How to Capture Pro-Level Photos with Your Phone

Feb 253 min read

If you think you need a fancy camera to take stunning photos, think again! A great photo isn’t about having the best camera—it’s about knowing how to use it. Your phone is a powerful photography tool—you just need to learn how to use it like a pro. Whether you're a hobby photographer or just love snapping memories, these tips will help you level up your mobile photography game.

1. Composition: Make Your Shots Stand Out

Composition is all about how the elements in your photo are arranged within the frame. A well-composed shot draws the viewer's eye to the subject and creates balance and harmony. By understanding key composition techniques, you can turn an ordinary scene into a visually striking image.

Rule of Thirds: Enable the gridlines on your phone and place your subject at the intersections for a balanced composition.
Leading Lines: Roads, fences, or even shadows can guide the viewer’s eye to the subject.
Framing: Use natural frames like windows, arches, or branches to add depth.
Negative Space: Sometimes, less is more. A simple background can make your subject pop.

Framing Example — This photo was taken looking through a piece of driftwood. Using a phone was a benefit for this photo as I could easily get the lens inside the wood to compose this shot.

2. Lighting: Natural is Best

Lighting can make or break a photo. The right light can create mood, highlight details, and bring out colours, while bad lighting can leave your photos looking dull or overexposed.

Golden Hour: The hour after sunrise and before sunset gives a warm, soft glow—perfect for dreamy shots.
Avoid Harsh Midday Light: It creates strong shadows. If you must shoot, find some shade or use HDR mode.
Use Reflections: Puddles, mirrors, or glass surfaces can add creative elements to your shots.
Backlighting: Try shooting against the light for dramatic silhouettes.

Golden Hour lighting — This photo was taken during the golden hour.

3. Optimise Your Phone’s Camera Settings

Your phone’s default camera settings are decent, but with a few small tweaks, you can take even sharper, better-exposed shots. Understanding how to control focus, exposure, and other settings will give you more creative control.

Tap to Focus: Don’t let your phone guess—tap on your subject to ensure it’s sharp.
Adjust Exposure: If your image looks too dark or bright, slide your finger up or down after tapping the focus point.
Turn Off the Flash: Unless you're going for a specific effect, natural or ambient lighting is always better.
Use HDR Mode Sparingly: It balances highlights and shadows but can sometimes make images look unnatural.
Shoot in RAW (If Available): This gives you more flexibility when editing.

4. Get Creative with Camera Modes and Lenses

Modern smartphones come packed with different camera modes and lens options, but many people don’t take full advantage of them. Experimenting with these settings can help you capture more dynamic and interesting images.

Portrait Mode: Perfect for blurred backgrounds and a professional look.
Night Mode: Helps in low-light conditions without adding too much noise.
Panorama: Great for capturing wide landscapes.
Ultra-Wide Lens: Expands your frame for dramatic perspective.
Macro Mode: Ideal for capturing tiny details like flowers or textures.

Portrait mode on the phone — This photo was taken using portrait mode to get a blurry background.

5. Use Apps to Enhance Your Photos

Even the best-shot images can benefit from a little editing. Post-processing allows you to fine-tune colours, brightness, and composition, bringing your vision to life. Here are some must-have apps:

Lightroom Mobile: Best for fine-tuning exposure, contrast, and colours.
Snapseed: Offers powerful yet easy-to-use editing tools.
VSCO: Popular for stylish filters.
TouchRetouch: Removes unwanted objects seamlessly.

6. Quick Pro Tips for Next-Level Shots

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a huge difference. These quick pro tips will help you refine your technique and avoid common mistakes.

Keep Your Lens Clean: Smudges from your fingers can ruin a sharp shot.
Use a Tripod or Stabiliser: Helps with long exposures and smooth video.
Try Burst Mode: Great for action shots—you can select the best frame later.
Experiment with Angles: Get low, shoot from above, or tilt your phone for unique perspectives.
Tell a Story: A good photo makes the viewer feel something—think beyond just ‘taking a picture.’

Final Thoughts: Practice, Experiment, and Have Fun!

Photography is all about creativity and practice. The more you experiment, the better you’ll get. Whether you’re capturing landscapes, portraits, or everyday moments, these tips will help you take stunning images with just your phone.

Want to take your photography even further? Join me on a Sunset Photography Tour in Port Douglas! You’ll learn hands-on techniques while capturing the beauty of golden hour.

Now, go out there and start shooting like a pro!