Tips for Getting Crisp Photos with Mobile Devices

How to get sharper, more crisp photos with mobile devices.

Mobile photography is increasingly becoming the medium of choice for many people as mobile devices become more and more prominent. With this rise in popularity, a lot of people are looking for ways to get sharper, more crisp photos.

In this article we take you through ten great ways you can get crisp photos with your mobile device!

1. Clean Your Camera

Clean your camera and lens.

Our smartphones spend a lot of time in our pockets, backpacks, and in many other potentially dirty/dusty places. Over time, the lens on your smartphone can get dirty, grimy, and covered in various particles. Water, dust, and fingerprints on your phone’s lens can have a big impact on its quality. Try to clean your lens before shooting to ensure the highest quality possible.

2. Set the Focus

Set the focus in your image.

One of the biggest mistakes is not using the focus on your mobile camera. It’s so easy but a lot of people don’t know that you just need to tap on your screen to focus on an object. A small yellow square will appear to confirm the focus point.

3. Look for Light

Look for more light.

Whether you are shooting with a professional DSLR camera or your old iPhone 4, light is the most important aspect in a photo. More so in mobile devices because the sensors for light are much smaller and can’t capture as much light. The more light you can find, the clearer and sharper your images will be. Look for balanced, neutral light as much as you can and try to be conscious of it with your mobile photos.

4. Set the Highest Quality

Set the highest quality possible.

You can always change the resolution and quality of your camera. Try to choose the highest quality you possibly can so that your photos look great on mobile devices and on the big screen!

5. Only Use the Back Camera

Only use the back camera for best quality.

This one is kind of simple, but try to always use the back camera for your best photos. It has much higher quality settings and will take surprisingly better photos than the front camera will.

6. Try Additional Lenses

Try additional lenses.

If you want to take your mobile photography to the next level, you may want to buy some lenses. There are various types available for macro, wide-angle, and even telephoto photography. These will drastically increase the quality of your photos and can help you take more advanced photos that a standard mobile camera can’t.

7. Don’t Use Zoom

Do not use the zoom feature.

Every phone has the zoom function. While this might be appealing when taking a photo, it really reduces the quality and adds a lot of noise and blur to your photos. Try to move closer to an object instead of zooming in for best quality with your images.

8. Take Multiple Shots

Take multiple shots at various angles and perspectives for best possible quality.

Take shots at various angles and distances. Sometimes the sharpest photos come from trial and error. Light plays a big role in the quality, so take a bunch of shots in various lighting conditions and you’ll be amazed at the differences.

9. Give Accessories a Try

Give accessories a try.

Accessories can help a lot with mobile photography. From stabilizing your camera to getting challenging shots, accessories are the best tools to assist you in your needs. The good news is, there are tons of great accessories for mobile photography out there. Check out this post we wrote about the best mobile photography gadgets to take better photos for some ideas and inspiration.

10. Use Apps to Edit

Use apps to edit and improve your photos.

Most mobile devices also come with a suite of great apps and programs to help you edit and improve your photos. You may not realize this, but editing can make your photos even more crisp and clear. Whether you are using an iPhone, Android, or Windows phone you’ll have thousands of apps to choose from and work with.

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One Reply to “Tips for Getting Crisp Photos with Mobile Devices”

  1. I have been a beginner photographer for 10 years and have learned so much from your post. I also enjoyed all of the tips on photography you provide, especially the info on how to take photos in low light and get amazing results. Thank you!

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