Ten Mobile Photography Tips For Better Photos

Would you like to take better photos using your camera phone?

In this post, you will learn how to take better mobile photos. Camera phones have some photo limitations and the lighting can be troublesome especially in low light situations, so the post will focus on what you can control such as composition, design elements, and visual story-telling.

You can, of course, buy accessories,  external lenses or use light sources for your phone but this article will discuss using your phone as is and the art of seeing.

Thailand, A Photogenic Country

I went to Thailand and took something like 3000 mobile pictures, using my iPhone. This photogenic country is abundant with inspiring subjects and aesthetically pleasing architectural monuments.

In Chiang Rai, I visited Wat Rong Khun, also referred to as the White Temple, designed and built by artist and painter Chalermchai Kositpipat. It’s a spectacular sight not to be missed, and was on my bucket list for years.

To photograph the entire temple proved difficult due to the limited capacity of the phone so I focused on different solutions.

1. Mobile Photography Tip One: Move Closer To The Subject

Photography tip number one is to move closer to your subject or use the portrait mode for close-up shots. If you take pictures of, for example, antique coffee cups, or fresh berries, the portrait setting will emphasize the subject and details.

You can enlarge the i-phone screen up to 10 times under the PHOTO setting by placing two fingers close together on the screen and spreading them out, however, the portrait mode works better to avoid pixelated images.

Below is a close-up of prayer plates found at the White Temple grounds.

Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai, Thailand

2. Mobile Photography Tip Two: Visual Story-telling

Look for stories as you travel along or decide in advance what you plan to shoot. I captured spontaneous anecdotes daily which can be easy to find when you travel.

The image below depicts a master monk, off-center, bringing us to meet a visually impaired monk.

I ended up spending half the day with the impaired monk inside his living quarters in the temple. I shot a series of intimate images of his struggles trying to find his way around the temple walls, but also his giant smiles as he spoke of that one day he will be able to see again. When we left, he gave us a small piece of Buddha’s relic, a very sacred object to bring home.

Master Monk, Ang Thong,Thailand

3. Mobile Photography Tip Three: Take Series Of Photos

Try to take a series of images that belong to the same story. This helps if you at some point plan to sell your pictures to a magazine, or blog post, or show them in a gallery as all such outlets love a comprehensive sequence.

For example, say you decide to tell a story about a breed of a Thai bird, then the progression can include different scenarios:

• A flock of birds early in the morning
• Birds diving for fish in the ocean
• Close up of a group of birds on rocks
• Close up of two lovebirds
• Closeup of one bird preening to remove dust from its feathers
• A birds nest with eggs
• Closeup of a nestling (baby bird)
• Closeup of a fledgling (young bird) learning to fly
• One bird spreadings its wings and flying away

4. Mobile Photography Tip Four: Movement and Repetition

When composing pictures, consider design elements such as movement, and repetition.

At the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang, I followed behind the herd and waited until they all walked in a diagonal line (movement) before snapping the pictures. The person in the right-hand corner leads the viewers’ eyes into the rest of the scene.

The mahouts’ blue shirts added a repetition of color so did their pale yellow hats.

Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Lampang, Thailand

5. Mobile Photography Tip Five: Emphasis and Balance

When I saw the working elephants in Ayutthaya I paused the camera until the moment when two elephants’ trunks almost met. As a calculated bonus, the image emphasized a tourist, who even though he was resting in a chair on the elephant’s back, and with the opportunity to enjoy a prime view of Ayutthaya’s ancient ruins, was talking on his phone during the ride.

The story shows an asymmetrical balance, or yin and yang, between the modern digital world and power lines, contrasting against ancient city history and elephants whose ancestors roamed the earth for 55 million years.

By the way, please do not ride the elephants as it is cruel to the animals. It’s better to visit or donate to a reputable elephant sanctuary that rehabilitates elephants.

Ayutthaya, Thailand

6. Mobile Photography Tip Six: Photographing Strangers

The formal King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej started more than four thousand charitable and research royal projects.

I visited the king’s agricultural development in the breathtaking mountains Doi Ang Khang and met with the Palong Hill Tribe.

Originally from Myanmar, these former opium growers are now doing more honorable work such as weaving and making clothes or farming tea, coffee, and strawberries. The ventures are supported by the Royal initiative to stop opium farming.

The colorfully dressed, elderly women making handmade clothes provided a lot of shooting opportunities.

Palong Tribe, Doi Ang Khang, Thailand

7. Mobile Photography Tip Seven: Framing An Image

Look for interesting ways to frame an image such as a doorway or temple gate. When I found a gardener peacefully watering flowers at Doi Ang Khang, I framed the early morning muted colored image between two whitewashed stone letters.

Doi Ang Khang, Thailand

8. Mobile Photography Tip Eight: A Touch Of Color

A woman going to work, followed by a homeless dog. She set up shop as soon as she crossed the bridge. I like this image because it tells a story about daily life in Thailand, and the man-made yellow plastic bag contrasts against the natural green forest. 

Phattana Nikhom, Nong Bua, Thailand

9. Mobile Photography Tip Nine: Follow Your Curiosity

Follow your obsessions and interests. If you love flowers, capture that. Let your passion and soul shine through your images. If you don’t know what your obsessions are, follow your curiosity. Every time I see an ancient door I take a picture of it. I love the metaphorical mystery of not knowing what’s behind the door. Same with stairways. Where do they lead?

9. Mobile Photo Tip Nine: Be Ready When Opportunity Knocks

Be ready and quick at times to capture an expression. These adorable long-eared cows were uttermost surprised when I jumped out of the car to capture them. I only had a few seconds before they wanted to do their cow things again, such as eat.

 

 10. Mobile Photography Tip Ten: Don’t Compare Your Beginning to Somebody Else Middle Or Advanced State

Don’t compare yourself to other photographers, at least not in the beginning. Play, have fun and experiment. Remember, even the most prolific photographers shoot thousands of images, then they delete and edit. They also use professional retouchers to get those fantastic glossy magazine images, but for the rest of us, there are some great editing apps.

Next Step

I hope this post inspired you to experiment with mobile photography.

If you are not traveling at the moment, start taking pictures in your neighborhood or go on a short mini trip or a day tour. Or come up with a visual story. It can be about your dog’s day at the beach or your kid’s first time at the zoo or anything else that captures your mind.

I love to hear your thoughts or photo ideas so please keep in touch and feel free to leave comments.

To never miss a post, subscribe below. I cover living a creative lifestyle and travel.