Smart pointers for the smartphone photographer

MARBLE FALLS — You don’t have to look far to see how many people are using smartphones to photograph their lives. In recent years, the ubiquitous smartphone has replaced the point-and-shoot camera as the “go-to” camera for most people. 
And why not? We pretty much take our smartphones wherever we go, and the cameras in them are as good as almost any point-and-shoot. Plus, they’re darn easy to use.
Yet, let’s face it: Some of the smartphone photographs we take, well, leave us wondering if maybe we shouldn’t consider “upgrading” to a larger DSLR with all the lenses, bells and whistles. But before you make the investment, professional photographer and smartphone photographing advocate Andrew Gram wants you to stop and focus on this: By keeping it simple, you can take quality photos with a smartphone.
“The smartphone simplifies your photo-taking experience, lightens your gear load and truly lets you focus on taking great photos,” Gram said. 
One of the things he noticed as he pursued his photographic passion was the “need” for more gear or the latest and greatest camera or accessory. But he soon realized the addiction wasn’t helping him improve as a photographer. So he set out on a new photo project using only a smartphone. This 30-day personal project formed the basis of his book, “The Uncommon Photographer,” in which he shares lessons on using your smartphone more creatively to get better pictures with it and improve your photography overall, no matter the camera.
“If you want to be a great photographer, you don’t need a great camera. I believe having a poor camera will actually make you more creative and a better photographer,” Gram said. “Limitations make people more creative.”
Gram pointed out that a smartphone simplifies the photographic experience by removing all the knobs, adjustments and settings such as aperture and shutter speed. 
“The smartphone limits your gear to one object (not a myriad of lenses and gadgets) and stops you from worrying about settings,” he said. 
The advantage of a smartphone is it forces you to really focus on composition to create great photo structure, the placement of the subject, leading lines, filling the frame and other techniques. 
A few quick tips regarding composition (these apply across the gamut of cameras) include getting close to your subject. How often have you snapped a photo only to review it later and realize the people look like little specks lost in the frame. Well, the best advice here is to fill the frame with your subject (or at least enough that you can see the whites of their eyes.)
And “zoom” with your feet rather than the smartphone’s zoom feature, which can actually degrade the quality of the photo.
Also, when photographing a child, try to get some photos on their level. Most of the time, we stand up looking down on the child (and other subjects such as pets and flowers.) Get on the level of the child and snap a photo. Then you can always stand up and take some from your eye level. I bet if you compare the photos, you’ll agree the ones on the child’s level are stronger.
Another tip is to avoid the “bullseye syndrome,” where you put the subject right in the middle of the frame. Use the rule of thirds by placing the main subject or subjects off center. You divide the photo frame up into thirds both horizontally and vertically and place the subject in these intersecting points. Many smartphones let you even overlay this grid on the screen. Check the settings in the smartphone.
Also, be aware of the light. Since you don’t have much or any control over the amount of light you let into the camera, be sure not to shoot with a subject backlit (the main light source behind the subject) because often the smartphone sensor will pick up that light and you’ll end up with a dark or heavily shadowed main subject. Let the light come over your shoulder or from the sides. 
One of the things Gram recommended to improve your photography is creating your own personal project such as his 30-day street photography exercise during which he limited himself to using his smartphone for a month to take at least one photo a day (he often took more) of street scenes. He then posted them as part of the accountability for the project.
Your project should be on something you enjoy. Make it a 30-day project on your child at play, a 30-day walk through your garden or town, or … well, it’s your project, so you pick something.
Then, be sure to edit the photos each day and post them on a personal project blog, a Facebook page or a similar outlet. If you do use a social media outlet, don’t get caught up in the number of “likes” or comments. This is really about having accountability than seeking other people’s approval. 
“Having a clear goal really cleared my mind when taking photos,” Gram said. “A project will help you stay on track and build your skills.”
The smartphone simplifies photography in many ways by removing many of the “technical” decisions for you such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO. It really lets you focus on composition and form.
“All you need to do is compose,” Gram said. “I feel that getting composition right is the most powerful part of the photo, and this is why a smartphone is a great learning tool.”
And it’s just a great camera because the best camera is the one you have and usually that’s our smartphones. With a little practice and even a personal project, you should see your photography skills, whether with a smartphone or other camera, greatly improve.
You can check more tips from Gram at his website andrewgr.am as well as learn more about his book. As you take photos, be sure to share them on The Picayune’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/ThePicayune.
daniel@thepicayune.com