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Unsure why your photos look soft or unclear..? Could be your lens!
Sounds obvious, but it's an easy thing to overlook!
Give your lens a quick wipe over with whatever clean cloth you have handy at the time to get rid of any fingerprints or smudges- a T-shirt is perfect!
Light is everything when it comes to photography... and even though these new phones can practically shoot in the dark - Nothing beats good light to get the best results.
Try to use soft natural light when available and avoid mixed lighting wherever possible. Eg turn off those downlights!
Natural light generally produces more flattering and vibrant photos. Shoot outdoors in open shade, or near windows to take advantage of soft, diffused light.
Although your phone is going to do a great job of giving you the exposure it thinks you want - You can take control of your image by adjusting exposure yourself!
To set your focus, tap the main subject on your screen. This will also set your exposure. When you tap, you should see a little SUN icon which you can slide up and down to brighten or darken your exposure as required. This is a game changer!
Now you've got your exposure sorted... why not experiment a little with your composition???
Try composing your shots using the rule of thirds grid. You'll notice your camera screen is divided into thirds with a grid. Align important elements such as the horizon or your main subject along the grid lines or at their intersections to create a visually pleasing balance.
But don't be afraid to break the rules too - do what feels right for you... you'll know it when you see it.
Busy distracting backgrounds are the worst.
Take notice of everything in the frame... especially the background.
Keep it simple to avoid distractions. A cluttered or busy background can distract from your subject.
Look out for objects that appear to "merge" with your subject or elements that draw the eye away from the main focal point. Nobody wants a tree growing out of their head!
Try shooting from different angles and perspectives to add variety and interest to your photos.
Get down low with your dog or baby. Get in close to fill the frame or capture details.
When getting in close though, be aware that your phone has a wide angle lens which can be very unflattering for faces up close. Try switching to 'Portrait' mode or shoot a little wider and crop in later.
Using the Digiatal Zoom is another option to get in tight. However, using digital zoom can lead to loss of image quality. So use sparingly.
Nothing worse than blurry photos - unless that's the look your going for...
Keep your phone still when you take the photo. This is especially important in low light situations where the camera is forced to use a slower shutter speed. Meaning any camera shake can result in a blurry image.
