Not all photographers have a DSLR camera. Some still use traditional cameras, while others are opting for mirrorless. However, every photographer needs a camera that allows you to manage settings such as ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, right? Perhaps not. Recently we\u2019ve come across a new wave of photographers\u2014the Smartphone Photographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is mobile photography a real thing? Yes. Smartphones, especially new updated versions such as the iPhone 11 Pro, have cameras with professional features. Since you can pair these cameras with good lighting to create a good quality image, this is counted as photography.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll be showing those haters how you can be a photographer, while only using a smartphone and some creativity. You can now join the recent new wave of Smartphone Photographers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t see professional photographers at shoots such as weddings, concerts, and corporate events using smartphones for their shoots, and we won\u2019t – at least for many years. If a professional photographer in this type of industry were to do this, his peers would be sniggering into their viewfinders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rise of smartphone photographers is mainly social media<\/strong> based. Since the invention of Instagram in 2010, people have been sharing photos of their lives – mainly their meals and cats. However, thinking back to the old days of grainy Valencia filtered Instagram selfies taken in a bathroom mirror, photography on social media has come an extremely long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are now in the era of the Social Media Influencer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Social Media Influencer<\/strong> is a user on social media<\/strong> who has established credibility in a specific industry. A social media influencer<\/strong> has access to a large audience and can persuade others by virtue of their authenticity and reach.<\/em><\/small><\/p>Source: Pixelee<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In other words, a Social Media Influencer has mastered the art of taking such aesthetically pleasing images, that thousands or even millions of people will scroll over and press that little heart underneath. A lot of social media influencers start with no knowledge of a camera and begin on that smartphone device that is ceaselessly glued to their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most mobile phone photographers start here. Whether they take photos of people, landscapes, themselves, streets, nature, they mostly all have one thing in common–using their phones to shoot. When you think of someone doing photography on their phone, you assume that the photos will be average. However, there are some amazing smartphone photographers out there who have completely mastered the skill of shooting, without all the features usually considered in a shoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if they can do it – so can you! If you\u2019ve been absolutely dying to get out there and snap some shots, but you haven\u2019t got the professional equipment for it, all you really need is your thinking cap and your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the best mobile photographers include Charles Reed, who focuses on street photography, Inger van Dyke, who has managed to create stunning portrait photos, and Martin Linder, whose skills in composition will blow your mind. Check you this article for some of their images The Best Instagram Photographers Using Their Smartphone: 10 Top Picks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a way, becoming a photographer initially by just using your phone camera gives you more of a challenge. You don\u2019t have everything you should generally need, according to professional photography standards, so you have to think outside the box in order to get the perfect shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe DSLR photographers should take a leaf out of the smartphone photographer\u2019s book, mix it up a bit and give themselves a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, it\u2019s not just the knowledge of cameras that counts\u2014 creativity matters also. Those who hold the ability to look at their surroundings artistically and create something beautiful that other people may not be able to see are the true artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The basics of becoming a smartphone photographer are easy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if you\u2019re looking into trying out a higher level of photography, either as a hobby, for the sake of social media, or even for business reasons, you may need a few extra bits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The single most important thing a photographer needs is good lighting<\/strong>. Quite often, you can take full advantage of the outdoors and the natural lighting to snap a great shot. Golden hour is the perfect time to capture that gorgeous glowing vibe and translate it into art – generally, golden hour refers to the hour right after sunrise, or the hour right before sunset as the sun is at a low point in the sky. However, the golden hour is not at a set time as it depends on what time of year it is, or how the weather is acting that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to know more about using the sunlight to your advantage and shooting during golden hour, give this video by Photographer Manny Ortiz a watch: Take Better GOLDEN HOUR Portraits | Natural Light Photography Tutorial<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Quite often, natural light won\u2019t always be enough, and you may need to purchase some extra equipment, such as softboxes, or off-camera flashes. We always recommend using off-camera flashes, instead of on-camera flashes. This is because flashes that sit on top of your camera and flash directly in front of the subject can be harsh, hard to control, and can result in flat and overexposed images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Softboxes can be used to brighten up the area you\u2019re shooting in, both indoors and outdoors. The same goes for off-camera flashes – don\u2019t assume that just because you are outdoors with natural lighting, that you won\u2019t need extra light in certain areas. Off-camera flashes are great for setting up both front and behind your subject to brighten up these areas, and to add depth to an image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can purchase off-camera flashes, specifically designed for smartphones. Here is how they work: Godox A1: An Off-Camera Flash System For Smartphones<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve also found this super descriptive video on how to use off-camera flashes in an outdoor environment on a bright day, to get the best out of your shoot. Check it out:<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere Is Mobile Photography Being Used?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tips on Mastering Smartphone Photography<\/h2>\n\n\n\n