# 6 Tips for Better Pictures with Your Smartphone

- Link: https://cellularsmartfix.ca/6-tips-for-better-pictures-with-your-smartphone/
- Published: 2017-05-08T07:53:40+00:00
- Author: CELLULAR SMARTFIX

The best photographs have nothing to do with the filter that you choose. They start
with a great original picture file. So how can you elevate your Instagram game? 
Try these smartphone camera tips:

##### Turn on Grid Lines.

How? On an iPhone, go to general settings, then select “Photo & Camera” then switch
the “grid” option on. On an Android, you’ll want to go to the camera app, and select
settings in there to scroll down and find the “grid lines” options to turn it on.
Camera grid lines are usually built on the law of thirds, with two lines horizontal
and two vertical across the screen. It will divide any image you take into nine 
parts. The idea here is that if you can center points of interest in the intersecting
points, or along the lines, then you can create a picture with immediately more 
visual appeal.

##### Use Better Lighting.

Lighting is always an essential component of a good shot, but that’s especially 
true with your smartphone camera, which doesn’t have the ability to filter bright
light or balance the levels. You may not even be able to focus on the part of the
image that you want to capture if your lighting is off. Avoid having the biggest
light source directly behind who or what you’re photographing, and if people are
standing in front of a window, consider closing the curtains or blinds. The best
lighting will come from the side, or be evenly filtered from different angles.

##### Tap to Focus.

Every smartphone camera allows you to define your focal point by tapping it on your
screen. If you’ve ever taken a picture in an area with a huge contrast in illumination,
you’ve probably discovered this for yourself. Tap in the dark area, and the image
will alter to view things in that dark area, even though the bright parts of the
image will be over-exposed. Tap on the bright part, and the shadows will be too 
dark to even see.

##### Avoid the Digital Zoom.

Your tiny smartphone camera lens doesn’t actually zoom. In order to create the “
zoom” effect, your camera app simply magnifies the area that you want to zoom in
on as much as possible. This lowers the quality of your image greatly. Instead of
using the zoom function, get closer whenever possible.

##### Get a Smartphone Lens Attachment.

Bypass the limitations of your smartphone’s camera with an attachment. These attach
magnetically and can be easily switched out or removed. However, they can also make
a big difference in what you’re able to do on your phone with pictures. Wide angle
lenses can help you make the most of a beautiful panorama, or you can get effective
micro shots and zoom in better with an ultra-magnifying lens.

##### Download another Camera App.

That’s right, you don’t have to be limited to the app that comes standard with your
phone. There are other options out there, which may provide better filtering and
focusing options. Think about trying ProShot or VCSO Camera.