Especially when using mobile phones to create photography, it will be more difficult. I always feel that excellent photography can only be shot with professional equipment. In fact, it is not the case. The reason why we have this idea is that we do not know enough about the chara

Many novice photographers always have the illusion that it is difficult to take excellent photography. Especially when using mobile phones to create photography, it will be more difficult. I always feel that excellent photography can only be shot with professional equipment. In fact, it is not the case. The reason why we have this idea is that we do not know enough about the characteristics of excellent photography and we are not confident enough in ourselves. Another key factor is that we have not mastered the basic techniques and techniques of photography. Not strong enough.

After a lot of practice and communication with many photography teachers, I found a very interesting phenomenon, that is, the more experienced photographers are, the more they like to use the simplest way to create photography. For example, in the past two years, we will I often see photographers who can take amazing photos using their mobile phones. But when these teachers talk about shooting and creating with mobile phones, they usually mention three important factors: exposure intensity, metering method, and composition method.

Next, we will conduct detailed communication and learning on the above three factors. Interested partners can continue to read below. I believe it will bring you more inspiration and help.

1. Properly adjusting the exposure intensity can better create the atmosphere of the photo.

When we find that the photos taken by ourselves or our friends always look bland or have no sense of hierarchy, there will be a lot of people at the first moment. The problem that cannot be perceived is the intensity of exposure. In normal photography creation, we always hear teachers say that the exposure must be accurate. However, when shooting with a mobile phone, due to the algorithm of the mobile phone, especially when the mobile phone automatically takes pictures, we will find that the subject in the photo is inexplicably bright. Then many people use this method to shoot. The brighter effect will make the photos lose the sense of space and layering, making them too plain.

So when we use a mobile phone to take photos, you can set the focus point of the mobile phone to the position of the subject, then change the mobile phone to manual metering mode, and at the same time reduce the intensity of exposure compensation. At this time, you will find that the overall effect of the photo suddenly becomes more light and shadowy and layered.

For example: in the normal automatic mode, although the photos taken using the large aperture function of the mobile phone have good background blur, the overall effect will appear flat and lack artistic conception.

Look at the photo below, which uses the same shooting parameters, but the exposure compensation and EV value of the photo are reduced during shooting. In this way, a photo with strong layers and a prominent theme is obtained.

So whether we are using a mobile phone or a camera to shoot and create, the different exposures we use will produce different effects.

2. Don’t waste the efficient and practical light metering function in your mobile phone

Speaking of light metering methods, many friends will find that when using the camera, the camera provides us with too professional and rich light metering methods, such as the ones we commonly use Spot metering, average metering, central metering, partial metering, etc. Different photo metering methods can produce different photo effects. But there are many mobile phones that do not have such a powerful light metering function. How do we complete the metering? it's actually really easy.

All smart camera phones have a manual light metering function. After we turn on the camera, we can click on the screen first, and then press and hold the screen. Especially in the professional camera function of Android phones, metering and focusing are OK. Separate use. At this time, we can first move the metering point to a position we think is appropriate. For example, if you want the photo to be brighter, move the metering point to a darker area in the photo. If you want the photo to be darker, move the metering point to a darker area. The light spot moves to a brighter area in the photo.

Metering is closely connected with exposure and exposure compensation and can be used together, so that we can take multi-level exposure effects and select the photo with the best exposure.

In addition, let’s take a look at the functions and effects of the metering methods that exist on some mobile phones. These metering modes often exist in the professional photo mode of mobile phone cameras:

Metering mode 1: Center-weighted metering

Center-weighted metering Mode is a metering mode that is frequently used. Its metering area is mainly concentrated in about 2/3 of the center of the screen. It has a large metering range and is suitable for shooting subjects in the middle of the screen, such as personal travel photos. Or landscape photos.

Metering mode 2: Partial metering

Partial metering is also easy to understand, which is to meter a certain local range of the picture. This metering method can be used when there is a strong contrast between light and dark between the subject and the background and the subject being photographed occupies a small proportion of the entire frame. Its advantage is that partial metering can be used when we need to ensure accurate exposure under specific conditions, or when photographers have strict requirements on metering and want to highlight the performance of light and shadow. It is more suitable for scenes or environments with large light ratio contrast.

Partial metering shooting effect

Metering mode 3: Spot metering

The metering area of ​​spot metering only accounts for about 3% of the entire screen. This ratio and algorithm are still used on mobile phones, which can measure many parts of the photo. Accurate metering in a small area will not have a strong impact on the brightness of objects outside the area. It is an extremely accurate metering mode that can achieve the effect of hitting where you point.

This metering mode is suitable for many shooting objects: such as stage photography, artistic photos, close-ups, still life, bird photography themes, etc. One advantage of it is that it can accurately control the brightness and darkness outside the metering area, such as facing the If the brightest area is metered, elements outside the metered area will become very dark. If you meter the darkest place, elements outside the metering point will become very bright. At the same time, when we want to take a picture with a pure black or darker background, we can use this metering mode, and then meter the brighter area of ​​the subject. At this time, the background outside the subject will change. dark. For example, the picture below:

3. How to achieve better exposure when taking pictures with a mobile phone

1. Precise exposure tool: Exposure compensation: EV

Exposure compensation is a very useful tool in mobile photography. In professional photography mode, The exposure compensation function of some mobile phones is replaced by a small sun that can slide up and down next to the focus frame, but their effects are the same. After the mobile phone camera function has finished metering the subject, we can lock the focus by long pressing the screen, and then adjust the exposure and exposure compensation (EV) parameters, which can have a more direct impact on the brightness and darkness of the picture. Its effect on the light and dark of the photo is minimal. Can play a role in fine-tuning. This allows you to more accurately control the exposure of your photos.

EV value (exposure compensation) adjusts the brightness of the picture

2. For darker scenes, you can try the underexposure method.

When we observe with the naked eye and find that an environment is dim or has alternating light and dark light, we can consider using the underexposure method. Shoot so that you can take photos with strong shadows, which will make the photo effect full of drama and emotion. At this time, we need to accurately control the exposure effect by selecting [Spot Metering] or [Partial Metering] and reducing the exposure compensation EV. By placing unimportant elements other than the subject in the dark, we can make the subject more prominent. , the picture becomes more concise.

3. You can slightly underexpose when taking pictures with a mobile phone, but you must not overexpose.

Why do you say this? Because the imaging sensor of the mobile phone is very small and cannot achieve the powerful tolerance of the camera. If the photo is overexposed, it cannot recover more. Details, but if the underexposure is too dark, the details in the dark parts cannot be restored. So when taking pictures with your mobile phone, you need to pay attention to both aspects.

At the same time, when shooting some subjects with a mobile phone, you can consider the effect of slight underexposure. This can ensure that more details can be extracted from the photos taken during post-retouching, and at the same time provide greater room for development in post-production.

4. The use of composition methods

Composition is a commonplace topic, but many people always understand photography composition at the level of composition methods, and always refer to what we often call compositions such as the rule of thirds and golden spiral composition. The way is on the lips. But real photography creation requires composition and framing based on changes in the environment and the theme effect you want to express. We need to flexibly change with the shooting environment. To be more precise, it requires you to find the unique beauty in this chaotic environment or life.

Therefore, the use of composition cannot be limited to the superficial frame. More importantly, you need to combine your own conception and understanding of this beauty, and control the shooting distance, framing control, and light control to influence the art of photography. understanding to complete your shooting creation.

Summary: Using mobile phones to create photography has many advantages and conveniences, and you can complete some more abstract angles and difficulties. It can make up for the shortcomings of the camera, and they can complement each other. But there are always many friends comparing their phones and cameras, and there is no comparison between the two. No one is strong or weak. The point is what the person holding the phone or camera thinks. Remember this sentence, whether it is a black cat or a white cat, as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat. The head of the creator is more important. It is a key factor in determining whether you can take excellent photography. Finally, I hope that the content shared this time can bring more inspiration and help to everyone.