How to Take the Best Photos With Your Android Phone
It’s that time of year again when you work overtime with your smartphone trying to keep up with all the memories of holiday parties, family gatherings and the pets you mess up in holiday clothes. If you work with any of the latest Android phones, including the Google Pixel 3 or Samsung Note9, then one of the best cameras on the market is already in your pocket.
But regardless of the quality of your high-end smartphone, simply pointing and shooting is not the way to capture unforgettable memories. The same rules apply to smartphone photography as to studio photography: a small set is important. Think a bit before pressing the shutter button, and use one or more of the following tips to keep your smartphone photos looking their best.
Don’t move
You’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating because it makes a huge difference: make sure the camera is still when you are taking a photo. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shot and walked to keep up with the band or something, only to later be disappointed with vague results. Your Android phone can quickly launch the camera app (double-press the power button on most to instantly launch it), but it cannot take a photo if you are not already capturing it. It’s always good to have a habit of checking what you’ve just photographed before moving on.
You don’t necessarily need a tripod for photography these days, although it certainly helps you get the best results. My favorite is Huawei’s dual-use tripod selfie stick . There are also smartphone camera mounts for a standard-sized tripod if you are already familiar with the camera. On the other hand, specialized products like the Joby GripTight One GP stand are great for group photography. Leaning your phone against a wall or other object is another trick when you’re stuck.
Don’t be afraid to use the app
Android apps are really powerful enough to handle RAW photo files created by DSLRs, so many of them will surely handle editing a photo taken on a smartphone. Free apps like Snapseed , Polarr, and Adobe Lightroom will appeal to artists and family photographers alike . For those who prefer the look of filtered photos, apps like VSCO offer over 100 millennium color styles, as well as A Color Story , which has some of the best filters to present to your Instagram audience. Both apps are free to use, although they offer in-app purchases to unlock some of the more popular aesthetic elements. If you don’t want to pay a lot to make your photos look aged, use KujiCam without apologies and make your digital photos look like they were taken in the next decade. If you’ve messed up the image and the moment has passed, try using an app such as TouchRetouch to remove the erroneous finger in the upper corner.
Don’t forget about the editing functions that your phone has. Google Photos is preloaded on almost every flagship Android device and offers quick editing tools, including multiple color photo filters, the ability to crop, and the ability to edit common elements like color tint and exposure. (Google Photos also offers automatic backups of your photos and videos, so be sure to take advantage of this so you don’t lose all of your precious memories the next time your smartphone drowns in the pool.) Samsung and LG’s respective gallery apps also offer easy editing options including the same spirit. If you’re feeling cocky, you might even like some of the digital stickers that come with the Samsung Galaxy and Note smartphones.
A little light goes a long way
I like the slightly stuffy lighting. A dozen candles and a few muted lights are a great way to show guests that you have a cozy home. However, this kind of lighting is terrible for photography, and while your phone manufacturer promised you some of the best low-light photography, cute gatherings are not the place to test that claim.
Feel free to add some light when the scene calls for it. You don’t need to buy anything extra; just remove the top from the nearest lamp or other equivalent and place it in front of your subjects, if you are the shooter, next to you. Also avoid overhead lighting. As much as the recessed lighting looked great live, it was not very pleasant on camera. (There’s a reason Mariah Carey wears sunglasses when she’s indoors, where there is often overhead light.) The same lamp-grab trick helps diffuse these kinds of lighting situations and makes everyone in the photo look radiant and alive. Your smartphone’s flash can do the same as a last resort, but don’t use it as your main light source as it can blur your party. Alternatively, you can use your friend’s smartphone flashlight as a kind of directional light, aiming it at the angle at which you want people’s faces to be lit. This can help create truly subtle lighting effects.
Use “night mode” if you have one
Are you one of the lucky ones to get the Pixel 3’s Night Sight update? Be sure to use it when the situation calls for it, such as in restaurants or dimly lit historic buildings. This feature is coming soon to older Pixel devices and is available in the default Android camera app from the same screen where you can switch between panorama mode and the like.
On Samsung and LG phones, a similar feature is hidden in the “Pro” or “Manual” modes. In this case, you will have to tweak your camera settings a little to get the photo you want. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to access this, as most manufacturers offer live previews so you can see what the result will look like after a little tweak. For best results, leave everything on Auto except shutter speed – this is where you will see the real difference in how much light the camera can capture. And of course, don’t forget to lean her against something during the shutter. open, otherwise you will get a blurry photo.
Use portrait mode like it’s the real deal
Portrait mode is one of those de facto standard features now included with every flagship smartphone. It’s similar to panorama mode, except you’ll probably use it more often because it gives your images a slightly hi-tech look. You also don’t need to use it to photograph people. It works just as well with animals, plants, or any other curious object.
My favorite thing to do with portrait mode, be it selfies or taking photos with cousins I haven’t seen in over a decade, is using it against a plain background. A blank wall is perfect for headshots, while a patterned wall adds a bit of finesse. I love the faux “studio look” of these photos, and you can get creative with the living room lamp trick. Done right, the result of your portrait mode may look as well-groomed and polished as if it was taken on school day of photos, and it may even be photos worthy of sticking onto a stack of holiday cards next year. …
Don’t litter, keep it clean, keep it clean
Finally – and this is indeed the most obvious tip on this list – remember to clean your camera lenses before shooting. At this point in the game, your smartphone is perfectly capable of capturing high-resolution pictures of people you love, but it doesn’t matter if the glass is stained with grease or other debris. Even if you have a case with a camera lid, wipe that part inside and out to keep your photos from spoiling.
If your smartphone is your only camera, you should always carry a microfiber cloth or a package of screen cleaning cloths with you. Buy them in bulk and put them everywhere: in every bag you use and in every car you drive. Pictures are worth a thousand words only if they are distinguishable, and if you’ve spent more than that on a new phone, then that should be frame-worthy photos.