Creative Smartphone Photography: Essential Tips

In today's world, smartphones are powerful cameras that allow you to take impressive photos. With the right tricks and tools, you can significantly improve your photographic skills. Here you will find valuable tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your smartphone camera.

Key Insights

• Using clip-on lenses can expand your photography possibilities.
• A remote shutter, such as the volume button on your smartphone or a headset, makes it easier to take photos in difficult lighting conditions.
• Creative angles, such as shooting through a door peephole or binoculars, can create exciting effects.
• Setting the exposure lock on your smartphone ensures consistent lighting in your images.

Using Clip-On Lenses

An essential tip for smartphone photographers is to use additional lenses. One example is the attachment from Oloclip, which I recommend. This attachment easily clips onto your smartphone, in this case, an iPhone, and allows you to switch the lens. With these lenses, you can not only engage in macro photography but also achieve wide-angle or fish-eye effects. By changing the lens, you are no longer dependent on the standard lens of your smartphone, expanding your creative freedom.

To try out the different settings, you can use the selfie camera. With the fish-eye lens, you get a wide angle and can capture many elements in the image. This accessory can help elevate your photography to a new level.

Using a Remote Shutter

Another helpful tip is to use a remote shutter. A simple way to secure the iPhone on a tripod is by using clip holders. This holder allows you to position the smartphone steadily while taking pictures. Additionally, you can use your smartphone's headphones as a remote shutter. Often, it is easier to start the shooting with the volume button on the headphones rather than tapping the screen yourself. This trick is especially useful when lighting conditions are tricky, and you want to avoid a shaky image.

Here, you should note that the function of the volume buttons can vary by device, but the idea remains the same: efficiently use the available shutter.

Creative Perspectives Through Objects

A surprising tip involves shooting through objects like binoculars or door peepholes. This technique creates unique perspectives and gives your images a special effect. For example, the lens of a pair of binoculars can serve as a telephoto lens for your smartphone camera. Simply hold your iPhone up to the lens, and the shots will look significantly more interesting and unique.

The same principle applies to the door peephole, although you may have to overcome some technical challenges. The effect may not work with every door peephole, as the thickness of the door plays a role. Just experiment with different objects to find out what works best for you.

Using Exposure Lock

An important aspect of photography is controlling exposure. On iPhones, you can lock the exposure by pressing and holding your finger on the touchscreen. This is particularly useful when you want the lighting to remain consistent over a specific point in the image. Typically, this is indicated by the AE Lock (Auto Exposure Lock), which appears at the top of the screen once the exposure values are fixed.

Another helpful tip is that you can adjust the brightness of the image once you have locked the exposure. Next to the AE Lock symbol, a small sun will appear that you can slide up or down to increase or decrease the brightness. This way, you can optimally adjust your images to the lighting conditions.

Summary – Smartphone Photography: Creative Tips for Unique Shots

In summary, with the right tips and tools, you can significantly expand the possibilities of your smartphone photography. Whether through different lenses, creative perspectives, or using the exposure lock – these techniques will help you create impressive photos. Embrace the creativity your smartphone offers and experiment with different approaches.