Taking a clear photo of a cell phone (without success).. I struggle to do this successfully although I don't seem to have this problem taking similar photos of other objects at similar...

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

I struggle to do this successfully although I don't seem to have this problem taking similar photos of other objects at similar distances. Here are some examples.

The first is taken outside and the camera is focusing on the greenery behind me. I have no idea how I can make it focus on the phone itself.

The second is taken against a white background, and I have no idea what the camera is focusing on (though it indicates it's focused). I took five photos in similar circumstances and the results were identical.

The last photo is taken in almost the same circumstances as the one above but came out sort of OK though still not as crisp as I would have expected.

I sort of understand the problem with the first but the second in particular is a complete mystery to me.

Any ideas or suggestions of technique that would give me a higher rate of success?

Thanks

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twowindsbear

First pic is like looking into a mirror. The camera is seeing the reflection if the plants behind you.

Second is blank, as far as your camera can tell with nothing it see to focus on.

Third the phone is on & your camera sees the display on the screen and can focus on that. Looks pretty good to me. I'm viewing on my phone, though.

Manual focus may help. Or focus on the edge, lock focus, recompose & make the photo.

Good luck

That's my WAGs.

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Thanks! I did as you suggested (focussed on the edge then locked the focus) and the result was 1000% better!

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chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

you can also use a cpl to cut some of the glare in your final image

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Had to Google that one

but thanks I'll remember that for next time.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

And UHH helps another beginner.
Gotta love this board.
It was a blessing to me in my early days.
Ken

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

Why do you want a picture of your iPhone? If it's to record what's on the screen, I suggest doing a screen capture. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200289. On many iPhones, push the Power & Home buttons at the same time.

Kuzano

Why?

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

chikid68 wrote:

you can also use a cpl to cut some of the glare in your final image

Sorry, don't know what a "cpl" is but to eliminate glare and reflections from the screen, you can cut a hole (diameter of the lens barrel) centered in a mat board preferably dark grey or black one (facing the cell phone) and shoot through the board. You might have to adjust the placement of the phone to minimize stray reflections. You will be able to get better contrast and definition in your image. Cheers! Ed

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

elee950021 wrote:

Sorry, don't know what a "cpl" is but to eliminate glare and reflections from the screen, you can cut a hole (diameter of the lens barrel) centered in a mat board preferably dark grey or black one (facing the cell phone) and shoot through the board. You might have to adjust the placement of the phone to minimize stray reflections. You will be able to get better contrast and definition in your image. Cheers! Ed

a cpl is a circular polarizer it is a filter designed to reduce glare and reflections
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizing_filter_(photography)

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

peterg wrote:

Why do you want a picture of your iPhone? If it's to record what's on the screen, I suggest doing a screen capture. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200289. On many iPhones, push the Power & Home buttons at the same time.

The answer's simple...to advertise it for sale

In my experience a really good photograph of an item increases its potential for being sold my a zillion per cent. You'd be surprised how many items (even cameras) are advertised with really lousy accompanying photographs.

Bipod

This is an old thread, but in case some else has a similar problem: a polarizing filter might help eliminate some of the reflections.