11 Incredible Photography Tips That Have Nothing to Do with the Camera You Use

The great team at Artifact Uprising has created a strong list of tips by some of the top mobile photographers on Instagram. Having been engulfed in the mobile photography, or iPhoneography, world for almost two years I have found that in the end the camera you use has nothing to do with the quality of your images you create. Just to clarify, by quality I mean the moment captured and the purpose behind the shot, not the pixel density. These guys truly are proof that the best camera is the one you have with you. 

When talking about mobile photography it's easy to get caught up in the debate of shooting with something that isn't necessarily "pro-level." These tips below are to elaborate on the basics of photography without worrying about gear in mind. With over 2.5 million followers between them, these eleven photographers provide some outstanding tips from personal and professional experience shooting around the world with nothing more than their mobile device. Each speaking on the basics, from using light to editing with mobile apps like VSCO and Snapseed, these photographers break down the process for which they simply create beautiful content rather than worrying about gear. 

1. Identify Your Subject

Alex Strohl

When you are out there taking a photo, take a step back and think about why you are about to capture this image - what is your real subject ? Once you have determined what is making you press the shutter, it instantly becomes easier to show the end viewer what kind of message or emotions you are trying to convey.

2. Pull Back

Lisa Weatherbee

Don't be afraid to leave the room to get your shot. Doorways and windows can make lovely framing devices.

3. Take Advantage of Natural and Manmade Textures

Dan Rubin

Just like light, shadow and color play important roles within a given composition, textures add detail and interact with those other elements. Recognizing when the natural (or manmade) textures are a worthy point of focus will allow you to compose and expose for them, as well as retain or highlight them during your edit.

4. Keep it Fun

Amanda Jones

If I see a shot that I want to try, I generally will set a little toy - my keys or a stuffed animal - in the spot where ideally I'd have her stand. She has fun "discovering" what I've placed for her and I get my shot. It works because it's natural for her, part of her daily life.

5. Use the Elements Nature Provides to Create a Scene

Tim Landis

Observing your surroundings is key. Seeing where the light is coming from and what elements you have. A backlit tree line can produce interesting photos with falling shadows that create good lines and draws the viewer in. Looking for water or even puddles can produce great reflections and tell a wonderful story or even leave the viewers imagination running.

6. Use What's in Your Hand

Brenton Little

You are able to create those pin-worthy beautiful photos straight from your mobile device. No need for the three thousand dollar camera with the thousand-dollar lens when you learn the tricks of the handy phone that sits in your palm. 

7. It's the Little Things

Adrienne Pitts

For me, a lot of the time, it's the emotion in the photograph that really gets me. And that can often be achieved by zeroing in on a detail which means something to you.

8. Focus on Proper Exposure

Bradley Castaneda

Exposure is a critical key to a great photo. For me it's what makes or breaks it. When taking landscape photos pay close attention to your exposure. Make sure the clouds and sky aren't blown-out (overexposed), and that your foreground is still bright enough to where you can make out details. The key here is to strike an equal balance between detail in both.

9. Choose a Winning Wardrobe

Bethany Olsen

Choosing the right wardrobe for mobile photography can be challenging. With time and experience, I have been able to select my favorite wardrobe pieces to photograph with my phone - especially for Instagram. I love to have fabrics with texture or a pattern, but not too busy.

10. Create an Impactful Scale

Zach Reed

When you’re out shooting try to find vantage points and angles that put your subject into perspective and showcase the beauty, atmosphere, and size of the landscapes and spaces you’re capturing. Use the landscape or space to your advantage, place your subject in a way that will reflect the essence of the place you’re capturing.

11. Look for the Dark(er) Side of Light

Carli Rene

Instead of looking directly at the subject you're trying to photograph, be aware of your surroundings, how the light not only hits your subject, but the spaces around them, around you. Are there shadows? Ask yourself "Where does the light fall?", but also sometimes more importantly "Where does the light not fall?" Are your subjects more interesting when they're back lit? By tapping directly on your screen, oftentimes we're able to change the exposure from the background to the foreground, or vice versa. We must be present to the moment, the mood, our intuition, the tiniest details... I've learned the hard way. I've come home to edit photos and seen an amazing shadow that I never took advantage of! We learn we must be fully awake to that moment, not focused on the next shot or others staring at us trying to get the shot or the ding from a message on our phones.

To learn more about each tip from the photographers above be sure to check out the original link below. 

[via Artifact Uprising]