When Instagram started in 2010, mobile phone cameras are still not as advanced as they are today. Most of the photos posted on Instagram are taken using the in-app camera, which looks somewhat blurry and pixelated.
But thanks to the advancement in mobile phone technology, the camera on our mobile phone is now good enough that people would think the photos are taken by a professional. Still, if you’re looking to improve your photography skills and take great photos for your Instagram feed, in other words lean a few Instagram photo tricks, then here are some tips for you.
Learn About Lighting
Lighting is an important factor in photography. Too much light could wash out your subject, and not having enough light could make your photo look dark. Therefore, you should learn how light behaves in the location you are shooting in.
For instance, if you’re taking photos at a restaurant, determine where the sun comes in. Does the sun make everything appear very bright? Are some of the windows more favorable compared to others? If you know how the sun and lighting behave, it will be easier for you to set up the shoot.
It pays to be patient when using your mobile phone camera. Spend some time tapping on different angles and areas to see how the lighting and shadows change. Adjust the brightness using the slider.
Understand the Depth of Field
Creating depth of field (DOF) with your mobile phone camera is one way to improve the quality of photos that you take for Instagram. This might seem like a new concept for you, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize it’s truly worth it! Your followers might even start asking about the type of camera you’re using.
For instance, you are trying to take a photo of a person who is facing the sea and you wanted to focus on the person and blur the background. If you’re using an iPhone, tap your subject and then wait for a yellow square to appear. Tapping the screen to focus could work for Android phones, too.
Once the yellow square shows who is in focus, you will have to move around to get that perfect depth of field. This can take a while to master, and the best photos could require trial and error, but if you want to capture the attention of your Instagram followers, then this is one way to do it.
Check the Photo Mode
These days, mobile phone cameras come with so many different settings, so you must familiarize them, especially the “portrait mode”. This setting will immediately identify a well-lit subject within a certain distance from the camera and produces a bokeh effect (depth of field).
While portrait mode may work well for portrait photos, this is not all that it’s good for. Many Instagrammers would also use this mode when taking photographs of foods and other items. But you should know when and when not to use the portrait mode.
If you’re shooting indoors or in an area with low light, then portrait mode is not great. This mode is only suitable for a subject that is still. For instance, if you’re shooting someone who is walking or jumping, then you may want to switch the portrait mode off and choose a different mode instead.
Add Layers To Create Interest
While a simple, minimalist look is chic, amp up your Instagram feed by adding layers. Adding layers means mixing different textures and patterns and having a foreground or background. Of course, you will still have to focus on a subject, but adding layers can add interest to the photo and direct your viewers towards the subject.
Some mobile phone cameras have portrait mode in them, allowing you to create some depth into your photos. But if you find the background a bit complicated, it might be better to blur it and keep the focus on your subject.
For instance, when taking photos of food on a plate, and there’s an empty glass on the side, you can blur the glass to focus on the food. This way, your viewers’ eyes will be directed to the food and not be distracted by the background.
Use Continuous Burst When Taking Action Shots
If you are attending an event and you wanted to take photos of some people in action, do not just take one or two images in every snap. Take multiple shots instead, so you will have plenty to choose from later on. That’s because you could end up with some awkward images, such as someone with eyes at half-mast or in a mid-talking conversation.
So, set up your camera in your desired light and composition, then use the continuous burst to take several photos in a single snap. Then you can sort the photos later to choose the best ones.
You may need to take several action shots before you end up with the perfect one, but do not be discouraged. Even the most seasoned event photographers could end up with only a few good photos from the hundreds of photos taken during an event.
Get Your Composition Right
The best Instagram photos are those that direct viewers to the subject while also capturing an emotion or a story. When taking photos using your mobile phone camera, it is the composition that will help your picture to stand out. So, how can you get the composition on point? By following the “rule of thirds”.
Also known as the “golden rule” in photography, the rule of thirds helps to break down the images into three portions or sections. The goal is to place the most interesting aspect of the photo into the intersections of the camera grid to produce a well-balanced and natural-looking image.
If you cannot imagine the grid yourself, use the grid of your iPhone or Android cameras. Both mobile phones come with an option to turn on the grid while you take a shot, so take advantage of this. But of course, there are instances when you may need to break the rule. You do not necessarily need to follow the rule of thirds each time you take photos for Instagram. The rule is just there as a guide for when you need it.