Photography News

Mobile phone cameras are now capable of producing shots which even the most critical photographer will say are decent and well worth displaying in portfolios. Modern smartphones have had a major impact on the photography market as a lot are now capable of producing images just as good, or even better, than basic compact cameras. If a compact is all you wanted to use for your travels, why not upgrade your smartphone and have one less item to pack? 

When you couple this improved technology with the hundreds of apps that are available which are designed to help you be more creative and take better photos, it's easy to see why there's a growing admiration for this form of photography.

As most people now carry a smartphone that has a camera built in we thought we'd put a list of ten tips together to help you improve your shots taken with cameras built into mobile phones, for those situations when you want a good shot and all you happen to have is your phone. 

 

 

Think Of It As A Camera

Holding your phone in one hand and trying to press the shutter button will only result in blurry, wonky shots. Holding your phone with two hands quite close to your body will mean your phone is much more stable and as a result, your images will be better. A lot of modern smartphones now have dedicated shutter buttons to help you capture photos easily, and some even have the ability to take a photo from a squeeze of the sides, like the HTC U11. 

 

Stay Still

Having your arms tucked close to your sides and standing as still as possible will stop any blur caused by movement from spoiling your shot. Don't move your phone away as soon as you've clicked your shutter button either as shutter lag can mean your camera's still processing the shot so you'll end up with a blurry photo of another part of the scene rather than the person or object you want a photo of. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9 have OIS built-in, to help combat this too. 

 

Use Accessories

Many companies are now producing lenses and supports for iPhones and other mobile phones which can help enhance and improve your mobile phone photos. One example is the USB Fever Super 20x Macro Lens which offers a magnification of 20x. You can find out how the lens performs in our review. Lensbaby also make a kit which uses magnets to let you interchange various creative lenses.

 

 

 

Zoom With Your Feet

If your camera phone doesn't have an optical zoom use your feet to move you closer to your subject rather than using the digital zoom which can lower the quality of the shot.

 

Light

You'll be relying on natural light most of the time so get outside, when possible, and set up near windows or patio doors when working inside. If you need to turn a few lights on, do watch the colour cast they create. You can tweak the white balance on some phones or there are apps available which you can do this with too. Some also give you exposure compensation options so you can brighten or darken your shot. It's worth checking your settings, which we'll cover next, to find out exactly what your phone's camera can and can't do. Most modern phones pride themselves on having good low light capabilities, many of which use apertures of f/2 or wider to maximise light entering the lens.

Be careful where you position yourself when shooting outdoors as shooting in the direction of the sun can result in flare, although some people like the effect and it can actually work quite well with some shots. As well as having too much light in your shot too little can result in grainy shots where not much detail can be seen.

 

Check Your Settings

Go into your camera's settings and make sure that you camera is primed for the shot. Are there different scene modes to choose from? Experiment to find the right one. A lot of mobiles offer 'pro' or 'advanced' modes, allowing you to change the ISO and shutter speed, white balance etc manually, and experienced photographers will find this useful to personalise images. You may also find there are various shooting modes on offer as well as presets such as night, panorama and portrait mode all designed to help you take the best shot possible.

 

The Lens

It's quite easy to take a shot where a finger or thumb is covering the lens so watch where you position your hands. As phones are put in pockets and carried around in bags they get dusty easily and due to us handling them a lot they get covered in greasy fingerprints quite quickly too so make sure you keep your lens clean and check it before you take any shots.

 

 

Try Different Angles

Working with a phone generally gives you more flexibility than a camera that's on a tripod so make the most of this freedom by varying your shooting angle and trying new shots. People don't always know you're taking a picture when you're holding your phone either, making them good for quick street candids. This doesn't mean you can take photos in places that say you can't though, you still have to obey the rules.

 

Don't Forget About Post Production

Using a phone to take photos with isn't an excuse for not correcting wonky horizons or adjusting the brightness levels in a shot. You can edit your photos with apps on your phone but the screen is a little small so don't overlook transferring them to your computer so you can edit on a larger screen.

 

Experiment With Apps

There's no excuse for not experimenting with your phone photography as the many apps that are available mean you can colour pop photos, add frames, create film effects... the list goes on. There's also apps out there that offer you shooting advice in the palm of your hand so if you want to brush up on your wedding photography while out and about, for example, you can. Some apps you have to pay for but there's also many free apps available which are just as good. Take a look at our review section to see what apps we've liked the most.

 

 

The countdown has begun for the 2026 London Photo Trade Show, taking place from 15–17 January 2026 at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with the highly anticipated Live Stage showcasing some of the UK's most talented and innovative photographers.
 

From live demonstrations to insightful presentations, the Live Stage will feature a diverse range of sessions designed to inspire, educate, and equip photographers with the tools and techniques they need to excel in 2026. Whether you're a budding photographer or an established pro, the Live Stage offers a golden opportunity to learn from the best in the industry.

Live Stage Highlights:

Thursday 15 January 2026:

• 10:30 – Terry Donnelly – Wildlife Photography with the Sony Alpha Cameras
• 11:30 – Fabrizia Costa – Eyewitness: Saving Human Memory Before It’s Too Late
• 12:30 – Gavin Maxwell – GFX Challenge Grant Award Project – ‘If The Land Could Speak’
• 13:30 – Canon EOS R6 Mark III – Unleash Your Passion
• 14:30 – Angela Jackson – What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
• 15:30 – Brendan Taylor – How to Fix 2026

 

Friday 16 January 2026:

• 10:30 – Terry Donnelly – Portrait Photography with the Sony A7v
• 11:30 – Ian Martindale – Turning Enquiries into Paid Clients
• 12:30 – Gavin Maxwell – GFX Challenge Grant Award Project – ‘If The Land Could Speak’
• 13:30 – EOS R5 Mark II & R6 Mark III: Benefits of Upgrading
• 14:30 – Angela Jackson – What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
• 15:30 – Brendan Taylor – How to Fix 2026

 

Saturday 17 January 2026:

• 10:30 – Terry Donnelly – Sports Photography with the Sony Alpha Cameras
• 11:30 – Ian Martindale – Turning Enquiries into Paid Clients
• 12:30 – Rebecca Douglas – Exploring Liminal Spaces with Minimalist Kit
• 13:30 – EOS R5 Mark II & R6 Mark III: Autofocus Essentials
• 14:30 – Angela Jackson – What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
• 15:30 – Brendan Taylor – How to Fix 2026

 

  Free Entry Offer!

Photographers and creatives who pre-register before 1 January 2026 can skip the £10 entry fee and gain free access to the Live Stage sessions. However, space is limited, so early registration is encouraged to secure a spot.

 

The Live Stage Speakers for the 2026 event have been generously supplied by our sponsors, ensuring attendees have access to the latest tips, techniques, and gear that will shape the photography landscape in the coming year.
 

About the London Photo Trade Show 2026

The London Photo Trade Show is one of the UK's premier events for photographers, providing a unique platform for industry professionals to discover new technologies, connect with leading brands, and enhance their skills through hands-on demonstrations and expert-led sessions. The 2026 event is set to be an unmissable gathering for anyone in the photography industry.

Register for FREE tickets now!