When it comes to preparing the marketing assets for your business you could be forgiven for thinking if you don’t have the budget for something you have to resign yourself to simply not having it.
This isn’t the case when it comes to getting good quality photography for your business.
Whilst it is absolutely a no-brainer that if you have the budget you should get a professional photographer because they will be able to bring a certain level of professionalism, creativity and imagination that you won’t have due to their vast experience there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give it a go yourself.
Sometimes something is better than nothing.
And if you’re creating it for social media, people are forgiving, you don’t have to be perfect.
In the ever evolving landscape of digital media especially, the power of a well-captured photograph cannot be understated. And if you don’t have a professional at hand then maybe it’s time to up your photography game yourself.
Here are our top tips to help you get the best out of your smartphone when taking photos for your business:
1. Understand Your Phone’s Camera Capabilities
The first step in mastering smartphone photography is to understand the capabilities and limitations of your smartphone’s camera. Familiarise yourself with its features, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus settings. Some smartphones offer manual mode, providing greater control over these elements, akin to a DSLR camera.
2. Focus on Composition
Great photography is as much about composition as it is about the subject. Follow the rule of thirds, where the image is divided into nine equal segments by two vertical and two horizontal lines. Place your subject along these lines or at their intersections for a more aesthetically pleasing shot.
3. Lighting is Key
Natural light is a photographer’s best friend. When indoors, make use of windows and avoid harsh artificial lighting. If outdoors, the golden hours – shortly after sunrise or before sunset – offer soft, diffused light that can dramatically enhance your photographs.
4. Steady Hands, Steady Shots
A blurred image is often the result of an unsteady hand. To combat this, hold your smartphone with both hands and use your body to provide additional support. Some smartphones have built-in stabilisation, but nothing beats the steadiness of a well-supported shot.
5. Explore Different Perspectives
Challenge the norm by exploring various angles and perspectives. Shooting from a low angle can give a sense of grandeur to your subject, while a high angle might offer a unique, overarching view of the scene.
6. The Art of Editing
Post-processing is an integral part of photography. Use editing apps to enhance your photos subtly. Adjusting the exposure, contrast, and saturation can transform a good photo into a great one. Remember, the goal is to enhance, not to overly alter the natural beauty of the shot.
7. Practice Makes Perfect
Like any skill, proficiency in smartphone photography comes with practice. Experiment with different styles, settings, and subjects. Each shot teaches something new, contributing to your growth as a photographer.
8. Keep Your Lens Clean
A simple yet often overlooked tip is to keep your smartphone’s lens clean. A smudge-free lens ensures clarity and sharpness in your photographs.
9. Utilise the Burst Mode
For capturing fast-moving subjects, burst mode is invaluable. Hold down the shutter button to take a series of shots, then select the best one from the lot.
10. The Power of Simplicity
Sometimes, simplicity speaks volumes. A clutter-free composition focusing on a single subject can be powerful and engaging. Look for simple scenes and subjects for striking photographs.
11. Master the Art of Framing
Framing is a technique that can add depth and context to your photographs. Use natural surroundings like windows, doorways, or branches to frame your subject. This not only draws the viewer’s eye towards the main point of interest but also adds a storytelling element to your image.
12. Experiment with Different Modes
Many smartphones offer a variety of shooting modes such as panorama, portrait, and macro. Utilise these to enhance your photographic experience. Portrait mode, for example, is perfect for capturing people with a beautifully blurred background, mimicking the depth-of-field effect seen in professional photography.
13. The Rule of Odds
An often-overlooked composition technique is the rule of odds, which states that an image is more visually appealing when it has an odd number of subjects. Three or five elements in a photo can make it more dynamic and interesting than even numbers.
14. Seek Out Patterns and Textures
Patterns and textures can add intrigue to your photographs. A repetitive pattern or a unique texture can become the focal point, providing a simple yet compelling composition.
15. Embrace Negative Space
Negative space – the area around and between the subjects of an image – can be a powerful compositional tool. It adds balance to a photograph, and in some cases, the negative space itself becomes the subject, giving the image a minimalist and clean look.
16. Be Mindful of Backgrounds
A cluttered or distracting background can take away from your subject. Pay attention to what’s behind your subject; sometimes, a simple shift in angle or position can make a world of difference.
17. Use Leading Lines
Leading lines guide the viewer’s eye through the photograph and can be used to lead towards the main subject. Roads, fences, railway tracks, or even a row of trees can serve as leading lines.
18. Play with Shadows and Silhouettes
Shadows and silhouettes can add a layer of mystery and drama to your photographs. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to experiment with these effects due to the angle of the sun.
19. Harness the Power of Symmetry
Symmetrical compositions, where both sides of the photograph mirror each other, can be visually striking. Look for symmetry in architecture, nature, or urban settings.
20. Keep Learning and Stay Inspired
The field of photography is vast and constantly evolving. Follow photographers whose work you admire, join photography groups, participate in challenges, and keep up with trends and techniques. Inspiration coupled with continuous learning is key to refining your skills.
21. Colour vs. Black and White
While black and white photography can lend a timeless, artistic quality to images, it’s important to consider its application. In the context of media and marketing, colour photographs often hold more appeal due to their vibrancy and realism. Colour captures the world as we see it and can convey emotions more vividly. However, black and white can be used strategically to highlight textures, shapes, and contrasts.
22. The Power of Eye Contact
Photographs where the subject is looking directly into the camera can create a powerful connection with the viewer. This eye contact can evoke empathy, intrigue, or a sense of direct engagement, making the photograph more memorable and impactful. Especially in portrait photography, direct eye contact can turn a simple photo into a compelling story.
23. Balancing the Saturation
Over-saturated images can appear unrealistic, while under-saturated ones might seem lifeless. Striking a balance is key. Use saturation to enhance the mood of your image – vibrant colours for lively scenes and muted tones for more somber or vintage looks.
24. Understand the Psychology of Colours
Colours can evoke different emotions and reactions. For instance, blue can convey calmness, red can signify energy or urgency, and green often represents nature and tranquility. Use colours thoughtfully to convey the right message and mood in your photographs.
25. The Rule of Space
This rule involves the direction your subject is facing or moving. If there’s movement or a gaze in one direction, leave more space on that side of the frame. This gives a sense of motion or future space for the subject to move into, creating a more dynamic photograph.
26. Experiment with Filters, But Sparingly
While filters can add style and mood to your photographs, it’s crucial to use them sparingly. Over-filtered images can lose their authenticity, especially in a professional or media context. Choose filters that enhance the natural elements of your photograph without overpowering them.
27. The Importance of Timing in Candid Shots
Candid photography captures life as it happens. The key to great candid shots is timing and anticipation. Be ready to capture the moment swiftly without disturbing the natural flow of events.
28. Utilise Reflections
Reflections can create fascinating and often surreal images. Look for reflections in water bodies, glass windows, or mirrors. They can be used to create symmetrical compositions or to add an abstract quality to your photographs.
29. Focus on the Foreground
In landscapes, having an interesting foreground can add depth and dimension to the image. A rock, a cluster of flowers, or an intriguing shadow can serve as a focal point and draw the viewer into the scene.
30. Continuous Learning and Adaptation
The field of photography is dynamic and ever-changing. Keep adapting and learning new techniques and trends. Attend workshops, read photography blogs, and engage with other photographers to keep your skills sharp and your perspectives fresh.