Your current Instagram photos are annoying and somehow always look the same? Then I recommend staying here and reading through my 5 smartphone photography tips.
You don’t need a spectacular location or 1,000 new props. I’ll show you how to create outstanding shots with smartphone photography to upgrade your social media game with just light, shadow, and perspective.
Pro tips:
1. With an editing program, you can highlight each photo. I work with the free apps from Adobe (including Lightroom, Photoshop Fix), Tezza, and VSCO.
2. Combining the points listed brings up a new level. Contrasts
According to studies, images with gaudy color differences are more likely to catch the eye, than monotonous ones. As always, it depends of course on the object and how you implement this. With an outfit, for example, you choose one or two special items of clothing that stand out and are best placed on a simple background. In the case of pictures with food, what is on the plate should contrast with the plate and the decoration around it.
- Avoid using too many colors in a photo (unless you have a colorful theme).
- Less is more. Keep your photos simple, then the desired motif will pop out even more.
- Increase the saturation of the dominant color so that it looks stronger.
Shaddows
In everyday life, we usually do not pay particular attention to the shadows that wander with us. So this mostly doesn’t give you the idea that you can use it to create great pictures. Shadows are an easy way to upgrade your Instagram Game and add another dimension to your photos.
- Make the shadow/s the main subject.
- A background with little structure is best suited for this. This way the shadow comes into its own.
- So that the picture looks more dramatic, I recommend taking the pictures with the sun high.
- When editing images, it is helpful to set the contrast a little higher to bring the subject further into the foreground.
Perspectives
A great way to catch the viewer’s eyes is to take photos with your smartphone from completely different angles than we are used to. Photos taken at different angles distract us as we scroll down. They are unusual and fascinating.
- Stand on a chair (for flat lays)
- Approach the ground (for landscape photography)
- Shoot along a wall (for fashion and landscape photography)
- Set the motif in the distance.
Reflections
Reflections come in a wide variety of forms. Among other things, there would be water, mirrors, glasses, metals, sunglasses, or lacquered objects such as original vases. Besides the shots you can see below the cover photo is also taken in this way!
- Take the photo from different angles. You can also move a little, the angle of the light influences the reflection.
- Attention should be paid to symmetry for a clean shot.
Silhouettes
Silhouettes are amazing for conveying drama, mystery, emotion, and mood to the audience. They are a unique way to visualize the world with your smartphone. Silhouette photos often stand out on Instagram because they are simple. That brings us back to the topic of contrasts in a slightly different way. Silhouettes tell a story and allow the viewer to paint some of it for himself.
- Choose a strong topic such as a single person, a tree, or a rock.
- Hide the sun behind the subject for an even more special effect.
- A sunset or sunrise is particularly suitable for this.
- Force your camera to adjust the exposure on the brightest part of your photo (the background), not the subject. Focus on the subject to bring the silhouette into focus (almost black).
