Decades ago, before going to a concert or vacation, a
camera
was essential.
This tool allowed us to immortalize our best moments, while mobile phones only worked for voice calls and text messages.
Technology is advancing fast and these devices became smart,
smartphones
, and began to include, in addition to the Internet, cameras.
Currently, mobile phones have not one, but several cameras whose components allow results that are closer to those of professional cameras.
A scenario that has made it possible to travel ever lighter in luggage, using the mobile for almost everything.
However, it is not always possible to get the most out of these cameras, either because of the software or the default settings.
Next, we are going to reveal some tips and tricks so that you get the best possible photos with your mobile phone.
clean the target
It may seem silly, but while cameras always keep the
lens
covered when not in use (with a lid or mechanically), the glass of mobile cameras is exposed to lint from pockets and grease from the hands, especially the latter is the one that can affect the quality of the photographs the most, causing them to come out blurry and foggy.
For this reason, try to always have one of the small chamois on hand, the ones used to clean glasses, since they are capable of removing grease and not simply extending it, as paper does.
Do not forget to do the same with the front camera if you are going to take a selfie.
control lighting
One of the biggest problems when taking pictures indoors is that they come out dark, so the quality and definition are greatly reduced.
Therefore, another of the most basic tips is to try to have as much light as possible.
If it is to photograph a monument, try to do it during the day.
Another of the inconveniences that you can experience is taking pictures with the sun behind you, that is, against the light.
In this situation, the mobile will have to choose between taking out the clear background and with the correct colors, that is, without burning (without showing all bright white), sacrificing what is photographed in the foreground, which will come out black;
or vice versa.
Being an almost impossible photograph.
To achieve this there is a trick, activate HDR (high dynamic range), an option that is available in the interface of the integrated application for photos (in the upper left or central part). If you cannot find it, look in options by pressing the three lines icon at the top right or sliding to the right where it says more.
Another little extra trick will help you to photograph the Moon and night landscapes, although keep in mind that it only works if you use a tripod, a surface where you can leave your mobile without moving or you have a neurosurgeon pulse, since it can take up to three minutes in taking the picture.
For them, look for the Night option that you will find where it says more, within the photography application.
If you have a Google Pixel phone or, failing that, the Google application to take pictures, in night vision, click on the arrow at the top of the screen and select astrophotography.
The results are impressive, even getting to bring out the colors of the trees and the elements, although with our eyes we can only see grayish silhouettes.
Take burst photos
Taking into account that mobile phones, as they are always at hand, are turned on and can photograph any situation very quickly.
When our pet is doing some funny pirouettes or the nephew's first words.
These moments cannot wait for us to put the manual mode, control the amount of light in the photo and focus what we want.
Therefore, a very good way to ensure acceptable photography of fast-paced situations is to shoot in bursts.
That is, in a second to launch a bunch of photos one after another.
This doesn't require inhuman finger speed, it's as easy as holding down the shutter button on the photo.
Higher quality, but slower
Photographing with the camera values in manual will allow you to obtain better photographs, allowing you to play with the approaches and perspectives.
This requires a minimum of knowledge about ISO, aperture, shutter speed, although these are values that are more limited in smartphone cameras than in professional cameras.
Whether you know them or not, tinkering takes time and precisely the value of mobile phone photography is immediacy, capturing the moment, so it's almost better to leave everything automatic.
In the case of wanting photos to edit later with photo processors such as Photoshop or Lightroom, many phones are compatible with RAW photos, that is, without editing, compression, or post-processing.
Normally, the very applications that the phone includes to take photos have an AI that beautifies the photos that are taken, improving colors and sharpness.
However, it is not foolproof and can remove defects and noise, which would be the typical graininess of photos with a lot of zoom or low lighting.
If you are going to edit, photograph in RAW
RAW photos also take up more space, so it requires sufficient phone memory.
iPhone 12 Pro (or later Pro and Pro Max models), running at least the iOS 14.3 operating system, have this option, they can capture and store RAW photos.
To activate this option go to Main Settings, Camera and then press Formats and select Apple ProRAW.
Also, on the iPhone 14 Pro, you can choose the resolution to store these files, from 12-megapixel to 48-megapixel.
Thereafter, when you open the photography app, the RAW fusion will appear in the upper right.
In the case of Android, the RAW option is somewhat more hidden and also depends on the manufacturer.
On Google Pixel phones running Android 13, go to the Camera app and tap the down arrow in the top left corner, then choose More settings, then Advanced.
Next, tap the RAW + JPEG button.
On Samsung Galaxy phones, the camera settings include a Pro mode and advanced imaging options for saving images as RAW files.
In the settings, go to Format and advanced options and press the button for RAW copies.
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