

Another great accessory is a tripod for your smartphone. If you find that your videos look quite shaky or that your photos are often blurry, it might be because the phone is not stabilized when capturing moments. With a tripod, all you need to do is set up the shot by attaching your phone to the accessory, and then take the picture – it’s as easy as that!

Using smartphone photography to capture the memories that matter can be quite simple. These are just some tips you can follow to take great pictures with your smartphone, but the most important thing is to have fun with it! Be present and capture the moments that bring you joy so you can look back on them and reminisce with a smile.