Improving your phone photography...

Why do some photos turn out great and other don’t?

So, like so many people you have probably taken that absolutely amazing photo that all your friends and family are blown away with. Then… your next 100 photos just don’t look right.

Well, the reason is that at the time that amazing photo was taken all the stars alined. You may or may not have noticed, but more than likely a few things where in your favour.

• the light was just right. Not too bright or too dark

• The composition of the photo was spot on

• Your subject was perfectly in focus

By stopping for even just a few seconds (if possible) and thinking

• about the exposure (the light on the subject) Is it to bright or to dark. Is it dabbled, for eg under a tree with different shadow across your subjects face. Are they looking straight into the sun with their eye squinting.

• how pleasing to the eye the photo is and does it draw your attention to the right subject (composition)

  The common thing to do is to place the main subject in the middle of the frame. Instead place the subject along these gridlines or ideally were the intersect. If taking a portrait place the eyes at one of the top intersections. If the subject is looking left, place the subject to the right and vice versa. Same with moving object. Leave space where they moving to. It is ok to break the rule if it suits. For example for reflections or if you need blank space for text or to add tension to the shot. Also, check the camera is as close to level as possible. Even though photos can be straightened in editing you loose some of the edge of the photo which could disrupt the composition.

• Checking the focus on the subject is correct. Exposure can be adjusted (to a point) in editing however once something is out of focus it’s out of focus. (apart from changing the background focus when shooting in portrait mode. This is also being improved each , however its best to get it right in camera.

Other things to consider

• Shoot in landscape orientation as it can be cropped into portrait orientation.

• Take more than just a couple of photos. Every split second faces change. Models understand this and practice religiously with different poses.

• Take wide, mid and close up shots to tell a story.

• Try different angles.

• Move forward or backwards instead of using zoom.

• Check camera is as close to level as possible. Even though photos can be straightened in editing you loose some of the edge of the photo which could disrupt the composition.

• Use tripod and timer for best results.