Before Your Begin
Learn The Basics
Starting with the basics is an important step - from mastering the focus button and cleaning your lens (yes, it really makes a difference!) to learning how to frame a shot and embrace your personal style, we’ll walk you through the foundational habits that help every image shine. No fancy gear needed—just your phone, your curiosity, and a willingness to try new things!
“Trust that little voice in your head that says...
‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if...’;
and then do it.”
Quick Tips
🎯Tap To Focus
To keep your subject sharp and clear, use your phone’s focus feature!
Just tap on your subject (For example, the subject’s face) right before taking the photo. A circle or square will appear to show what’s in focus—making sure the most important part of your image is crystal clear. This is especially important when using the Rule of Thirds Compositional Principle which encourages an offset subject.
👕Clean Your Lens
A quick lens clean = a clearer photo!
Dust and fingerprints can blur your shot, so give your camera lens a gentle wipe before snapping.
No cloth? No problem—a soft part of your shirt works just fine in a pinch. Note that you can buy a case for your phone that covers your lens so they stay clean. More on that in the gadget section soon!
Naples, Florida: In the image on the left, the lens was not clean. Using the soft t-shirt we happen to be wearing, we cleaned the lens and immediately took the image on the right. The clean lens avoided the streaks of light you see in the left image. Soiled lenses are more apparent at night.
🌞 Boost That Brightness
Brighter screen = better photo edits! If your screen is too dim, either on purpose or by accident, you might miss details or accidentally make your photo too dark. Before taking photos, be sure to turn your brightness all the way up so you can see your image clearly.
On iPhone:
Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
Find the brightness bar (looks like a sun) and slide it to the top.
On Android:
Swipe down from the top of your screen (you might need to swipe twice).
Look for the sun icon or brightness slider and move it all the way up.
This won’t affect your final photo—just how it looks while you're working. Big difference!
⏳ Take Your Time
Slow down and frame your shot with care. Pay attention to the lighting, background, composition, and focus. Aim to capture the image just how you want it—in the moment, not just in editing later.
🎨 Try to Experiment
Try new angles, switch up your settings, and play with different subjects. Photography is all about discovery, so don’t be afraid to get creative and see what happens!
📸Take Lots of Pictures
One of the best parts of phone photography? It’s free! Take lots of pictures—it boosts your chances of getting that perfect shot and gives you tons to learn from. Practice makes powerful photos!
“The whole point of taking a picture is so that you don’t have to explain things in words.”
Personal Style
Aomori, Japan: The Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, located near Aomori Station in the Aomori Waterfront area, is dedicated to the vibrant, illuminated floats featured in the annual Nebuta Matsuri—one of Japan’s most iconic summer festivals.
The wide-angle photo above contrasts with the earlier close-up images on this page, highlighting an intentional element of our personal photographic style. By first presenting detailed, background-free shots of the floats, we invite the viewer to focus solely on the craftsmanship and vivid artistry. Only when the wide-angle image is revealed does the viewer grasp the true scale of these magnificent works—creating a moment of surprise and appreciation for both the art and its enormity.
Everyone who takes enough images will have a style, even an amateur photographer using a mobile phone. Rather than consciously striving to establish a personal style, allow it to emerge organically through consistent practice. By taking a multitude of photos across different scenarios, you'll begin to notice patterns in your preferences and techniques. Over time, these recurring choices will coalesce into a distinctive style that reflects your unique perspective. This approach fosters authenticity, as your style develops naturally from your experiences and inclinations, rather than being artificially constructed.
Embracing the habits listed above will enhance your skills and lead to more satisfying photographic outcomes.
Next Steps
Great job staying with us to the end of the basics section. That was awesome! From here, you have a few choices. You can visit the Definitions Page, learn about Digital Challenges, or jump back to the Home Page to learn more.
Don’t forget, you can also use the drop down menus any time.
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”