There is more than enough information on digital cameras such as DSLRs, but photographers have been given a chance to explore different gadgets to showcase their skills for the past couple of decades. While the basics of photography have remained the same, there are tons of new accessories and guidelines to make each shot worth preserving, and we here at Essential Photoessential photo are dedicated to providing photographers will all the supporting information and equipment they might need.
One mistake that many budding and professional photographers make is not being prepared when they start using smartphones or mirrorless cameras. Sure, it is as simple as pressing a button, but an entire thought process should direct your photographic ventures.
Smartphone Photography
If you think using the same device for photography that you use to connect with the world is too minimalistic, you are not wrong. Therefore, we will start with a few basic accessories that are a must if you want to shoot for longer durations in varying light conditions.
Smartphone cameras are very sensitive to movement, and image stabilization is a recurring issue. Even a slight shake of hands will make your images and videos shaky and unprofessional-looking.
A mini-tripod for smartphones or smartphone brackets can add that consistency and stability you need at the end of selfie sticks. This is particularly useful when you are shooting in low lights because your exposure time will need to be longer, and you will have to work with a low shutter speed. One thing to note is the effects you want to create in your photographs and how much time you can spend framing a shot.
Another stabilization tool is the smartphone gimbal that has motors allowing your phone to remain steady over three axes. There are also combination gadgets with a selfie stick, mini-tripod, and other addons that you can invest in.
Last but not the least, a good photograph is evenly illuminated, and there are no dark shadows. Use a small LED panel to brighten up your background or cast light onto the subject. You can use your camera’s flash, but that will overexpose the image. Instead, we recommend using a smartphone LED constant light such as ring lights or a portable LED stick that you can take with you everywhere.
Once you have the supporting equipment, you can confidently start snapping pictures. Good photography relies on your camera settings, scene modes, and how you compose a picture in the lighting conditions available to you.
Do not zoom in unless you absolutely have to. As an alternative, you can get external lenses for mobiles- these clip-on, wide-angle, telephoto lens increase the visual capacity of your mobile phone, and you can shoot frames that are wider and far away without compromising the quality of the photo or the visibility of your subject.
As a general rule, smartphones focus on the foreground or the face of the closest subject available. You need to adjust the focus and exposure manually to decide what you are going to shoot. Simply tap the screen on the subject for focus, and use the slider to adjust how much light you want in the shot. Of course, you can add filters or edit the image afterward.
Remember to apply the rule of thirds. A lot of smartphones actually show gridlines dividing the frame into vertical and horizontal squares. Additionally, create some empty space around your subject to make it more prominent.
You won’t have many options for lighting outdoors, so make sure to use natural light and make sure the source of light is behind you, illuminating the subject instead of the subject being placed in front of a light. For balanced colors, set your phone on High Dynamic Range mode, but when you do that, please be patient since it takes a few seconds to process the shot.
Mirrorless Cameras
Because of the way photography has evolved, people are opting for mirrorless cameras since it is more lightweight and can be used for videography. It also offers silent shooting, many professional-level features, larger sensors, and produces high-quality images.
It lacks an optical viewfinder so that you will see your image in the electrical viewfinder or on the screen at the back of the camera.
We will start with the use of lenses since they have interchangeable lenses. You can use the lenses you already have, but we recommend investing in native lenses to improve the auto-focus features of your camera.
The battery life of mirrorless cameras is notoriously low, so you need to get more of them. As with all devices of photography, using a tripod and finding the right lighting equipment are essential.
You must take advantage of two features: focus peaking and zebra patterning, especially if you are making videos. Zebra patterning allows your device to highlight the overexposed areas of your image, and you can adjust.
If you are indulging in high-speed photography, mirrorless cameras are not for you, but they work excellently for street photography. Just remember that it will influence the amount of motion you will capture when you change the shutter speed. A high shutter speed might get you the shot, but it will darken the image. An increased ISO can brighten things up, but it will make the image appear grainier.
Regardless of what exposure settings you have in terms of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, you have to master the depth of field and understand how lighting works.
Use a tripod, and get some robust flashes or strobes to accentuate your final product. You can find many high-performing LED panels for lighting and diffusers to reduce the glare of the Sun if you are shooting outdoors.
Modern-day photography comes with the challenge of presenting unique content using complex devices, but it is made easier by the accessories. If you wish to explore the latest technologies or use your smartphone for serious professional photography, keep yourself updated on the latest tips and gadgets in the industry. It is important to learn what you can do with a smartphone and mirrorless camera, but it is crucial to know their limitations and when you need extra gadgets for success.