Unlock the potential for stunning mobile photography!

Your smartphone photos can definitely reach new heights. With a bit of effort, the right third-party apps, and some editing time, you can capture images that, under the right conditions, can compete with dedicated digital cameras.

I frequently share smartphone photos online, and I often get asked, “How can I take better photos on my phone?” It’s a valid question. After all, the saying goes, “The best camera is the one you have with you,” and these days, our phones are almost always within reach.

In recent years, smartphone camera sensors have improved significantly, boasting larger sizes, better light-gathering abilities, and higher resolutions. However, despite these advancements, the quality of images produced by default camera apps hasn’t seen much improvement. In fact, in some ways, smartphone photos can appear less appealing than before.

This decline in aesthetic quality is largely due to how people typically use their smartphone cameras. They are primarily optimized for capturing clear images of menus, signs, faces, and objects, which often results in flatter images. Phones tend to reduce highlights and boost shadows to make details more visible, but this doesn’t necessarily enhance the photo’s quality. Aesthetic appeal often hinges on depth, and images overloaded with information in shadows and highlights can look washed out. Additionally, smartphones often apply over-sharpening and noise reduction to compensate for their smaller sensors, contributing to that familiar “muddy” look.

However, this doesn’t mean smartphone cameras are inferior. In fact, many modern smartphone sensors are so advanced that they can rival some point-and-shoot cameras available today. The key is knowing how to leverage these sensors, which often involves using third-party camera and editing apps.

There are numerous apps out there that can instantly enhance your photos. For instance, apps like Dazzcam and Hujicam mimic film aesthetics with features like light leaks and polaroid borders, and they do a fantastic job if that’s your style. On the other hand, Moment Pro Camera II and Halide offer modes like “Natural” and “Process Zero,” which apply much lighter processing than standard camera apps.

While these options can improve your photos quickly, for the best results, shooting in RAW or DNG format is the way to go.

RAW files capture nearly all the information your camera collects with minimal processing. Initially, RAW photos may not look better than those taken with the default camera app, as the latter makes many creative decisions for you. If you want the highest quality, it’s best to make those decisions yourself.

There are plenty of apps that allow RAW shooting, but I often recommend Moment Pro Camera II and Halide for iOS, and VWFNDR and Zerocam for Android. However, I wouldn’t suggest shooting RAW for every photo. Your phone camera is optimized for everyday snapshots. I typically shoot RAW for landscapes, city scenes, or portraits where I want to avoid automatic processing. Essentially, I use RAW for artistic shots rather than informational ones.

When shooting, tap on your subject in the viewfinder to ensure the best exposure. If the rest of the image is slightly overexposed or underexposed, don’t stress too much; RAW photos retain a lot of detail. However, in very low-light situations, RAW may not always be the best choice, as computational photography can often yield better results by stacking multiple frames to reduce noise.

When shooting in RAW, you’ll be limited to your phone’s native focal lengths since RAW images are direct sensor captures, and cropping involves processing. The main sensor typically offers the best quality, so I recommend using it when possible. However, I do use the telephoto lens while traveling for added reach or compression, as it can also produce great shots.

After capturing your photos, editing is essential. Most phones won’t display RAW images in the gallery, so it’s best to share them directly to your editing app of choice. I recommend Snapseed for its free access and recent visual overhaul. If you’re an Adobe subscriber, Lightroom Mobile is also excellent, especially if you’re familiar with its desktop tools.

RAW images often need adjustments to look their best. Once imported, I usually hit the auto button to see the general adjustments the app suggests. Auto mode aims to balance highlights and shadows, which typically results in a better image than the default camera app, as it avoids noise reduction and sharpening, focusing instead on contrast and saturation. However, further tweaks are often necessary.

A good photo should have a natural contrast with deep shadows and bright highlights. While it’s important not to overdo either, personal taste plays a significant role in this. Sometimes, crushing highlights and shadows can create a striking high-contrast effect.

RAW images tend to be flatter in color, which can be adjusted using saturation or vibrance sliders. I prefer vibrance, as it enhances less saturated colors more than already vibrant ones. Be cautious not to overdo it, and consider using white balance adjustments for a warmer tone, especially in outdoor shots.

Another useful tool is the color mix or selective editing feature, which allows you to adjust specific areas of the image. In Snapseed, you can modify brightness, contrast, saturation, and structure, while Lightroom Mobile offers selective hue shifts for more precise color adjustments.

Most editing apps also include geometry or perspective tools to correct distortion and adjust aspects of the image. If you’re unsure how to proceed, try the auto button in these settings; you might be surprised by how much distortion your phone captured. For straightening lines, some apps offer guided tools to help you align elements in the image.

The tools you choose will depend on the message you want your image to convey. For architectural photography, perspective tools are crucial, while landscape shots may require more focus on tone and color. Not every scene needs every tool, and your editing style will evolve over time. Study photos you admire to understand their editing techniques.

Once you finish editing, many apps like Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile offer options to add a matte or border around your image. I find that a white border enhances the photo by isolating it visually, but it’s entirely up to your preference.

This process may take more effort than simply snapping a photo with your camera app, but the results are undeniably rewarding. I’m continually amazed by the quality of images smartphones can produce, often rivaling dedicated cameras.