Pro Photographer Secrets Simple Tricks for Capturing Stunning Photos on Your Smartphone

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The beach. Its basically the #1 travel destination in the world. No matter where you come from or what season of the year you are travelling, chances are the beach is on the list. Some even choose a particular destination because it has a beautiful beach.

However, it is not only travelers who are mesmerized by beaches. Today, more and more photographers are becoming drawn to the relaxing adventure that a beach offers.

A beach is like a sanctuary; an escape from the hustle and bustle of life. For some, it is where they can be themselves without worrying about what others will say about them. The beach is like the world swimming before your eyes with all the people from different parts of the world gathered in one big paradise.

These are just some of the reasons why the beach makes for a good photography subject. The other reason, of course, is that looking at photos of beaches can be extremely relaxing. A lot of photographers, however, take beach photos because they know the images they capture can help audiences worldwide want to go to that particular place.

Tips and Tricks for Taking Beach Photos

As an enthusiast photographer, you should know how to take photos of different beaches. These photos are supposed to entice people to visit them. They should not only give an idea of what a beach looks like but what makes it different from others as well.

Here are some tips you need to keep in mind when taking beach photos.

1. Before shooting, look for good focal points

Some people say beach photos all look the same because they usually show people swimming or sunbathing. Some photos simply show the photographers point of view while looking out to the sea. But if you look around and allow your creative juices to flow, youll find more than enough interesting scenes to shoot.

Look for good focal points that can draw in the interest and curiosity of your audience. For example, instead of just showing a photo of sunbathers, why not take a shot of footprints in the sand or a person picking up shells? This will not only present a unique view of the beach, it will also give your audience valuable details like how fine and white the sand is in that particular destination.

However, it is also important to show the beach in its entirety and from various angles. A good example is the hero image. This is the shot that gives the viewer an overview of the beach. It is usually a wide-angle view that shows the key elements of the beach. It is more detailed than a landscape shot.

The main focus of the hero image is the beach and the beach alone. If there are people, they should be limited to a minimum number and should not be the main focus. And the shot should show what type of terrain, sand, and water the beach has.

Another example is a shot that shows human element in other words, an image that shows a traveler or group of people interacting and communing with their surroundings. This should show real scenes, not ones that are staged.

Even if youve added a human element to your shot, though, it is still essential to show the beach in its full context. The purpose of human element images is to inspire people to visit the place. Two good examples would be a couple walking by the shore at sunset and people sunbathing.

You also need to take photos that show activities people can relate with. These are called experiential shots. These are images that somewhat narrate what one can do on the beach. Some examples: friends playing volleyball, a family putting sunblock on each others backs, a couple riding a kayak, a little boy flying a kite, and someone on a jet ski.

2. Include an observational image or two

An observational photo is something that shows the traveler what a beach has to offer, particularly in terms of amenities. This is also where you show images that provide viewers or travelers more details that make the beach different from all the others.

Before taking observational shots, ask yourself first what you as a viewer or audience would want to see. What are the amenities that come with the beach? Is the sand fine and white? Does the sand sparkle like diamonds? Is the water cool and crystal clear? Are there daybeds and umbrellas for sunbathing? Where is it best to view the sunset? The purpose of this photo is to help set peoples expectations properly.

3. Shoot during the golden hour

If you want a magical yellow-orange/gold-tinted effect for your beach photo, shoot during the golden hour. You can choose to shoot minutes after sunrise or one hour before sunset to get the best effect. The soft, warm light projected by the golden hour is easier to work with, especially when your other option is the midday sun. Its the best time to shoot if you want images that are soft and warm.

4. Shutter speed is important

Creating different effects will add a lot of aesthetic and technical interest to your photos. For example, you can adjust your shutter speed higher if you want to capture the waves and make them appear as if they are frozen. This is what you normally see in photos that show waves splashing on big rocks.

5. Switch on your flash or use anything that bounces / reflects light

If you want to eliminate shadows on the faces of your human subjects (especially when theyre wearing hats and glasses), use your flash or force yourself to use the flash as you are shooting. This will make your subject well-exposed so the shadows are eliminated and youll get the effect you want.

The best time to use this technique is when you are shooting into the sun. Experiment with several shots first before taking the final one to know which effect is best for you.

If you dont have a flash, you can use a white cloth, a reflector, or anything that bounces off light coming from the sun. If you want to create silhouettes, however, turn off your flash and shoot into the sun (although this can be a bit tricky).

6. Use filters

Use UV and polarizing filters. The UV ones can help correct unwanted bluish tinge while also filtering ultraviolet (UV) light. Polarizing filters, on the other hand, help improve contrasts, reduce reflections, and allow you to get the effect you want for blue skies (they can become bluer and richer; more alive).

Taking photos of the beach is an adventure and experience you would not want to miss. So, if you are given the opportunity, grab and make it the best. You can prepare by going to the beaches in your area and taking all the photos you want. Enjoy!

Phone Photography 101: How to Take Good Pictures With Your Mobile Device

Before the days of smartphones if you can remember such a time taking a great photo was a labor-intensive process. Now, its easy to learn how to take good photos with your phone no fancy cameras or desktop editing software required.

Brands are catching on, too these kinds of visuals remain important to marketing. But make no mistake: Taking a stunning photo on your smartphone isnt as simple as pointing and shooting. There are plenty of bad smartphone photos out there I'm sure you've seen at least a few.

What's the secret to taking great pictures with your smartphone, then? As it turns out, there are a few of them. Check out these tips below to improve your smartphone photography game. (And once you have the photo-taking part down, check out some of the best photo editing apps for mobile.)

How to Take Good Photos With Your Phone: 11 Tips & Tricks

1. Practice.
2. Get to know your camera.
3. Learn how to use light.
4. Compose each photograph.
5. Focus on one subject at a time.
6. Set your camera's focus.
7. Hold your phone still.
8. Experiment with exposure.
9. Use photo accessories.
10. Don't be afraid to edit.
11. Ask for feedback.

1. Practice.

Photography is a way of seeing, and showing how you see the world around you. Smartphone photography is popular too. On average, people around the globe take over a trillion photos each year and according to research, 92% of these photographs are taken with smartphones. But you can make your photos unique all it takes is practice.

Take as many photos as you can.

Your phone is probably with you most of the time. This means that you can take great photographs anywhere and any time. So, instead of taking just one photo of a subject youre interested in, take 10, 20, or even 30 photographs. Then, spend some time looking at your pictures to see which ones you like best, and why.

Find different perspectives.

Taking photos from a unique, unexpected angle can make them more memorable it tends to create an illusion of depth or height with the subjects. It also makes the image stand out, since most people taking photos on mobile photos are shooting images either straight-on or from above.

Try taking a photo from a slight distance and playing with the sky as negative space, like in the first photo below. Or, you can try taking it at a slight downward angle.

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Pro Tip: If you take a photo and find the perspective is a little askew or tilted, use the SKRWT photo editing app to make the lines look clean and square.

Take candids.

Posed photos can be great for the sake of memories happy moments with friends, family, or the occasional run-in with a celebrity. But sometimes, candid shots of people doing things, or people with people, can be far more interesting.

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That's because candid photos are better able to effectively capture the emotion and essence of a moment. One of the best ways to capture this kind of shot is to just take as many photos as possible. You'll have more to choose from, and the best photos often happen when the "stars align," so to speak, in a single moment everyone's eyes are open, one person is tilting their head just so, and you finally got a shot of your chronically closed-lip friend smiling with his teeth.

If you want to take more photographs and arent sure where to start, check out this list of Instagram post ideas for inspiration.

2. Get to know your camera.

It can be tough to take good photos on a phone if you dont know exactly how it works. So, take the time to explore the different camera modes and settings on your phone. Get familiar with functions like adjusting focus and exposure. Many phones have automatic white balance, so you may need an extra app to get the features youd get on a digital camera like a DSLR.

Use a modern phone with a good camera.

Invest in a phone that offers excellent camera capabilities. Think about resolution and low-light performance too. Brands add new technologies to smartphone cameras constantly, such as built-in telephoto and ultrawide lenses. So, if youre looking for specific features you may want to do some research before buying. You can also use older phone technologies to create interesting images with a vintage feel.

That said, if you are hoping to achieve high-quality images that meet the standards of your favorite Instagram photographers, a newer smartphone is more likely to bring you those results.

Use HDR mode.

High dynamic range or HDR, is a camera app feature that helps balance the light and dark elements in a high-contrast photo. You can use it to give photos a more creative, or artsy vibe, but its commonly used to produce an image that looks more like how you see your subject with your eyes.

Often with smartphone cameras, its hard to get the perfect exposure for light and dark areas. You could be taking a photo of someone in a shaded area outside against a bright background or in a room with low light against a bright wall. Setting the exposure to the background could underexpose the person being photographed. Conversely, setting the exposure to the subject could result in an overexposed background.

HDR prevents this by retaining both the details in darker areas and shadows and bright areas. The iPhone takes photos in HDR by default. For Android phones, you may need to adjust HDR settings manually.

Try portrait mode.

Using the portrait mode feature on your phone will create a shallow depth of field effect. This adds blur to the background and makes your subject stand out. You can also adjust the exposure for your unique shot or experiment with light settings in portrait mode. Test out different lighting conditions and distances to get the desired effect in your photos.

Clean your phone's lens.

A smartphone camera might be more convenient to carry around than a full-fledged photojournalist's camera, but it comes at the cost of protection.

Your phone is usually in your pocket or your bag when you're out of the house. All the while, the device's camera lens is collecting all kinds of dust and lint. Be sure to clean this lens with a soft handkerchief before taking a photo. You might not be able to tell just how dirty the lens was until you start editing your picture, and making sure the lens is clear before taking a shot can keep you from missing great shots.

3. Learn how to use light.

Understanding how to use light effectively is crucial for capturing captivating photos. The way you use light can completely transform any photograph.

So, to improve your phone photography, figure out how to harness light. Try using the golden hour in the morning or evening for warm and soft lighting or create dramatic shadows with a harsh spotlight. And, remember to adjust the exposure to make the most of the light you have.

Use natural light.

Natural light isnt just for landscape photography. Take advantage of any sources of natural light you can find, even after dark. This gives you a chance to play with shadows or create a silhouette with other ambient sources of light, like windows or surrounding buildings.

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You may also want to try backlight, where your main light source is behind your subject instead of in front of it.

Once you've taken the photo, you might want to play with the exposure tool in your favorite photo editing app to see if you can make the image slightly brighter, without making it too grainy.

Play with reflections.

There's something so idyllic about seeing the sky reflected in a body of water. There's a reason why we love seeing that our eyes are drawn to reflections. So look for opportunities to play with them in photos.

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There are plenty of out-of-the-box places to find reflections puddles, large bodies of water, mirrors, sunglasses, drinking glasses, and metallic surfaces are just a few.

If you use flash, only do so during the day.

It's hard to find a great smartphone photo taken with a flash. Unless you use the flash expertly, it can make a photo look overexposed, negatively alter colors, and make human subjects look washed out.

Sometimes, using your camera's flash can improve a photo but rarely does it do so at night. Because dark shots reveal a much sharper contrast against your phone's flash, it can make any flash look invasive and uneven.

But in already well-lit spaces, a flash can help to soften some dark shadows behind or beneath your main subject.

When framing your next shot, look on the ground or against vertical surfaces for any dark shadows you might want to remove. If you see any, flip on the flash manually in your camera app. Setting your phone's camera flash to "auto" won't guarantee that your phone will notice the shadows you want to get rid of. Just remember to turn the flash off again when you're done.

Consider the importance of flash for enhancing or hiding certain lines and features the next time you're shooting product photography.

4. Compose each photograph.

Composition in photographs is key. From Annie Leibovitz to Richard Avedon, the most famous photographers use careful arrangement of the picture plane to create powerful photographic images.

But you dont have to be an expert to create unique and beautiful photographs. You just need to find a way of composing images thats your own.

Use gridlines to balance your shot.

One of the easiest and best ways to improve your mobile photos is to turn on the camera's gridlines. That superimposes a series of lines on the screen of your smartphone's camera based on the "rule of thirds" a photographic composition principle that breaks an image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, so you have nine parts in total.

According to this theory, if you place points of interest in these intersections or along the lines, your photo will be more balanced and level, and allow viewers to interact with it more naturally.

To switch the grid on:

• iPhone: Go to "Settings," choose "Camera," and switch "Grid" on.
• Samsung Galaxy: Launch the camera app, go to "Settings," scroll down and switch the "gridlines" option to "on."
• Google Pixel: Launch the Camera app, then tap the down arrow. Go to "More Settings," then "Grid type." Finally, choose the type of grid you want.

Use leading lines.

In some photos, there's a line that draws the viewer's eye toward a certain part of the frame. Those are called leading lines. They can be straight or curvilinear think staircases, building facades, train tracks, roads, or even a path through the woods.

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Leading lines are great for creating a sense of depth in an image, and can make your photo look purposefully designed even if you just happened to come upon a really cool shape by accident.

Look for symmetry.

Symmetry can be defined as "a vague sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance." And pictures that contain symmetry can be incredibly pleasing to the eye it's also one of the simplest and most compelling ways to compose a photo.

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In photography, symmetry usually means an image has two equal parts that are mirror images of each other. That's a bit different from reflections you can find symmetry "in the wild," like the photo above, or you can set up your photo for symmetry, as photographer Andoni Beristain did below.

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And remember use gridlines to line everything up in a way thats pleasing to the eye.

5. Focus on one subject at a time.

Composition is a huge part of what makes a photo great, but so is the photo's subject. Many of the best photos include just one interesting subject, like in portrait photography. So when taking a picture of a single subject, spend some extra time setting up the shot.

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Some professional photographers say that the subject shouldn't fill the entire frame, and that two-thirds of the photo should be negative space that helps the subject stand out even more. But be sure you tap the screen of your smartphone to focus the camera on your subject. This will help make sure that your image is in focus and has optimal lighting.

Pro Tip: Once you've taken your photo, you can use filters and apps to make the subject even more vivid, or to crop it to frame the subject correctly. You can also adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of the photo all from your phone.

Play around with color blocking.

Color blocking can help to highlight the elements of a photo that you want to stand out, like a plant or something else with a bold hue. It achieves a similar goal as negative space, in that it can help a single subject stand out but with color blocking, the photo's other elements stay intact for a cohesive image.

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Pro tip: Isn't it cool when an entire photo is black and white, except for a single object? It turns out that yes, indeed, there are apps for that. One of our favorites is Color Splash an app that automatically converts a picture to grayscale and lets you fill in the parts you want to colorize.

Create abstracts.

Abstract photos can capture the essence of an object, or a series of them, without revealing the entire subject as a whole. In other words, they serve the purpose of creating unique, surprising images from ordinary subjects.

You can accomplish this by cropping an abstract portion of an otherwise normal photo, or by taking close-up shots of objects that leave the viewer wondering in admiration, of course what the subject might be. And subjects with patterns or repetition are great candidates for abstract photography, like in the photo of umbrellas below.

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Make 'em laugh.

Speaking of evoking emotion, sometimes the most memorable photos are the ones that make us giggle. The image below of a woman submerged in pink balloons is funny because it's unexpected and there's a part of us that wants to join her, too. If you can make your audience laugh, they're likely to enjoy your photo.

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6. Set your camera's focus.

Today's phone cameras automatically focus on the foreground of your frame, but not every picture you take on your phone has an obvious subject. To adjust where you want your camera lens to focus, open your camera app and tap the screen where you want to sharpen the view.

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If you're taking a photo of something in motion, for example, it can be difficult for your camera to follow this subject and refocus as needed. Tap the screen to correct your phone camera's focus just before snapping the picture to ensure the moving subject has as much focus as possible. A square or circular icon should then appear on your camera screen, shifting the focus of your shot to all of the content inside that icon.

Avoid zooming in.

When you take a photo from a distance, it's tempting to zoom in on something specific you're trying to capture. But it's actually better not to zoom in doing so can make the photo appear grainy, blurry, or pixelated.

Instead, try to get closer to your subject unless it's a wild animal, in which case we would advise keeping your distance or take the photo from a default distance, and crop it later on. That way, you won't compromise quality, and it's easier to play around or optimize a larger image.

Keep an eye out for repetitive patterns.

Repetitive patterns are pleasing to the eye they appear whenever strong graphic elements repeat over and over again, like lines, geometric shapes, forms, and colors. These patterns can make a strong visual impact, and photographing something like a beautiful, tiled floor can be enough to create a striking image. Other times, it's more fun to keep an eye out for where they appear naturally or unintentionally, like in the photo below.

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7. Hold your phone still.

While smartphones have given us the benefit of taking pictures on the go, the cameras on our phones are still sensitive to movement. To help avoid blurry or warped photos, steady your camera first.

You can lean on a friend or wall to prevent your arms or hands from wobbling, or prop your phone up using books or similar objects to steady your phone.

Consider buying a mobile tripod.

Mobile devices make it easy to snap any photo on the go. But there's never been an easy way to make sure the shot stays level and balanced when you shoot especially if you want to be in the picture and not just take a typical selfie with your extended arm.

Mobile tripods give you the freedom to mount your smartphone for quick hands-free shots without lugging any heavy equipment with you. Most mobile tripods are barely bigger than your mobile device and can bend to any angle. Learn how these miniature tripods can help enhance your mobile video experience below.

8. Experiment with exposure.

Another mobile camera feature you'll want to set manually is your exposure. Tapping your screen when your phone's camera is on doesn't just refocus the lens on a new subject it also automatically adjusts how much light the camera lets in. This, too, won't always look just right. It's best to adjust it by hand.

To change your mobile camera's exposure by hand, open your camera app and tap the screen. When you see the lens refocus, you'll see a very small sun icon and a vertical scale. Slowly swipe your finger up and down this scale to adjust the light level.

Capture small details.

You may have heard the phrase, "It's the little things." Sometimes, that also applies to photos. Close-up images that capture small, intricate, and delicate details can make for really compelling visual content.

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It can be tricky to photograph close-up objects with a smartphone. To focus on an object, tap the area youre trying to capture. If youre unable to focus the image, move slightly away. You can also tap another part of the screen, then go back to your subject to try focusing again. iPhone 13 and later also have a "macro" mode that can help with close-up shots.

Pro Tip: Use the "sharpen" tool in your favorite photo editing app to (conservatively) sharpen the details of your photo.

Embrace negative space.

"Negative space" simply refers to the areas around and between the subjects of an image and it can take a photo from "good" to "great."

When you include a lot of empty space in a photo, your subject will stand out more and evoke a stronger reaction from your viewer. And what does negative space look like? It's often a large expanse of open sky, an empty field, a large wall, or water, as in the example below.

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9. Use photo accessories.

Photo accessories like lenses, apps, and lights can make your smartphone a more powerful camera, adding features to boost your photographs while youre shooting and as you edit and prepare your images for sharing.

Attach an external lens.

Want to get really fancy? External lenses are for you. There are actually several out there that you can attach to the top of your smartphone's native camera lens from fish-eye to wide-angle lenses. These add-ons can bring an entirely new quality and perspective to your photos.

According to Wirecutter, the best camera lenses for iPhone photography are made by Moment, a manufacturer of mobile lenses. Start there, or do some research to find the lens add-ons that fit your smartphone photography needs.

Try a shutter button.

A selfie stick is great for making that special selfie a little less arm-focused. But shutter buttons give you even more freedom to create great photos with your phone. Remote shutter buttons also allow for steadier shots and help prevent the inevitable camera shake as you try to click the shutter on your screen.

Use photo apps.

Whether you want tone curve adjustments, blemish fixing, HSL color correction, or gradients, theres an app for that. Photo apps for desktop and mobile enable you to go wild in post-production to make your photos one of a kind.

10. Don't be afraid to edit.

Composing and taking photos on your smartphone is just the first step to making it visually compelling. Editing your photos is the next step and a critical one, at that. Filters can be a valuable photographic tool, particularly when it comes to two goals: 1) Removing blemishes from a picture, and 2) making food look even more delicious.

Beauty filters are a common fix and now, the iPhone photos app offers many similar filters. There are also apps like Pho.to, which can automatically retouch facial photos without a lot of work. And when it comes to those photos of your daily meals? Another great app is Foodie, which comes with its own set of filters optimized for different types of food.

But there are many other fantastic photo and video editing apps out there for mobile devices check out this post to see some of the best ones out there. If you want to edit your photos on desktop, this list of Photoshop shortcuts can help you speed up the process.

And, if youre creating photos, you may also want to share them. Photo-sharing apps like Instagram include tons of in-app features for editing.

Be unconventional.

Some of the most delightful and remarkable photos come out of cool, unique ideas. Images are more effective than text at evoking emotion from your viewers that often means getting your photos to say something.

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Try thinking outside of the box when it comes to what you're capturing your viewers could be pleasantly surprised by a cool or unexpected approach.

Want more tips on creating visual content? Check out these design tools for creating visual content.

11. Ask for feedback.

As you grow as a photographer, you can learn a ton just by looking at the work of other photographers. But if you really want to push yourself, its a good idea to ask for feedback.

Getting critique on your photos from others can give you useful insights about how what your audience sees in your photos and what emotions they evoke. This feedback process is also helpful if youre using your photo skills for a business. If this describes you, you may also want to check out these tips on product photography and taking photos for real estate.

Share your photos with friends, family, or online photography communities to get some constructive criticism and tips for improvement. Critique can be tough to take at first, but if you really want to improve your photos, the risk is worth it.

Take Better Photos

Thanks to our mobile devices and the editing apps that come with them, we can now take high-quality photos and edit them just about anywhere all from the same device that we use to make calls.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in November 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.