5 Tips for Better Cell Phone Pictures

We all have smart phones, right? And we all use them to take the majority of our pictures. Even I do! I’m not just a photographer, I’m also a busy mom, wife, friend, etc, and my phone is always on me somewhere.

We are not always going to take awesome pictures, but when you’re in the mood to intentionally take a better picture, here are a few tips and tricks that will produce a MUCH better image for you – even if all you’re shooting with is your cell phone.
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Five Tips and Tricks for Better Phone Pictures:

• Set your focal point on the eyes.  Most cell phone cameras allow you to set your focal point. Some do this with the tap of a finger, others have to be set manually. But when you have the option to set the focal point, set it for the eyes of your subject. Don’t just aim at the face, but got a step further and make sure the eyes are tack sharp. This is where the viewer’s eyes naturally fall. No one will notice or care if the neck is soft focus. The eyes have it, folks! (see what I did there?)

set your focal point to the eyes

• For indoor shots, face a window.  The best light is natural light, and that can be hard to come by indoors. If you’re taking pictures of people, have them facing a window – it is a beautiful source of diffused light and is flattering to everyone. Taking a selfie? Trust me on this one… go stand by the window, facing the window.  Let it light your face and watch how much more flawless your skin appears, how much brighter the eyes… Even indoor group pictures – have the whole group turn toward the window.

face a window

• Level the Horizon. We all just aim and snap, right?  Take a moment to make sure your camera is level.  Most phones even allow you to lay a grid over the viewfinder.  Do that! Then line up the grid line with the horizon.  Tilted horizons are only artsy if you mean them to be, and they better be a good 45 degrees or more if that’s the intent. For all other images – go pro! Keep the horizon level.

level the horizon

• Keep out the clutter. Take a moment to think about what you’re shooting… your subject. Now look at what is behind your subject… power lines? A parked car? Trash on the sidewalk? Pay attention to what is in the background – sometimes it’s not what IS in the image that makes it awesome, but what you’re able to keep out of the image.

keep out the clutter

• When possible, don’t zoom.  Want to watch your image get grainy? Want a bit of blur? Use your zoom. But if you want a sharp, crisp image, then use your feet to get closer to your subject, and not your zoom lens.  Especially a cell phone camera zoom – it’s a surefire way to get a noisy, blurry image.

don't zoom

There you have it – a few things to focus on that will improve your image!  Let me know what you think!  Even better, practice those few things and share some of your images! Don’t be shy… I LOVE seeing pictures. Post away!

Questions? Email me at [email protected]
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(Shout out to my kids, who are the subjects of MOST of my images)