Thursday, 9 January 2014

5 Quick Smartphone Photography Tips


Admit it, most of you wouldn't want to be caught using a conventional digital compact camera in this age. Our small and compact digital cameras, which were once deemed "cool" when they were released, are slowly becoming obsolete as smartphones start to fill the gap between consumer-level and high-end cameras.

Let's face it, modern smartphones perform as well as  if not better than  most consumer-level digital cameras, while also offering a variety of other in-phone apps to make the entire photo-sharing process much more convenient. One can take a photo, edit it on the spot, slap a filter on the final product and upload it to several social sites like Facebook or Instagram in just a couple of minutes. So yeah, there's little reason to bring that point-and-shoot camera, as compact as it is, to any outings or trips anymore.

However, phone photos usually turn out a bit lacklustre. 
However, many people have complained that their photos turn out grainy, lacks contrast, and lack quality. Well, how exactly can we produce decent images using a smartphone?

1) Composition is key


The most crucial ingredient in photography. Whether you're using a DSLR, a smartphone camera, or a potato, composition remains one of the main factors in determining how good a photo is. Always look for an good, even unorthodox angle to photograph your subject, and don't be afraid of performing weird poses to get the composition you want.

A quick tip would be the Rule of Thirds, where we divide the entire photo into nine pieces (virtually), and place our subjects at either of the four intersections points or on the lines.


Though it is called the Rule of Thirds, it's technically not a rule, but merely a guideline and can be broken at will. If you haven't tried it before, do give it a go, and watch as your shots stand out from the rest!

2) Lighting


Most phone cameras are capable of performing on par (well, not exactly, but it isn't too noticeable) under good light conditions. This may sound obvious, but shoot in daylight for best results! Low-light situations will usually produce grainy and blurry images. 

And, don't be afraid to shoot against the sunlight sometimes, as opposed to what people tell you.

Shoot against the light! The results may be pleasing.

3) Stay focused

Sweet dreams, guys.
Blessed with a high-resolution display, it's not really a hassle when it comes to focusing using a smartphone. All it takes is a simple touch of the finger on where you want the camera to focus on, and bingo, job's done. 

The thing to note though, is to check the final image preferably after every shot - convenient as it is, autofocus mechanisms still make mistakes, and it's better to be able to retake the photo rather than uploading it and realising that it's wrongly focused.

Whoops.
On a related topic, it's common sense that a clean, clear lens is going to take better images than a dirty one. Many people neglect to clean their phone lenses unless they see noticeable dirt or grit, though. Because we carry our phones in our pockets, bags or purses, the camera lenses frequently collect dust and other debris. Even if you don't see smudges, they could be affecting your camera images.

It's a good idea - and good camera hygiene - to regularly wipe your smartphone camera lens with a soft, clean cloth or a damp lens or screen wipe.

4) Double tap!


It's the digital age, we don't exactly need to be that picky with our shots. It's always better to be safe than sorry, 'innit? Why risk motion blur due to hand movements, or taking a group photo and find that someone was blinking?

Yes, you.
What I usually do is take a burst of shots (usually two or three) photos by tapping the shutter button fast, a few times in succession. I'll pick the best shot and delete the rest later - a waste of time, but you'll thank me for that later.

5) Post-process


There's always the debate between Team Post-Processing, and Team #NoFilter. I personally stand on the post-processing side, as most good photos are processed anyway. The reason that makes some post-processed photos look unnatural is not because it was post-processed, but the fact that it was post-processed over-excessively.

This.. What.. I don't even..
Keep the post-processing minimal, but don't be afraid to apply some editing to your photos to give them the extra punch, that extra lustre to make it stand out. I'd suggest to try the app called "Snapseed"! It's by Nik Software, and the editing versatility is AWESOME.

It makes a difference.
That's all, those were my 5 Quick Smartphone Photography Tips :D. It's my first time trying something like this, so feel free to leave your comments / criticism here, or you can send me a word through Facebook. Please do comment too if you have some other tips for smartphone photography!


Cheers,
Ryo.

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

A Long Overdue Post

Uh firstly, pleeeease don't look at the date of my previous blogpost, haha.

So well, I actually promised friends that I would blog about my first few days in London, but I apparently didn't (hehehe), so I guess this post is to make up for all the missed out updates. Disclaimer: Lots of photos.

Pre-departure

Predeparture dinner with the family!

全家福 :)
MAS. Thank God it was cheaper comparatively.

Penang International Airport, with family and relatives :)
The surprise party, prepared by Ninii Chagiya and the rest of the SN12Rians!

Nearly time to fly :(

With the SN12Rians, and Ninii :D

Bye! :') Oddly fitting advertisement down there hahaha.

First few days in London

The first few days in London were.. a rush. The moment I arrived at my hall, after lugging all my luggage and backpack etc, I had to prepare to go to school for an orientation event for us freshmen. I was thrown into a situation where I had to introduce myself to people while they do the same, and also the task of memorising various names and linking it to the person. (I fail at this). But well.. Here comes photos :P

Greeted by the cold, yet somehow comfortable atmosphere of London.


Sunlight reflecting off one of my university's buildings!

But yeah, the sunsets here can be awesome sometimes.

Not to say the crowd at night in the common room, full of a diversity of people to hang out with; whether around a pool table, a ping pong table, in front of a wide-screen television, in front of a PlayStation 3, or just chilling at the couches, the common room stays true to its name :)


Malaysian Night, in Trafalgar Square! We were greeted with the nostalgic aroma of satay, and of course, the warm feeling of being at home again. It was great, seeing fellow Malaysians away from home, conversing in Chinese, English, and Malay :D

Malaysian food! :D but man, they're expensive :(. Roti canai and stuff for 5 pounds?

People watching the performances that night!

And a foreigner (I think), singing Malay songs, which include the 1Malaysia song!

Group photo with the Banksiders! Okay, not all of us are from Bankside, but yeah :D

Celestine and Shi Man!

Man, look at that crowd!

Chillin' at work - near the end of the festival :)

Group photo with the Malaysians that were there!

Adam Tiam, the future Prime Minister of Malaysia!

Picnic with the Malaysians at Hyde Park! 
 
Camwhoressss!

Karti! Fellow Carr-Saunderite :D

Stack!

Ian, the joker.

LOTR - The Three Towers.

Wait, I don't..

Hyde!

The guysss.
 
At the TalentCorp dinner.

Hi.

Reflection selfie!

A little pup that we met in Hyde Park, it was really adorable!

Curious squirrel is curious.

Food

Food here is.. Expensive. During the first few days in London, my mind was busy converting everything in terms of MYR instead of GBP, but I slowly realised that if I did that everytime, I wouldn't be eating anything at all.

Average price of sandwiches: ₤1.20 = RM6.00
Average price of a meal: ₤4.80 = RM24.00.

.. And luck isn't on my side yet so far, went to ask for vacancies during my first few days here but no luck - either they've just did a recruitment recently, or they're not hiring part-times etc. Gotta continue trying :(.


Chicken Tinga Taco :D
Sightseeing!

I haven't really got the chance to walk around London during the first few days of my arrival - my daily schedule was always packed with orientation stuff etc; registering for a student ID, making a bank account at Lloyd's and all. It wasn't till two weeks after my arrival, during my birthday, that I decided to go for a proper (but still express) sightseeing trip; an idea of Ninii's :).

A bagpipe player in front of the National Gallery, at Trafalgar Square.

The Big Ben! Don't judge the unrealistic HDR :(

Another bagpipe player - I kinda like the mood that this photo portrays.

The London Eye - well, my take of it.

A more creative angle of the Big Ben :D

Motion blur.

Afterthoughts

During the first few days in London, I've already kinda fell in love with it - the cool weather (for now), greeting me everyday, the occasional drizzle, or even showers of rain that comes unexpectedly, the friendliness of some Londoners as contrasted to the coldness of the others.. I guess it offers a nice balance of duality; of Yin and Yang. 

As for the food prices? Well, meh :( *wallet burns* no choice but to accept it as it is first, till I can find a job :).

Creativity at its max - the vanity plate :D It's a cleaning service van!

River Thames, taken on my Nexus.

Random!
Okay, I guess that's it for now. Threw a lot of photos (some of them raw) up there, so yeah, I admit I'm being kinda lazy today :P. But I woke up early and took a jog at Fitzroy Square this morning though! So I'm not exactly that lazy, right? .. Right guys? Hey? 

Neways, gotta hop to school soon. Need to complete some stuff by today, soooo, yeah, seeya peeps :D


Loveee,
Ruiyou.