Simple Phone Photography Tips: Capturing Autumn
I wanted to share some tips on how anyone with a smart phone can get those cozy, “perfect” shots this season. Some of the BEST photographers in the business will tell you “The best camera is the one with you” - even if that is your phone. You do not have to have expensive gear to get amazing shots.
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Capture great Fall and Halloween photos with your smartphone using these easy tips:
Clean Your Lens: Make sure your phone's camera lens is clean to avoid smudges and blurry photos. There are few things more annoying than going to post the perfect shots and realizing they all have fingerprints across them.
Use HDR Mode: High Dynamic Range (HDR) can help balance exposure and capture more detail in high-contrast scenes like bright fall foliage against a dark background. I don’t use HDR often, but it helps make nature “pop”. Trust me though: A little goes a long way when it comes to HDR. (Don’t get me started.)
Tap to Focus: Tap on your phone's screen to set the focus on your subject. This ensures your subject is sharp and well-defined. Make it a habit to do this always going forward. Simple, yet makes all the difference.;
Gridlines: Enable the gridlines on your camera app to help you with composition. Use the rule of thirds for more balanced shots. Not everything has to be perfectly centered. Don’t forget to allow open spaced in case you want to add text to your shot.
Stable Shooting: Keep your phone steady by using both hands or propping it against a stable surface. You can also use a mini tripod for stability. This will save you so much frustration. Also, I can’t tell you how many times my phone has fallen from me trying to prop it up on something.
Portrait Mode: Use your phone's portrait mode for a blurred background, making your subject stand out. Some phones work better on this than others. Just pay attention to what is in focus vs what is blurred before you take that shot.
Natural Light: Use natural light to your advantage. Shoot during the golden hours, or find spots with soft, diffused lighting. I cannot stress this one enough. Even if you walk away from this post remembering just one thing - make it this one. NATURAL LIGHT.
Edit with Apps: Enhance your photos with apps like Snapseed, VSCO, or Lightroom Mobile. Adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance. You can also do some fantastic editing in Instagram. Some editing apps are awful. You do not need to pay for good edits, especially in an app that slaps their logo across YOUR image.
Experiment with Filters: Many camera apps have built-in filters. Experiment with them to give your photos a different mood or style. What looks good with filters is subjective. Some like over-saturated orange tones while others believe a white dress should still look white in photos. Play around with them and pick the ones that YOU love.
Capture Details: Get close-up shots of leaves, textures, or intricate Halloween decorations for interesting, detailed images. I will tell you now, some of my most favorite images I have ever taken are the very up close detailed shots. The bloom of the flower vs the entire bouquet, for example. Eyelashes, vs the entire person. Don’t be shy - bring it in!
Panoramas: Capture the beautiful fall landscape with panorama mode for wide, sweeping shots.
Self-Timer and Tripod: If you want to be in your own photos, use the self-timer and a tripod to set up your phone. Some tripods can be used also as selfie-stick and fold down small enough to fit into a purse. Check out this all-in-one tripod with remote.
Quickly Access Camera: Set up shortcuts to access your camera quickly, so you don't miss a great shot. If you are not sure about this, look up how to do it on your phone type.
Be Patient: Sometimes, the right moment takes time to arrive. Be patient and wait for the perfect opportunity. Seriously, take your time.
Avoid Digital Zoom: Instead of using digital zoom, physically move closer to your subject. Digital zoom can reduce photo quality. OK - next to the “Use natural light” tip - this, to me, is the second most important. STOP ZOOMING IN!! Once you get the photo you want, crop it in instead.
Reflective Surfaces: Use puddles or reflective surfaces to capture interesting reflections of fall foliage or Halloween decorations.. I can’t even use the words “puddles” and “photography” without giving a shoutout to Purely Salem. Those puddle shots make me fall in love with Salem, Massachusetts over and over and over.
Shoot in Burst Mode: For action shots, use burst mode to take multiple photos in quick succession, increasing your chances of getting the perfect shot. This is especially helpful if you have little ones.
Silhouettes: Use the phone's exposure control to create dramatic silhouettes against the sunset or other light sources. Once you get this down, you can make so much magic.
Explore Photo Modes: Explore your phone's camera app to discover various shooting modes like night mode, time-lapse, or slow-motion for creative shots.
Share and Enjoy: Share your photos on social media, with friends and family, and enjoy the memories you've captured. Find your signature style and go wild!!
If this is helpful for you, tag me in your Instagram pics and let me know. Find me HERE.
