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someone holding a smart phone

When taking a photo, don’t centre your subjects

© UNDREY / stock.adobe.com

Merry memories

Tips for making great photos and videos with your phone this season

by MARC SALTZMAN

The best camera, they say, is the one you have with you. If that happens to be your smartphone this holiday season, that’s a good thing. Today’s phones have seriously good cameras, and they’re ideal for on-the-spot editing—including adding fun filters—and the images and video you take are easy to share with loved ones.

Whether you’re on iPhone or Android, the following photography tips and tricks will help ensure you’re capturing the best images and video of your time with friends and family this season.

Avoid the digital zoom. Get closer by walking up to your subject with your smartphone rather than pinching and expanding the screen with your ngers to digitally zoom in, which often yields pixelated images. Fill up the entire frame with your subjects, unless you’re also trying to capture the scenery, like the mountain behind the family on a hike. Try your phone’s “Portrait” mode, as it cleverly blurs the back- ground behind your subject for a professional-looking, soft, out-of-focus background, called bokeh.

Right or left, not centre. Memorable photos need great composition. Instead of placing your subjects in the centre of the frame—what most amateur photographers do—move them to the left or right to make your photos instantly become more powerful and beautiful. You may hear pro photographers refer to a “rule of thirds,” which creates a nice balance by breaking up a scene into three parts where you place your subject to the left or right.

Cloudy days are great. When outside, try to resist using the flash, as natural light is typically superior. Cloudy days provide great lighting because the clouds diffuse the sun. If it is a sunny day, ensure your back is to the sun. You want to avoid having your subject backlit, with the sun behind them, because it will create a silhouette effect. This is true also for photos shot indoors near a window (especially with bright white snow outside). Sometimes I take indoor photos with and without a flash to see what I like best. Review what you took and redo, if needed.

Turn the phone sideways. Unless you’re trying to capture a tall structure, like a Christmas tree, use a landscape orientation when taking photos and shooting videos to get more in frame—especially with group shots. Holding your phone horizontally will also create photos that look better when viewed on a widescreen computer or television.

Don’t forget about audio. Don’t underestimate the importance of loud, clear audio when shooting videos. Hearing what the kids say when they rip open the presents or when carolers are at your front door is just as important as the image. Getting closer to what you’re recording will help with this. Pro tip: Consider investing in an external microphone (wired or wireless).

smart phone on a tripod

For sharp photos and video, a tripod will steady your phone.

© Анатолий Савицкий / Stock.adobe.com

Keep ’er steady. Ever hold your camera at arm’s length to get a shot? Try to avoid this because hands are prone to shaking. To get a good, sharp photo or video, hold the camera with both hands and pull your arms into your chest or stomach to steady the shot. You can also use a tripod or rest your phone on a table.

Angle is everything. When shooting photos or videos, try to match the height of the subject. Consider kneeling on the ground to snap a picture of a baby’s first steps or a video of a beloved family pet. You’ll get better shots when at eye level rather than angling the phone up or down, which can look awkward.

Candid shots are keepers. Don’t always take photos of people posing for the camera as their expression can look forced and predictable. Some of the best photos of subjects are when they don’t realize they’re being photographed—but be sure to get their permission before uploading to social media or sharing with others.

With these tips and a little experimenting, you can make great photos and videos with your smartphone.


illustration of a cellphone

© DMYTRO / STOCK.ADOBE.COM

APP IT UP!

Play around with your smartphone’s camera options, such as creating a time-lapse video of stringing up holiday lights outside or shooting a slow-motion video of kids tossing snowballs.

Plus, there are many free apps to help you easily edit photos and videos, and share them with friends and family. Instagram and Snapchat, for example, allow you to add fun filters, like a sepia-tone finish or a retro ’70s look.

Some apps leverage more advanced artifi cial intelligence (AI), such as Lensa and PicAI, to magically enhance your portrait photographs, create all new images out of a single shot (like a virtual photoshoot) and add wild, cartoon-like effects.—MS


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SEVAG SAGHERIAN

Marc Saltzman is a tech journalist and host of the Tech It Out podcast. He answers selected questions in this column and regrets that all questions can’t be answered individually.
Twitter @marc_saltzman
Email connection@costco.com
Please include “Tech Connection” in the subject line.


Costco Connection: You’ll find quality smartphones at cellphone kiosks located in Costco warehouses and at Costco.ca