On World Photography Day, Mumbai-based photographers share essential tips on clicking and editing Instagram worthy photos from your smartphones
A panoramic shot of Dadar by Jinesh Shah. Pic/ Jinesh Shah Photography
World Photography Day is celebrated across the world on August 19. Photography has come a long way from the days of professionals developing negatives to the current era of digital photography. Social media and smartphones have transformed this art, turning photography enthusiasts into photographers. The ease of taking photographs has allowed every person to take aesthetic shots and capture their surroundings. Be it professional or amateurs, everyone is telling their own stories through their pictures and, at times, their carefully curated Instagram profiles. On World Photography Day, Mid-Day.com got two budding Mumbai-based photographers to share essential tips on clicking and editing Instagram worthy photos from your smartphone.
Dombivli resident Prannoy Dutta works with advanced photography equipment and tools, but loves taking photos from his smartphone too. Jinesh Shah, 29, is a self-taught photographer who picked up skills from watching endless tutorials online. Focussed on reflecting the essence of his subjects, Shah often captures urban spaces and architectural marvels of the city. For those who wish to take scenic shots of Mumbai, here are a few of their expert tips on smartphone photography and editing:
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1. Let the grid guide you
Composing an aesthetic image involves careful positioning of elements in the frame. Always remember to turn on your grid--splitting the frame into nine boxes--which will help you create a more balanced composition.
2. Embrace negative space
‘Negative space’ refers to the area that isn’t occupied by the subjects of an image. Including empty space in a photo makes your subject stand out more. And what does negative space look like? It's often a large expanse of open sky, an empty field, a large wall, or water.
3. Shoot manual
For those who want to upgrade their skills, shooting in manual or pro mode will help you get a better understanding of the nuances of photography. Employ your artistic judgement by playing with shutter speed, experimenting with lights and shadows, and more to find your distinctive style.
4. Get closer to your subject
If you have been using zoom while snapping pictures from your smartphone, stop immediately unless you want to end up with pixelated images. Moving closer to the subject yields better results and also allows you to experiment with different angles.
5. Select location carefully
When it comes to cityscape photography, selecting the appropriate location is the most important. Hunt for clear skylines, and try going beyond the usual spots to carve frames that reflect your distinct vision.
6. Focus on details
Nothing is mundane if photographed gracefully. Keep an eye out for commonplace details that are often overlooked. Something as simple as a street sign can make for a compelling subject and draw viewers in.
7. Orientation
A panoramic shot of Parel by Jinesh Shah. Pic/Jinesh Shah Photography
Try to identify vertical and horizontal patterns for a gripping composition. It can be a shot of a famous landmark or the Mumbai skyline lit up by street lights at night. Opting for the panoramic capture feature and stitching multiple frames of the skyline at roof-top height is a sure-shot way of securing striking photographs.
8. Invest in a mini tripod and use a timer
The best way to reduce motion blur and get a steady frame is by using the timer feature and mini tripod.
9. Don't be afraid to edit
While some may covet #nofilter photographs, there is no reason why you should shy away from editing your photos to make them visually compelling
10. Editing applications
Using your phone's native editing app can be a good starting point for those who are complete beginners. For those who like to be challenged, third-party apps such as Lightroom and Photoshop are most commonly used. Both are extremely user-friendly and help you play with contrast, brightness, ambience and tones for best results
11. Discover presets
Apart from custom settings, interesting presets are available for editing. A quick search will lead you to free presets for different apps, from Instagram to Lightroom.
12. Be wary of overdoing it
Remember that a smartphone's sensor still isnt the same as a digital camera. The quality of your image gets significantly impacted when you edit it. For example, cropping an image to fix composition may yield a pixelated image.
Also Read: World Photography Day: Mumbai studios on navigating the pandemic and future plans
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