We live in an age where everyone has a high-quality camera right in their pocket. With just a few simple tricks, you can turn your smartphone into a powerful tool for capturing stunning photographs that will surely catch everyone’s eye.

First, let’s talk about lighting. Natural light is your best friend when it comes to phone photography. Whenever possible, try to take photos during the golden hour, which is the hour after sunrise or before sunset. This soft, warm light adds a beautiful glow to your images. If you’re shooting during the day, position yourself with the sun behind you to illuminate your subject. But be careful not to shoot directly into the sun, as it can wash out your photos.

Another lighting trick is to use reflectors. You can use everyday items like a white foam board or a piece of aluminum foil to reflect light onto your subject and fill in harsh shadows. Simply position the reflector opposite to the light source for more even lighting.

Composition-wise, a great rule to follow is the rule of thirds. Imagine your viewfinder is divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal and two vertical lines. Try to place your subject along these lines or at the points where they intersect. This creates a sense of balance and makes your photos more interesting to look at. You can usually enable a grid in your camera settings to help you with this.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your angles. Experiment with different perspectives by shooting from above, below, or at eye level. Try kneeling down or climbing to a higher vantage point to capture a unique point of view. Playing with angles adds variety to your photos and can make ordinary subjects look extraordinary.

When it comes to focusing, most smartphones nowadays have tap-to-focus capabilities. Use this feature to your advantage by tapping on your subject to ensure it’s in focus. This is especially useful when dealing with shallow depth of field effects or when trying to achieve a sharp focus on a specific element in your frame.

The beauty of digital photography is that you can take as many photos as you want without the cost of film and developing. So, take advantage of this by snapping multiple shots of the same scene. Change your position, adjust your settings, or capture different expressions or moments. Out of 10 photos, you’ll likely find one or two that you truly love.