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Where's my camera when I need it?
By Jeff Cable
www.jeffcable.com
The days of missing those "once-in-a-lifetime" shots or "picture-perfect-opportunities" because you forgot your camera at home may become nothing more than an unpleasant memory due to the growing popularity and improved technology of today's camera phones. While their technological capabilities still pale in comparison to point-and-shoot digital cameras and digital SLRs, camera phones have become a convenient backup for those days when you are not equipped with your camera.
However, just because you take pictures with your cell phone does not mean the rules of photography do not apply. Here are some tips that may help make your camera phone images look like those taken with a digital camera, or as close as possible.
Keep your lens clean - It sounds obvious, but be sure to keep your lens clean. Most people keep their phones in a pocket, purse or backpack. These areas can cause dust and dirt to build up and subsequently show up in your pictures or even worse, scratch your lens. Consider purchasing some lens wipes to safely clean any harmful particles from your lens.
Keep it still - Try to avoid moving your hand when shooting pictures with your camera phone. Like using any camera, a shaky hand will result in a blurry picture. You may want to even hold your hand still with your other hand, or rest your arm on a sturdy surface. This will reduce movement and help you take a better picture.
Get close - Get close to your subject. Camera phones have a much smaller focal length than an average point-and-shoot or digital SLR. This means that if your subject is too far away from the lens, it will appear very small in the picture.
Understand your zoom capability - It is very important to understand how your camera phone zooms, and its limitations. Unlike digital cameras, most camera phones do not have an optical zoom lens. Instead, they use a digital zoom, which sacrifices the quality of the image and sometimes the resolution, as well. If you are one of the lucky individuals that has optical zoom built into your camera phone, make sure you comprehend its capabilities. Either way, experiment to be sure you understand the effect that your camera phone's zoom has on your pictures.
Focus your shot - Don't forget to focus your shot. Most camera phones us an auto focus mechanism, which makes this task much easier. However, if you have the option of manually focusing the shot, you have a better chance of avoiding a blurry picture.
Plan your lighting conditions - Make sure you plan the lighting conditions for your picture. Though it is ideal to take your pictures in a well-lit area, too much light may wash out your image. It is also very important to avoid backlighting your subject. To do this, make sure the light is behind you and not behind your subject. Just like with other digital cameras, try to avoid mixing very bright areas with darker areas in the same picture. The camera will either blow out the bright area or create a "black hole" in the darker area. Many camera phones include brightness adjustment options that can help, but nothing can substitute for well-planned natural lighting. Some of the newer camera phones even include a small flash, but just remember that it may not light subjects too far away.
Frame your shot - Be sure to properly frame your shot. Although one advantage to camera phones is they allow you to capture spontaneous moments, the rules of composition still apply. Properly framing your subject within the field will result in more appealing and professional-looking picture.
Set your resolution - Don't forget to set the resolution on your phone. By setting your camera to the highest resolution possible, you will capture a higher-quality picture. It may not be noticeable on your phone, but it will be on your computer.
Mind your phone's memory - Between ringtones, music and text messages, you may be using more memory on your phone than you know, and taking pictures at a high-resolution takes up more memory than a low-resolution picture. Frequently emailing pictures you want to keep and deleting those you do not will help make sure you never run out of memory at the wrong time. If you have a memory card slot, it helps to purchase a memory card to boost the storage of your phone.
Do not throw away 'mistakes' - If your camera's memory allows it, do not throw away your 'mistakes'. Images that may appear blurry or undesirable on your phone may look quite different on your computer. In addition, Photoshop can be a photographer's best friend and help clean up your 'mistakes'.
Rename your images - If you are able, take the time to rename your images. Most camera phones automatically name your images numerically, making it hard to determine which picture is which without looking at each one. Renaming each picture after you take it will certainly save you time later on.
Do not be afraid take tons of shots; they're free! - What camera phones may lack in quality, they can make up in quantity. Like most digital cameras, a camera phone allows you the luxury of taking as many pictures as you need and only keeping the ones you want.
Now the only thing left to do is get out there and take pictures. Of course, even if you practice all of these tips with your camera phone, you may not get your desired results; but do not give up! Experiment with the different settings on your phone and with each of these tips, and you will develop your very own technique for taking high-quality and memorable shots with your camera phone.
Articles by Jeff Cable:
- Take a closer look - The fun of macro photography
- Don't stop shooting now - It's "The Golden Hour"!
- Shooting Fast - The Rule of Numbers
- Shooting Underwater Photography on a Budget.
Visit www.jeffcable.com
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