Improving Your Camera Phone Pictures

Editor’s Tip: Camera phones are great for capturing unique and spontaneous photos. Although the camera phone won’t create photos as good as your point-and-shoot or DSLR camera can, it has one important advantage: it’s always with you.

Take advantage of the tool that’s always in your pocket and practice taking photos whenever you see something that could be an interesting shot. Experiment with your camera to find the ideal distance from the subject. See what happens to your photo when you’re close to a subject. Is the background blurry? Or is everything still in focus? Through testing out your camera’s capabilities, you’ll have a better chance of getting the most out of a great shot when it comes along.

Phone camera settings are generally rigid, so you’ll be able to get the greatest variety through experimenting with how you take your photos. Shoot from different angles. Test out the rule of thirds, get closer and further from your subject, and see what a little imagination can bring to your photos. Take as many photos as you can and don’t delete any photos until you see them on your computer, because it could surprise you which ones turn out the best.

Here, the photographer, Leah Llach, was able to capture this unique shot with her iPhone from a London office window. Plus, with a little help from her personal photo editor, she ended up with a beautiful picture of a special moment.