Five tips for better smartphone portraits

By Cameron Hubbs ’83

Experiment with portrait mode

Explore all the options available to you in portrait mode, available on iPhone and Android smartphones. It is here that you’ll adjust your depth of field either with the aperture setting (iPhone) or the Blur setting (Android), making your subject stand out. There are also wonderful lighting filters that can further enhance your portraits.

Take your time

Lighting is everything

Try finding soft, diffused lighting to flatter your subject. Placing your subject in the late afternoon or early morning sun, shade, or near a softly lit window will achieve a nice soft look and invoke a sense of mood. Experiment with the direction of light. Try putting the sun behind your subject for a nice backlight, an effect you could further enhance using your camera's built-in filters and styles.

Digital cameras allow you to shoot hundreds of pictures quickly. But I suggest that you’ll have more success if you slow down, shoot with intent, and take the time to compose your image. Consider the lighting and how your subject is positioned.

Choose your background with intent

Choose a simple, uncluttered background. Remove anything that distracts from your subject. Consider what type of background will help your subject stand out: a pop of colour, a darker or lighter background, or a background with texture all set a different mood. Try moving in closer to your subject to bring out fine details or throw the background out of focus to further isolate your subject.

Engage your subject, not your camera

A great image is more about feeling than anything else. Don’t let the camera come between you and whoever you’re photographing. Engage with your subject, look over the top of your camera, have a chat, and release the shutter when the moment is right.