In this episode of DIY in 5 we’re going to show you 5 accessories that can seriously
up your smartphone photo game.
Hey guys!
Trisha Hershberger here.
Did you know that, when it comes to taking great photos with your phone,
you aren’t stuck with what’s built in?
There’s all types of accessories that can bring out the budding smartphone photographer
in all of us and today, we’re going to break em down for ya so you can make that shot a
photo worthy of going viral!
If you enjoy this video, please be sure to give us a like and then subscribe for more.
Arguably the single most important accessory you can have as a photographer is a tripod.
Whether you’re shooting a long exposure, a portrait, a landscape or anything else,
a tripod will help keep your shot steady.
Because smartphone cameras are getting so great,
many tripod makers are creating smartphone specific stands.
We’ve got a portable GripTight tripod here that can wrap around a tree branch,
light pole, or whatever your travels throw your way but they also make adapters for traditional
tripods if you already have one of those handy.
So grab a stand, set up your scene, and see how great a steady shot can make your photos.
If you’ve spent any time behind a lens, you already know that lighting can make an
average photo fantastic, but the opposite is true too.
Most people don’t think about using secondary lighting with their phone, but you can.
There are a number of small lights that clip on to your phone to give it that extra bit
of light you need for a better photo.
It’s what all the Instagram celebs are using!
We picked up this one for under $20 and it’s got multiple settings so you can adjust it
based on your environment.
There are a few different portable lighting options out there, so pick the one that suits your needs.
Or, if you don’t want to spend any money you can borrow a friends phone,
turn on the flashlight, and get that extra bit of light you may need.
Smartphone lenses have gotten remarkably good since they first started
popping up on our texting machines.
The only problem is the lens is fixed and you don’t get the option of changing it
out like you do on a DSLR.
Luckily there’s a ton of companies now that make clip on lenses which can add a much needed
macro lens for close ups, wide angle lenses for group photos, or fish eye lenses to get
the look of a GoPro for less than 15 bucks.
Just because you’re using a smartphone as your everyday camera
doesn’t mean it needs to look like it.
Oh, but be careful not to loose them!
Those things can be pretty tiny!
Now that you’ve got a new tripod for your group vacation photos,
how are you going take the photo if you’re in the picture?
You could always set up a timer, wait for the picture to randomly snap, and check the
photo to see how bad it is, then repeat the process 6 more times until everyone smiles
at the same time.
You know you’ve done it.
It's ok.
Or you can just get a remote and have everyone say cheese!
Remotes are a great way to step away from the camera and have the picture snap
without so much guessing.
We’re all guilty of taking a selfie, or twenty.
Why not make it look better?
Most of the time we stick our arms out, phone in hand, while trying to hit the camera button
and not drop the phone at the same time.
I like to do the claw.
Now, if we’re lucky we'er successfully taking a picture with only one chin and frame it perfectly
so we don’t see anybody in the background.
This is where the selfie stick comes in handy.
And I know I know - no one wants to be that guy!
But they really can improve your picture!
Set the phone on there, position yourself nicely, and use that remote to take a profile
picture worthy shot.
Bonus points for getting the stick out of the photo, nothing worse than actually seeing
the selfie stick in your selfie.
Let us know what accessories you use in the comments below.
And be sure to check out these other great
photography videos to up your smartphone and DSLR game.
If you found this information helpful,
be sure to give this video a like and subscribe
so you know when a new video is released.
Buh bye!