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How to take better photos on your phone
Modern smartphones pack some serious camera power, but great photos don’t take themselves. With a little know‑how, some light‑spotting skills, and a few simple composition tricks, you can turn everyday snaps into scroll‑stopping shots.
Understanding camera modes
Most phones have a few main camera modes, so if you’re guilty of just using one for everything, a quick switch to suit the situation will be a gamechanger.
Photo mode
This is your everyday go‑to. It’s great for landscapes, food, pets, and casual portraits. A solid point and shoot choice, it’ll make easy work of any subject. But, if you want standout shots, you’ll want to experiment.
Portrait mode
Make your subject stand out with background blur. This one works best for people or pets in good light, with a bit of distance from the background.
Night mode
As the name suggests, this mode’s designed to brighten results in low light. It combines multiple shots to brighten the scene, so keep your phone steady and avoid fast movement. It might take a little longer to capture, but the results are worth it.
Pro mode (manual)
Pro mode gives you full control over settings like light sensitivity, shutter speed, and white balance. If you’re after a specific effect, this is how you can achieve it. And practice makes perfect, so test a few settings out before you shoot in real-time
Lighting basics
Lighting does most of the heavy lifting in photography. Even the best phone camera will struggle if the light isn’t working in your favour, so getting this right is the difference between poor and perfect.
Natural light
Natural light is usually the easiest, and most flattering, option. We recommend shooting near windows when you’re indoors, but not with your subject’s back to the natural light. Aim for early morning or late afternoon for a warmer, softer glow. The harsh midday sun is a surefire way to capture deep shadows and washed‑out highlights that are tough to fix.
Artificial light
Indoor lighting can be a bit trickier to handle, especially overhead lights that cast unflattering shadows. A good little trick is to use lamps at eye level instead of ceiling lights and stick to one light colour – whether that’s warm or cool. A phone flash can be really harsh, so it’s best to avoid using it if you have other lighting available.
Framing and composition tips
Composition is just a fancy way of saying where you place things in the frame. Nail that, and your photos will instantly feel more interesting.
Rule of thirds
Picture your screen split into a simple 3x3 grid. Instead of plonking your subject dead-centre, try lining it up along one of the lines, or where two lines cross. It feels more natural and gives your photo room to breathe.
Leading lines
Roads, fences, paths, railings - if it looks like a line, use it. These elements naturally pull the viewer’s eye towards your subject and work brilliantly in city shots and landscapes.
Background
Before you tap the shutter, have a quick scan of what’s behind your subject. Messy backgrounds can steal the spotlight. And if there’s something you don’t want in shot, you can try changing your angle, moving closer, or adding background blur.
Perspective
Shooting at eye level is what feels most natural, but for something that feels more professional, you could try getting lower for dramatic portraits, shooting from above for flat-lay shots, or even tilting your camera slightly for a more dynamic feel.
Gridlines and focus
Gridlines
Gridlines are one of those small settings that make a big difference. Switch them on in your camera settings and lining up your shots becomes instantly easier. They’re a huge help when you want to keep horizons straight or frame buildings cleanly.
Focus & exposure control
Your phone camera gives you more control than you might expect. There are tools that’ll put your subject in focus and give your shot the correct exposure (also known as light in the image). Tap the screen to set focus, then press and hold to lock it. Then, slide the brightness control up or down to fine‑tune exposure. It’s a quick way to avoid blown‑out highlights and keep your photos looking balanced and polished. You’ll want to use this for capturing close‑up details, or if you’re dealing with a lot of shadow.
When to use HDR
HDR sounds technical, but it’s actually pretty simple. Your phone combines multiple exposures into one photo, helping it hold onto detail in both bright highlights and darker shadows.
Most phones have an ‘HDR’ setting that’ll make the biggest impact when you’re snapping landscapes with bright skies or trying to take photos into the light source. Most phones switch HDR on automatically, but knowing when to use it gives you way more creative control — and better-looking shots.
