In an Era of Smartphone Photography, Here Are 16 Hacks to Stand Out With Your Camera

In the age of social media, it’s easy to feel like everyone is a photographer. With just a simple tap on a smartphone screen, anyone can capture and share their view of the world with others. As a result, it can be challenging for professional and amateur photographers alike to hone their skills and stand out from the crowd. However, with a little creativity and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can elevate your photography game and capture images that are both unique and high quality.

Here are 16 camera hacks that will help you take your photography to the next level:

1. Use Leading Lines to Direct the Viewer’s Eye

Leading lines are a compositional technique that can help guide the viewer’s eye into the main subject of the photo. They are often used in landscape photography, where the lines can be created by the curves of a river, the bends of a road, or the shape of a mountain range. However, leading lines are versatile and can be found in any environment, whether it be the lines of a building or the shape of a person’s body.

2. Use Lentils to Steady Your Camera and Reduce Shake

Steadying your camera is essential to capturing sharp and clear images. However, not everyone has a tripod readily available. A quick fix for reducing camera shake is to use a bag of lentils as a makeshift tripod. Place the lentil bag on a flat surface and balance your camera on top of it to steady the shot.

3. Use Vaseline to Create Vintage-Style Photographs

Give your photos a nostalgic feel by applying Vaseline to the edges of your lens or a clear filter. This hack softens the focus and creates a vignette effect, similar to the look of a vintage film camera.

4. Create Dramatic Silhouettes

Silhouettes can add drama and mystery to your images. To create a silhouette, place your subject in front of a bright light source such as the sun or a lamp, and expose for the background. This will result in a darkened subject in front of a brighter background.

5. Use a Polarizing Filter to Remove Glare

A polarizing filter reduces glare and reflections, making it perfect for outdoor photography. It can also deepen the blues in a sky and make colors more vibrant.

6. Adjust White Balance for Accurate Colors

In different lighting conditions, the color temperature of the light can affect the way your photos turn out. Adjusting the white balance setting on your camera can help ensure that colors appear true to life.

7. Create a Lightbox Using Natural Light and White Paper

A homemade lightbox can be used for product photography or even to take macro photos of small objects. Grab a large cardboard box and line it with white paper to create a diffused light source. Position the object to be photographed in the center of the box and shoot away.

8. Use Composition Rules to Improve Your Photos

Composition rules such as the rule of thirds, symmetry, and balance can make a big difference in the final output of your photo. These guidelines offer a structured way to arrange the elements of your image for a more pleasing and impactful result.

9. Use the Trigger Trap App to Turn Your Phone into a Shutter Remote

The Trigger Trap app allows you to use your phone as a shutter remote for your camera. With this app, you can trigger your camera’s shutter through sound, vibration, or even GPS.

10. Experiment with Shallow Depth of Field

Shallow depth of field can help draw attention to the subject of your photo by blurring out the background. This effect can be achieved by using a wide aperture and getting close to your subject.

11. Use a Reflector to Fill in Shadows

A simple reflector can help brighten up an image by reflecting light onto your subject. Reflectors come in various shapes and sizes and can be used to fill in shadows or to create interesting patterns.

12. Use HDR to Capture More Detail in Bright and Dark Areas

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and is a technique to capture more detail in both bright and dark areas of an image. This is achieved by taking several photos at different exposures and combining them into one final image. Some cameras have HDR settings built-in, and there are also several HDR apps available for smartphones.

13. Experiment with Long Exposure Photography

Long exposure photography involves leaving the shutter open for an extended period, resulting in a blurred effect in moving subjects. This technique can be used to create stunning night time shots or to capture the movement of water splashing against rocks.

14. Shoot in RAW Format for More Editing Flexibility

Shooting in RAW format allows you to get more control over the final output of your image during post-processing. RAW files capture more image data, giving you more flexibility when it comes to adjusting exposure, white balance, and other settings.

15. Use a CD Case to Protect Your Camera From Rain

A simple CD case can act as a makeshift rain cover for your camera. Cut a hole for the lens and secure the case to your camera with a rubber band.

16. Take Photos from Unconventional Angles

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles and compositions. Get low to the ground or shoot from above to capture a unique perspective. Mix up the angles and experiment to find what works best for the subject and environment.

In conclusion, taking unique and high-quality photos in an age of smartphone photography may seem daunting, but these 16 camera hacks can help you stand out from the crowd. With creativity and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can elevate your photography game and capture photos that are both memorable and shareable. So, get out there, experiment, and have fun shooting!