Today, we use our phones for much more than calls. We also use them to capture memories in photos and videos. Smartphone manufacturers have responded by equipping phones with increasingly capable cameras and software. But which extra must-haves can help you get even more from your smartphone camera?
Start with the options your camera already offers
Before buying accessories for an expensive smartphone, first see what its camera can already do. Built-in camera apps offer more and more features. A quick look through the menu may reveal options such as a timer, grid lines, and even HDR.
If the standard app does not include every feature you want, plenty of other camera apps are available in the App Store or Google Play Store.
An add-on lens can help
Most smartphones offer a limited set of angles of view. An add-on lens can expand those options. Many types are available, including a telephoto lens for your phone, wide-angle lens, or fisheye lens.
Because smartphone lenses are small, these add-on lenses are also compact and easy to carry. They give your smartphone camera more versatility wherever you go.
Protect your smartphone camera with a protector
If photography is becoming a real passion, you will naturally want to protect your smartphone’s lenses. The right case can help, but there is now another option.
Just as you can apply a protector to the screen, you can also buy camera protectors that shield the smartphone camera from dust, water, and scratches.
Consider a tripod
As most people know, daylight is often best for photography. Besides providing light, it also helps reduce blur from camera shake. In darker conditions, even tiny movements can produce less-sharp photos. At those times, a foldable tripod or grip can be useful.
Mounting a smartphone on a tripod or rig lets you hold the camera in a fixed position. A grip also makes the phone more comfortable to hold while shooting.
Avoid the built-in flash
As noted above, use natural lightwhenever possible. If there is too little light for an evening shot, try not to rely on the phone’s flash. It is often too harsh and can ruin the image. Many accessories can provide a better alternative.
A PopSocket
A PopSocket is a universal, expandable phone grip made of hard plastic. It provides extra grip, making it easier to take photos.
It can also serve as a stand, so you can comfortably review the photos you just took.
A power bank
Photography improves with practice, but you remain limited by your smartphone battery. A power bank can solve that problem. This useful phone accessory lets you recharge on the go without an outlet, so you can take and edit not five hundred but perhaps a thousand photos.
Also read: Insta360 Snap Selfie Screen for Smartphone Photography.
