Wale Adekile - Smartphone Photography: Shooting Like a Pro

The smartphone has replaced most of the gadgets we used to hug around. Who needs a scientific calculator these days when the mobile is there? The need to carry a music player has been eliminated, thanks to the smartphone.

With the smartphone, one major gadget everyone now has access to is the camera. Mobile photography went from those blurry 1.2MP images to DSLR-level high-resolution images used in major productions. It has already gotten to the point where even professional photographers rely on their smartphones in the absence of their high-end DSLR cameras.

Although everyone has access to a smartphone, not everyone is equipped with the knowledge to make the most out of it. Smartphone photography isnt just about pointing at the subject and clicking away; it is as advanced as the real thing. Okay, maybe not exactly.

The aim of this book is to teach you how to take professional-looking photos with your smartphone. It doesnt matter whether you own an Android phone or the iPhone, every tip given in the context of this book applies to both platforms.

Please note that all images used in this book were taken with different smartphones at different times. Ive owned lots of smartphones over the years, and Ive taken some great (and not so great) pictures through the lens of these several devices. Trust me, I cant wait to show you how to do it too.

If you have always considered being a photographer, but you have been holding back just because you dont own a DSLR or mirrorless a camera, you should know that your smartphone is enough to get you started on this journey.

Mobile photography is fun. Its addictive. Get ready to start using your smartphone like a real pro!

This debate isnt just about the better operating system; the camera on the iPhone keeps getting compared to cameras on the latest Android flagship devices every year.

Youve probably been told that the iPhone camera is the definition of perfection, and cameras on Android phones are not that great. Whoever says this is probably still stuck in the early days of Android OS.

Photo taken with iPod Touch 6

These days, it doesnt matter if you hold a Samsung Galaxy Note 10 or the iPhone XS Max, what makes the difference is the person behind the camera and their skills as a mobile photographer.

With that said, I think its only right to emphasize that smartphones are not equal.

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

You should not expect a $100 smartphone to take a photo with the same quality as a $1,000 smartphone. There are reasons high-end phones have these huge price tags, and the camera is one of such reasons.

Yes, mid-range smartphones are not bad and can take great images if handled right. However, it should be noted that a high-end device will always turn out better images under the same lighting conditions.

A smartphone can be a great camera, but you should understand its strengths and limitations. Although the smartphone is now able to shoot high-quality images through its tiny lens, there are still areas where it is lacking and might not be able to replace a DSLR.

However, it should be noted that the gap is really closing in as smartphone manufacturers are improving the smartphone camera with the release of every flagship device.

Variable aperture feature was impossible to implement on the smartphone lens years ago, but Samsung did it two years ago. We even now have a smartphone with a lens setup capable of 100x magnification.

If youre wondering which one is better between a smartphone and a standard (DSLR/Mirrorless) camera, you should be able to be the judge after analyzing the pros and cons.