11 Mobile Photography Tips to Get Your Photos to Sizzle Like a Pro

These days are gone when we would separately carry a camera around for taking pictures. Today our mobile phones do the job just as well – if not better!

Yet why is it that only some of us manage to take memorable pictures with our mobile phones while a lot of us do not? The answer lies in smart use of our mobile phones towards ensuring the finest possible mobile photography.

Below we share 11 timeless yet simple mobile photography tips.

Once you start implementing them into your photography, there will simply be no looking back in the quality of your pictures!

1. Experiment with the Flash

A basic step which a lot of aspirant photographers fail to take is experimenting with the flash.

Remember that pictures invariably come out differently, with or without flash. In some cases, the differences can be stark.

Therefore, our tip across several unique situations would be to experiment with the flash, taking multiple photos with and without flash, to have a varying array of results in front of you.

2. Maximize Natural Light Usage

Sure, it may not always be possible, but as often as it is, use natural light.

Over time, you will notice that pictures come out best in natural light, as opposed to artificial sources, be it from your phone flash or other indoor lighting.

3. Ensure Your Phone Lens is Clean

This might come across as considerably basic, but you will be amazed by the number of pictures that come across smudged, simply because the phone lens was not clean.

The trick here is to get habituated to regularly cleaning your phone, especially before taking memorable shots.

4. Minimise Using the Zoom Feature

So, your mobile phone boasts of incredible zoom on its camera? Unfortunately, you will find even the best mobile phones rendering rather grainy output when the zoom feature on them is used.

Therefore, our recommendation would always be to minimize using the zoom feature. In case you are sure of the results on your handset, you can keep experimenting till shots come out really well, even in zoom.

5. Avoid Your Subjects Being Backlit

This is a mobile photography tip which effectively holds good for all situations, including for regular cameras. 

Remember that when you backlit your subjects, there is simply too much detail that is lost altogether. The end result will be photos with simply no visual appeal. So, avoid!

6. Use the Burst Feature for Capturing Objects in Motion

The burst feature (available on most contemporary mobile phones) takes a series of snaps in quick succession. The outcome will be an entire array of shots from which you can choose the best ones. 

Moreover, using the right set of tools, you can create animations, videos, presentations, etc. using these pictures shot in burst mode.

7. Do Not Hesitate to Use External Apps and Filters

In mobile photography, as with all photography in general, it is the results that matter. 

Some may claim that photography is entirely about your talent in pulling off stunning pictures without any external help, but that is a belief which we do not subscribe to – neither do we recommend such a belief.

In the previous section, we alluded towards using tools to maximize the results of pictures taken in burst mode. Similarly, you can use a plethora of tools such as specialized apps, filters, etc. to visibly enhance the quality of your output.

Remember that there is absolutely no harm (or loss of pride) in doing so!

8. Taking Multiple Shots

Another basic tip is to frequently take multiple shots, especially in situations where you may not be able to replicate the same photos again. An apt example would be places you are visiting which you may not visit again in the distant future.

In all such situations (especially!), take multiple shots, even if other factors such as the subject, lighting, etc. remain constant. You will be amazed (and relieved!) at the variety available to you – from which you can choose the best ones to share with the world!

This point is particularly relevant in case of mobile photography where your only limitations are memory space and battery level available to you. So, do not hesitate to click away!

9. Use Reflections

Reflections have a unique way of adding magic to photos. You might have seen this image of the Lempuyang Temple in Bali, with the “Gateway of Heaven” and Mount Agung in the background?

The reflection that you see in the photo is in fact an illusion as confirmed here; there’s no actual water body present at the location. Instead, it is the staff there which takes pictures using a small mirror below their lens to create a reflective façade.

The key learning here is the difference that reflections make to photos – the same image above would have a significantly lesser impact without the reflection.

Concurrently, we can go back to point (7) above; “image manipulation” of this kind is completely acceptable. Herein you are not even using any external app, just a simple trick!

10. Ensure Stability in Your Photos

Another basic tip towards top notch mobile photography results is to ensure stability while taking photos.

We particularly mention this because quite a few of us suffer from the “shaky hands syndrome” – and no we are not talking about folks afflicted with Parkinson’s unfortunately!

Rather, it is an inordinate tendency which a lot of us have, to simply be unable to take pictures stably. The solution lies in rigorous practice; with time you will get that much needed stability in your hands. Alongside, consider using a tripod, especially for professional shoots.

11. Experiment & Have Fun!

Our final mobile photography tip would really be to remain open to experimentation on multiple fronts – be it lighting, the subject’s pose, reflections, camera mode, etc. etc.

The more you experiment, higher the likelihood of getting great results overall. Remember that while the objective is certainly to come up with fascinating and memorable pictures, it is also to have fun in the process!