Smartphone as camera
Sep 2, 2016 10:19:27 #
Hi. I was premature in my hope to buy a camera soon ... other expenses have preempted that for a while. Are there any useful discussions, tutorials, etc. on how to use my cellphone to learn some good (newbie) photography principles in the meantime? To, say, take *better* photographs, instead of taking poor or average photographs, and then to store them on my phone or computer for later review and possible editing or discarding? Thanks!
Sep 2, 2016 10:36:45 #
Anything regarding composition. You may have few options in a camera phone for shutter speed and depth of field, but much regarding the impact of a photo has to do with light (the time of day), your perspective (angle of view), what you include in your image and what you leave out.
Think about what exactly appeals to you about a subject or scene, then think about how best you can convey that. Any books or articles or videos on composition and light will take you a long way.
Think about what exactly appeals to you about a subject or scene, then think about how best you can convey that. Any books or articles or videos on composition and light will take you a long way.
Sep 2, 2016 10:40:41 #
jjbrenner
Loc: San Angelo, TX
princedugan wrote:
Hi. I was premature in my hope to buy a camera soon ... other expenses have preempted that for a while. Are there any useful discussions, tutorials, etc. on how to use my cellphone to learn some good (newbie) photography principles in the meantime? To, say, take *better* photographs, instead of taking poor or average photographs, and then to store them on my phone or computer for later review and possible editing or discarding? Thanks!
This is a great topic for response from the many knowledgeable members of this forum. I anticipate an abundance of useful tips. Most of my friends use camera phones for all of their photography, and many have asked me if there are ways to improve their results. I'm considering putting together a powerpoint presentation that relates specifically to this issue. I also plan to do online research, but know our fellow "Hoggers" will come up with some of the simplest and most practical information. Thank you for submitting the topic. Jim
Sep 2, 2016 10:49:55 #
Good insights, Linda. Thanks. And it certainly would be time well-spent for me to look into and study some basics like compostion, lighting, etc. and apply those principles even to taking pictures with a phone. To find out if my initial enthusiasm about photography will stand the test of time and the learning curve, and become a serious commitment, before I spend a lot of money on equipment.
Regards, Larry
Regards, Larry
Sep 2, 2016 11:34:01 #
There are several books on using a phone camera for photography. (I haven't read them, so I can't make a specific recommendation.)
As with any camera, the most important thing is to practice, experiment and learn to work within the limitations of your phone camera.
As with any camera, the most important thing is to practice, experiment and learn to work within the limitations of your phone camera.
Sep 2, 2016 12:17:05 #
Thanks. At least I have an opportunity to "keep it simple" and just learn about picture-taking before I invest in a nice camera. I'll check out those books ... maybe even literally, at a library!
Sep 2, 2016 12:17:39 #
The latest cell phone DEVICES are indeed marvels of modern technology and I consider my latest Andriod smartphone as a very nifty and handy communications tool, but let's face it folks- it ain't a camera for an advanced photography enthusiast or a pro. If you really want to get into photography in a serious way, it's time to go out and purchase a decent camera.
This statement is not the product of snobbery or some kind of superiority complex on my part so here's my reasoning. It's obvious that cell phone cameras do not have all the features of even a moderately priced DSLR- things like precise aperture and shutter speed controls and a myriad of other settings for technical and aesthetic variations. For the sake of argument, however, let's put all of that aside and just examine the area of COMPOSITION which is a very important artistic aspect of good photography.
Good composition id dependent on how we place and frame things in the camera's field of view. Weh you peer through the EYE LEVEL viewfinder of a DSLR it is easy to see your exact framing and to establish the exact point of view or camera position your desire. Oftentimes, just a small change of your point of view can make the difference between an average snapshot and a highly effective image. Holding a cell phone camera out in front of your eye at arms length and trying to establish a precise composition is difficult, sometimes awkward and can even be impossible, especially in sunny conditions where light is striking the screen and obliterating the image.
Whether you are making portraits, still life images or landscapes, establishing an exact point of view is essential. Well- for about $100. you can buy a newfangled grip to make holding your cell phone camera in a less awkward manner but it still does not equal the ergonomic design of most modern cameras.
I do enjoy having my little cell phone camera with me at all times -it's fun but for serious imaging- get a camera! A moderately priced DSLR with a zoom lens is a good starting point for learning all the ins and outs of camera handling and photographic aesthetics.
Regards, Ed
This statement is not the product of snobbery or some kind of superiority complex on my part so here's my reasoning. It's obvious that cell phone cameras do not have all the features of even a moderately priced DSLR- things like precise aperture and shutter speed controls and a myriad of other settings for technical and aesthetic variations. For the sake of argument, however, let's put all of that aside and just examine the area of COMPOSITION which is a very important artistic aspect of good photography.
Good composition id dependent on how we place and frame things in the camera's field of view. Weh you peer through the EYE LEVEL viewfinder of a DSLR it is easy to see your exact framing and to establish the exact point of view or camera position your desire. Oftentimes, just a small change of your point of view can make the difference between an average snapshot and a highly effective image. Holding a cell phone camera out in front of your eye at arms length and trying to establish a precise composition is difficult, sometimes awkward and can even be impossible, especially in sunny conditions where light is striking the screen and obliterating the image.
Whether you are making portraits, still life images or landscapes, establishing an exact point of view is essential. Well- for about $100. you can buy a newfangled grip to make holding your cell phone camera in a less awkward manner but it still does not equal the ergonomic design of most modern cameras.
I do enjoy having my little cell phone camera with me at all times -it's fun but for serious imaging- get a camera! A moderately priced DSLR with a zoom lens is a good starting point for learning all the ins and outs of camera handling and photographic aesthetics.
Regards, Ed
Sep 2, 2016 13:40:36 #
I think some cell phone's cameras are programmed to ONLY do selfies and then to automatically post that image to InstGram!!
If your phone is one of those, my best suggestion is to use the longest selfie stick you can get so your nose won't always look so HUGE!!!
Well, anyway, that's my best advice!!!!!
SS
If your phone is one of those, my best suggestion is to use the longest selfie stick you can get so your nose won't always look so HUGE!!!
Well, anyway, that's my best advice!!!!!
SS
Sep 2, 2016 15:01:03 #
Thanks for the comments ... a good DSLR is definitely on my wish list, and I've started saving for it. Without really knowing why, I've got my eye on (pun intended) a Canon Rebel T6, or the more expensive EOS 80D. (Naturally, I'll be looking at makes and models again later, when I have some $$ saved, and and idea what I'll be satisfied to start with.)
Sep 2, 2016 16:22:34 #
In pro mode on my Galaxy S6, I can change the ISO, shutterspeed and the white balance. To get decent results, you have to have great light. Everything else is about composition and finding a compelling subject.
Having said that, even the best results from my smartphone pale in comparison to anything I've taken with a dslr.
Having said that, even the best results from my smartphone pale in comparison to anything I've taken with a dslr.
Sep 2, 2016 18:06:03 #
Gotcha ... thanks. I can certainly look more into general basics while saving for a camera.
Sep 3, 2016 05:58:41 #
princedugan wrote:
Gotcha ... thanks. I can certainly look more into general basics while saving for a camera.
Sep 3, 2016 06:00:31 #
I have D7000, D7200, Canon G10 Love them all , My cell phone Samsung Galaxy S5 16 MP takes great Pictures.
Sep 3, 2016 06:16:42 #
I use my Android phone camera quite often, the images are excellent and I recently used it for a entire shoot and I very pleased with the results.
I do use a "proper" camera of course so I wouldn't a smart phone instead as there are some negatives they have, one is using the phone camera in bright light can be very difficult to see the screen also in my case I sometimes get my finger over the lens. I have got round these problems by buying a selfie stick and use it unextended so it's rather like a mini monopod with remote control.
I don't know what brand your phone is but I would try some other camera apps as they do have extra functions, I use my native LG phone app, also I use Google camera app and my favourite is "A Better Camera" which has lots of useful functions. The all produce excellent images as the hardware remains constant so have a play and see which you like best, there are 100's of camera apps and they each have their owns pros and cons, one thing is, do not try too many you will get totally confused, just like I did.
There are also stacks of editors and the same thing can happen if you try too many, the one I recommend is Snapseed which is a very popular PP app.
I do use a "proper" camera of course so I wouldn't a smart phone instead as there are some negatives they have, one is using the phone camera in bright light can be very difficult to see the screen also in my case I sometimes get my finger over the lens. I have got round these problems by buying a selfie stick and use it unextended so it's rather like a mini monopod with remote control.
I don't know what brand your phone is but I would try some other camera apps as they do have extra functions, I use my native LG phone app, also I use Google camera app and my favourite is "A Better Camera" which has lots of useful functions. The all produce excellent images as the hardware remains constant so have a play and see which you like best, there are 100's of camera apps and they each have their owns pros and cons, one thing is, do not try too many you will get totally confused, just like I did.
There are also stacks of editors and the same thing can happen if you try too many, the one I recommend is Snapseed which is a very popular PP app.
Sep 3, 2016 06:21:19 #
Google iPhone photography, or cellphone photography. There's lots of info out there and great advice here already listed. Some folks don't take cellphone photography very seriously yet I've got a friend who annually sells her phone photography works on the walls of the state capital here in VA.
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