If you are anything like me, you stopped carrying a digital camera around ages ago. I take all of my pictures on my iPhone because it is convenient, and they don't turn out half bad. I am no photography expert, but this semester I had the opportunity to hear a presentation from Spacecraft Studios about how to take better pictures on your phone. Spacecraft Studios is a unique DIY class/creativity studio here in Charleston that teaches classes like iPhone photography, so I thought I would pass along some of the best tips:

1. Vantage Point is Everything

Don't just settle for pictures taken at eye level; crouch down, stand on a table, do whatever you need to do to get a unique perspective on any situation

2. Avoid Tunnel View

Make sure that everything adds to the picture itself. Focus in on one thing, and make sure everything else is just background. When taking pictures, the best rule is to have the primary subject take up 2/3 of the frame. 

3. Crop, Crop, Crop

A simple crop can make a bad photo good, but be careful. Each time you zoom and crop a photo, you are decreasing the resolution of the photo. 

4. Symmetry

Symmetry in photos conveys a 'sense of strength and order', so if you are looking to branch out, try taking a picture at an asymmetrical viewpoint. Asymmetry conveys chaos and disorder, so it challenges people looking at your photos to think more about what they're seeing.

5. Lines and Curves

Humans are naturally drawn to lines and curves. Lucky for those of us in Charleston, we can see lines and curves everywhere with the Ravenel Bridge and even the historic architecture. So next time you take a walk around campus, pay attention to all the lines and curves and take advantage of the beautiful scenery and increase your likes on that sunset bridge Instagram!

6. Lighting

Be careful using the flash on your phone. Most photos taken during the day do not need a flash to turn out well. Take your photos straight on, at an angle, or backlit, and leave the flash off. You can always using a photo editing app later. 

7. Apps

Apps for your smartphone like Snapseed or Instagram can help make a good photo even better. You can focus on editing a small or large area, or even change the focal point of the picture itself. This is also another chance to be creative and play around with filters and lighting. 

Visit Spacecraft Studios website to learn more about their creative DIY projects that they offer in the area!