photography tips & Tricks
As a fellow mum I know a thing or two about taking photos on your phone (ahemmm 100,000+ on my camera roll currently) but as a photographer there are some handy tips & tricks to really get the most out of your phone photos. It's actually something I get asked a lot is about how to capture better photos day to day with just your phone. So do read on...
portrait mode
Ok this might be obvious but if you're not already - use portrait mode! Most phones now have this feature and it gives your subject more focus and attention with a beautiful blurry background, again most phones you can then post edit the aperture (f.0) if you want to tone it up or down. See the examples below taken with and without portrait mode - less garden distraction! But do keep in mind young kids move fast - so there is a time and place for it! If it's an action moment stick with the regular mode.
Choose 1-2 filters & stick with them
With iPhone there are about 10 different filters as standard that can really enhance your images. Again, this may seem obvious & simple but I really recommend choosing and sticking with just 1 or 2 of them. This way your photos will always have a cohesive look when you come to print them or look at them together.
For example I tend to use the Dramatic and Dramatic Warm iPhone filters (sometimes the Warm option feels too sepia depending on the light and particular photograph) so I tend to go between the two. You also have the option to tone the filter up and down and two other options I find handy are to brighten exposure or add warmth. Then I also use one other filter for all my Black and White images - my go to on the iPhone being Silvertone.
My one caveat is that sometimes rules are made to break and sometimes on a spring day perhaps out in the bluebells a more vivid or light and airy feel *just works* so don't be afraid to play around too if your go-to filters don't feel right.
look for light
Always be on the look out for beautiful light. It's really what makes or breaks a *wow* photograph in my opinion. Don't be afraid to back light a subject too - this is really one of my favourite things to do and use strong sunlight to create dramatic images with shadows.
angles & Details
With kids more often than not it's you that needs to be the one to move to get the shot especially if it's with several kids. Play around with different angles to get variation of the scene. Don't forget to capture little details too like their feet and flakey skin or tiny hair on newborns.
I hope this has been helpful or given some ideas to try. I plan to write a series of tips. & tricks so drop me a note or comment below if there is anything you'd love to know or see.
