Smartphone Photography: A Complete Guide With Pro Tips

Do you know that people take more than five billion photos each day globally? The majority of them are taken with a smartphone. Modern mobile phones come with advanced cameras that can take professional-grade photos. You can now take high-quality images for events and travel or even take product photos for commercial purposes. However, smartphone photography is not just about clicking and capturing pictures. You need a basic idea of taking stunning visuals with a smartphone. Let’s share how you can take eye-catching photos with smartphones that hook the viewers.

What is great about smartphone photography?

Cell phones have many advantages as an on-the-go solution for photography. Below are a few of the reasons why you should practice mobile phone photography:

Smartphones are always available

You do not need a sophisticated setup to take photos with a smartphone. These devices are easy to carry. They help us take every moment of our lives no matter what the situation is.

Easy to use

Anyone can use a mobile phone. Smartphones automatically adjust complex camera settings. However, taking photos with a DSLR camera requires a basic understanding of these complex features.

Powerful editing apps

Modern smartphones come with powerful photo editing applications. With these apps, you can do basic editing tasks such as editing the colors lights and some other photo aspects. Although you need to hire professionals for advanced image editing, these instantly accessible editing apps are great for basic editing.

Instant sharing

Smartphones can capture and share your photos instantly. Platforms like Facebook and Snapchat give you access to filters. Using these filters you can edit your photos and share with friends without any hassle.

Advanced features

Today’s mobile phones have many features similar to a DSLR camera. For example, mobile phones now allow you to take slow-motion videos. Additionally, you have better control over the camera features that are necessary to take photos.

Qualities of a good phone for photography

Below are a few qualities that are necessary for a mobile phone for taking good-quality photos:

Megapixel count

Megapixel count is a feature that determines how sharp your photos will be. It does not guarantee a better-quality image, but this feature is essential when cropping photos. At least 48 megapixels is essential for high-quality commercial photos. For fun purposes, less is okay.

Image stabilization

Camera shaking is a common problem in mobile phone photography. This problem can be minimized by the optical image stabilization feature. If you take action shots too often, utilizing this feature can ensure better-quality photos even if you are in action.

RAW support

RAW is an image format that retains a lot of information about the image compared to commonly used formats such as JPG and PNG. This feature helps image editors get more control over different image aspects and bring better results.

Manual control

Your camera should allow you to control all the settings manually. For example, you need to set the ISO to measure the available lights and keep it as low as possible. Automatic settings do not always provide the best results.

Longer battery life

Taking photos with a phone consumes a lot of power. As you can not instantly replace a phone battery, the capacity of the battery should be good enough for longer photo sessions.

iPhone or Android for better photography?

Both iPhone and Android are good options for smartphone photography. iPhone can be a better option if you are already within the iPhone ecosystem. It will integrate you across all Apple products, which will give you a better experience. For better camera performance, you can choose the iPhone 15 or 16 Pro Max model. Both have a 48MP main camera with a good range of optical zooming capacity.

On the other hand, Android has a lot of options. There are countless brands of Android devices to choose from. It has more control over camera settings. If you are budget-friendly, the Android should be the choice for you. Samsung Galaxy S25 or Google Pixel 9 Pro can be good options for Android lovers. Both the phones have a 50MP primary camera and multiple lenses with optical zooming capacity.

Pros and cons of Android

👍A variety of options available

👍More camera features

👍More customization options

👍Higher megapixel availability

👍More affordable

👎 Inconsistent performance

Pros and cons of iPhone

👍Stable image quality

👍Easy to use

👍Better software performance

👍Better for low-light conditions

👍Regular software updates

👎Storage not expandable

👎Higher price

👎Limited model variation

Smartphone Photography: Step-by-Step Process

Now, let’s discuss the step-by-step guide for smartphone photography:

Choose the right mobile phone

Choosing the right phone is the primary step in smartphone photography.

Choose the right smartphone for your photography needs. For example, for landscape photos, with need a camera with an ultra-wide lens and high dynamic range. iPhone 16 Pro Max or Google Pixel will be a better choice for this purpose. Similarly, for shooting at night, choose a phone with a larger sensor and powerful night mode such as Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Select a good camera app

Default mobile camera apps often have limited features. They do not provide manual control over all the camera options. Therefore, you need an external camera application that will provide you full control of the settings. Below are a few advantages of using a good camera app:

Manual control over all camera options
Saving the photos in RAW format
Accessing HDR mode
More accurate focus
Advanced gridline and level tools

Gather all the accessories

Gather all the accessories that are necessary for your photography needs. For example, if you are taking commercial photos indoors, give attention to lighting accessories such as LED panels, diffusers, etc. Never compromise on smartphone photography accessories such as a tripod, remote shutter release, etc.

Proper lighting

Natural light can be the best option for mobile phone photography. Try to utilize daylight in the early morning or late afternoon. For indoor shooting, illuminate the subject from multiple angles to create even lighting.

Prepare the photography set

Choosing the right shooting location is a vital step in smartphone photography. Shooting location has to be aligned with the product type. For example, you can choose an outdoor natural waterfall to shoot a water bottle to create a natural and refreshing environment.

Set up a backdrop if necessary. For commercial photography, you can use a neutral, solid white background made out of cloth or paper. Use a background stand to keep the backdrop straight.

If you are using props or models, arrange them in the photography set. For example, if you are taking photos of cosmetic products, you can use packaging items and natural beauty elements as props.

Take the photo

After you have completed arranging the photography set, it is time to capture the shot. Below are a few best practices for capturing photos with a mobile phone:

Clean the lens before taking the shot
Focus on the subject to make it sharp
Use gridlines to follow the rule of thirds
Avoid digital zoom to maintain image quality
Use a remote shutter release to avoid shaking
Use HDR mode to capture more detailed photos
Capture the photo in RAW mode
Take multiple photos from different angles

How do you edit photos taken on a phone?

Below are the photo aspects that are corrected in the post-processing:

Correcting imperfections: It is often not possible to take photos in ideal conditions, even if you have the most advanced device. Therefore, photo aspects such as color, exposure, lighting, etc, need to be balanced at the editing table.

Improving clarity: The details of the subject can be improved through post-processing techniques. Image editors can sharpen the image and make it vivid before the final presentation.

Complying with platform requirements: Whether you have taken photos for social media or e-commerce platforms, the images need to be compliant with these media for the best results. Therefore, the size, resolution, and other image features need to be corrected.

Manipulating the image: Image manipulation is the photo editing technique where the image editor changes the composition of the photo to improve the visual appeal. They use special effects and add artistic elements to bring the desired photography style.

You have two options to edit the photos you have taken with the smartphone – editing on the smartphone or on a computer. Let’s find out how you can do this.

Editing images on a smartphone

Editing the photo on a phone is convenient. You can edit the photo instantly right after taking the photo. For basic editing, smartphone applications are just enough. It is cost-effective and provides you with the final usable photo instantly. There are a few easy-to-use but powerful mobile apps that allow a full range of photo editing.

Below are a few popular mobile apps for photo editing:

Adobe Lightroom

It is a comprehensive app suitable for beginners and advanced users. Key features and advantages of the app:

RAW format support
No destructive editing
Built-in presets
Syncs with the desktop version

Snapseed

This application is a Google product that provides a wide range of tools for editing photos on a mobile phone. Key features include:

Easy to use
Selective editing
RAW format support
Advanced healing tool
Add free application

VSCO

This app has a good number of filters and editing tools that help users edit their photos within minutes. Below are a few key features:

Perfect for quick editing
Built-in community sharing
Access to preset filters
Premium version with more advanced tools

How to take product photos with smartphones?

Retailers with e-commerce businesses can take product photos with a smartphone. They do not need a complex photography setup with a DSLR camera to capture photos for product promotion.

Below are a few key steps to take product photos with a mobile phone:

Plan for photography

Planning is the first step of product photography. Below is a checklist that should be followed in this planning process:

Defining photography purpose – What do you want to achieve through this photography session?
Research photography style – Brainstorm and research competitors to find inspiration and ideas.
Prepare a shot list – How many shots do you want to take? Finalize the type of shots, such as wide angle, close up shot, etc.
Choose a suitable location – finalize the location as per the needs of your photography plan.
Schedule for the photoshoot – considering the time and accessibility of the equipment necessary, schedule the photoshoot.

Prepare the product

Prepare your product for photography. Wipe the product with a cloth so that the product is free of fingerprints. You should also remove tags and packaging materials to present the product without any clutter. For RMG products, iron them to make them free of wrinkles.

Prepare the photography setup

After arranging the necessary equipment, it’s time to prepare the photography set. If you are taking the photo indoors, start by setting up a clean, solid, and neutral color background. Then, the lights are set up in different directions for uniform illumination. Finally, place the product and props in front of the background. Make sure the product becomes the center of attention, not the props or packaging materials.

Take the shot

Take the photo as per the plan. Ideally, you should take multiple photos from different angles. Do not forget to take close-up or macro shots to present the construction material and texture of the product. Take as many shots as it is required to achieve the photography goal.

Edit the photo

You can edit the photo by yourself or hire a professional photo editor. Image editors will adjust the color, light, shadow, background, etc to make the product look natural. Finally, they will resize the photos to make them compliant with the e-commerce platforms.

Professional tips for mobile phone photography

Below are a few bonus tips to follow:

Use natural light: Take advantage of natural light whenever possible. Sunlight provides more accurate colors compared to any artificial lighting.
Clean the camera lens: Clean your camera lens to remove dust. Simply take a microfiber and wipe the lens area.
Avoid using digital zoom: Using digital zoom will make the photo pixelated. Try getting closer to the subject or cropping the photo afterward instead of zooming in.
Use grid lines for easier composition: Use grid lines on your camera. This function will assist you in aligning the photo with the rule of thirds and make the subject more prominent.
Adjust the focus: Manually focus on the subject correctly to avoid making it blurry. Tapping the screen on the subject before taking a shot will make the subject the focal point.
Control the exposure manually: The exposure must be adjusted correctly for a better lighting effect. Do it manually instead of using the automatic function.
Keep the phone steady: Shaky hands will cause blurred images. Using a tripod to hold the phone will solve this problem. Use a remote shutter release to take sensitive shots.
Change photograph angles: Experiment with different heights and try taking the photo from above or below eye level.
Utilize portrait mode: Portrait mode is an excellent tool that blurs the background while focusing on the subject.
Use editing apps: For quick edits, utilize mobile applications. Mobile apps are easy to use. You can instantly correct the basic image elements by using these applications.

Some creative ideas for smartphone photography

By now, you know how to take professional-grade photos with a smartphone and what tools you should use for photography. Below are a few creative mobile phone photography ideas that you can apply to your photography project:

Take photos with reflection

Reflective surface photography is a great way of taking interesting photos. For example, you can take photos on a glassy or mirror-like surface to create a reflection of the subject. Rainwater can also be utilized to take the reflections of the surroundings. This is a great technique for taking product photos as well.

Play with shadow

You can add drama to your shots with the creative application of shadows. Shadows can create distinct patterns that can help you take interesting photos with a smartphone. For instance, you can photograph the shadow of a bicycle against a bright wall to add a minimalistic touch.

Leading line photography

Create natural or artificial curves to draw the viewer’s attention toward the focus of the image. These photos become more appealing if you can add perspectives to the image. This type of photography is a great way of telling a story in a dramatic way. For example, focus on a lengthy road to draw the viewer towards the person or an object waiting at the end of the road.

Motion Blur effect

Motion blur is a technique where the photographer takes the photo using a blurry effect, keeping the subject clear. This technique is great for presenting power and speed. For example, you can take a photo of a car using this method to portray action.

Silhouettes Photography

Silhouettes are images that are taken against a bright light. Photographers make the subject dark using a bright background. For example, you can capture a silhouette of a person on the beach standing during a sunset.

FAQ

What are some techniques for taking better photos with a mobile phone?

You can apply a few simple methods to improve the image quality. For example, increasing the exposure, avoiding camera flash, using image stabilization mode, using a tripod, and editing the photo with reliable software.

Do I need to use external lenses for smartphone photography?

It is not mandatory because modern smartphones have built-in lenses that are good for taking photos from different perspectives. However, if the built-in lenses do not fulfill special needs, such as macro photoshoots, then you may use external lenses.

Which is the best photo editing application for mobile phone photography?

There are many Android and IOS applications for photo editing. For example, Adobe Lightroom, Snapseed, VSCO, and PicsArt are a few names that have a variety of advanced tools for photo editing.

How to avoid blurriness in photos?

Use a tripod to avoid shaking during the photoshoot. If your phone supports image stabilization mode, then turn it on. Tap on the subject to make it clear and sharp.

Should I use digital or optical zoom?

Optical zoom is a far better option. Digital zoom will make your photo pixelated. However, I suggest taking the photo without using the zooming option. Come closer to the subject if possible to avoid using this camera feature.

Can I use photo filters on my phone camera?

Using filters is okay for casual photos for social media. For commercial-grade photos, try avoiding filters that can distort the photo. Instead, adjust exposure, color, and lighting settings to make the photo natural.

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Conclusion

Smartphone photography is not rocket science. Anyone can take good quality photos with this everyday device for fun and even take commercial-grade photos. Fine-tune your photos before using them for serious projects. Try to be a little creative to explore the endless possibilities of smartphone photography.