Do you want to take better photos on your smart phone for Social Media? Here are my 5 top tips.....

It's a well known fact that your social media posts will get far greater interaction if you add a photograph (as much as 87% more interaction on Facebook).

Hopefully, you will have some professional photos to market your business, but you will also need to top these up with some adhoc smart phone photos. So, I thought I would share with you some easy tips to help you make your smart phone photos better.

Tip 1 - The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds: images where the subject is off centre are always much more interesting. Divide your camera frame into 9 squares (see below) and place your subject on one of the intersecting lines – instantly your photo will look much better.

Tip 2 - Leading lines

Use leading lines to create interest in your shot and draw your eye into the photo. So – a bit like the rule of thirds, you are basically just making your shots that little bit more creative than just photographing from straight on. Here are some examples where things like walls, horizontal lines and a pathway are used to add that interest. See below for an example.

Tip 3 - Find the best light

Everyone thinks the best photos are taken on bright, sunny days. Not true !

If you place your subject in the bright sunlight, all you will get is someone squinting with shadows/rings under their eyes. So - if you can’t avoid a bright, sunny day, head for some top-shade . This is created either by doorways or under trees. Your subject will still be lit beautifully, but won’t be blinded by the sun. Or, my best advice would be to take your photos on overcast days – the clouds act like a virtual soft box.

Also - do NOT use flash ! If you are using a phone, the flash is never any good and the photos end up looking terrible.

Even better......try to shoot your photos during the ‘ golden hour ’. This is the time either shortly after sunrise or before sunset during which almost all photos look absolutely gorgeous. (Think about those holiday photos early evening when the sun is going down). See below for an example.

Tip 4 - Control exposure

This is fairly limited on smart phones, but can still make a big difference. On I-phones when you have a photo you’d like to take, simply tap and hold the screen on the part you would like the best exposure. You will see a slider, which allows you to increase/decrease exposure, and lock it. This can also lock focus – so you can decide what is in focus and what is not.

Tip 5 - Keep your lens clean!

It may sound really obvious, but you’d be amazed what I see… your phone sits in your pocket, your handbag, on your desk etc. and gathers finger prints and goodness knows what else in the process. Before you take a photo – give it a little wipe and you’ll be guaranteed crystal clear photos every time!

I hope you find these tips useful and can start putting them into practice.

If however, you would like to discuss possibly having some professional photos to market your business on your website or social media, do give me a call on 07715 889457 or send me an email on pennie@photosbypennie.co.uk.

https://www.photosbypennie.co.uk/