8 tips for taking better nature photos on your phone
It is frequently said that the best camera is the one you already have with you. We all love our smartphones, and the integrated camera is often the only one we carry.
Amazingly, the cameras on modern phones rival many of the low-end DSLRs on the market. That means you can take killer images without a professional camera. Tap or click to turn your smartphone camera into a full-featured webcam.
Nature photography is an excellent hobby all year round. But if you’re struggling to get the quality you want, try a few of these helpful tips.
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1. Pay attention to lighting
Photography is often referred to as painting with light. When taking pictures of nature, pay attention to the available light. How can you use it to create eye-popping images?
Turn the sun peaking through the trees into a dramatic starburst by setting your f/stop to f/22 or above. Look for ways light and shadows create exciting patterns on otherwise drab backgrounds.
Capture the way sunlight sparkles over rippling water. Keep your eyes open to dramatic contrast or softer, warmer images.
2. Pick the right time of day
There are a variety of lighting options that change throughout the day. Golden hour is the hour just after sunrise or just before sunset and is aptly named for the yellow hue the sun casts. This warms any scene.
If you’ve been working during golden hour and want to try something new, go out during the blue hour. This is the hour just before sunrise or just after sunset. It provides an attractive tone for your subject and scenery.
3. Consider composition
The best, easiest ways to print photos from your phone or computer
The quality of a photo depends on many factors such as the camera, lighting, composition, exposure, focus and more. Your smartphone camera takes much of the guesswork out by making all these settings automatic. A more proactive photographer can tweak these settings to their liking.
How to take great photos with a cheap camera or smartphone
Just how money can’t buy happiness, expensive cameras can’t always capture good images.
Good photography has never really been about the equipment. Cheaper cameras are less durable, which makes them less reliable. That’s why professionals are willing to invest in nicer gear. But the secret to capturing amazing shots is actually all about techniques and perspective.