Get up close and personal
With any type of photograph, you want to get as close to your subject as you can. Cell phone camera pictures are usually small because of their low resolution, so fill the viewfinder with your subject to get the best picture.
Keep it steady
A steady cell phone takes better pictures. Try leaning it against a solid object (like a tree, wall, or ledge) when you take a shot. Also, hold the phone as still as you can for a few seconds after you click the button. This will account for any delay.
It’s all about the light
Lighting makes the picture. Make sure your subject is lit.
When you can, shoot your photos outdoors. If you shoot pictures indoors, make sure the lights are on. Try experimenting with white balance, since artificial lighting can affect the color cast in your pictures. (We talk more about white balance later.) And notice the angles and strength of the light, especially when you're outside.
If your cell phone camera has a built-in flash or light, you can use it to lift your images and add clarity to them, even when you shoot outside.
Use night mode
If your cell phone has a “night mode” setting, use it when you take photos indoors in low light and outdoors at night. This can mean the difference between a black frame and a priceless nighttime moment.
Turn off the zoom
It may be tempting to zoom in on your subject when you take a picture, but if the zoom is a ‘digital zoom,’ it will decrease the photo's quality. Instead, just move in closer to your subject. Always use “people zoom” if your cell phone camera has digital zoom
Today, some cell phone cameras with ‘optical zooms’ are hitting the market. Optical zooms are okay to use, since they don’t enlarge pixels to enlarge the subject.
Clean your lens
Keeping your cell phone camera clean and in good condition can be a challenge, especially if it spends a lot of time in your pockets and backpack.
Clean your camera lens with a soft cloth from time to time, especially just before you start shooting. Sunglass cleaning cloths work great for this.
Follow the composition rules (and then break them)
Traditional photography has established “rules” or guidelines for composing pictures. One of these is called the “Rule of Thirds.” This rule tells you not to center your subject in the middle of a picture. Instead, place it a third of the way in.
Simple tips like this one can bring life to the photos you take with your cell phone camera. Of course, part of the beauty of having a cell phone camera is that you can break with convention. Some of the best photos break all the rules. Shoot from the hip, the floor, up high, up close - anything goes.
Use the highest resolution possible
With some phones, you can choose the resolution for your photos. The higher the resolution, the clearer your shot will be. This is especially true for camera cell phones, which often have sensors under 1 megapixel.
Take lots of shots
The best thing about digital photography, including camera cell phones, is that you can take a ton of shots quickly at no cost. You are free to experiment with different modes and composition and delete the shots you don't like.
Try new angles and perspectives -- shoot from down low, up high, close up, and so on, and you’ll end up with interesting and fun shots.
Experiment with white balance
Many cell phone cameras feature adjustable white balance. This lets you modify color balance in your images based on shooting conditions. Experiment with this feature to get a good feel for the impact it has on your shots. White balance affects different cell phone cameras differently.
Read your cell phone’s user manual to find out how white balance works on your phone.
