It’s incredible how multi-lens smartphone cameras keep improving each generation, now easily rivaling capabilities just available in professional DSLRs costing thousands barely 5 years ago.
But while hardware strides enable more stunning potential, simply pointing and shooting doesn’t mean good photographs on auto. Understanding core artistic and compositional techniques seriously steps up mobile shots.
This guide shares 10 vital photography skills taking ordinary images into extraordinary frames worthy of winning contests and wowing social media feeds. Master these tips elevating iPhone and Android captures from forgettable documenting for scrapbooks to unforgettable art.
Utilize The Rule Of Thirds:
Perhaps most famous compositional guideline – the rule of thirds divides frames into 9 equal rectangles with 4 intersection spots naturally drawing viewer focus.
Position subjects on these spots rather than dead center. Lines also naturally guide eyes so align with meaningful elements like horizons along upper third lines conveying expansive landscapes.
Doing so pulls subjects out of monotonous middles making images instantly more intriguing.
Use Leading Lines :
Leading lines pull viewers into frames through arrows, fences, rivers, pathways and other linear features intentionally aligned pointing to main subjects.
Position compelling focal points this way or frame potential leading elements disappearing off edges building tension making observers want to see ahead. This centers on deliberate thought rather than pure happenstance.
Layer Landscapes :
Nothing looks flatter than one dimensional sceneries lacking depth. Create dimension through layered landscapes stacking multiple interest points – trees framing mountains, waterfalls before forests, paths cutting through fields.
Layering forces perspective communicating immense scale highlighting spaces between components rather than lone flat subjects.
Craft Symmetry :
The human eye intrinsically craves order and symmetry whether in architecture, design or framing shots balancing both halves.
Centering buildings, reflections, intriguing shadow formations, or creatively placing repeating components playing off this desire for equal halves surprises through unexpected organization.
Focus On Textures :
Everybody photographs golden hour sunrises and sunsets. Making ordinary textures extraordinary differentiates shots.
Move camera closer highlighting worn painted walls, engraved signatures on trees, eroded stone-laid trails, rusted abandoned cars, peeling paint and crinkled autumn leaves.
Lighting normally unnoticed textures strikingly spotlights overlooked beauty surrounding everywhere waiting to be discovered not requiring extensive travels.
Get Adventurous With Perspectives :
Standing eye level pointing straight on frames landscapes and cityscapes seen a million times over. Fresh unexpected perspectives communicate dramatically differing moods.
Shoot from down low angles emphasizing towering heights. Capture scenes from directly above conveying miniaturized tilts. Play with Dutch tilts askew. Try diagonal dynamic angles, fisheye warps or creative framing shooting through obstructions.
Study And Harness Light :
Photography fundamentals begin with understanding qualities of light – diffuse, directional, warm, intense – and intentionally leveraging uniqueness suited to subject matters strengthening intended styles.
Front light removes shadows suited for commercial product shots. Side lighting adds contours well suited for portraits. Backlighting creates rimlight halos ideal for emphasizing flowing hair or foliage depth.
Practice at different day times grasping nuances bending available light through angles and filters to imaginative advantage.
Use Color Selectively :
Average photos blend random colors together lacking purpose. Isolate bold colors through selective focus and framing brightly emphasizing distinct palette tones.
Complimentary colors (reds+greens, blues+oranges) pop adjacent to each other. Colors also carry cultural symbolism – red conveying passion, green representing new beginnings.
Align combinations with meaningful backdrops and subjects that emotionally resonate when those shades take spotlight.
Get Intimate Through Tight Cropping :
The most immediate images feel intimately close, tightly cropped pulling viewers nearer subjects.
Get physically closer with lenses then leverage cropping tools honing on essential expressions, gestures and details conveying messages stories through emotion beyond ordinary full body documenting.
Embrace Mobile Photo Editing :
Wrangling professional polish is possible right on phones today thanks to increasingly advanced mobile applications like Snapseed, Lightroom and VSCO.
Fine tune brightness, contrast and saturation levels. Add mood setting filters respectfully without overcooking scenes. Carefully sharpen key focal points with selective adjustments avoiding obvious filtering displeasing the eye.
Gently edit photos not blatantly alter into unrealistic hypercolors. Enhance inherent qualities using tools judiciously to convey precisely intended styles from dramatic majestic to warm comforting depending on original goals pondered before shoots.
Practice makes perfect techniques cementing skills through deliberate efforts rather than praying for occasional lucky shots. Carry phones intentionally concentrating on above tips each outing until capturing incredible frames becomes automated second nature!