Smartphone photography tips for sharper, better photos

Why should you clean the lens?

Pocket lint and fingerprints smear light and create haze or flare. Wipe the lens with a soft, clean cloth before important shots. It is the cheapest fix and often the most noticeable.

If a photo looks strangely soft or has a milky glow around bright lights, check the lens before blaming the camera. A microfibre cloth or a clean cotton T-shirt works well, and it is worth doing every time the phone has been in a pocket or bag.

How do you use light well?

Look for soft, directional light such as window light or the hour after sunrise and before sunset. Avoid harsh overhead sun for portraits, and turn so the light falls on the face rather than behind it.

Tap the screen to set focus and slide to adjust brightness so that bright areas are not blown out. Many phones let you lock focus and exposure by holding your finger on the subject.

Backlight is the most common problem: a bright window behind your subject makes the phone expose for the window and turns the person into a silhouette. Either move so the light falls on the subject, or tap the face and raise the exposure slider until the detail returns.

How do you compose a stronger frame?

Take a moment to compose before pressing the shutter:

• — Turn on the grid and align horizons with the lines.
• — Move closer instead of using digital zoom.
• — Check the edges of the frame for distracting objects.
• — Try a lower or higher angle than eye level.

How much should you edit?

Adjust exposure, contrast and white balance first, crop to straighten and improve composition, and add only as much saturation or sharpening as the image needs. Over-processing makes pictures look artificial and often reduces detail.