10 Tips to be a Better Mobile Photographer

One of the misconceptions about travel photography is that you need a big, expensive camera to take great photographs. Luckily, small and compact mobile devices have actually come a long way in picture-taking capabilities and it has given way for a new trend in mobile photography. In fact, more travellers are trading in their hefty DSLRs and opting for lightweight smartphones instead.

At the May event, Toronto Travel Massive community member Seattle Dredge from Seattle’s Travels gave an intimate presentation on how to be a better mobile photographer and use smartphones to capture that perfect shot.

Seattle is no stranger to the world of travel photography. She has been featured in AFAR Magazine, and listed in both Mashable and Huffington Post as one of the Top Mobile Photographers to follow on Instagram. Most recently, Seattle was profiled in Flight Centre’s Behind the Lens series.

Here are Seattle’s top 10 tips for being a better mobile photographer and taking great shots with your smartphone.

1. Hold your phone like a camera with both hands.

The extra stability will keep the camera from shaking and give you more control over your shots.

2. Photograph first, edit later.

Use the original camera app installed on your phone for taking all images then take the time later to edit using different apps.

3. Use the maximum resolution.

Different phones allow for low, medium and high resolutions. Most apps default to the smallest resolution settings, and therefore lower quality images. Set these apps to the highest resolution in your Settings mode. If you have the HDR option in your camera, turn it on.

4. Shoot in Landscape.

Imagine your camera screen as the viewfinder on your DSLR camera. There will often be more happening to the left and right, rather than above or below.

5. Turn the grid on. Apply the rule-of-thirds. 

Seeing the straight lines of the grid will help you to keep images levelled and straight. When snapping photos, think of each box numbered 1-9 (left to right) on your screen. Keep your main subject within the odd numbers 1, 3, 7, and 9. Match the lines with the horizon.

6. Keep your lens clean.

This may seem like an obvious one but you’re more likely to clean your phone’s screen than your camera lens. Assume that the same finger prints you see on your screen will be on your lens. Clean it often.

7. Don’t use zoom.

Using the zoom will give you incredibly grainy photos. Instead, snap the photo in full width then crop it later. Alternatively, there are inexpensive lens you can buy such as a micro or macro lens that simply attach to your smartphone and help you take closer shots.

8. Avoid flash.

Natural lighting always beats artificial lighting. Flash can create weird tones, red eye and over-exposures.

9. Avoid direct sunlight.

Sun flares from behind can be beautiful, but camera phones don’t have the right technology to handle it without heavy over-exposure and grain. Direct sun on the subject can wash it out and obscure colours. Use HDR in high contrast lighting so you can get good colour and light for all areas of your photos.

10. Shoot everyday.

You can master your mobile photography skills when you practise often. Take photos daily, edit, use different apps, try new techniques.

Jessica Lee has been a member of Toronto Travel Massive since 2014. She is a world traveller, photojournalist, and blogger over at The Adventures of Jessica Lee. You can also follow her on Instagram.