How to make the best pictures with your phone: these are the tips from the experts photographers

There is a common saying among photographers and photography enthusiasts who says that “the best camera in the world is the one you have at the time”. The appearance of camera phones and especially increasing the quality of these sensors turns your phone into “the best camera” because it virtually always carries with us. In addition, smartphones add a lot of freedom and spontaneity when taking pictures.

However, we do not always get all the performance they can give us, especially if we are just fans and the camera is not our tool. So we consulted several professional photographers to give us some simple tips to those who take full advantage of our phone camera.

Knows your camera

“This is advice applicable to any camera is that most users never even read manuals or tutorials cameras,” says Ramon Gonzalez de la Torre, photographer, designer, painter, photography professor and author of several books photography. “Regardless of the camera, you handle, it is important to know all that it can offer and to do nothing better than reading you manuals”. Functions such as changing the white balance, you can adjust the ISO or the duration of exposure can be crucial when it comes to getting a good picture.

In the case of ASUS ZenFone selfie has a front camera 13 megapixels, aperture f 2.2 (2.0 in the case of the rear) and a new technology that allows a viewing angle of 88 degrees, so that not only allow you to make the best self – portraits but also fantastic panoramic.

How to make the best pictures with your phone

Learn some photography but also make good pictures is not easy so maybe it would not hurt you to learn some basics of photography (which is openness, ISO or shutter speed) for best results.

As says Andrés Magai, a professional photographer, “a while now social networks are filled with images taken with these phones and photographs, many of them have been made in haste, without a previous approach. Many users do not have minimum knowledge of photography, simply put the phone in camera mode and make the picture.”

This is something that will not happen with Asus Smartphone as it includes in its terminal **DSLR one mode, with which you can do pretty professional photos**. With one touch you can make instant adjustments, change the shutter speed, exposure time, ISO settings and other features that until now were reserved for professional cameras. Also, do not need to be an expert: Manual mode with predefined have 13 options.

The frame Assuming that these cameras are fully automated, we could say that one of the “most important, and that things will differentiate a good photographer” mobile “is the frame of the photograph,” according to Beatriz Garrigós, photographer and creative director of Miss Mustache. “We must select which items appear on the scene, leaving” air “around our main object. Whether imaginary margins, around static objects or space to the side where the action (look, movement …) occurs “.

In this regard, Ramón González believes that the huge screen phones have today is a great help to visualize our picture before doing it, but recommended to monitor either the frame. “That clearly sees the subject of your photo. Think before you shoot what it is you are photographing. A person? A landscape? Think if the audience you going to teach your picture will be clear on this. And if not, stay away until you get close or get to make clear what the subject. ”

Another advice in this regard? Contrary to popular belief, sometimes the center of the image is not what most interested. “And there appears more rules known in photography, the rule of thirds: locate places of interest in photography at the intersections of dividing the plane of the photograph into nine equal parts (three vertical divisions and three horizontal)” Beatriz Garrigós details.

Eye lighting

Another basic point in photography is the exposure and focus. Most smartphones do allow touching the area that interests us directly. But “seize the light, since, in low light, the qualities of these cameras disappear,” explains Garrigós.

Of course, careful with overexposure to light “The best days to take pictures outside, but people do not believe, are cloudy days , as there are no contrasts shadow-light that exist on sunny days, even for a professional photographer with his reflex they are difficult to solve. If you are given the case, it uses trees or places that can provide shade, and remember, always back to the sun,” recommends this photographer.

Asus has the pixel masters Backlight (Super HDR) mode, which allows making many captures of the same scene and that technology is responsible for processing them to get the best picture, even in low light, when technology wide dynamic range (WDR) improved and enriched, so that you do not get too bright or dark areas by light.

Magai also explains that the sensors of smartphones are very small but “give good quality in good light situations outdoors, indoors with good lighting, etc. But the moment that we will get dark, darkness reaching loses much quality.”

The light that is in every moment of taking a picture is crucial for decision. While most phones include a flash, this is not like the pros. That does not mean you cannot do a good studio with a mobile “any lamp you have on hand will be a better choice” for the flash to achieve this, according to Gonzalez. You can also use, in case you need flash, some of the continuous light for mobile.

However, you should keep in mind that there are some terminals, such as FON 2 Zen ASUS, which have an improved flash, especially for short distances, which can make you want to photograph small objects out in better conditions. Also, these terminals are capable of capturing up to 400% more light in low-light conditions, which also allows you to make better shots.

Approach the object

Almost all professional photographers use digital zoom advice against smartphones if we make good pictures. “All we’re doing is cutting larger image and photo. The approach is better,” says Andrew Magai who recommends, if we cannot approach, take the picture at full resolution and trim after “reframes on your computer, you will be better.”

Sure, there are terminals that have macro options, such as the Asus ZenFone, with which can capture even the smallest details, thanks to the lens and Largan an engine, which allows you can shoot with sharp objects 6 centimeters away.

Hold either the terminal The stability of a camera is one of the most important factors when taking pictures and “one of the main difficulties to take pictures with the phone is stability,” according to Garrigós, which recommends always grasp it with both hands, albeit a small, lightweight device, to have more stability and reduce the possibility that the picture goes wrong focused and driven. “I am in favor of not shoot by touching the screen as a physical button always helps to better hold the camera. In the case of mobile phones, which use systems based approach, in contrast, it is even more important since any movement of the camera can not only cause pictures but can also hurt during the approach.”

Ramón González also recommended holding the phone with both hands and gives a number of tricks to achieve it. “Supports your body or your hands on a stable place or even if you use a tripod”

Some terminals also include features that allow you to improve this stability so that images do not blur. It is the case of Asus ZenFone and laser auto-focus technology, especially useful in low light. ZenFone laser auto-focus close -ups even accelerates, offsetting the additional distance created by the lens to the frame. According to his data, it is 2 times faster than a traditional approach in contrast.

Eye in the background

“One of the main differences between a good picture and a bad one is the environment in which it is done. Taking proper lighting, an ugly background can ruin the best of the photos. Look carefully before shooting at everything in front of and behind the subject. If necessary change the frame,” he explains the photographer who also recommends watching the best. “On the internet, it is not difficult to find photography forums or social networking sites and specialized in photography. They will find thousands of examples of what can be done with a camera as your phone. Do not cut yourself. I try. I’m not saying that you copy, but you see the limits to which a small camera can get if you help with your inspiration and style.”

Compose and delete

Instantaneity that allows us to your smartphone should not prevent take time before shooting. Magai recommended taking our time before taking the photo. “Seize the moment, look at the screen and see the details, the difference between a photo and a good photo is there in that roll down bag, the plastic bottle … if you do not like what you see, move, change framing, see how it improves the picture.”

Also, if it is important to delete, “Do not be a collector of images, you learn to have criteria and what not like delete it , you will gain space in the phone memory, and improve the quality of your photos” (and, incidentally, you should back up and sort).

At this point, Ramón González considers it important to share your photos and take criticism. “One of the best ways to learn from others is to teach your work and ask for opinions. Preferably people who know but also those who do not. Listen to views and combines what they tell you what you already know, does not give up your ideas. ”

Yes, share your photos but judiciously. “Use the networks to let people know your work but do not flood, if you upload many pictures at once, people get tired of you and your photos” advises Andrew Magai.

Clean the lens

Although it may seem silly, you should not only keep clean the screen but for best results, you should always have cleaned the camera lens, as recommended Garrigós. However, it is quite exposed to getting dirty when carried in pockets.

Beware selfie sticks

Who has not made a selfie? So much so that terminals such as Asus include cameras specially prepared for good self-portraits. But eye with selfie sticks, which increasingly outsell and allow terminals theft easier. As Magai warns, “I think about it, you turn away your phone to a meter of you, it is not surprising that foreign friends, more and more smartphones stolen, you have given them a meter advantage.”

Improved photo

Increasingly terminals include application so you can improve your photos. Why not use them? They are a good way to correct these minor flaws and enhance images, they are not prohibited. Asus terminals have the option to improve many aspects of the images and you will help. Andrés Magai especially recommended as external application Snapseed. “You can improve the quality, focus, use filters, etc. And it’s free”.

Enjoy

“One of the main advice I always give to my students is to have fun. An apprentice photographer who will enjoy hundreds or thousands of photos and with each one of them, learn. However, if you worry too much about getting some concrete picture, if it is overwhelmed by not getting what you want or if ultimately ends up not enjoying photography, stop taking pictures and logically never master your camera”, says Ramón González.

And, as also summarizes Beatriz Garrigós, “in the end what matters is the creativity of the photographer. Follow the rules or break them as you’re interested.”