10 Simple Tricks to Take Better Photos With Your iPhone or Android

Stop taking boring smartphone photos! These simple tricks will transform your images from “meh” to “wow” - no fancy equipment needed.

Let’s be honest - how many times have you seen an amazing photo on Instagram, tried to recreate it with your own phone, and ended up with something that looks, well, pretty average? I’ve been there too. After testing hundreds of smartphones and teaching thousands of beginners, I’ve discovered that great phone photography isn’t about having the latest device - it’s about using the one you’ve got more effectively:

The truth is, your smartphone is probably way more powerful than you realize. Let me show you how to unlock its potential with these ten simple tricks that actually work.

1. Master Your Camera App’s Hidden Features

Stop treating your camera app like a basic point-and-shoot. There’s a powerhouse hiding in there, and most people never find it:

Find Manual Controls

“My photography transformed when I discovered manual controls on my smartphone,” says professional photographer Maria Chen. “Suddenly I had creative control instead of letting the phone decide everything.”

• Android Users: Look for “Pro” or “Manual” mode in your camera settings
• iPhone Users: Tap the little ^ icon to reveal extra controls like exposure compensation and night mode
• Go Pro: Try apps like Halide or Moment for full manual control on iPhone

Shoot in RAW When It Matters

“When you shoot RAW, you capture significantly more image data,” explains commercial photographer David Park. “It’s like having a digital negative that gives you way more flexibility when editing:”

Enable RAW capture:

• iPhone: Settings > Camera > Formats > Apple ProRAW
• Android: Enable in Pro mode settings (varies by manufacturer)

Use AE/AF Lock Like a Pro

Here’s a game-changer: tap and hold on your subject to lock both focus and exposure. No more frustrating moments when your camera keeps refocusing as you move!

2. Compose Like a Pro with Gridlines

Your secret weapon for better compositions is already built in - you just need to turn it on:

The grid creates the “rule of thirds” - a fundamental principle where you position key elements along the gridlines or at their intersections rather than dead center. This creates more dynamic, balanced images that feel intentional.

Where to Place Things:

• Horizons: Always on the top or bottom gridline - never in the middle
• Portraits: Position eyes along the top gridline
• Landscapes: Place interesting elements like trees or buildings at intersection points

Find this magic button:

• iPhone: Settings > Camera > Grid
• Android: Camera settings > Grid lines

“I’ve trained hundreds of students,” says photography educator Sarah Johnson, “and enabling gridlines is the single biggest improvement to composition I recommend. It’s like having training wheels for great photography.”

3. Find (or Create) Good Lighting

Lighting can make or break your photo, and it’s the one thing your phone’s computational photography can’t fully fix:

Golden Hour is Real - Use It!

“The hour after sunrise and before sunset provides soft, warm, directional light that flatters everything from landscapes to portraits,” explains landscape photographer Michael Torres. “I plan my entire shooting schedule around these hours.”

Overcast Days Are Your Secret Weapon

“Cloudy skies create natural softboxes, eliminating harsh shadows and creating perfect conditions for portraits,” notes fashion photographer Elena Rodriguez. “Some of my best portrait sessions happen on cloudy days.”

Position People Perfectly

When shooting people outdoors:

• Put the sun to the side or behind them
• Use exposure compensation to brighten faces when backlit (just swipe up or down on your screen)
• Avoid harsh overhead noon sun that creates unflattering shadows

4. Use HDR Like You Know What You’re Doing

HDR (High Dynamic Range) helps balance scenes with both very bright and very dark areas - like landscapes with bright skies and shadowy foregrounds:

Modern phones typically handle HDR automatically, but knowing when to use it ensures better results:

• Turn it on for landscape photos where you want detail in both sky and land
• Use it for backlit subjects or indoor shots with windows in the frame
• Consider turning it off for creative low-light shots where you want more dramatic contrast

HDR works by taking multiple exposures and blending them, preserving details that would otherwise be lost in bright highlights or dark shadows.

5. Master Portrait Mode (Beyond Just People)

Create professional-looking background blur even with your smartphone:

Portrait mode uses computational photography to separate your subject from the background, creating that beautiful “bokeh” effect once only possible with expensive cameras.

Get the Best Results:

• Distance matters: Most phones work best when your subject is 6-8 feet away
• Good lighting is essential: Portrait mode works best in well-lit conditions
• Simple backgrounds work best: Busy backgrounds can confuse the edge detection
• Adjust the blur later: On many phones, you can edit the amount of background blur after taking the shot

6. Find Fresh Perspectives

The world doesn’t always need to be photographed from eye level. Changing your perspective is one of the easiest ways to create more interesting compositions:

Try These Angles:

• Get low: Shooting from ground level can make ordinary subjects look dramatic
• Shoot from above: Looking down on your subject provides fresh viewpoints
• Find frames: Use natural elements like archways or windows to frame your subject
• Look for leading lines: Incorporate paths or architectural lines that lead the eye through your image

7. Keep Your Shots Steady

Camera shake ruins more photos than bad lighting. Because smartphone cameras have tiny sensors, they’re particularly susceptible to blur from hand movement:

Stability Tricks:

• Hold your phone properly: Use both hands, elbows tucked into your sides
• Use volume buttons as shutter: This allows you to hold the phone more securely
• Lean against something: In low light, lean against a wall or tree to stabilize yourself
• Use burst mode for action: Swipe the shutter button left (iPhone) or press and hold (most Android) to capture rapid-fire shots

8. Clean Your Damn Lens!

It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget this. Your phone’s lens collects fingerprints, dust, and smudges throughout the day, all of which degrade image quality:

A quick wipe on your shirt before shooting can dramatically improve clarity and contrast. This is especially important for parents of young children, whose phones often encounter more… creative substances.

9. Edit with Purpose (Not Just Filters)

Editing is where good photos become great. Don’t just slap on a filter and call it a day - make thoughtful adjustments:

The Smart Edit Sequence:

1. Crop and straighten first: Fix crooked horizons and improve composition
2. Adjust exposure and contrast: Brighten dark areas and add punch carefully
3. Be subtle with saturation: Oversaturated colors look unnatural and cheap
4. Use selective editing: Apps like Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed allow you to adjust specific areas

My Favorite Free Editing Apps:

• Snapseed Android App │ iOS app: Google’s free powerhouse with selective adjustment features.
• VSCO: Popular for its authentic, film-like presets and creative community:
• Lightroom Mobile: The industry standard with powerful tools and preset capabilities.

10. Practice with Intention

The best camera is the one you have with you, and you always have your phone:

Make Practice Productive:

• Shoot daily: Take at least one considered photo each day
• Review your work: Weekly, look through your photos and ask what works and what doesn’t
• Learn one technique at a time: Master grid composition before moving to manual controls
• Challenge yourself: Try themes like “shadows” or “a single color” to see differently

Quick Reference: Settings for Common Situations

Your Photography Journey Starts Now

“Your smartphone is capable of incredible images—these techniques will help you unlock that potential,” says professional photographer Lisa Park, who has shot commercial campaigns entirely on smartphones.

Start small. Pick one technique to practice each week. Maybe this week you’ll master gridlines, next week you’ll play with perspective. In two months, you’ll see dramatic improvements in your mobile photography—transforming from basic snapshots to images you’re proud to share and display.