low-light smartphone photography

Using a tripod

A tripod is a great way to stabilize your phone while taking pictures. You can use them indoors or out, and they’re relatively inexpensive. If you have a DSLR camera, you may already know how to use tripods. But if not, here’s a quick tutorial:

Attach your phone to the center column of the tripod using the included rubber band. Make sure the rubber band isn’t wrapped around the column too tightly; otherwise, it could cause damage to your phone.

Use a timer app

If you don’t want to take time manually setting the shutter speed and aperture, you can use a timer app instead. There are many apps available for both iOS and Android devices. Here are some examples:

Set ISO

ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization, and it refers to the sensitivity of the sensor in your camera. When you set the ISO, you’re telling the camera what level of light it should allow into the lens. A higher number means less light, and therefore a darker image. Lower numbers mean more light, and therefore a brighter image.

You’ll notice that your camera’s manual says that ISO 100 is the best setting for low-light situations. That’s because at ISO 100, the camera will let in enough light to get a good exposure. However, if you crank the ISO up to 200, then the camera will let in even more light. So, if you need to shoot in low light, you might want to bump the ISO up to 200.

However, keep in mind that the higher the ISO, the grainier the picture becomes. And if you’re shooting video, the higher the ISO, then the faster the frame rate.

Choose a focal length

When you’re trying to capture images in low light, you want to choose a longer focal length. This helps you compress the scene into a smaller area, which makes it easier to capture.