If you have a tripod, use it; it will eliminate potential blurs and result in better shots.
Dubai - You may have the hardware, but there's lots more to consider when taking photos from your smartphone
Published: Tue 17 Sep 2019, 2:00 PM
Updated: Tue 17 Sep 2019, 4:00 PM
Apple's new iPhone line-up has vastly improved camera systems, and you wouldn't want to waste the opportunity to get the greatest possible shots with them.
The iPhone 11 now has dual cameras, while the premium iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max have three lenses that you can take advantage of.
Khaleej Times collaborated with Rashed Alajmi, a top photographer from the region, to share his insights on how to make the most out of the new hardware.
Alajmi, who is from Kuwait and is popular on Instagram and YouTube, shared some of his tips and tricks for taking photos using a variety of scenes and the features from the new smartphones. He took his talents to Las Vegas, a bright and colourful city with lots potentially interesting subjects.
"I've been shooting photos for a while now and I know a good camera when I see and use one," he says.
"The iPhone 11 Pro Max is, by far, the best camera on a smartphone that I've ever used."
Night photography
"Shooting photos at night is very challenging; even if you're experienced you should not take things and situations for granted," Alajmi says.
The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max have a new wide camera sensor with 100 per cent Focus Pixels and intelligent software, which enables low-light photos never before possible on an iPhone. Night mode turns on automatically, capturing multiple images and fusing them for brighter images with natural colors and more details.
- Pick a spot with the best lighting possible especially around your vantage point; you don't want glares from nearby lights to mess up your shot.
- If you have a tripod, use it. Smartphones take more time to process low-light shots, so a steady position is very critical.
- Don't be bothered by moving around a bit; you may find the best location where you least expect it.
Portrait shots
Alajmi stresses that portrait shots are a great way to express. "It captures emotion, the beauty of the moment," he adds. "Having a device like an iPhone only amplifies this."
- Mix and match your background. Try to see what background suits best for your subject because it will impact the overall result and detail.
- Make sure your subject brings out emotions. The reason for portrait shots' being is to show expression from the subject; a simple smile or even an expressionless look that communicates emotion will result in a great shot.
- Use effects wisely, especially the blur. Too much or too little of it can result in an uneven photograph. Both the subject and background should have equal prominence - even if the latter is actually blurred out.
Ultra-wide-angle scenes
"There will always be times that a lot needs to be fitted into a frame," Alajmi says. "But a super-wide-angle lens won't just do the trick - the right combination of hardware and software, plus the persistence of a photographer to be unique, will make the results even more memorable."
The new ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 11 Pro zooms out to capture more scene - great for landscapes, travel, and action videos and photos. It can capture up to four times more scene in a single frame.
- Take advantage of the ground and sky. Some of the best subjects for wide-angle shots are those with vast skylines or horizons in the background, because it amplifies just how much you can fit into your frame. Don't let it overwhelm your foreground or subject, though; keep a good balance between all your elements. If you're using the ground, don't get too close to it.
- Go for something unusual. If you see, say, rock formations or an uneven piece of landscape, don't go for a garden-variety shot. Pick a spot that will result in a shot that can be considered 'something you don't see every day'. That will give the 'wow' factor to your viewers.
- Consider all the elements in your shot. Even a tiny house in an empty field or one tree in a barren land could make the difference in your snap, because it has the potential to give some sort of 'story' to your photo. But make sure you place it where it best fits in your shot.
And, of course, with all the capacity in an iPhone, feel free to take as many test shots as you want. That way, you know what to adjust before taking that next great shot of yours.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com
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