Over the past few years, the smartphone has evolved into a fully capable camera, and for many people it is the only camera they use. A smartphone’s convenience—always at hand, fast, and intuitive—makes it the ideal tool for spontaneous moments. What should you keep in mind when taking photos with a smartphone? Let’s look at how a few simple techniques and adjustments can help you get more out of your smartphone camera.
1. Camera-instellingen
Automatic mode works well, but it is worth exploring the 'Pro’ settings from time to time. Many Android phones include a built-in Pro mode for manual ISO, shutter speed, and white balance; on iPhone, comparable manual control generally requires a third-party camera app.
• ISO determines your camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO, the more light your sensor captures, but this also creates more noise. Try to keep the ISO as low as possible for sharp, detailed photos.
• Shutter speed determines how long your camera captures light. Fast shutter speeds freeze motion, while longer shutter speeds capture motion, which can work well for creative effects such as light trails or a smoothly flowing waterfall.
• White balance ensures that your photos have the correct color temperature. In many situations, automatic white balance works well, but manual adjustment can be useful for certain moods or lighting conditions.
2. Belichting: de juiste hoeveelheid licht
iPhone 12 and newer versions often already have automated camera settings, but it can sometimes be useful to adjust the settings yourself to get the best results.
• To control the exposure of your photos, touch the screen on the object or person you want to focus on. A square with a sun icon appears; slide it up or down to put more or less light on the subject. The cameras on most iPhones will always adjust this automatically by default, such as when you move the camera or when the object in front of it moves.
• Although smartphones keep getting better at handling different lighting conditions, there are still a few basic principles to remember, such as natural light being your best friend. Shoot in natural light whenever possible, especially during the 'golden hour,' the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. The soft, warm light at these times creates beautiful shadows and highlights.
• Your smartphone’s HDR feature can be useful when photographing high-contrast scenes, such as a landscape with a bright sky and dark shadows. HDR (High Dynamic Range) combines multiple exposures into a single photo so both the bright and dark areas are properly exposed. This produces photos that are much brighter and more detailed than a “standard” photo.
HDR controls vary by phone model and operating-system version, including on a refurbished phone. On current iPhones, Smart HDR is generally automatic; check your device’s Camera settings or manual for any available HDR options.
• For a long exposure, enable Live Photos (the round button before taking the photo). The icon will turn yellow and display 'Live.' Take the photo of the moving object while holding the camera still. Then tap the photo you took, tap Live, and select Long Exposure. The photo will now be optimized automatically.
3. Focus en scherpte
Your smartphone may sometimes have trouble focusing, especially in low light or when you want to capture a moment quickly. What can you do yourself?
• Tap to focus. Touch the screen at the point you want to appear sharp. Your phone will focus there and adjust the exposure for the selected focus point.
• Use burst mode when photographing a moving object. This takes several photos in quick succession so you can select the sharpest one later.
• Use portrait mode, a popular feature that lets you take professional portrait photos by blurring the background (the bokeh effect) while keeping the subject sharp.
• Also enable the grid in Settings. New in iOS 17 on iPhone are plus signs that help when photographing something from above. Align the white plus sign with the yellow one, then take the picture.
• Starting with iOS 17, you can also straighten the horizon directly in the Camera app. In your iPhone settings, enable the Level option if it is not already selected. Point your iPhone at the subject and watch for the white line that appears in the center of the screen. Make sure the line is unbroken, then tap the shutter button.
• Also use the new level feature when you want to take a photo from above. First enable this option in the app settings.
• You can also create bokeh yourself with an iPhone by holding the phone no more than thirty cm from your subject and tapping the subject on the screen.
4. Nabewerking: een laatste finetuning
Post-processing can transform a good photo into a truly beautiful one. Although your smartphone may already offer ready-to-use filters, many apps give you greater control over the details of your edit.
• Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile are examples of post-processing apps. These tools let you precisely adjust contrast, exposure, sharpness, and color balance. Read more about this in The Ten Best Photography Apps for Your Smartphone.
• Experiment with brightness and contrast to add more dynamism to your photo. A subtle adjustment can often make the difference between a flat image and a vibrant one.
• Framing and cropping can have a major impact on your composition. Use the crop tool to remove distracting elements and direct attention even more clearly to your subject.
Photography is about observing, experimenting, and daring to try. Your smartphone offers endless possibilities, but the photographer makes the difference. With the right knowledge, a good eye for composition, and some patience, you can use your smartphone to create artistic photos that sometimes rival those taken with professional cameras.
