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Mobile Photography Tips From the Pros - Part 1

Steven Hook / 13 April 2017

Guide to mobile photography tips, helping you take better photos on your phone

Love The One You're With: Mobile Photography Pro Tips

This two-part series is packed with pro tips from South Africa’s talented professionals and outstanding Instagrammers who capture magic moments using mobile cameras. The famous saying among photographers is true: The best camera is the one you have with you.

That mobile phone in your hand is a powerful tool. You don’t need a pro camera to capture brilliant shots. A mobile can help you land quick, creative shots that you’d miss otherwise. Here’s proof!

Mobile photograph by Alexander Smith, capturing sunlight streaming into a room, creating a warm and serene atmosphere

Alexander Smith

Website: www.AlexanderSmith.co.za

Hidden Light Revealed

"I noticed the steam from my shower revealing the morning shafts of light through the blinds. A fleeting moment captured with the camera closest to me... my iPhone."

Pro Tip: Use Instagram to add a filter and share quickly.
Tools: iPhone and Instagram

xxx

Deen Schroeder

Instagram: deenschroeder
Twitter: deenschroeder

Document It

"On 7 April 2017, I joined the protest action across South Africa. This image, taken in downtown Johannesburg, was captured on my iPhone."

Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of an unobtrusive device. You can capture powerful events with exceptional accuracy and emotive depth.
Tools: iPhone 6S and native iPhone editing app

xxx

Black and white mobile photograph by Deen Schroeder, featuring a man on the floor with people standing around him
Mobile photograph by Ashvir Maharaj featuring seaweed on the beach, capturing nature's textures and elements

Ashvir Maharaj

Instagram: ashvirmaharaj
Twitter: AshvirMaharaj
Facebook: AshvirMaharajPhotography

Keep It In Focus

"This photo was shot on my Sony Xperia Z3 in 8MP mode. I edited it with Snapseed to slightly adjust contrast, highlights, shadows, and boost the colour for extra life."

Pro Tips:

  • Keep editing minimal – subtle tweaks work best to fix minor errors.
  • To avoid blurry images, hold your phone still or use a 3/5 second timer for razor-sharp results.

Tools: Snapseed (FREE), Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Lightroom Mobile (Subscription required)

xxx

Final Takeaway

Don’t stress if you can’t grab your pro camera in time – your mobile phone is the ultimate saviour! Snap that shot and apply these pro tips for results that will impress every time.