How to get a “wow” photo with your smartphone

Why? I hear you cry, in horror!  Yes, I know;- what happens when you’re in the coal hole photographing your black cat in the middle of the night? – (or other similar scenario!) there are times when it just can’t be avoided and you have to go with it, but the thing with smartphone ‘flashes’, is that they aren’t like the ‘flash’ that you get on other digital cameras!  Smartphone ‘flashes’ are just glorified LED lights, which is a job they were not designed for. They are bright (blindingly so, in many cases) and the colour temperature can create an ugly colour ‘cast’, and most importantly, they miss one of the primary duties of a strobe: freezing the action. The actual ‘flash’ duration is much longer than what you get with a proper flashgun or similar strobe, so you end up with an image that’s both blurry and terribly lit. (see pub pic above!)

The other thing of course, is that it’s so close to the lens, that you are 90% guaranteed to get the dreaded demon-eye,

Smartphone photo showing demon eyes

which you then spend hours trying to correct either in post production, or using the service at the mini-lab!

Obviously there is the fabulous new Nokia technology (Pureview)  but you can only go so far with this smartphone technology in low light. Often, your best bet is to find another light source. It may not be perfect or even flattering, but it can be interesting. In a dark bar? Look for a neon sign or a bright juke box. At a concert? Wait until one of the wacky swinging stage lights makes its way over to your area. Photography is about creativity after all and one of our best challenges is finding clever and creative ways to deal with difficult light situations.

At the end of the day, though, getting a bad flash picture can be better than getting no picture at all if you just want to remember a moment.

It’s a simple one and easily done, but one that people overlook all the time! If you tend to keep your phone in your coat pocket, or handbag, remember that the dirt that lives there will be attracted to the glass of your camera lens.  I have doggy treats, empty chocolate bar wraps (these aren’t mine though!) dirty golf balls and a few other  unsavoury items in my pockets! They can all contribute to hazy, flat photos, and that will never be good, no matter how many retro filters you slap on them.

Bearing in mind all the bad treatment our phones get, (in pockets, on counter tops and so on,) lenses are now remarkably tough, its worth giving them a nice regular clean. If you wear glasses, then get into the habit of cleaning your phone camera lens every time you clean your specs! Its a great habit to get into. Otherwise give the lens a quick wipe with a soft cloth – or your T-shirt will do at a pinch, but try not to make a habit of it!  Once in a while, it’s worth the effort to get out the lens cleaning solution and really get into the corners. Your lens may not look dirty and you might not even notice it in your photos, but often a deep clean will make a huge difference.

One of the saddest things about photography these days, is that people don’t make prints any more, in the way that our parents used to. Having a digital image can often lessen its value, because it’s intangible, whereas a print that you might display on your wall or bookshelf is perceived as valuable because you’ve taken the trouble to make it! The other thing is, that if your phone is stolen and wiped by an unscrupulous thief, or dropped down the loo, and your photos aren’t backed up on the cloud, then they are gone forever. So many times, I have heard people say their precious new baby photos are all lost because this has happened to them. Printing your photos makes them tangible and really valuable and takes away some of the assumptions people often make when looking at photos online.
I have done it myself where I have been amazed by a phone photo.  Chances are, if the photo is good, you’ll get the whole “you took this with your phone?” reaction that you’re looking for. However, there are more and more online photo labs offering to make books and albums from your Instagram pics. (I have used Blurb and been really pleased with the results.) When you are looking at your Instagram feed, you might pause just a few seconds at any one picture, but when you look at a book or album, photos have more significance.

Don’t Forget The Rules Of Photography

So, back to my earlier point! The fact is, that having all the fantastic equipment in the world, won’t automatically make you the best photographer or make your image the best photo you’ve ever done. Having a good eye (which can be a learned skill, as well as one that you naturally have,) and observing the basic rules of photography is vital. The rules for taking a good picture don’t change when you switch between cameras. Just because your camera also makes calls, keeps your diary and plays your favourite tunes, doesn’t mean you should ignore everything you know about balanced composition and expressive lighting. If you need to keep the ‘rule of thirds’ or ‘golden ratio’ layover on your screen at all times to help remind you; then turn it on!

While the tips I’ve given here will help you optimise the strengths and play down the weaknesses of a smartphone camera, it’s ultimately your skill, knowledge, and eye that will  give your photos that magical “wow” factor. Happy smartphone photo taking!

Please feel free to leave any additional tips or ideas in the comment box below. (Or if you have any burning questions!!)  Thanks for reading!