Video: How to Use Portrait Mode on iPhone

In this short masterclass, we expand on the 20 Tips and Tricks for iPhone Photography that we covered in a previous article and teach you all about the iPhones Portrait Mode.  No matter how tempting, I am going to advise you not to photograph something as basic and boring as the image on the left. I’ll walk you through exactly how we achieved the image on the right and how to use Portrait Mode on iPhone so you won’t struggle with it ever again!

Watch the full tutorial below, and if you enjoy this type of content, make sure you check out our newest release: Creative Photography 101! 

iPhone Portrait Mode Tips

Here are the tips we presented in the short video, along with additional tips for capturing beautiful iPhone Portrait Mode photos.

Understand when to use it and when not to use it

The Portrait mode is specifically designed for standard portraits, where the subject is the primary focus. It excels at creating a pleasing separation between the subject and the background, blurring the latter for an aesthetically pleasing effect.

However, it may not be suitable for wide-angle shots or environmental portraits, where you want to capture more of the surroundings.  It can also struggle with large groups. While in each of these scenarios, the phone will still take a picture, you’re better off using the standard photo mode. Consider the context and intent of your photo to decide whether to use Portrait mode or opt for other shooting modes.

Understand the limitations and sacrifices of Portrait mode

Before diving into Portrait mode, it’s important to be aware of its limitations.

• Firstly, Portrait mode may not support live mode.
• Additionally, there might be a slight delay between pressing the shutter button and when the photo is actually captured. Therefore, timing your shots becomes crucial to capture the desired moment.
• Portrait mode might also result in a slower frame rate compared to regular shooting modes, making it challenging to capture moving subjects.

Find a Background, Less Busier the Better!

In order to create the Portrait Mode look (shallow depth of field), the iPhone camera uses depth mapping to figure out what is in the foreground of the image.  Data from the wide-angle and telephoto lenses are used to compute a depth map, which then artificially blurs objects depending on how far they are from the in-focus subject.

Opt for backgrounds that are less busy and less distracting, allowing the subject to be the focal point. Solid-colored walls, natural landscapes, or simple textures can work well. By minimizing visual clutter, you can draw attention to the subject and create a visually pleasing composition.

Create Distance Between You and the Subject

To utilize Portrait mode effectively, create some distance between you (the photographer) and the subject. The iPhone prompts you to ‘Move Further Away’ when it can’t detect a clear subject. This likely means your camera is too close to the subject for the technology to map the depth. This will take some trial and error, but start making small adjustments by taking one step at a time away from your subject until you see the background blur. Portrait mode works best at a moderate distance. If you move too far away, the camera may struggle to detect the subject properly and apply the desired depth of field effect.

Choose a Flattering Perspective

Unlike the standard lens that comes with iPhones (~28mm equivalent), the Telephoto lens is a much more zoomed-in focal length (~52mm). This means that when you switch from the standard lens to Portrait Mode you’re going to see a more zoomed-in image on your phone. In this example, you’ll see that we can still see some of the concrete sidewalk in the frame, and it takes away from the green landscape around our subject. To avoid that, I rotated the lens and brought it closer to the ground to conceal the concrete. Play around with your framing to ensure you’re still in a position to blur out the background.

Pose & Photograph Your Portrait!

There’s nothing left but to shoot! If you move from your original position or have your subject move, the phone may take a couple of moments to adjust to the new position and give you the same message as we saw in Step 2; however, it should be pretty quick to detect subtle movements. The final image was edited in Lightroom Mobile using Visual Flow Presets using the Crush Pack!

Conclusion

With the iPhone Portrait mode, you have a powerful tool at your disposal to capture stunning portraits. By understanding its strengths, limitations, and following the tips outlined in this article, you can elevate your portrait photography game. Remember to experiment, practice, and develop your own style while utilizing the iPhone Portrait mode to create captivating and professional-looking portraits.

If you enjoyed this tutorial on how to use Portrait Mode with iPhones, check out Creative Photography 101, our newest course dedicated to teaching you how to shoot and edit pro photos with just your phone. All photos in this course were taken on my iPhone 11 Pro Max to emphasize that it isn’t about the gear, it’s about the magic you can create with any camera! 

In previous articles, we’ve covered iPhone Photography Tips to improve your mobile photography skills; and in today’s piece, we’ll be looking at the best iPhone camera accessories to expand your creative toolkit. Professional photographers and enthusiasts alike use these accessories to make their iPhone camera better and more dynamic, while helping their photos and videos stand out.

Tripods, Mounts and Straps

A tripod is a three-legged support used to keep the camera steady and prevent blur caused by shaky hands. With the right tripod and mount, you can take sharp, clear, and well-composed photos with your iPhone. There are various types of tripods and mounts available for iPhone, including tabletop tripods, flexible tripods, and clamp mounts.

Joby GripTight ONE Mount

One of the best tripods for iPhone is the Joby GripTight ONE Mount. It is a flexible tripod that can be wrapped around any object and features a spring-loaded grip that can accommodate any phone model. It also has a 360-degree rotating head, which enables you to adjust your iPhone’s angle easily.

DJI Osmo Mobile 4 Gimbal

As they say, “Optical and digital image/video stabilization isn’t enough for iPhone photographers.” If that’s the case with you, you can buy the DJI Osmo Mobile 4 Gimbal to keep your iPhone super stable and smooth when you are shooting.

Whether you are jumping, walking, or running, DJI Osmo Mobile 4 Gimbal makes sure that your photos or videos are buttery smooth and stable. Although investing in this accessory can cost you a bit, it’s undoubtedly one of the best accessories to make iPhone camera better.

Check Pricing & Availability Here: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Joby GorillaPod GripTight One

Like its big brother, the original GorillaPods, GorillaPod GripTight One by Joby is versatile, has bendable legs, and has a sturdy build quality. If you are serious about getting outstanding shots from absolutely any setting, GripTight One has got your back.

GripTight One features rubber feet that provide stable grip across all surfaces, flexible legs, and more to be the contender of one of the best iPhone camera accessories.

Check Pricing & Availability Here: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Moment Neck Strap

Breaks are essential, and in those breaks, Neck Strap by Moment can come in as a helping hand. This high-quality neck strap will hold your iPhone for you when need to free your hands.

Moment Neck Strap can be adjusted from 37 inches to 44 inches, and it’s made up of high-quality American leather. According to the official website of Moment Neck Strap, every piece in the strap is hand-made – making it one of the best iPhone camera accessories.

Check Pricing & Availability Here: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

iPhone Lenses

Lenses are another essential accessory for iPhone photography. They can help you capture a wider field of view, zoom in on distant objects, and add creative effects to your photos. Some of the most popular types of lenses for iPhone include wide-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, and fisheye lenses.

Moment Lenses

Moment lenses are one of the must-have accessories to make the iPhone camera better! Moment lenses are available in various specifications like macro, wide-angle, fish-eye, telephoto, and more.

One of the best lens options for iPhone is the Moment Wide 18mm Lens. It’s a high-quality lens that offers a wider field of view than the iPhone’s built-in camera. This lens is ideal for landscape and architectural photography, and it also works well for capturing group photos and selfies.

You can buy any of the Moment lenses and pop them directly on the top of your iPhone’s camera. Note that Moment lenses won’t improve the quality of the image but significantly alter the angle of view and make your shots stand out.

Also, note that Moment Lenses can only be used with the Moment cases!

Check Pricing & Availability Here: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Sandmarc Lenses

Sandmarc lenses, much like the Moment ones mentioned above are also on the must-have accessories list to make the iPhone camera better! Sandmarc lenses are available in various bundles and styles like macro, wide-angle, fish-eye, telephoto, and anamorphic.

You can buy any of the Sandmarc lenses and pop them directly on the top of your iPhone’s camera. And as an added bonus, the Sandmarc lenses come with a clip-mount so that you can use them without a specific case. And you can use them on any smartphone camera, not just the iPhone!

Check Pricing & Availability Here: B&H | Amazon

iPhone Lighting Accessories

Lighting is crucial for photography, and it’s no different when it comes to iPhone photography. Good lighting can help you capture bright, vibrant, and sharp photos, while poor lighting can result in blurry or grainy images. There are various types of lighting accessories available for iPhone, including LED lights, ring lights, and portable softbox kits.

Lumecube Lighting Kit

One of the best lighting options for iPhone is the Lume Cube 2.0. It’s a small, portable LED light that can be mounted directly onto your iPhone. This light is waterproof and features adjustable brightness levels, making it ideal for outdoor and indoor photography.

This lighting kit is definitely one of the best iPhone camera accessories for professional mobile photographers.

Lumecube Lighting Kit produces 1500 lumens of bright light, and it comes with a cube and a smartphone mount. To give your shots a professional look, this kit comes with filters and diffusers. And because of their small size, you can take them anywhere! Lastly, Lumecube Lightning Kit is one of the best iPhone camera accessories to emulate studio lighting – use it to believe it.

Check Pricing & Availability Here: Adorama | B&H | Amazon | Lume Cube

Auxiwa Clip-On Light

Photos and videos are all about lighting. Even the iPhone’s camera can get sluggish in low-light situations. And that’s precisely where you’ll find the Auxiwa Clip-On Light useful! With the Auxiwa Clip-On Light, you just need to clip it on, and you are ready to shoot.

The Auxiwa Clip-On Light features 36 LEDs and three intensity modes that are perfect for absolutely any setting.

Check Pricing & Availability Here: Amazon

iPhone Microphone Accessories

Good audio can be the difference between professional quality video and an amateur one.  For iPhone filmmakers, consider investing in an iPhone microphone.

Rode VideoMic Me-L

iPhone’s camera is considered to be one of the most capable video cameras today. But it lacks microphone quality. And that’s where Rode VideoMic Me-L can come in handy. VideoMic Me-L by Rode features a directional microphone with an integrated lightning connector. iPhone camera users who want crystal clear audio quality and eliminate background noises won’t find a better fix than Rode VideoMic Me-L.

Check Pricing & Availability Here: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Remote Shutter Release iPhone Accessories

A remote shutter release is a device that allows you to trigger your iPhone’s camera from a distance, without having to physically touch your phone. This can be particularly useful when taking selfies, group photos, or long-exposure shots. There are various types of remote shutter release options available for iPhone, including Bluetooth remotes, wired remotes, and self-timer apps.

Movo PR-1 Smartphone Grip

One of the best remote shutter release options for iPhone is the Movo PR-1 Smartphone Grip. It’s a versatile grip that can be used as a tripod mount, a selfie stick, and a remote shutter release. It connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth, allowing you to trigger the camera from up to 30 feet away.

iPhone Storage and Batteries

Finally, storage is an essential aspect of iPhone photography. With high-resolution photos and videos, it’s easy to run out of storage space quickly. Fortunately, there are various types of storage options available for iPhone, including iCloud storage, external hard drives, and USB drives.

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive

One of the best storage options for iPhone is the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive. It’s a small USB drive that can be used to transfer files between your iPhone and computer. It also features an app that allows you to automatically back up your photos and videos, freeing up valuable storage space on your iPhone.

Moment Pro Photo Battery Case

Moment Pro Photo Battery case serves four purposes: it provides juice to your battery, protects your phone, has a DSLR shutter button, and complements Moment lenses. It’s an all-in-one case for people who are serious about leveling up their iPhone camera game.

Moment Pro Photo Battery Case is great for all the iPhone photographers who need something that’s packed full of features.

Check Pricing & Availability Here: B&H | Amazon

Conclusion

If you have the best iPhone camera accessories at your disposal, then believe us, you have got everything to boost your photography potential. The products we listed are all affordable and readily available so be sure to use them and take your iPhone photography experience to a whole new level.

How to Take Good Selfies | Short Video Tutorial

Taking good selfies requires a knowledge of simple and easy techniques, lighting tricks, and other basic concepts. Here’s a quick 60 second video from Pye to illustrate the technique.

Experiment with angles

Try taking selfies from different angles to find the most flattering one. In most instances, holding the camera slightly above your head is the optimal angle.  Holding it below your head and looking down can create an unflattering double chin.  However, be careful not to go too high with the angle though, as that can look awkward and unnatural.

Find the Right Lighting

For photographers, light is the most important element when capturing a shot. Whether you are a professional or an amateur photographer, good lighting can make all the difference in the quality of your image; it shapes and brings life to your subjects, allowing you to bring emotion, texture and dimension to your photos.  The process of finding the right light is no different with selfies!

Indoors with Window Light – If you’re indoors, position yourself near a window that doesn’t have direct light streaming in.  If it does, try using a sheer or transparent blinds to diffuse the light.

Outdoors – If you’re outdoors, try to find a shaded area without direct sunlight hitting your face.  Also, remember that even shaded light has a direction, so ideally you want to find a light direction that fills in your shadows.  Avoid light coming from directly above, as that can create shadows under your eyes.

Night Time or Low Light – In low light, follow the same concepts as above, but instead of natural light, find a directional light source.  Avoid standing directly under canned lights, which might mean that you stand slightly in the shadows, away from the lights above.

Choose the right background

Your background should complement your selfie, not detract from it. A plain wall or solid-colored background works well, as does a natural setting such as a park or beach.  If you’re shooting indoors, clean the space behind you that shows up in frame.

Pay attention to your posture

Good posture can make a big difference in how your selfie turns out. Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, and look confident.  Slightly extend your neck toward the camera for a more flattering look.  However, make sure you don’t extend it too far, as that can look natural and exaggerated.

Turn towards the light! If you’re shooting with light direction, slightly turn your chin towards the light.  This is a concept known as “short lighting,” which generally has a face slimming effect.

Find Your Ideal Expression

The ideal expression is different for everyone, so play around and find the one for you.  Try slightly squinting, an expression coined the “squinch” by famous headshot photographer, Peter Hurley.  Experiment with different smiles, from close-mouthed smiles to full smiles. For more information and inspiration, follow these 5 Tips for Good Headshot Photography.

While the image below is not a selfie, it demonstrates the difference between the subject’s “wide-eyed” expression (on the left) and the “squinch” (on the right).

Additional Tips for Taking Good Selfies

Extend The Camera Away From Your Face – Objects closer to the camera will appear larger than objects that are further away.  Since selfies are taken at such a close distance, this means that your nose will generally look larger if the camera is close to the face.  For more information on this concept, study lens compression.

Use Portrait Mode – If your smart phone has a portrait mode option, turn it on to minimize distracting elements in the background and make you pop off the background.

Play with filters and editing – Most smartphones have a variety of filters and editing tools that can enhance your selfie. Experiment with different filters and presets to find the one that works best for you, and use editing tools to brighten up your skin or sharpen your features.  Be careful not to go overboard, however, and make sure you create something authentic.

Have fun with it

Finally, the most important tip of all is to have fun with your selfies! Don’t take them too seriously, and remember that the best selfies are the ones that capture your personality and spirit.  For more tips, read our article on 20 Tips and Tricks for iPhone Photography.

The best tripods for iPhones and smartphones are ultra-compact and lightweight, yet sturdy and versatile.  The ideal iPhone or android tripod is easy to carry around in a pocket or a bag, making it convenient to use and easy to access.  After testing dozens of tripod and gimbal solutions, we’ve come up with our favorite iPhone and smartphone tripods for content creators on the go.

Mobile by Peak Design

Mobile by the Peak Design Team is an entire ecosystem of mounts, cases, accessories, and chargers.  With a sleek design, magnetic connections that snap together with a clean, crisp satisfaction, and a versatile set of attachments, this is one of the most innovative tripods for the iPhone that we’ve ever seen.  This case and system is currently only available for the iPhone.

See Pricing on: Kickstarter

Manfrotto PIXI with Universal Smartphone Clamp

A solid tripod that doubles as a clamp kit, the Manfrotto PIXI with Universal Smartphone Clamp is ideal for those who want to save money and avoid buying separate components. It works well for smartphones and cameras alike thanks to the integral ball head. The Manfrotto PIXI is solidly built from stainless steel and is stable enough to take incredible images using most of the smartphones available on the market. Weighing in at just 0.49 lbs./220 gr, this tripos is ultra-compact and easy to carry everywhere.

See Pricing on: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Joby GorillaPod Mobile Mini

Featuring a design that’s often imitated, the Joby GorillaPod Mobile Mini has flexible legs and a ball head that secures the smartphone in place. A great option for vloggers, this tripod is very small and lightweight and is easy to wrap around objects so you can get shots from just about any angle. It’s also a great option for those looking for a stable viewing stand. The rubberized jaw of the Joby GorillaPod Mobile Mini can handle even plus size smartphones, including iPhone Plus and Max models.

See Pricing on: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Adonit Photogrip

One of the few tripods out there that allows you to recharge a smartphone wirelessly while taking photos, the Adonit Photogrip also sports a built-in Bluetooth shutter button. This ultra-compact tripod remains lightweight even though it has a 3,000 mAH built-in battery. The Adonit Photogrip is available in black or white and comes with a neoprene bag to store and transport the tripod.

See Pricing on: Amazon

Joby GripTight PRO TelePod

This is another tripod from Joby, but one that doubles as an extending pole, being suitable for video creators working with smartphones and action cams. You can use the Joby GripTight PRO TelePod in both landscape and portrait mode, and the adjustable tilt also makes it suitable for selfies. The tripod comes with a removable Bluetooth remote shutter, making it easy to capture shots remotely. The GripTight PRO TelePod is a highly versatile choice as it includes a Pin Joint mount action for Go Pro cameras and a cold shoe PRO mount for accessories.

See Pricing on: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Square Jellyfish Metal Spring Tripod Mount

What makes the Square Jellyfish Metal Spring Tripod Mount different from other models is the rotating mount that can hold any size phone securely without the need of a stand. You can use it in both portrait and landscape orientation, and the tripod is an excellent choice not just for vloggers and videographers, but also for conference calls or simply for watching movies in bed. The Square Jellyfish Metal Spring Tripod Mount features four springs for a strong grip and a sturdy heavy duty clamp. It’s also compact enough to fit in your pocket.

See Pricing on: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Shoulderpod S2

Boasting a high-quality grip, the Shoulderpod S2 works as a tripod mount, traveler stand and filmmaker handle. It’s a solid portable solution for filming professionally with your smartphone. The Shoulderpod S2 comes with a tripod mount that’s compatible with smartphones of all sizes, a handle made from Sapeli wood for a comfortable grip, and a wrist strap for extra safety. You can use your smartphone with or without a case with this tripod, and the compact design makes it easy to carry everywhere.

See Pricing on: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Benro BK10 Mini Tripod and Selfie Stick

A compact mini tripod that doubles as a selfie stick, the Benro BK10 Mini is suitable for smartphones, Go Pros and small cameras. It’s also a good option for 360 cameras because its handle can convert to tripod legs. In the box you’ll find a 1/4-20 attachment, a removable ballhead, a Go Pro adapter, and Bluetooth remote that you can stow in one of the legs of the tripod. The Benro BK10 Mini has a maximum usable length of 33.8 inches and you can use it with the smartphone in a case.

See Pricing on: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading about the best iPhone and Smartphone tripods.  We’ll update this list every year, so please make any recommendations in the comments below.  For more “best of” lists, see our Best Of category.

We’ve put together a short list of the best star tracker apps, in no particular order, for both Android and iPhone users. Whether you’re looking to track stars to photograph in the night sky or you just want to learn more about the objects in space around us, there’s an app in this list for you.

[Related Reading: Best Lenses for Milky Way Photography]

5 of the Best Star Tracker Apps Available

SkyView App

Google Play | App Store

SkyView holds its own among the best star tracker apps out there. This beautifully designed, easy to use app provides a perfect companion for stargazing and it does not require wifi to function. The unpaid version of the app offers a number of interesting features that you won’t find in the other star tracker apps, and they’re easy to use. For example, with a single tap, you can point your device to the sky and access a detailed description of a variety of objects, including satellites, stars, planets, constellations, and more. SkyView also allows users to use night mode so that they can even track objects in the sky during broad daylight. Finally, as an added bonus, the app includes an option to play mellow music to help make the overall experience that much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Star Chart

Google Play | App Store

Like other star tracker apps on this list, Star Chart is free and contains exceptional features; it’s worth noting, however, that you have to pay to play (through in-app purchases) to access the best of them. The upside is that you might be one of many who find the app’s features worth the price. One such feature, the 3D model, users can observe particular objects during the night in 3D, bringing an exciting new dimension to virtual stargazing. The app is also very easy to use. To trigger more information, only a single tap is required. The image quality for both Android or iPhone users is tops and absolutely beautiful.

SkyWiki

Google Play

Although this star tracker app is not a planetarium simulator, SkyWiki probably has the best interface. Other merits include its ease of use and elegant, intuitive design. SkyWiki also includes numerous unique features that enhance its usability. For example, the star tracker has a Periscope page that visual traces the rise and fall of the sun and moon throughout the day. You can also find Astronomy News Updates aggregated astronomy news, which is especially helpful for people who want to explore astronomical events. In addition, there is a Calendar page that offers information about upcoming astronomical phenomena, such as lunar phases, planetary events, meteor showers, and more.

[Related Reading: Must Have Apps and Websites for Nightscape and Milky Way Photography]

Star Rover

Google Play | App Store

The Star Rover star tracker app offers even more information than some of its closest competitors. One exceptionally cool feature is the star tracker’s augmented reality mode, which provides detailed information about a selected object, which you can view from your actual location or a location of your choosing. In other words, you can see the stars, moon, planets, and constellations in their proper place from any place in the world in real time. In terms of design and user experience, the app’s visual aesthetic is minimal and it lags at times (as it updates in real time), but it’s still a solid tool for tracking stars. It’s worth noting that while the free version does feature ads, they’re not as as intrusive as the ads in some of the other star tracker apps.

SkEye

Google Play

SkEye is one of the best star tracker or planetarium apps that excels as a tool for both observational and backyard astronomers. Although the interface of the app is sleek and less stylized than other applications, it makes up for it the details of its functionality. The star tracker displays right ascension, attitude declination, and azimuth coordinates that allow one to view accurate, amazingly clear images. As an added plus, all of the features in the application are included in a free version.

[Related Reading: How to Find the Best Locations in Your Area for Shooting in the Night Sky]

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this short list of the best star tracker apps on the market. We know there are several others out there that we didn’t include. What are some other apps you use to look at the stars and planets above us? What are some of your favorite features from those apps?

Video: How to Get Dramatic Clouds in Overcast Lighting Conditions

I’ll be demonstrating how to make clouds pop during overcast lighting on a dedicated camera as well as the iPhone. I’ll be using the Canon EOS R5 paired with the RF 28-70mm f/2L lens. After capturing the same image on the phone, I’ll be doing a full edit in Adobe Lightroom Mobile so stick around until the end! Let’s dive in.

Exposing to Preserve the Details

Even though the skies appear bright and flat in overcast lighting, I promise you that the details are there. What matters is how you take the photo in-camera. First, make sure you’re shooting in RAW format to capture as much information as possible. Then take a basic composition like I did here. I focused on the rocks and composed the sky to take up the upper portion of the frame.

The trick to properly exposing the image is using the histogram and your camera’s highlight alert to prevent overexposure. Exposing too bright will cause the photo to lose important information in the clouds. Here is a side by side example with the final settings.

On the iPhone, the app does a great job automatically exposing the image and preserving the details, even in overcast lighting conditions. Without making any adjustments to exposure, here’s the raw photo from the iPhone.

How to Make the Clouds Pop in Adobe Lightroom Mobile

Once we’re in the app, the first thing we’re going to do is bring the detail out from the sky. Use the Graduated Filter in the “Selective Editing” section and drag over the sky. Make sure to feather the mask.

I pulled down the exposure. Then, in effects, I increased de-haze. You’ll notice the details in the clouds immediately popping out from the overcast lighting. Next, I boosted clarity. Check out the difference from just those simple adjustments.

Editing the Final Image

I personally love turning landscape shots during overcast lighting into black and white photos. To do this, I reset the image and applied the Black & White preset from Visual Flow’s Crush pack.

Then, I added global adjustments including lowering the exposure and turning up the de-haze as well as clarity over the entire image.

Next, I added the graduated filter and pulled the exposure down over the sky. I added more de-haze as well as clarity over just the sky.

For my last adjustment, I kicked up overall contrast a bit over the entire image and this is the final before and after.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article/video. Just because the sky appears flat and uninteresting during overcast lighting, doesn’t mean you can’t still capture great photos. Landscape photographers especially, can rest assured knowing there is still plenty of detail left in the sky. Try out these tips next time the sky is overcast and see what incredible photos you can end up with!

For more tips and tricks on mobile phone photography, check out Creative Photography 101 from our Premium Library. To get presets like the one I used in this video, visit Visual Flow where we have a full library of intuitive lighting based presets and retouching tools. Thanks for watching!

Video: Back to the Basics: Mobile Phone Portrait Photography Tips

I wanted to get back to the basics take another go at mobile phone portrait photography again. I love minimalistic challenges like this because it helps us break from our reliance on flashy and expensive gear. Keeping our gear minimal forces us to learn to work with what’s around us. I encourage you to try the same and focus on honing your technique. I’ll be photographing my friend Alyssa, and I’ll also be editing right in my phone using Adobe Lightroom Mobile. Let’s jump in.

Image #1: Dappled Light

Dappled light can provide great dramatic highlights and patterns in an image. Here, we have a location with dappled light shining through the trees behind me. I’ll begin by showing you dappled light done wrong with this plain walk-up shot.

Instead, I moved Alyssa to the stairs and positioned her face right in one of the sunbeams.

Rather than taking an image from my own height, I angled from below. I flipped my camera to get the lens closer to the ground.

Editing the Image

Lightroom Mobile isn’t the place to be editing an image from scratch. Rather, I recommend using presets to start and fine tune using the editing tools provided. If you install your presets on Lightroom CC Desktop, they’ll automatically sync with Lightroom Mobile. I selected Visual Flow’s Modern Pack > Hard Light. Then, I added a radial gradient and pulled the exposure down to create a vignette.

Here’s the final before and after.

Image #2: Flat Portrait Lighting

The shade provided a lot of soft light and I wanted to use that for our next image. The flat lighting at this location was perfect for a simple portrait. The trick is to face the open sky while standing in the shade.

For our composition, I had Alyssa sit on the windowsill. The window creates a natural frame for our image.

To demonstrate portrait mode, I had Alyssa stand in front of the wall and took some images. With portrait mode, you can adjust the f-stop by clicking the “f” in the corner after taking the image. Since the bokeh is artificially generated, you have a lot of flexibility as to how you want the final image to look.

I applied the same technique to the composition against the windowsill. I flipped the camera again in order to get a low angle. Before jumping into Lightroom, I set the f-stop on the image to f/1.4, as you won’t be able to change that after importing.

Editing the Image

I selected the Modern Pack > Soft Light to start. I lowered the exposure and added the vignette using the radial gradient.

Here’s the final image.

Image #3: HDR Portrait

For my next image, I chose a location with a high dynamic range. I also wanted to use the ultra-wide angle lens. I had Alyssa sit on the stairs with the sun behind her.

However, if I just take a simple picture, I could lose the hairlight if her head is in front of a bright area. Instead, I angled so her head is in front of a dark part of the building to let the hairlight stand out. Notice the difference.

Here’s the final composition.

Editing the Image

I began with Modern Pack > HDR Natural. I adjusted the exposure and created a slight vignette.

For this image, I bumped up the clarity and de-haze for the extra pop for this final image.

Conclusion

The phone is a powerful tool. We captured and edited all of these images in a very short time span. By limiting my gear to just the phone, I was able to focus on taking compelling images rather than worrying about gear. I highly encourage you to try the same challenge and put your creativity to the test. For a complete course on mobile phone photography, check out Creative Photography 101 from our Premium Channel. Also, be sure to check out Visual Flow for intuitive lighting-based presets like we used here.

I hope you enjoyed this article/video and stay tuned for more photography tips, tricks, and challenges!

Our model today is my friend, Kiara, so be sure to check her out on Instagram. Let’s jump in.

Video: Mobile Photography Lighting Tutorial With the New Profoto Camera App

Scene #1: Smoke Grenade

I’m starting with this unsightly location to show you that you can create great images no matter where you are. I’ll also be using the MagMod MagShoe as well as the Dome to diffuse and disperse the light from the A10.

I first placed Kiara in the shade and got this shot without any additional light.

The Profoto Camera App features a “Smart Mode” option. This essentially allows us to put our focus on the creative aspect of the shot rather than the technical. After selecting our desired contrast and warmth effects, the app will automatically adjust the A10 to the proper settings. To get high contrast, I selected “Dramatic” for contrast and “Cold -1” for the warmth effect.

I then used Enola Gaye smoke grenades behind Kiara to create the effect I wanted. After a series of bursts, we wound up with this great image.

Related Reading: 5 Tips on How to Use Smoke Grenades for Photography

I edited the photo in Adobe Lightroom Mobile. Here’s the before and after.

Scene #2: Black & White Portrait

The second location is just a basic room and I’ll be using a simple bounce light to get our desired lighting. First, let’s see how our image looks without any additional light.

I positioned the A10 up and toward the wall which will provide a beautiful fill of light from our left side. I distanced it from the wall to fill out the entire wall and create a large soft light source.

This time around, I selected “Classic Mode.” This gives me full control over everything including the light and camera settings. After some trial and error to find the right look, these are the final settings I used.

Then we took this series of images.

Here are the final images edited in Adobe Lightroom Mobile.

Scene #3: Hallway

I chose this brick hallway for our third image. Notice the interesting texture on the walls created by the backlighting. The initial shot with no lighting or composition looks like this.

For the composition, I had Kiara pose low to the ground and I flipped my phone upside down to get as close to the ground as I can.

I positioned the A10 on camera right with a grid to focus the light on Kiara’s face. I also popped on a 1/2 CTO and adjusted the white balance in-camera to match the warm light from the A10. Notice the background becomes cooler while the light on Kiara remains neutral. This completely changes the game for mobile photography lighting by allowing us to introduce off-camera flash into the scene.

I tried to use “Smart Mode,” but it wasn’t quite getting the settings right so I took manual control and landed at these settings.

I took a series of images and got this great final image.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article/video on mobile photography lighting. With this advancement, we’re a step closer to the future of photography as a whole. The ability to use professional-level gear with our phones opens up the door to take creative photos anywhere with minimal gear. Profoto’s Camera App is intuitive and contains reliable technology makes this process smooth and allows us to put our attention entirely on creating.