The iPhone (or whatever smart phone you may have) could possibly be the best camera you own. I know that may seem crazy, especially if you own a much nicer camera. However, the main difference between some large DSLR camera and your iPhone that gives it the distinct advantage is that you are more likely to have your iPhone with you all the time. The best camera is the camera you have with you at a moment’s notice.
Since you likely always have that smart phone camera with you, let’s talk about some things that you can do to improve your iPhone (or other smart phone) pictures.
Hold Your Phone Steadily While Taking Pictures
Just because an iPhone is light and you can hold it with one hand while taking a picture doesn’t mean that you should. Of course, if we’re talking about a selfie while showing off your new haircut on Instagram, you’re probably stuck using just one hand. However, in general, you’re going to be more likely to get a better picture when you are holding the phone steadily, which will mean keeping both hands on the phone.
If you’re using the on-screen circle button as a shutter, this can be difficult. Another option is to avoid needing to use that button is to make sure that one of the hands that you’re holding the phone with is near the volume buttons. When in camera mode, your volume buttons also act as a shutter button.
Accept that the iPhone is Not Meant to Take Pictures Far Away
The iPhone really does best taking pictures of things that are closer to you. If it’s a once in a lifetime picture or something you really need and have no other way of getting, go ahead and use the magnification box on the screen to zoom in. Otherwise, see if you can move to get the same shot and avoid doing that.
Pictures taken while using that magnification tool aren’t going to be as crisp as ones without. If you use it a lot and have noticed that your pictures have noise (what looks like there is an overlay of a TV “snow pattern” effect on them), that’s why. Try to avoid using it when you’re able and accept that your iPhone just takes better pictures closer than farther away.
Look for Unique Angles
This is a good tip for any picture taking, but especially with smart phones. I think that because we’re used to using them near our face or at chest-height while texting or using apps, we can forgot to try different angles out. Try to get to your subject’s level. Or, perhaps even crouch down and look up. Look for a unique angle or setting. Not every picture should be taking from above, looking down.
Experiment as Much as Possible
Keep your phone safe, but take time to experiment and take lots of pictures. It’s easy to delete pictures, so why not use that to your advantage and really practice your skills by experimentation and repetition.
Just make sure to keep your best photos, and keep your picture gallery manageable by clearing out the less than stellar ones.
Read More Tips about Photography, Smart Phones, and Instagram with a Free eBook
Another way to improve is to check out the free 51-page eBook called 20 Tips to Improve Your Instagram Photos.
This free eBook includes sections on the following topics:
- How to Improve Your iPhone Pictures
- How to Correctly Share Photos on Instagram
- Simplifying Your Instagram Photos for Great Impact
- Beyond Selfies
- Capturing Life’s Candid Moments
- Instagram Safety Tips for Photographs of Children
- Rule of Thirds
- How to Take Silhouette Photographs
- 4 Steps to Improving Your Food Photography on Instagram
- Tips to Capture Nature on Instagram
- Tips to Improve Your Garden Photography for Instagram
- Love the Life You Love & Live the Life You Share
- How to Host an Instagram “Something-a-Long”
- How to Be in the Moment with #Latergram
- How to Use Hashtags to build Instagram Communities
- How to Rock Videos on Instagram
- Top 10 Photography Apps for iPhone & Android
- How to Move Photos from your PC or Camera to Instagram
- How to Scrapbook Your Instagram
- How to Print Your Instagram Photographs
Due to the deal I have with the other authors of the eBook, I’m only able to offer it as a free download to my email subscribers.
So, if you would like to pick up the free 20 Tips to Improve Your Instagram Photos eBook, just fill out your name and email address in the form here and you’ll receive a link to download the eBook via email. (You will also be subscribed to our weekly newsletter, but you can unsubscribe at any time.)
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What are some of the things you do to make sure you are getting better quality pictures from your smart phone?
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Good afternoon, I would like the free download of the 20 tips to improve your instagram photos, but I am unable to. Can you please help me with the link?
I would really appreciate it!!
Rita Flores
Rita –
As it says in the post, the eBook is just free for email subscribers. If you are already an email subscriber, you can find the link at the bottom of the emails. If not, you can join the email list here and then you’ll get a link: http://www.reallifeathome.com/subscribe/
I am a subscriber, I get your daily e-mails…. :(…..Thanks anyway.
Never mind, I figured it out!! Thank you.
I’m glad that you were able to find the link in the email! 🙂