subject: Taking Picture Perfect Photos Via Cell Phone [print this page] Taking Picture Perfect Photos Via Cell Phone
On a recentbackpacking trip through Europe, I made a decision to forego use of my bulky Minolta camera anddecided instead to use my cell phone camera. I wholeheartedly expected the photos to end up in the trash. After enrolling in my local community center class and receiving some expert advice, I was able to producememories worthy of framing.
Keep Your SubjectStill
We have all witnessed the fuzzy photographs unsteady hands produce. Phone cameraswill experience a delay from when you press the capture button to the time your picture is actually taken.Have your subject remain as still as possible. Use a mailbox, table, ledge or other sturdy structure to support your arm and hand.Thisallows for a much cleaner photo.
Experiment with Multiple Shots
You are not paying forfilmso take as many shots of one subject as you prefer. Multiple shots taken from different angles with different lighting will give you a wider choice when editing the photos.
Get Next to YourSubject
Due to the low resolution cell phone images are already small. Do not stand too far away from the object you wish to photograph. Cell phone cameras often end up taking tiny snapshots because we fail to use the entire view finder to capture our subject.
Use The Light Wisely
As most of my photos were taken in the bright outdoors, lighting was not an issue. Make sure your subject is well lighted.For those indoor shots we captured at dinner time we snapped on an extra light. Make sure you do not shoot directly into bright lights or your camera subject will be silhouetted.
Chose Your Subjects Wisely
On my trip I found many people were glad to allow for a fun photo opportunity. I photographed kids at lunch in Berlin, pastry chefs in France, limodrivers in London and even a priest enjoying an afternoon ice cream in Italy. Occasionally I came across a person who did not want to become part of my photograhic memories. They respectfully declined and I politely agreed to their request. Entertainment venues, theaters and other places of formal gathering often forbid use of a camera phone so please ask before you begin to shoot.
Push the Boundaries of Composition
Photos that are slightly off center are often more visually appealing. Don't think you have to put your subject matter squarely in the middle of the picture frame.Get up on a chair, lie on the ground, peek from behind a gauze curtain or stand on a tabletop to find different ways of capturing a person, place or thing.
Protect Your Phone and Camera Lens
During my overseas travel my phone spent a lot of time in my backpack and often became grimy. Frequently wipe your lens clean of greasy fingerprints and dirt. A soft cotton cloth works fine; a glass cleaning cloth works better.My sister used a plush cell phone cover in the shape of a bulldog thatactually protected her phone from nicks and scratches. While shooting in an empty church, shedropped the phone over a balcony and it survived the fall without mishap. Many other touristscommented on how surprised they were the phone was still intact. We ended up with a treasure of wonderful photograhs, all captured with our little cell phone camera.
