BETA YOURSELF PHONE PHOTOS
Got a shiny new smartphone but struggling to shoot pictures that make people’s eyes pop with cartoon-style awe? Craig Grannell reveals how to get the best from your little snapper…
THE BASICS
■ Master your hardware
Every camera is unique, and the same is true of what’s inside your phone. So take time to master its hardware and software – and how the two interact. Note minimum focusing distances so you know when to back up, and memorise shortcuts for your camera app so you never miss a one-off moment.
■ Avoid digital zoom
You might be well chuffed to have a phone that offers 100x zoom… but that grin will vanish when you see the results. Digital zoom crops and resizes images, adding grain and reducing detail. Where possible, stick to the limitations of your phone’s telephoto lens. Want more? Invest in high-quality add-on lenses.