5 key steps to take amazing Instagram photos just with your phone
But for now, mobile photography is capable of some pretty impressive feats. Plus, unlike a bulky DSLR that's hard to carry everywhere, your phone is always close at hand.
Take amazing Instagram photos and you'll build a strong presence that will bring in tons of likes and followers.
If you are looking to improve your photography skills so that you can take great photos to share on Instagram using just your mobile phone, then this article is for you.
We've put together this handy guide to taking, editing, and sharing Instagram photos from your phone. With our steps and tricks, you will get amazing content in no time.
5 key steps!
Step one: What are the right camera settings to get high-quality Instagram photos
Before you start thinking about compositing, lighting, and editing, there are 5 things you need to know about the camera settings on your phone to take good Instagram photos:
1. Don't overexpose your photo!
If you are shooting and you notice that the lighting is too strong or too bright, the images you get are overexposed, like the image below.
Don't even think about taking this kind of photo thinking you can lower the exposure or brightness with editing apps.
You can lighten a very dark photo with editing tools and it will look great, but there is nothing to fix in an overexposed photo.
If the environment in which you are shooting is bright, you can prevent overexposure by adjusting the lighting on your screen.
Click on the screen and you will see a circle or square and next to it a small sun icon, drag your finger up or down over the sun icon to adjust the exposure as shown in the image below. If the exposure is overexposed, it should be reduced by dragging the finger down.
Another way to prevent overexposure is to tap and hold the brightest area of your phone screen to lower the brightness or overexpose that area.
For example, the picture below was taken of a wall lamp. As you can see, the picture is very bright.
But after I clicked on the lamp on the screen the brightness went down right away.
After clicking on the brightest area, you will notice that the image has become somewhat dark.
It's okay! You can fix it using one of the modification programs on the phone. I am using Snapseed.
By increasing the brightness using this program I got a properly exposed image without any problems.
2. Don't even think about turning on HDR
HDR - High Dynamic Range - is a feature on both iPhone and Android, and it's primarily there to help you take better-looking photos.
It takes a few of the same photos at different exposures and combines them into one photo, so the final photo has a lot of detail.
If you're confident working with HDR, that could be great. However, it is difficult to do it properly and can sometimes make your photos look unnatural.
To make things easier, let the camera do its job and turn off the HDR setting. You'll still get high-quality photos without having to think deeply about exposure levels.
3. Check camera modes
There are so many different settings on phone cameras these days that it can sometimes be difficult to tell which ones are useful and which are not.
One of the common photo modes in phones is “Portrait Mode” when turned on, the camera automatically detects a well-lit subject within a certain distance from the camera and then creates a bokeh effect meaning the subject is clear and the background is blurred (the so-called shallow depth of field in photography).
Many bloggers and influencers use this mode to take pictures of foods, products, and more!
But Portrait Mode does not work at all when shooting indoors or in low light.
This portrait mode also requires a fixed subject. For example, if you're filming someone jumping or walking, you'll need to turn off Portrait Mode and switch to another mode.
Despite all this, Portrait mode is still important in photography - just be selective when using it!
How do you turn on Portrait mode on the phone? You will find the answer in the article How to take professional photos with your phone only!
4. Use the continuous shooting feature to take multiple photos in a row
When you're at an event and need to take some pictures, don't just take a picture or two.
In event photography, you'll want a large number of images to choose from.
If you're using an iPhone, hold down the shutter button without lifting your finger to take multiple photos in a row.
This way your iPhone will take up to 10 photos or more, allowing you to sift through and choose the best one afterward.
Don't worry, if you are using Android, you can also use the continuous shooting feature by also holding down the shutter button.
After taking several photos using this method, you will find one photo in the photo file, while all the other photos when you click on the text surrounded by red in the photo below.
Tip: Don't get discouraged by the number of action shots you'll need to take before finding the perfect shot. Even the most experienced professional event photographers may only provide 10% of the shots taken.
5. Make sure the image is clear and in focus
Any image can be destroyed if it is blurry or out of focus.
Keep a steady hand just before you hit the shutter button to prevent annoying motion blur.
Use both hands to take the picture, or use a tripod.
Also, click on the screen on the part that you want to appear sharp in your photo. This allows for customization of the exact focal point of the shot. You will see a circle or square in the place where you pressed.
After selecting the correct settings for your phone, let's move on to the second step, which is to learn some composition rules in photography to get the perfect pictures to impress your followers.
Step Two: The Perfect Rules for Creating Instagram Photos
The successful formation depends on one primary goal; Find a way to direct viewers to the main topic of the image.
When you take a photo with your phone's camera, the composition is what will help your photo go from “ordinary” to “amazing.”
How do you get the perfect composition?
We get the ideal configuration with something called composition rules. We will discuss some of them.
1. Follow the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is one of the most popular composition principles and suggests a simple way to balance your image.
Divide your frame into three evenly spaced vertical stripes and three equally spaced horizontal stripes. You will end with a nine-part grid. The place where the lines intersect is where you can place the main subject of the photo. (Small red circles in the bottom photo).
The goal of placing the most interesting subjects from the image in the intersections of the grid is to create a balanced and natural-looking image.
You can play grid lines on your phone's camera to help you apply the rule of thirds.
If you are working with an Android phone, go to (Setting), and select Gridlines.
2. Use a white background
Some of the best Instagram photographers respect white space – or a space of similar neutral color. The white space of your subject provides breathing space. Allows focusing on your subject alone in the photo.
Allow the focal point to conquer all that seemingly useless space to send a message of trust.
This's due to keeping the focus of the image simple and bold so that you can drive more traffic to your Instagram page.
The white background is also used to photograph products for sale.
You don't need a professional photo studio or photo session to capture great white background content for your brand or business. On a tight budget, you can set up your own photography studio at home.
3. Lead the viewer's eye
In photography, “leading lines” are lines that run through your image and attract the eye and add depth to the image. They may be roads, buildings, or natural elements such as trees, waves, etc.
You can use main lines to direct the viewer's attention to your subject, as in this image:
4. add depth to your photo
You can create depth in the image by including objects in the foreground, middle earth, and background, as shown in this image, where the rocks are in the foreground and the sea is in the middle, while the sun is in the background.
Another useful technique in the composition is interlacing, where you partially obscure one element by another. The human eye naturally recognizes these layers and mentally separates them, creating an image with greater depth.
5. Use patterns in your photo
Human brains like to see patterns, meaning repetitive things.
Look around for inspiration. Architecture, design, and nature are all sources of amazing patterns.
6. Look for symmetry
Symmetry is one of the most important rules of composition.
Looking at things that are the same feels good. So try to find similar objects and take pictures of them.
You won't get tired of looking for things that are the same, because symmetry is everywhere, and most man-made objects are the same.
More and more rules of composition you can find in the article The most important rules of composition in photography.
Step Three: Lighting
Light is one of the biggest factors in photography. Keep these lighting tips in mind when planning your shoot:
1. Using natural light to take pictures
The absolute best way to get an amazing picture on Instagram is to shoot in natural light!
If you can use natural sunlight or are already outside, do so. You will notice that your photos will look much more professional than indoors.
Don't even think about using the camera flash instead of natural light, as it will actually degrade the subject and flatten the photos.
If for some reason you can't shoot outdoors, try taking photos near windows where natural lights can pass, and stay away from any artificial light that can yellow your photos.
2. Choose the right time to shoot
Planning to shoot at the golden hour which by the way is the first hour after sunrise, and the last hour before sunset, will result in soft shadows and contrast in the light, and there is nothing more important to take a good photo on Instagram than perfect light!
For example, in this picture, making the sunset behind the girl gave warmth and elegance to the picture.
There's a reason photographers love the golden hour. At this time of day, when the sun is low on the horizon, it makes the images even warmer and more beautiful.
3. Take pictures on cloudy days
Cloudy days are really excellent for photography because the clouds act as a diffuser of sunlight creating a softer and more alluring effect.
These are also the perfect days for taking selfies!
Now that you've taken pretty pictures, it's time to edit them from "beautiful" to "amazing". Let's talk now about the editing stage.
Step Four: Post Photo Capture (Editing Photos with Editing Apps)
You took a great photo, but how do you turn it into an amazing Instagram photo?
These are some of the best photo editing apps that can take your photos to new heights.
1. Lightroom App
Using Lightroom is one of the best ways to make your Instagram photos look beautiful. In addition to achieving beautiful, ultra-modern photos, Lightroom presets to make editing extremely fast and easy.
Edit with Lightroom CC on your phone for free!
Even with Lightroom's built-in presets (which are like "filters"), you'll start seeing the quality of your photo improve dramatically, and start developing a style that's unique to you and your Instagram followers!
visit this app from HERE.
2. VSCO Application
This app is loved by professional photographers.
Visco is known for its many filters, many of which are included for free when you download the app. Many mimic the look of film photography, adding character and depth to your photos.
What makes VSCO filters unique is that they are adjustable, meaning you can decrease or revise the filter level in your photo.
You can also use this application to set many attributes such as:
- White balance: to adjust the color tone.
- Exposure: Adjusts the brightness of the image.
- vignette: darkens the edges of the image.
- skin tone: to adjust the skin tone.
And many other tools that can be used to greatly enhance your image.
There is also an in-app camera, which allows you to take photos with an extra degree of accuracy.
visit this app from HERE.
3. Snapseed App
Many Instagram photographers consider Snapseed the number one photo editing app.
This's because it offers a lot of editing tools that allow users to perfectly edit their photos.
Tunes include all the standard modding features you know, such as Brightness (Contrast) Shadows, and more. (Swipe up and down to move between them, then left and right to adjust the intensity of the effect) It's all in the Tunes tool only.
Using the Healing Tool, you can also delete things you don't want to appear in the image.
On top of that, they have a wide range of editing options and some unique additions as well. This includes the Face Pose tool, which lets you adjust the focal distance (you know, the reason your nose looks so weird when you're taking a close-up selfie), and a bunch of cool portrait filters.
The Brush tool allows you to selectively apply adjustments to the image. If you only want to brighten or saturate one area of an image, the Brush tool gets the job done.
A great feature of Snapseed is that each edit is a separate image layer, which means you can remove one without undoing all your edits afterward.
Snapseed can take some time to master.
visit this app from HERE.
4. Color Story App
Color Story is an easy-to-use editing app that focuses on bringing out the white and the colors in general in your photos. It also comes with a selection of effects such as light leakage, lens flares, and bokeh. It also adds a nice tool to adjust the brightness and darkness of your photo.
The basic app is free, although you can pay for additional filter packs and special effects. But even the basics are great for enhancing your photos.
Unlike many filters available on VSCO or Snapseed, which give photos a vintage feel, Color Story filters make your photos more vibrant and accurate.
visit this app from HERE.
Pro tip: You can save your favorite filters by clicking on the heart icon and applying them to other photos later.
5. TouchRetouch
TouchRetouch is an editing app that serves one purpose; Remove blemishes and unwanted objects from your photos. It's not free, but it's low ($1.99) and it's easy to use.
visit this app from HERE.
6. Lens Distortions App
It is another app that focuses on doing one task well. Add light and weather effects to your photos.
Create visual interest and attraction with spilling light, fog, rain, snow, and shimmer. These subtle natural enhancements add a dreamy quality to outdoor shots.
visit this app from HERE.
7. Enlight Photofox App
Photofox is different from The above applications, aims to create artistic images and edit them naturally. It is free to download with additional paid features.
Photofox lets you adjust the opacity to create a double exposure effect. You can also add backgrounds and effects to turn your photos into everything from watercolors to typographic posters. Erase and restore brushes also allow you to selectively apply effects and filters.
These are just a few of the photo editing tools out there on Instagram. There are plenty of Instagram-editing apps to discover.
Important tip:
Overly edited photos can have the opposite effect of appearing fake, unreal, and focused on the wrong things. The example says, “If a thing exceeds its limit, it will turn into its opposite.”
Focus on taking better photos from the start and select some filters that you can apply quickly to make photos look more consistent, and don't over-edit the photo.
Step Five: 10 Tips to Get Great Photos That Get Likes and Followers on Instagram
1. Take the picture with your eyes first
Take a moment to think about the shot. Consider background, angle, and composition.
Is the shot messy? Can you move something? Should you add more balance or a sharper focus on the subject?
When you use your eyes first, you'll find the best angle and timing to take the perfect picture.
A camera is just a tool that we use to capture what the eye sees so that we can share it with others.
2. Take pictures from different angles
When you take a picture on your phone, you're probably raising the phone about eye level and taking the picture, right? This is what others do too.
Try changing this direction occasionally if you want to take interesting and unexpected photos.
Taking pictures from different angles will provide new perspectives, even when it comes to a familiar place or subject.
Try shooting from above or below, bending over on the floor, climbing a wall, and more.
Don't break your leg in pursuit of the perfect shot, but challenge yourself to see things from a new perspective.
3. Add cute stickers to Instagram photos
Adding stickers to your photos is one of the things that will make your account unique.
If you are looking for a way to add stickers to your photos, Fotorus for iOS is a must-have! Photo Editor Pro app for Android devices.
Fotorus is one of the best iOS apps to put stickers on photos. This app comes with dozens of stickers and emoticons with different themes.
This photo editor will make your photo more expressive with the included stickers and emoticons. Moreover, you can also try out its editing functions like filters, lighting, adjustment, and more to make your photo even cooler.
While if you need apps to put stickers on pictures on your Android smartphones or tablets, Photo Editor Pro is the best app for you.
With it, you can easily and quickly add the stickers you want to create a unique image and then share it directly on different social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, etc.
4. Take funny pictures
If you want to feel depressed about what's going on in the world, head over to Twitter.
Instagram is a happy place, which means humor plays well here. Funny pictures are a breath of fresh air for your audience, and they show that you don't take this whole thing seriously.
5. Take pictures of the details
An intense focus on unexpected or interesting details can be eye-catching, especially in a scene full of crowded, dynamic images. This gives a sense of stillness and calm.
6. Take pictures with animals
Instagram photos are cute and warm if there is a cute animal in them.
7. Capture the movement in your photo
One of the ways to get fun Instagram photos is to capture the action.
You'll need a fast shutter speed to avoid the effect of motion blur.
You can adjust the shutter speed on most smartphones. Search your phone settings for Shutter Speed or S and choose a fast shutter speed like 1/500s or 1/1000s…etc.
Sometimes you might need a motion blur, but why would I want a blur in my photo?
Consider photographing a waterfall.
You usually want to shoot the waterfall as a whole (the water is moving downwards) You can use a slower shutter speed like 1/5s or 1s to capture more time. This makes the water appear smooth. But in this case, where you choose a slow shutter speed, you will need a Tripod to avoid unwanted noise in the image.
Also, do not forget to turn on the continuous shooting mode when shooting a moving subject, to take many photos for later choosing the perfect one. The way to operate this mode we talked about in the first paragraphs.
8. Use the wall as a background
If you are really serious about creating amazing Instagram photos, then start looking for cool walls in your city to have fun shooting and sharing.
9. A small person in a big world
An open landscape shot is nice, but adding a tiny human to the photo makes your audience fantasize about themselves there.
Find a wide background. Visit national parks, explore chrysanthemum fields, and set off on the golden hour. Wherever you find yourself, look for a backdrop that is wide enough to immerse yourself in nature.
10. Take food photos from above
The secret to a great dining photo is to shoot from above, take advantage of your surroundings, and use natural light. The last element is especially important.
Look for a spot of light. Look for wooden tables, marble slabs, and anything else that might work as a simple backdrop to your food.
conclusion
With just your phone you have all the tools you need to create unique profile pictures and posts. This just requires some practice.
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