1. Stay focused
Sure, it’s pretty easy to point and snap with your phone camera, but how many times has a photo you’ve taken ended up disappointingly fuzzy and distorted? One of the key things to remember when taking a photo is ensuring that the lens is focused on what you’re trying to capture. On most Android phones this is as simple as tapping on what you want to focus on. A square should appear, and your camera will re-focus on it.
2. Choose your orientation
Whether you’re taking a selfie or trying to photograph a landscape, you’ll need to think carefully about what it is you're trying to capture, and where it’s go to be positioned in the final photo For example, a mountain image might have more scope in landscape, but in portrait you'll get a better sense of the hill’s size. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
3. To filter or not to filter?
one of the big changes in smartphone technology is the ability to add a filter to your images. Many camera apps let you add the filter before you capture an image, so you can get an idea of exactly what it'll look like prior to actually snapping. other apps, like instagram, allow you to add filters post-picture taking. Don't just add a filter for the sake of it through; ask yourself what it adds to thae image before making a final decision.
4. Speedy snapping
There are a number of ways you can speed up snapping photos. Some apps will let you lose the gap between pushing the button to take a photo and the digital shutter closing. This usually does away with the previous focal action, so you need to make sure you’ve got the focus just right first. If there’s no option to do this in your app and you’ve got a rooted device, there are Xposed Modules that will strip out the shutter lag.
5. Get to know your device
Each Android device is going to have a slightly different way of taking photos. Third-party devices will have their own camera app, and others may include gesture controls that let you take photos or turn on your camera without touching the screen. It’s worth checking online to find out any secrets about your phone. For example, the Cubot X17 we used for some of the shots lets you take a selfie if you perform a gesture in front of the camera.
6. What on Earth is HDR?
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a method of photo stitching. Essentially your device takes three images, one after the other, before melding them together to create a whole picture. It means that different lighting conditions can be merged together – grab an image of the sky and it’ll probably be overexposed when compared to the foreground. That’s where HDR comes in. It’s important to remain still when taking an HDR photo. Some phones take them automatically, while others need you to select the option.
7. Go manual
If you want to take your photography further, using some of the manual settings on your Android phone is one way to go. These will differ from device to device, but most will allow you to tweak the white balance and ISO of the photos that you're taking. Apps like Camera ore control, opening up option usually reserved for DSLR photographers. If you want to create amazing smartphone photos, that’s a good place to start.
8. Keep it steady
A lot of camera apps now have built-in anti-shake technology to ensure that your photos are as crisp as they can be. It takes a bit more processing power to do and will use your battery up, but it’s worth looking into if you’re ending up with blurry photos. If you can, it’s a good idea to rest your arms on something solid when you’re taking a photo too, to ensure there’s no unnecessary movement when you’re trying to snap.
9. Swift access
Sometimes you want to get to your camera as quickly as possible, and adding a link from your lockscreen is a great way to do just that. Each phone may have a different process for doing so, and some will let you quickly access the camera by tapping one of the physical buttons. A few devices even open the camera if you can shake them just right. If you can’t fi nd a way to add a quick-link, then consider adding a lockscreen widget.
10. When to use flash
Look around you when at a concert or sporting event and you’re guaranteed to see multiple flashes going off, but here’s the kicker – they’re pretty much useless at that distance. A flash the size of the one on you ’t going to light much for more than a couple of meters in front of you. High-end cameras actually have good low-light capabilities as it is, so you should only be using your flash when it’s really dark. If the outcome isn’t brilliant (which is likely), try adjusting the exposure value and ISO on your phone’s camera app settings.
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