Thanks to the technology age we live in, it’s easier than ever to take really high quality photos. This is especially true when it comes to using your phone, too! While you can get a really wonderful picture by just opening your phone’s camera feature and clicking the button, there are a number of ways to make those photos really pop and worthy of sharing with the world.
Know Your Phone
The most popular phones when it comes to taking great pictures are iPhones and Samsungs. Whatever phone you have, take some time to research and play around with its built-in camera app. What features does it offer? Can you use force focus to make sure your subject looks sharp? Do you lose picture quality when you zoom in versus if you just move yourself closer to your subject? Your phone probably also lets you set the exposure so you have more control over the lighting of the image. To avoid blurry shots, look for your phone’s image stabilization functions, and if your subject is moving fast (you know, like a kid on the run!), then try using “burst mode.”
In the end, the important thing is that you play around and know what your phone can and can’t do. Have fun playing!
Use The Right Apps
Once you know your phone’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to taking photos, see about which apps can pick up the slack. The options are endless, which can get a bit overwhelming, but comb through the free ones first — you’d be surprised the quality you can get without having to pay anything! In your app store, also look at the most popular and editor’s choices, and pay attention to recent reviews and look for when the app was updated last. If it hasn’t been updated in quite a while, skip it.
I think the last time I wrote about taking photos was in 2015 when I talked about using filters. Wow, time flies! One of the best (or at least most popular) apps for filters these days is definitely VSCO cam. The filters are just so pretty and unique.
Put ‘em on Display
I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things to do is share the everyday moments I capture on my Instagram. It’s just so fun! But sometimes, I think about all the pictures of my kids I have on my Instagram versus the very few pictures that I actually have physical copies of or that are on display somewhere in my home. I’ve been researching digital picture frames, and there are so many new models that look a lot better than the ones I remember seeing when they were first invented. This one from Aura Frames is one of the more stylish ones I’ve seen, and it also claims to be able to detect and choose your best photos. It’s going on my wishlist for sure!
Do It Together
This is also a great opportunity to put together an activity to do with your kids. Rather than keeping whatever prints you may have in shoe boxes, get everything out of the closet and buy a nice new photo album, plus some crafting materials like stickers and markers. Go through the pictures together and populate your new album, and if you’re okay with it, let your kids decorate the pages scrapbook-style! Or go ahead and go straight for the scrapbook. Just have fun!
