5 Essential Gadgets To Have for Better Smartphone Photography
Smartphone photography is a popular and convenient way to capture your moments, express your creativity, and share your stories with the world. You can use your phone to take breathtaking photos anytime, anywhere, and with anyone.
Sometimes you may encounter some difficulties or limitations when using your phone cameras, such as low light, shaky hands, or lack of zoom. With the right mobile accessories, you can overcome these challenges and elevate your smartphone photography game.
Explore five gadgets that can improve your smartphone photography experience and results. These gadgets are easy to use, affordable, and compatible with most phones. They can help you take your photos to a whole new level and enhance them to look even more professional and stunning.
Gadgets That Useful in Smartphone Photography
1. Tripod
The first gadget on our list is a tripod, an instrumental tool for anyone keen on photography, whether with a DSLR camera or a smartphone. A tripod provides stability, allowing for sharper images free from the blurring effect of shaky hands. This stability is particularly vital when capturing long exposures or time-lapses where the camera needs to be perfectly still. Some popular tripod models compatible with smartphones include the flexible GorillaPod, the compact Manfrotto PIXI, and the sturdy Joby RangePod Smart. But merely owning a tripod isn’t enough. You should know how to use it effectively. Ensure to adjust the height, angle, and orientation of your phone to frame your shot perfectly.
2. External Lens
While the built-in lenses on smartphones have come a long way, they still can’t compete with the variety provided by external lenses. These accessories can dramatically expand your creative options.
Whether you’re looking to capture sweeping landscapes with a wide-angle lens, intricate details with a macro lens, distant subjects with a telephoto lens, or unique, distorted images with a fisheye lens, there’s an external lens for you. Brands such as Moment, Olloclip, and Xenvo offer a range of high-quality lenses that are easy to attach to your smartphone.
You must use an external lens properly to get the most out. Always ensure that it is securely attached to your phone and that the lens is clean. Any dust or fingerprints can affect image quality. And remember, when shooting in bright conditions, be aware of lens flare. While sometimes a desired effect, unexpected lens flare can ruin a good shot.
3. Portable Light
Next on our list is a portable light, a gadget that can make a huge difference in your photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Good lighting is crucial to photography. It can create depth, bring out colors, and highlight the subject’s details. Portable lights come in various forms, including ring lights, panel lights, and clip-on lights, and they improve the quality of your photographs by providing additional, more controlled lighting.
Remember that using a portable light effectively requires some practice. Position your light to highlight the essential features of your subject without creating harsh shadows. Also, be aware of the color temperature of your light; different temperatures can dramatically affect the mood and feel of your photos.
4. Remote Shutter
Have you ever struggled to take a selfie or a group photo where everyone fits in the frame? This is where a remote shutter comes in handy. This gadget allows you to trigger your smartphone’s shutter without touching the phone, making it easier to capture wider shots, group photos, or even candid shots without disturbing your phone’s position. There are several types of remote shutters compatible with smartphones, such as Bluetooth, infrared, or wired options from brands like CamKix, Hisy, and Satechi.
To use a remote shutter effectively, make sure it’s paired or connected to your phone. Also, when taking a photo, keep the remote hidden in your hand or place it on a surface to keep the focus on your subjects and not the remote.
5. Portable Photo Printer
With this handy tool, you can bring your digital photos to life in the physical world instantly, perfect for creating scrapbooks, photo walls, or just for giving your memorable shots a tangible form. Brands like Fujifilm Instax, Polaroid Lab, and HP Sprocket offer compact and user-friendly photo printers that could connect to your phone via Bluetooth and print photos in various sizes.
To get the best results with a portable photo printer, ensure your photos are well-edited before printing. Also, make sure the printer’s battery is charged, and you have enough photo paper. Carefully handle your freshly printed photos, as they might take a moment to fully dry.
Smartphone photography has come a long way in the last few years, and with the right accessories, it’s possible to take truly stunning photos that rival those taken with professional-grade equipment. A tripod, external lens, remote shutter, portable light, and portable photo printer are just a few of the tools that can greatly enhance your smartphone photography experience.
