Learn 5 little tips — you can still take great travel photos with just your "phone"!

Photos & Text /Dextalk – Chopping Wood and Feeding Horses, Traveling the World

Many people take DSLRs on their trips but still use automatic point-and-shoot modes. The equipment is not only heavy but also not used to its full potential — you might as well put the DSLR down and shoot with your phone. In fact, more and more people are using their phones instead of DSLRs for travel these days. I won’t even go into how convenient it is. Moreover, many renowned photographers have said that photography isn’t about how expensive your gear is, but whether you have an eye for beauty. If you do, even a phone can capture great shots. That might sound a bit vague, so how should you approach travel photography with your phone? Try these 5 tips on your next trip — you might be pleasantly surprised.

1. Use Light to Your Advantage

Whether you’re using a camera or a phone, light is always one of the most important elements in photography. Many have heard that the best time for camera photography is before 10 a.m. or after 3–4 p.m., and the same goes for phone photography. The light during these times is softer and preserves more detail. At noon, when the sun is directly overhead, the harsh light can cause overexposure and loss of detail in your subject.

As shown in the photo above, you can use light to create contrast between light and shadow. But pay attention to the softness of the light — in the image above, the light is too strong, and the highlights on the ground have lost detail.

2. Use Anything Reflective

We often see mirrored walls in shops that create an illusion of more space. The same applies to mobile travel photography. Using anything reflective — such as mirrors or puddles on the ground — can enhance the sense of space and create the illusion of symmetry in your photos.

If you’re using a water surface on the ground, try to get as close as possible, which might draw some curious glances from others, haha. But if you catch the right moment, any reflection on water can elevate your phone photos.

3. Fake a Japanese Aesthetic

The Japanese aesthetic gives off a fresh vibe, mainly through cool tones and negative space.

There are plenty of tutorials online for Japanese-style photography, but it mostly comes down to preparation during the shoot — you need negative space and can adjust the overall color later during editing.

4. Use the Macro Feature

Unless you add an external lens, most phones still can’t achieve the depth of field that DSLRs can. However, the macro feature on phones is still quite powerful — don’t hesitate to use it to capture unique perspectives.

Rainy days can also capture the mood of the weather. Water droplets on glass are perfect for macro shots with your phone. For the background, choose something prominent to set the scene — then you’re not just photographing water droplets, but creating a whole different vibe.

On rainy days, aside from shooting water droplets, you can also capture the local nightlife. Through water droplets plus a shallow depth of field, you can photograph the bokeh of city lights.

5. Play with Color Contrast

Color contrast leaves a deep impression. If you have an eye for beauty, how could you not raise your phone to capture it?

Contrasting colors instantly make a scene more vibrant.

Many photographers love shooting buildings in Hong Kong precisely because of their strong color contrasts.

Lastly, aside from capturing the shot, make use of phone apps for post-processing. Read more: It’s not that you don’t know how to take photos, it’s that you don’t know how to edit them with apps. Well, those were my humble 5 little tips — purely for sharing. I’m sure there are many masters out there who take better photos than I do, and I welcome any better suggestions you may have.

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