Six Tips for Better Camera Phone Photos
This entry was posted on Jan 08 2008
Try thinking about the camera phone as a “real” camera and you’ll soon find that there’s much more to it than convenience. With a little experimenting, you can learn to work around the limitations of a camera phone and start producing high-quality photos. Here’s six tips to get you started:
1) Know the size of the capture area
The screen on a camera phone may not display all of what will end up in the final photo. There may be menu bars, clocks or other phone utilities blocking the full view. Take a few photos and see what you come up with, then experiment by shooting things that are presumably in the hidden area. You will soon realize the true edge of the viewfinder, which will lead to better photos.
2) Use the brightness adjustment for a better exposure
Play with the brightness adjustment on your camera phone to achieve different lighting levels, even if the image looks good as it is. This is an easy way to capture silhouettes or artistic overexposures.
3) Move the camera!
Although we are taught to hold still when shooting photos. moving the camera can produce some exciting images. Try moving your camera phone while shooting some bright lights or hold the camera still and shoot images of moving vehicles at night. The results will surprise you.
4) Shoot with the highest resolution and lowest compression available
Higher resolution allows you to save the image in a larger format with more data. More data means better photo quality. Lower compression may use more space, but it will retain much more data in the image. Using these settings will produce higher-quality photos.
5) Know how close you can get
Experiment with how close you can get to an object without losing focus. An arm length is a good rule of thumb, but the distance varies. Once you learn this, the process of composing a shot will be quicker and easier.
6) Treat your camera phone as if it were a top-quality dSLR
Just because it’s a camera phone doesn’t mean you can’t take quality photos. Think of your camera phone as if it were a professional dSLR. Get this in you head and you’ll see that a little attitude adjustment does wonders for image quality. Remember, it’s not the camera that takes pictures – it’s the person behind the camera that takes them.
Apply these six tips the next time you break out the camera phone and you’re bound to see instant results. Happy shooting!
Photo credit: Alexander Fediachov via Dreamstime.com
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” Treat your camera phone as if it were a top-quality dSLR” –> I love this one.
I also treat my camera phone as a “real” camera…. not yet as an SLR.
Thanks for tip… I’m now working on it
And you’re welcome for the award. You really are one of my top photography idols
shiera’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #2: Someone got really pissed
*blush*
I use the camera on my phone on occasion, I never really refer to my phone as a camera phone though,
Why is there always a white boarder around my images that I take with my “camera phone” ?
Debo Hobo’s last blog post..Will Travelers Stay Closer to Home in 2008
It’s probably the preview on the phone. The image doesn’t naturally fit the phone display, so it fills in the sides with white. Is it like this when you view them on a computer? Send a good one my way with a write-up and I’ll post it!
Really great practical posting. -And I love the lay-out; your site works so well!
HeatherD (”Footsteps”)’s last blog post..“In-Town Tourist”: Highbanks Metro Park
your camera photos are awesome. I really have enjoyed popping by.
jon’s last blog post..Gratuitous Blog Title
yeah folks, if get #6 in YOU head… it’s a piece of cakes
Great tips Pete! I wasn’t sure about which resolution was best. I’m always concerned about space but I forget I can delete them later. I guess I’m camera shy in taking pics and using up space.
I shouldn’t be cause my camera phone has a 4GB memory card, lol. In regards to moving the camera, my phone kinda does that on it’s one. You really have to have a steady hand with my camera. It’s an AT&T Tilt.
Maybe it’s just me. I need less caffeine, lol
Rolando’s last blog post..The Dangers of Blogging – Relationships
Cool! I’m glad I found this site… I _just_ started a photo project for cameraphone photos… Best photo wins $100 at Amazon.
Shawn’s last blog post..Get out (and photograph) the vote!
i gotta start putting those tips into use!
morinn’s last blog post..How NOT to be me, in some easy lessons
Thanks for the tips. I always treat in like a great SLR cause right now it is the only camera I have. Come sit by my campfire anytime. Rick
Rick’s last blog post..La Vida es dificil……..
Thanx for the great tips!! Lets hope I can take some great shots now