Lenseland

Answer

How do I take better photos with my phone?

Lock exposure on the subject, use the 2x or 3x lens for portraits (avoids wide-angle distortion), turn off the flash and use a window instead, and compose with the rule of thirds grid enabled.

The quick wins

  1. Tap to focus and lock exposure — drag the brightness slider down for moody shots, up for bright
  2. Use the right lens — wide-angle distorts faces; 2x or 3x for any portrait
  3. Light from the side or behind, not above — overhead light creates harsh shadows
  4. Turn on the grid — straight horizons and rule-of-thirds composition
  5. Avoid digital zoom — walk closer instead
  6. Shoot in burst for moving subjects — pick the sharpest later
  7. Edit in the native Photos app — bump shadows, drop highlights, increase brilliance

What pros do differently

  • Shoot RAW (DNG on iPhone, Pro mode on Android)
  • Edit in Lightroom Mobile
  • Use a small tripod and the 2-second timer for sharpness
  • Wait for golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for outdoor shots

The most underrated trick

Clean the lens. A smudge from your face oils softens everything. Wipe with a microfiber cloth before any important shot.

More answers

Get new answers in your inbox

One email when we publish. No spam.