Tired of lugging that DSLR around? Feel your point-and-shoot is redundant? You are not alone; a growing number of mobile users are ditching their point-and-shoot or using their DSLR camera selectively. The mobile camera has jumped a few generations in the last couple of years with seriously impressive imaging capabilities. However, mobile photography is more than just `shoot on sight`. Make the most of the advanced optics in your mobile shooter with our quick guide.
Clean that lens:
It might be a no-brainer, yet it’s something most of us hardly ever do. The placement of the rear camera lens in almost every mobile device makes it a natural dust magnet, that can often result in blurry pictures. All it takes is a quick wipe with a micro-fiber cloth that you use for your laptop screens or mobile screens. A cotton swab works even better to remove small dust particles on the edges of the lens. Add a mild cleansing solution (your perfume works) but avoid any strong cleaning agent that could damage your device.
The three step process:
Mobile photography has at least three safety nets to ensure the perfect picture. First are the settings on the camera menu; if you don’t dig your default camera menu, install a third party app like A Better Camera or Camera Plus or Paper Camera for more options and a prettier interface. Not happy with the images you clicked? No problem. Try photo editor apps like Snapseed or Photoshop express to cover up for you. Still not happy? There`s still hope, photo sharing apps like Instagram have their own set of filters and settings that could do the trick.
Auto mode is for newbies:
There`s a reason why you have a host of settings and modes on your mobile camera. From ISO settings that control sensitivity of your camera sensor to the light, to white balance, to the exposure value setting, get a handle on your settings and enjoy your mobile camera on manual mode. Some cameras do a pretty good job of gauging the conditions while they are on auto mode, but do switch to manual if you want to leave your own stamp on your images, not just a time stamp. Don`t depend on auto focus to do the trick. Make sure you set focus and exposure by using the AE/AF (Auto Exposure / Auto Focus lock), this allows you to take greater control of your images by playing around with your background and foreground.
Use HDR mode, almost always:
HDR adds more dynamic range to your images. In simple terms HDR aims to capture what your eyes see and not what the camera lens sees. HDR mode usually snaps three images at different exposures allowing you to use image edits to put together the best possible image. Mobile devices typically snap two images, giving you a choice of a heavier HDR image and a regular picture. HDR is particularly handy when you are shooting landscapes and low-light images but is not a good option when you are shooting action images or images, where there is a vibrant mix of colours. Also ensure you set your image resolution to the maximum possible on your device, unless you don`t have enough storage room on your phone to spare.
Mobile zoom is for dummies:
Using the zoom option is the equivalent of trying to zoom in on a picture on your desktop screen. If there`s one thing the average mobile phone shooter does not possess it is an optical zoom lens. There are exceptions like Samsung`s K Zoom but then there`s the extra bulge. You could opt for a `strap on` lens like Sony`s QX100 lens that talks to Android and Apple devices via NFC and its proprietary Play Memories Mobile App.
Let there be light:
Professional photographers are almost always obsessed with light, the one thing that makes or breaks good pictures. Use any available source of light instead of whitening your pictures with flash photography - a street light is a better source of light than your flash in night photography. If you are `shooting` people make sure you avoid back light unless you are attempting a silhouette. Sunrise and sunset are almost inevitably the best time for outdoor photography, you can make monuments and landscapes look even prettier.
The grid and composing the perfect image:
Make sure you turn on the `grid` option on your mobile shooter. The grid comprises of two horizontal and vertical lines that divide your phone into nine squares. This allows you to apply one of the golden rules of photography - the rule of thirds where the most important subjects of the picture need to be placed along the gridlines and the intersections.
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