5 photography tips to make your smartphone photos 'pop'

5 photography tips to make your smartphone photos 'pop'


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With pictures taken in record numbers, it's easy for photos to get lost in the crowd. Whether you like scenic shots of Utah, taking pictures of your kids or Instagramming your food, you want your photos to "pop" and get the attention they deserve.

Here are five tips to make your smartphone photos standout.

1. Set up your shot with a grid

Nearly every smartphone camera app has a built-in grid to help lay out photos. The grid has nine squares that split your view into thirds. You will be amazed at how quickly you can frame a previously troublesome shot. Giving photos symmetry will guide viewers' eyes to the place you want them.

If you're not sure how to apply the rule of thirds, iphonephotographyschool.com offers a crash course. When setting up, shoot from the correct level and angle. For example, if taking a picture of a toddler, squat to the child's level to see what the tot sees.

You will be amazed how much better the picture is than shooting from above. This also goes for nature shoots. Getting down low and shooting up will help you capture the majesty of nature, exposing you to angles and views you would miss by shooting while standing.

Sundance Mountain Resort. Photo credit: Lang Kim | To get the "foggy water" effect you'll need to slow down your shutter speed. There are apps in the app store for that.
Sundance Mountain Resort. Photo credit: Lang Kim | To get the "foggy water" effect you'll need to slow down your shutter speed. There are apps in the app store for that.

2. Turn off the flash

With advances in smart phone lenses, the days of relying on a flash for low light pictures are over. By turning off the flash, you get a natural look that will make photos stand out from the crowd. This is especially true with pictures of people. Your subjects' faces will look less washed out and more like they would in person.

Use available light to your advantage. For example, if shooting in a room with a window, keep the light at your back. When the flash is off, tap the screen on the part of the picture you want in focus. This will help the camera set the right exposure and let as much light into the lens as needed.

Antelope Canyon | Photo credit: Utah.com
Antelope Canyon | Photo credit: Utah.com

3. Hold your smartphone horizontal

Don't be one of those people that takes every picture with a smartphone held vertically. When your camera is vertical, you lose a massive amount of real estate, and pictures are difficult to print, resize or edit.

If you get in the habit of shooting horizontally, pictures will be easier to work with and more likely to lead to a perfect shot. The exception is when shooting in the 1x1 or square format, used by popular apps such as Instagram. In this case, vertical and horizontal shots come out the same.

Fall trees, American Fork Canyon | Photo credit: Kasey Crook
Fall trees, American Fork Canyon | Photo credit: Kasey Crook

4. Use burst mode

Burst mode on your camera is one of the least used tools at your fingertips. Whether at the skate park taking shots of kick flips, or a family reunion taking massive group shots, burst mode is your saving grace. It lets you take dozens of photos in seconds, so you can choose a single from the group.

This comes in handy when capturing a quick skating stunt or when Grandpa has his eyes closed. The speed of any sport or physical activity makes it difficult to time a photo, and burst mode essentially solves this problem.

Photo credit: Ray Boren | Apps like Tadaa SLR allow you to mask a subject and play with depth of field.
Photo credit: Ray Boren | Apps like Tadaa SLR allow you to mask a subject and play with depth of field.

5. Download a camera app

Using camera apps will help your photos pop. The default camera app on your phone may be great, but others for sale are phenomenal. A tricky effect to replicate on a smartphone is depth of field, where the subject is in focus while the rest of the photo is slightly blurred. One of the best apps for this is Tadaa SLR. Various apps add filters, fisheye effect, tilt shift effect and plenty of other options. Many of the best apps cost a few dollars and are well worth the cost to take pictures you will save forever.

Goblin Valley | Photo credit: Lisa DeRosa
Goblin Valley | Photo credit: Lisa DeRosa

Now go take pictures like you've never taken them before! If you snag a nice shot of the beautiful Utah landscape or stellar Utah recreation, follow and tag @utahdotcom on Instagram.

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