While the definition of Phoneography slightly differs for each person, simply put, it is taking pictures with your phone. Some people take it a step further by saying Phoneography is shooting, editing, producing, and uploading multimedia content with only a smart phone or tablet. Either way, this series will help you take better pictures with your smartphone or tablet camera. Last week, we got familiar with the iPhone camera. This week: photo composition.
Composition
Composition refers to the layout of your picture. It is one of the fastest ways to take your photography to the next level, no matter what type of camera you are using. The way you organize your image will influence the initial ‘wow’ factor, the message, and the appeal of your picture.
If your picture captures something important or valuable to you or your audience, but it isn’t presented in a way that is visually engaging or where they can tell what is going on, you will lose your audience and they will not take away anything from your picture.
Just take an extra second to arrange the photo before actually taking it. Make sure you look all around your subject and realize that the background is just as important. Unless your girlfriend WANTS to look like she has a pineapple growing out of her head…
Source: https://www.flickr.com/
And be aware of photobombers….
Source: http://www.wccbcharlotte.com
The Rule of Thirds
Source: flickr.com
Imagine a tic-tac-toe board on your screen. The Rule of Thirds is placing the most interesting or eye-catching part of your subject on the intersection of the lines in the picture.
By placing your subject one third of the way into the frame of the picture, your photo will be more visually interesting than if you placed it right in the center.
Source: blog.fotogress.com
Source: pixx828.wordpress.com
Stability
If you have your shot perfectly arranged, nothing will ruin it more than it being blurry. Hold your phone tight, like you are holding a real camera. Use one hand to hold it steady while you tap the screen to take the picture with your other hand. Even still, that may not be enough. You can brace your elbows against your side to add more stability, or you prop yourself up or lean on something to help you keep your phone (camera) still.
Perspective
A change of perspective will really make your photos stand out more. Instead of taking a picture at face-level, try to hold your phone up high or low to get different angle or shot.
To get this shot, the photographer had to get on the child’s level and practiced using the rules of third.
Source: lifehacker.com
Source: flickr.com
Next week, part 3 of the phoneography series will focus on natural & artificial lighting. If you have any questions or want to know something specific, leave a comment below.