6 Easy Tips to Help You Go Hollywood with Your…

Wouldn't it be nice if everything in life was as easy as "point and shoot?"

#NoFilter

In my line of work I have found that despite the fact that technology becomes increasingly more accessible, a lot of people are still hesitant to use their smartphones to take photos and video that they would feel comfortable sharing where everyone can see. Forget Facebook—I'm talking about the local media, entries for fair exhibitions, contests, etc...and even the Darlington website. For many of us, point and shoot is easier said than done.

But even with the latest and greatest, why is that? My guess is that the abundance of information in the form of viral YouTube videos and the fabulously filtered squares of Instagram in this BuzzFeed generation has become intimidating and created an "everyone-can-do-it-but-me" mentality.

At the end of the day, it's not always going to be about the Spielberg quality we would all love to master, but what you are actually recording on the hard drive of your phone—again not how, but what. Sure, I would love to be able to spend gobs of dough on the next best thing, but what you have in your pocket can in many ways be just as effective and meaningful. It's not going to be perfect, but it's authentic and allows you to share and savor a special moment in time for years to come (unless your phone crashes before you've backed up your media...more on that below).

Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional photographer! Each of the following photos originated from my very own iPhone.

Here are six quick technical and stylistic tips to help you make the most of your smartphone when opening your Camera app!

1) Landscape (horizontal) orientation is your best friend. As soon as you pull out your device, hold it to look like a television. We are use to holding our phone like a phone, but for the camera function you really want to hold it like a camera. Even though applications like Instagram have become the norm for photo sharing, also try to shy away from shooting a picture as a square. For video especially, always use landscape. This orientation is more versatile, and you will still have the option to go different routes later in the editing process.

What other kinds of extreme cuteness are we missing because this picture was shot vertically?

2) Inside or outside, be mindful of lighting. It may not always be possible to have an evenly-lit face or clearly visible subject, but there are small measures you can take to optimize your shot for that given moment. Stay away from windows. Instead, opt for a more neutral background for your subject, like a solid interior wall. If the shot you’re hoping to get is outside but not time-sensitive and you can plan ahead, opt to collect your media earlier in the morning, or, later in the afternoon when the sun isn’t as high. On a similar note, try to avoid using flash on an individual or group of people—most subjects end up looking yellow.

At first glance, this is a good photo...but how much more impact would it have with better lighting?

3) Pay attention to the setup of the shot. There are a variety of tips and rules you can follow on composition, but at a minimum it is helpful that you be mindful to leave plenty of room so as not to cut off your subject at the head, or accidentally crop out features you would otherwise prefer to keep.

These guys are playing it cool, but secretly wishing they had more headroom.

4) FOCUS! I've seen so many pictures that have great lighting, composition, etc., but are ever so slightly out of focus. When using your phone's camera, try tapping the subject and watching for the screen to adjust. Also, keep your camera steady when taking photos! That will help cut down on the blur factor.

There are a few things wrong with this shot of Jalisa and Caroline, but no. 1 is the lack of focus!

5) Perhaps one of the most important tips: Always save your photos and keep the software on your phone updated! Not only does this keep your device running smoothly and preserve special moments, but it also helps you avoid the dreaded "Cannot Take Photo/Cannot Record Video" notification. In our culture of selfies, we know that for every 500 photos taken, usually at least one will turn out...let this same mindset apply to all photos! Take as many as you need, but don’t forget to keep your phone tidy. As with anything, planning ahead will get you far. IMPORT AND UPDATE, friends!

Nooooooo!

6) Don't hesitate. Ultimately you are capturing a moment in time, and in some cases, if you fumble to take the photo, you may have lost your only chance. Don't get tripped up over best practices, but do be aware when you are planning your course of attack.

Henry Hudson says, "You've got this!"

**Here's a bonus tip: Always travel with your phone charger! We've all been there...

So Hollywood might be a long shot, but knowing these practical tips in advance can assist you in honing those mad photographer skills. Of course this isn't a comprehensive list of recommendations to master, but hopefully a helpful start to get you on your way.

Have some additional pointers that have worked for you? Reach out to me at lchaffin@darlingtonschool.org with your suggestions, and/or comment below!

6 Easy Tips to Help You Go Hollywood with Your Smartphone