We’re constantly snapping away on our phones, aren’t we? Whether it’s a quick shot of a café menu or an interesting view we want to capture, a photo is just a quick click away.
But while we’re busy snapping away, we often forget to spend a bit of time thinking about the scene in front of us and what it will take to make it a standout photo.
I suggest you take a few moments to compose your scene, notice the details like how level the horizon is, how the light is hitting your subject or how your image is being framed.
My 8 tips will take your photos from drab to fab.
1. Use natural light
Light is perhaps the single most important thing in photography. It’s the foundation of a good photo. The best light is found outdoors (surprise!). But not all outdoors’ light is the same. There are times when the light is definitely more conducive to taking amazing photos. One of those times is NOT midday on a sunny day. That light is pretty harsh. If you do happen to shoot at midday, find a shaded spot or wait for clouds to diffuse the light from the sun and create a softer, more flattering effect. The best times are early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low on the horizon and you get that beautiful golden light that makes every photo more beautiful. It’s nature’s Instagram filter. And if you can’t shoot outdoors, take photos near windows or in well-lit rooms.
2. Use the grid
Use the grid on your iPhone to align vertical or horizontal lines in your scene. There’s nothing worse than a leaning horizon or a crooked window sill in your photo.
To switch the grid on:
your iphone: Go to Settings, choose Photos & Camera, and switch Grid on.
your Samsung Galaxy: Launch the camera app, go to Settings, scroll down and switch the grid lines option to on.
3. Compose your shot
Composition is about the arrangement in your scene - the shapes, textures and colours that make up your images. The rule of thirds is one of the most well-known composition principles and refers to a simple method of balancing your image. It divides an image into a 3×3 grid, and aligns the subjects or objects in a photo along the grid lines to create balance.
Turn on your phone’s gridline, and place your subject/s where the lines on the screen intersect. It doesn’t matter how many points of interest you may have. As long as they’re positioned where the intersections are, you’re guaranteed to have a well-composed image.
4. flirt with negative space
Negative space simply refers to the areas around and between the subjects of an image. As French composer, Claude Debussy said, “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between them.” This is applies here as well.
When using negative space in your photos, you should set your focus on the spaces between the objects in the frame. This composition style is perfect to create a sense of emptiness, minimalism and really emphasize your subject and keeps your image from looking too cluttered as well. If you're having trouble creating space, just remember the rule of thirds (practise keeping your subject in 1/3 of the photo and blank space as the rest). Less is more is definitely the golden rule!
5. consider your viewpoint
When you take a photo on your phone, you probably hold it up around eye level and snap, right? Challenge yourself to see things from a new and different perspective. Taking photos from a unique, unexpected angle can make them more interesting and hence, more memorable. Try shooting from above or below, crouching low to the ground, or scaling a wall (if you’re feeling ambitious). These perspectives tend to create an illusion of depth or height with the subjects and often make them stand out from the rest. If you’re outside, a simple way to achieve this is to take a photo directly upward with the sky as negative space (see tip no. 4).
6. draw the viewer’s eye
In photography, leading lines are lines that run through your image and draw the eye toward a certain part of the frame. They direct the viewer’s gaze to the subject. They can be straight or circulinear - think staircases, building facades, train tracks, roads, or even a path through the woods. Keep an eye out for leading lines and use them to add motion or purpose to your photo. Leading lines are great for creating a sense of depth in an image, and can make your photo look purposefully designed - even if you just happened to come upon a really cool shape by accident.
7. look for repetitive patterns
Repetition of an item, colour or element creates a pattern which draw the eye in to a photograph. When used effectively, patterns can transform an otherwise bland image into something dramatic and eye catching. It can add strength to the overall image.
Look for repetition/patterns in built and natural environments. Photographing something like a intricate tiled floor can be enough to create a striking image. Other times, it's more fun to keep an eye out for where they appear naturally or unintentionally, like spiral patterns in shells or intricate patterns in leaves. And remember -- use those gridlines from tip #1 to line everything up perfectly.
8.
pay attention to detail
Look for that little something. A sharp focus on an unexpected or interesting detail can be attention-grabbing, especially in a feed full of busy, dynamic photos. It’s like a palate cleanser, offering a sense of stillness and calm. If you do want your photos to look sharp, you might need to walk around a bit to get appropriate lighting or get closer to your subject. You can also tap your phone’s screen to allow you to instantly focus on your subject and improve image clarity. Some phones allow you to lock focus and exposure by tapping and holding on the screen. When the words 'AE/EF Lock' appear on the bottom of your phone, it means the focus and lighting are fixed and will not change.
There you have it! Happy photographing!
Oh, and if you’re interested in optimising your photos for Instagram, read my 3 top tips here.