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Keep it simple ”Sometimes, the most compelling photos are the simplest. Focus on one subject and explore different ways to highlight it.”

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE CAMERA YOUR PHONE-TOGRAPHY GURU GUIDE

Words Zoë Radas, Joe van Vugt

I t’s bizarre to remember the days when we did little more with our phones than text and play Snake . Now, our smartphones are always close at hand, ready to settle an argument about the chronology of Vin Diesel’s movies or whether honey ever

will stay in the realm of ’average’ unless you arm yourself with some solid understanding of how to get the most out of your phone’s camera. We’re talking setting up your shot before you take it, utilising your phone camera’s features to their best abilities, and utilising post production editing functions. Read on for the most important

goes bad. Aside from their obvious internet connectivity, modern phones have opened their embrace to still photography and video footage, offering super high-end specs. But you’re only as good as the knowledge you hold – meaning, your photos and footage

Joe van Vugt

bits to master, as well as tips and tricks, all brought to you from the kind of smarty-pants who knows this stuff back to front: JB Hi-Fi’s own video content creator, Joe van Vugt.

TWEAK YOUR EXPOSURE

Learning how to manually adjust exposure on your camera app will make a world of difference to your shots. Lowering exposure can add depth to skies, while increasing it can brighten shadows. Most native camera apps have some amount of manual control, but look into third-party apps to unlock everything you might be wanting to use. Secondly, look into HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode, through which you can balance the light and dark areas of your photo. Joe’s Pro Tip: ”Experiment with exposure bracketing (taking multiple photos at different exposures), and combine them using photo editing software for a perfectly balanced shot.”

BEGIN WITH AN A+ DEVICE Your key consideration here is to go for a phone with multiple lenses, to offer versatility in shooting (wide-angle, telephoto, macro). Look for high megapixel counts, but remember that sensor size and software optimisation can matter more for image quality.

Joe’s Pro Tip: ”Research phones with advanced image processing capabilities. Brands often tout computational photography that enhances images through software, improving low-light performance and dynamic range. Google Pixel phones especially don’t have the best specs out of the box, but when you take a photo and let it process for a couple of seconds, it always comes out brilliantly.”

LET THERE BE LIGHT Look for natural light! The ’golden hours’ – just after sunrise and before sunset – provide soft, warm light that can make your photos look professional. In the same vein, you want to avoid harsh light; the midday sun can cast harsh shadows. If you’re shooting in bright conditions, look for shaded areas or use a diffuser to soften the light. Overcast days are great for soft lighting! Joe’s Pro Tip: ”Use the ’Golden Hour’ app or similar to track the best natural lighting conditions in your area for photography.”

Experiment often ”The best way to learn is by doing. Try out new techniques, settings, and compositions.”

40 MARCH 2024

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