[Photography] Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Which Is Right for You?

The post Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Which Is Right for You? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.

Lightroom has long been a stalwart of the digital photography community, but understanding the differences between Lightroom Classic vs Lightroom can be a bit tricky. Both programs are great for organizing and editing all your digital photographs, and both are available for the same monthly price.

However, Lightroom and Lightroom Classic have unique strengths and key differences that can make a huge difference in your editing workflow. One program will likely be better than the other for your unique needs, and knowing a bit more about them will help you decide which one is right for you – and that’s where this article comes in handy!

A bit of background

Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Both programs are excellent, and they’re similar in many ways. Even their application icons are nearly identical! But which one is right for you?

In the early days of digital photography, nascent editing applications like Adobe Photoshop and Corel PaintShop Pro let photographers edit, alter, and otherwise manipulate their images. The process was often slow and painstaking, but over time those types of programs improved – and now they’re indispensable tools of the trade.

However, as digital photography increased in popularity and image libraries ballooned to tens and hundreds of thousands of files, it was clear that photographers needed more than just an editing solution. They needed a digital asset management solution.

Adobe solved this problem in 2007 with the release of Photoshop Lightroom, an all-in-one program that handled every element of a true end-to-end digital photography workflow: importing, organizing, editing, and exporting. While its suite of editing options was not nearly as comprehensive as traditional Photoshop, it quickly became the de facto solution for photographers who wanted one program to manage and tweak all their digital images.

Everything changed again ten years later when Adobe rewrote Lightroom from the ground up to meet the changing needs of modern photographers. The company kept the traditional Lightroom but renamed it “Lightroom Classic” and named the new program “Lightroom CC.” More recently, Adobe dropped the “CC” from the newer program’s name, making it just “Lightroom.”

Lightroom Classic has an extensive, refined set of tools for managing all aspects of a digital photography production workflow. Lightroom continues this tradition, albeit with a few caveats.

Both programs continue to be used by millions of photographers around the world and are updated by Adobe on a regular basis with new features and tools to help photographers get the most out of their digital images.

Lightroom Classic overview

Lightroom Classic is the tried-and-true version of Lightroom that has been around since 2007. It’s built around a desktop-based workflow and allows photographers to copy images from cameras directly onto local storage media like an external hard drive, organize them in the Library module, and edit them in the Develop module. It includes other modules like Map, Book, Slideshow, Print, and Web, which are useful for many photographers who rely on the program when creating additional products and services for their clients.

The user interface in Lightroom Classic has received many tweaks and changes over the years, but it’s still remarkably similar to early versions. This is a boon to photographers who want consistency and reliability.

Lightroom Classic is kind of like an old pickup truck: It’s not flashy and has a few odd quirks here and there, but it does everything most people need and always gets the job done. When Adobe released Lightroom and renamed its existing program Lightroom Classic, the photography community was rife with speculation that the company would sunset the Classic version and force everyone to use the new Lightroom.

Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case, and Lightroom Classic continues to be updated regularly with new features like adaptive presets, AI-based masking and AI-powered noise removal, and support for all the latest cameras and lenses. While not as sleek and fancy as its cloud-based counterpart, Lightroom Classic is a reliable powerhouse that has enough tools for most photographers.

Lightroom Classic pros

• The gold standard in digital asset management for millions of photographers
• A wide range of editing tools that cover almost everything people might need
• Rich, in-depth organizational options for photographers with massive photo libraries
• Easy-to-edit images in external tools like Photoshop or third-party apps
• Albums can be shared on the web and synced with the Lightroom app

Lightroom Classic cons

• Designed for a desktop-based environment with images stored locally and not in the cloud
• The user interface is confusing
• Some tools like book creation and facial recognition are very slow, even on high-spec computers
• Users are responsible for creating and maintaining backups of all their images

Lightroom Classic does so many things that it can feel confusing and overwhelming for new users.

Lightroom overview

In 2017, Adobe took many of the features that people had grown to love and rely on in Lightroom Classic and put them in a new application: Lightroom. It shared a name with its forebear, yet it was designed from the ground up to be cloud-focused, mobile-friendly, and ready to meet the needs of a growing number of photographers who grew up without relying on desktop-based storage.

If Lightroom Classic is a trusty pack mule, then Lightroom is a sleek young racehorse. While it doesn’t have the sheer depth of features or the number of users as Lightroom Classic, its cloud-first design, impressive phone and tablet support, and integrated features like Discover have won over a new generation of photographers who want to do more with their digital images.

Lightroom contains many of the same editing tools as Lightroom Classic, but they’re revised to be more streamlined and easy to use.

In addition to an all-new user interface, Lightroom also completely reimagines the idea of digital photo storage. Instead of keeping images on a computer or external hard drive, Lightroom imports all your images to the cloud and stores them on Adobe’s servers.

If you use a DSLR or mirrorless camera, your photos are uploaded from your memory card, and if you shoot with an iPhone or other mobile device, you can have all your files automatically sent to Lightroom as well. This means that all your photos are always available on every device and you never have to think about creating backups or buying more hard drives for your computer.

Lightroom’s cloud-first design means you can easily share photos with others, create public and private albums, and invite people to edit your images or create remixes of your edits. This approach also allowed Adobe to create a program that remains (nearly) functionally identical whether you use the mobile app, iPad app, desktop app, or Lightroom in a browser.

Additionally, the Discover interface in Lightroom functions kind of like a social network; you can follow photographers, see their images, and step through each individual edit they made to their public photos. It’s an incredible learning tool since you never have to wonder how a particularly stunning image was edited – instead, you can see all the edits one by one. You can also import these images into your library and share your own images to Discover.

The Discover interface in Lightroom lets you follow photographers, see images they have shared, and step through individual edits on any image to see exactly how the final result was achieved. It’s an amazing learning tool, especially for new photographers.

Lightroom pros

• Ideal for mobile photographers who want more editing options than native camera apps can provide
• A cloud-based workflow means all your images can always be accessed and edited from any device
• The Discover feature is an outstanding way to learn new editing techniques and improve your photography
• Automatic tagging and keywording of images, along with smart searching tools

Lightroom cons

• Not as comprehensive as Lightroom Classic
• The 1 TB cloud-storage limit can be easily reached if you’re shooting in RAW, and additional storage is very expensive.
• The lack of Smart Collections and comprehensive filtering options makes large libraries difficult to manage

This screenshot isn’t from the Lightroom app. It shows Lightroom in a web browser window, which lets you do almost everything you can do in the mobile or desktop Lightroom app.

Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Ease of use

I have used Lightroom Classic since 2012, and it continues to be a core component of my photography workflow. I rely on it for personal work, client photoshoots, and family snapshots. It does everything I need – and a lot that I don’t.

However, its wide range of tools and options is also its Achilles heel. Lightroom Classic’s biggest barrier to entry, especially for new photographers, is that it’s just not very easy to use. Its dizzying array of modules, panels, drop-down arrows, dialog boxes, and preferences takes months or years to understand, and many actions are powerful but unintuitive.

Lightroom is much easier to understand for photographers who have not used either program, and its cloud-based, mobile-friendly nature means that people who are comfortable doing everything from an iPhone or iPad will feel right at home. Editing is simple and intuitive, and the entire application has a simpler interface that removes some of the more complicated tools offered in Lightroom Classic in order to create a streamlined but still very powerful set of options that will please most photographers.

Lightroom is incredibly easy to use, especially for new photographers. When you hover over a tool such as Crop & Rotate, you not only see a text tip showing the name of the tool, but an animation also appears illustrating exactly what the tool does.

Lightroom vs. Lightroom Classic: Performance

Lightroom and Lightroom Classic are both highly capable digital asset management tools, but once again, one of Lightroom Classic’s biggest strengths is also an important weakness.

The newest version of Lightroom Classic is built on a code base that predates the original iPhone, which means that it’s not optimized for speed and efficiency the way modern applications are. Adobe has refined Lightroom Classic immensely over the years and newer versions are certainly better, but even something as simple as scrolling through large photo libraries or changing the size of image thumbnails can result in hiccups. Normal operations like applying edits, converting to DNG, and exporting are plenty fast, but other features – such as the facial-recognition tool – can bring even the most powerful computer to its knees.

Lightroom, by contrast, absolutely sails through anything you throw at it. Scrolling through tens of thousands of photos is fast and smooth, flipping from one photo to the next is practically instantaneous, and working with edits is as zippy as anything.

If sheer performance is all you want out of a digital asset management tool, Lightroom is the preferred choice. However, if you prefer a richer set of editing and organizational tools but don’t mind some performance hiccups, Lightroom Classic will probably be more to your liking.

If you want to slow Lightroom Classic to a crawl, just use the facial-recognition tool on a large collection of images. It’s faster than it used to be but nowhere near perfect.

Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Photo organization

While Lightroom has the edge in terms of performance and ease of use, things start to get interesting when we look at more complex operations like photo organization. Here, Lightroom is positively anemic compared to Lightroom Classic, and even several years after it was released, it is still missing what many would consider to be very basic organization features.

Lightroom organizes images using a simple Album/Folder structure: Photos are physically stored in Folders but one image can be in several Albums. Images can also contain star ratings and Flags such as Pick or Reject and be sorted on the fly to show only the photos that match these specific criteria.

But in terms of sheer photo organizational capability, Lightroom Classic wins hands-down – it’s not even remotely close. Lightroom Classic has a bewildering assortment of methods that can be used to organize, sort, filter, and manage your pictures. You can use the Filter bar in the Library module to instantly narrow down all your shots according to specific criteria, and you can also search by Flag, Rating, and Color status. Smart Collections can be created that contain all images which match (or don’t match) certain rules, and these are continually updated in real-time. When you import images, you can add metadata, change filenames, and specify exactly where you want your shots to be located.

Therefore, if organization and file management are your priorities, look no further than Lightroom Classic.

The sheer amount of parameters you can apply to a Lightroom Classic Smart Collection is mind-boggling. Features like this make Lightroom Classic vastly superior to Lightroom for photo organization.

Lightroom vs. Lightroom Classic: Editing capabilities

When Adobe released Lightroom in 2017, longtime Lightroom Classic users such as myself were stunned by its scant capabilities. It could only do basic operations and did not have much in the way of masking, grading, and other editing functions that photographers relied on for their workflows. Since then, Adobe has dramatically improved Lightroom’s editing features, and it now covers nearly all of the operations that most photographers need.

Lightroom and Lightroom Classic offer basic tools like exposure and color adjustments, tone curves, color grading, and lens correction. Lightroom Classic goes a bit deeper on a few things – for instance, it lets you have pixel-precise control over chromatic aberration, whereas Lightroom does CA-removal automatically – but those kinds of operations are outliers.

Lightroom Classic’s AI-powered masking features are incredibly impressive, and they’re not available in Lightroom – but they almost certainly will be added to Lightroom in the near future. Lightroom Classic does also give you much greater control when copying edits from one photo to another or when syncing edits across many photos at once.

Lightroom contains most of the editing tools available in Lightroom Classic, and the ones that are missing may be added soon. Adobe has been continuously updating both apps for years and will likely add updates far into the future.

Lightroom Classic continues to have the edge when it comes to editing capabilities, but Lightroom’s tools are a bit easier to use. The winner here is difficult to say; it really comes down to what you need, not which program does more.

If you shoot professionally, you will likely appreciate the greater level of control and flexibility offered by Lightroom Classic, but if you value simplicity and ease of use, then Lightroom will probably suit you better.

Lightroom vs. Lightroom Classic: Versatility

Once my kids are in bed, there are few things I enjoy more than sitting down in front of my 27-inch screen, putting on some music, and going through photos in Lightroom Classic. It’s my happy place, and I can get lost in a state of photography flow for so long that time just slips away. Lightroom Classic offers everything I need right in one app, and it’s versatile enough to handle any type of photoshoot and any type of photo. From importing to editing to exporting, it’s all right where I need it, and it’s organized in a way that makes sense to me.

Lightroom is equally versatile but in an entirely different way. It doesn’t have the same level of microscopic control over every minute detail of the image management and editing process, but it does allow you to edit all your photos from any device or web browser. You never have to think about where your images might be located or whether you synced specific shots to the cloud. With Lightroom, everything is at your fingertips any time you want it.

Additionally, Lightroom’s integration with the iPad and Apple Pencil is outstanding, and editing using this method is not just efficient but fun and enjoyable. Both Lightroom and Lightroom Classic are versatile in different ways. Neither one is inherently better, but one might be better suited to your needs.

Lightroom Classic is incredibly versatile as a full digital asset management program, but Lightroom is versatile in its own way.

Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Price and value

One feature that makes choosing between Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic easier? The price. Both programs are available for the same subscription fee of $9.99/month, which means you don’t have to decide based on which is cheaper. Instead, you just need to look at which will suit your needs. However, in terms of sheer bang for your buck, Lightroom Classic might have a little more to offer.

Adobe offers Lightroom Classic as a component of its Photography (20 GB) plan, which also includes the complete version of Photoshop, 20 GB of cloud storage, and access to Lightroom. The Lightroom plan does not include Photoshop or Lightroom Classic but does have 1 TB of cloud storage – enough for several hundred thousand JPEG files but not nearly as many RAW files.

I generally consider the Photography plan to offer better value, but if you don’t want or need the editing tools of Photoshop or the organization and management tools in Lightroom Classic, then the standalone Lightroom option is probably the optimal pick.

Photoshop remains the most widely-used image editor in the world. The Adobe Photography plan includes Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, as well as Lightroom (but with minimal cloud storage). A subscription to Lightroom costs the same and includes 1 TB of cloud storage but no access to Photoshop or Lightroom Classic.

Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Which is right for you?

While Lightroom and Lightroom Classic both have unique strengths and weaknesses, the choice isn’t about which program is the best. It’s about which program is right for you.

Lightroom Classic is great for:

• Desktop-based workflows where images are stored locally and not in the cloud
• Professional photographers who want a high degree of control over every aspect of their edits
• Editors who rely on complex and customizable organizational schemes for their photos
• Hobbyists and amateur photographers who want more professional tools as well as access to Photoshop

Lightroom is great for:

• Cloud-based workflows where images are stored remotely and accessible on any device or web browser
• Mobile photographers who want more power than what their native camera apps can provide
• Users who want to learn from other photographers and share their images (and edits) with a worldwide community
• Hobbyists and amateur photographers who value speed, simplicity, and ease of use

Now over to you:

Do you prefer Lightroom Classic or Lightroom? Which do you plan to use and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

The post Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Which Is Right for You? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.

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[Photography] Smartphone Photography: The Essential Guide (+ 15 Tips)

The post Smartphone Photography: The Essential Guide (+ 15 Tips) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Karthika Gupta.

These days, you don’t need professional photography equipment to take stunning photos. The smartphone in your pocket has the power to capture the kind of high-quality shots you can find in magazines – and it’s extremely easy to use, too!

That said, smartphone photography involves more than grabbing that iPhone or Google Pixel, turning on the camera, and pointing it in the right direction. To take great photos with a smartphone, you’ll need to think about a variety of elements, including composition, lighting, and exposure settings. You’ll also want to consider the capabilities of your specific model and even think about purchasing an accessory or two.

In the following sections, I’ll share everything you need to know to tap into your smartphone’s photography potential. From choosing the right smartphone photo gear to understanding the various Android and iPhone modes and settings, I’ll carefully guide you through the process. I’ll also share with you some simple tips so that you can get started creating awesome, beautiful, and memorable mobile phone photos of your very own.

Now grab your smartphone and get ready to explore the power of photography. No matter your skill level, there’s something here for you. Let’s dive right in!

Key reasons to use a smartphone for photography

If you’re reading this article, you probably already know that smartphones come with some major advantages compared to traditional cameras like DSLRs and mirrorless models. But before we delve into the nitty gritty of smartphone photography, I’d like to emphasize a few particular reasons why a mobile phone can outcompete a professional camera.

First and foremost, the portability and convenience of having a camera at all times are hard to beat. Your smartphone is always with you and is always ready to capture those unexpected moments, whether you’re on a train, a plane, stopped at a light, or in the middle of your lunch break.

Second, the various built-in features and modes offered by smartphones – such as Portrait mode, HDR settings, and Night mode – can enhance the average beginner’s images above and beyond the shots they can take with, say, a DSLR. Yes, an experienced photographer with an expensive camera could create similar effects with a careful approach and equally careful editing, but it takes time and a lot of effort to get to that point.

Third, a smartphone allows you to capture, edit, and share photos all in one place; in other words, it’s a one-stop shop for photography. Imagine being on a trip, capturing a breathtaking sunset, editing the image, and sharing it with friends and family on Facebook – all in the span of about 10 minutes. This type of ultra-integrated shooting certainly isn’t possible on a DSLR and is one of the unique benefits of smartphone photography.

Finally, the cost-effectiveness of smartphones compared to professional camera gear is also a significant advantage. Non-smartphone photography can be an expensive hobby, especially when you factor in lenses, tripods, and other accessories. However, most folks already own a smartphone that takes solid photos – and even if you’re looking to upgrade so you can achieve the best possible shots, it still won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

How to pick a smartphone for photography

You can capture great photos with pretty much any smartphone. But if you’re looking to capture ultra-clean images and gain access to cool features, you might want to consider an Android or iPhone device with photo-centric capabilities.

Here are a few key factors to consider when choosing the best smartphone camera:

Image quality

Not all smartphone cameras produce equally high-quality photos. Resolution is one factor to consider here; more megapixels are often better, especially if you want to be able to crop your shots without dramatically degrading the quality.

You should also look for a larger sensor, which will – all else being equal – allow you to get sharper, more natural images when photographing in darker areas. Image stabilization can also come in handy, especially if you often end up with blurry photos in low-light situations.

Focal length flexibility

Many smartphones offer more than one camera. In addition to the ubiquitous standard camera, you might find a phone with a wide-angle and a telephoto camera, or even an ultra-wide or an ultra-telephoto camera. Wider cameras are perfect for landscapes, while telephoto cameras are ideal if you want to photograph tight portraits and distant subjects.

As you consider different options, think about the camera type(s) that best suit your interests. More cameras usually mean more flexibility, but make sure to look at the specs of each one. The image quality can often vary from one camera to the next, meaning that a 48 MP standard camera does not guarantee 48 MP telephoto images.

Additional features and modes

Think about additional features that might help you with your photography. If you want to photograph stationary scenes at night – such as cityscapes from an apartment window – a night mode can make a huge difference. Portrait mode can add depth of field effects, while panorama mode is perfect for those wide scenic shots.

These additional modes and features can take your photography to the next level, but not every smartphone boasts every feature. Make sure that the device you pick gives you everything you need to capture the shots you want to create.

Cost

Determining your budget is crucial, as smartphones can vary wildly in price. You’ll want to think about a range that you’re willing to spend, then look for the best value within that range. And don’t just think about the cost of the phone itself. Consider the total cost, including potential accessories, image-editing app subscriptions, and so on.

If you don’t have the budget to purchase a shiny new model, older models with strong camera features are definitely worth considering. It’s all about finding the right balance between what you want and what you can afford!

Smartphone photography accessories: Are they necessary?

If you’re just getting started with smartphone photography, it’s fine to shoot with only your smartphone. However, once you become more familiar with your phone camera, and especially if you want to specialize in certain photographic genres, you may want to consider purchasing an accessory or two.

Now, I’m not saying you should rush out and buy every gizmo and gadget on the market. Far from it. Instead, start by understanding your interests. Are you into sprawling landscapes or close-up flower photos? Depending on your answer, your smartphone setup should look quite different.

As you grow more confident and your skills start to increase, you can begin to build your kit. As you do, here are a few items worth considering:

A tripod

Stability is key in photography, especially for long-exposure shots, and that’s where a tripod comes in handy. If you’re shooting a scene and you want to show off movement – like a stream running through a valley – a tripod will keep your smartphone camera motionless as it records a photo for several seconds.

Additionally, a tripod allows for consistent framing when capturing several shots that you hope to blend together; this is key if you want to create stunning time-lapses.

Look for portable and adjustable options. Some tripods even come with Bluetooth remotes, allowing you to take photos from a distance without touching your phone. You can simply mount your smartphone on the tripod, step back, and use the remote to capture the perfect moment without worrying about camera shake.

Clip-on lenses

Perhaps you’re looking to capture ultra-wide landscapes, detailed macro images, or photos of skittish subjects? If that’s the case, clip-on lenses can help you out by enhancing your smartphone’s capabilities. They come in various types, including wide-angle, fisheye, macro, and telephoto, and they can certainly give you some extra focal length flexibility when shooting.

Before buying a clip-on lens, however, ensure compatibility with your smartphone model. Additionally, the quality varies wildly from lens to lens – this is something that I have plenty of experience with! – so it’s wise to read reviews and maybe even test out a few options before investing.

Portable lighting

While professional photographers often love to use studio lighting, even serious iPhone and Android photographers tend to shy away from most forms of artificial light. It cuts down on portability, and it generally doesn’t look that great.

That said, portable lighting solutions are sometimes useful for smartphone portrait and smartphone product photography; in particular, they can significantly improve lighting for indoor or low-light shots.

If you need an artificial light boost, consider LED ring lights or small portable LED panels. Some even come with adjustable color temperature for creative control. These tools can help you manage shadows and highlights in a way that helps you craft the mood you want to create, and they’re designed to be ultra-lightweight and compact.

15 tips to level up your smartphone photos

Now let’s take a look at the tips, tricks, and techniques you can use to capture beautiful photos using your smartphone, starting with:

1. Clean your lens

This tip is extremely basic, but you will be amazed by the dirt and grime that accumulate on your smartphone lens. (When I reach for my phone, I often find lots of smudges and dirt caused by my kids, my pockets, the environment, and more.)

So do yourself a favor and get in the habit of quickly wiping your phone lens before beginning a photoshoot. It’ll make your photos look so much sharper!

Note that you’ll want to pay especially close attention to your smartphone camera lens during bad weather; if you’re photographing in the rain, for instance, a single drop of water can turn the whole shot blurry. Make sure you wipe that lens clean at least every few minutes!

2. Tap the screen to set focus

Typically, when you point your smartphone at a subject, the camera will guess what you want to photograph. For instance, if it recognizes faces, it’ll focus on the faces; if it recognizes a person, it’ll focus on the person.

This method of autofocusing can work well, especially if you’re photographing a clear scene with an obvious main subject. But when the scene is more complex – you’re photographing a bird surrounded by trees, for example – your smartphone may get the focusing wrong, and the shot will turn out blurry.

So what do you do?

Instead of letting your smartphone’s algorithms determine your point of focus, simply tap on your subject, and then – voila! – you’ll get a sharp result.

Note: If you want extremely fine control over your smartphone’s focusing – such as when you’re doing close-up photography – there are a variety of camera apps that allow you to focus manually so that you can rack the plane of focus back and forth until you get the results you’re after!

3. Don’t use flash

Your smartphone camera has a flash, but it really, really sucks! Sorry – there simply isn’t a way to sugarcoat it: The flash on your phone camera is not flattering for photos, whether you’re shooting in the daytime, late at night, landscapes, flowers, or portraits.

So whenever you’re shooting, keep that flash off. Instead, use natural light for great results. For instance, shoot in the early morning or the late evening to get beautiful golden lighting, or work on cloudy days for soft, evenly lit images.

And if you desperately need extra light, invest in lighting accessories designed for smartphones, such as an LED ring light.

4. Discreetly take photos by pressing the volume buttons

Sometimes, the perfect shot requires a touch of subtlety – such as when you notice a beautiful scene while out walking, or if you’re watching your kids do something especially cute. In such instances, using the volume button to take photos is a great way to capture the image without disturbing the subjects or making them feel self-conscious.

How does this work? Some smartphones automatically set the volume buttons as an alternative shutter control, while others don’t default to this option but do let you set it up on your own (this process is simple and usually involves togging an item in the camera settings). Then, with your smartphone set, you can discreetly raise your camera and nudge a volume button upward or downward.

Remember, the key here is to use this technique with care and ethics. The goal isn’t to make your subjects feel uncomfortable!

5. Manually set the image brightness

Did you know that you can set image brightness (i.e., image exposure) manually?

It’s true, and you can use this function to control the level of detail that will appear in the final photo.

The details depend on your specific smartphone model, but try tapping on the screen, then look for some sort of exposure symbol (such as a sun). Swipe up (or drag the corresponding slider) to brighten the exposure, and swipe down (or drag the corresponding slider) to darken it.

Note that the general goal is to keep as much detail as possible in the final image. However, you can also deliberately brighten or darken an image for creative effect, like this:

6. Make sure your smartphone’s HDR function is on

HDR is a handy feature found in most smartphones today, and you might be surprised to learn how much it can enhance your photos. It stands for high dynamic range, and its primary purpose is to bring out the details in the shadows and highlights. It works by taking multiple shots at different exposures and then merging them together to create a balanced image.

Most modern phones offer some sort of HDR option, which can often be toggled on and off in your phone’s settings. (It’s usually tucked away in the camera app settings.)

What’s important is that you make sure HDR is active when you’re photographing scenes with significant contrast between bright and dark areas. It’s especially useful for landscapes where the sky is bright but the land is shrouded in shadow, or for subjects that are lit from behind. As long as it’s enabled, HDR will work its magic to even out those contrasts and make the image look more like how your eyes see it.

On the other hand, there are times when you might want to turn HDR off, such as when you’re aiming for a more dramatic or moody effect. It’s good to know how to control the feature so you can make a choice that fits your creative vision.

7. Compose your photos creatively

Composition refers to the arrangement of elements in the frame. If you want to capture stunning photos, you must carefully position people and objects in a pleasing way.

A few quick pieces of advice:

• Avoid placing your subject smack-dab in the center of the frame
• Symmetry often looks good
• Try to include a natural frame around your subject, like a window, a doorway, or an arch

If you want especially beautiful compositions, I’d recommend using the rule of thirds, which encourages you to position key elements a third of the way into the image. See how the chairs are positioned around the bottom-third portion of the frame:

Note that you don’t have to use the rule of thirds – it’s not really a rule, just a guideline – but it helps create compositions that are well-balanced and dynamic at the same time.

8. Try the rule of odds

Another tip for great smartphone composition is the rule of odds, which encourages you to group your subjects in odd-numbered collections.

(For some reason, odd-numbered collections just tend to look good!)

So if you were photographing a group of people, you’d want to include three, five, or seven people in a cluster – not two or four. And if you were photographing a group of forks, you’d want to include three, five, seven, or nine. Make sense?

As with the rule of thirds, the rule of odds isn’t actually a rule. It’s a suggestion – but a good one, so I do recommend you follow it whenever possible!

9. Test out your smartphone’s photography modes

Your smartphone likely comes with several photography modes, each offering a different way to create your images.

Portrait mode, for instance, will blur the background and put focus on the subject. This is great for individual or couple photos and can give a professional touch, similar to what you could achieve with a high-end camera.

Night mode is another powerful feature. If you’ve ever tried to take a photo in low light, you know how difficult it can be, but Night mode takes several images and blends them together for a clear and bright shot.

And then there’s Panorama. Want to capture a breathtaking landscape? Panorama mode lets you take a series of photos and stitch them together into one wide image.

You don’t need to be a technical whiz to use these modes. Just find them in your camera app, select the one that fits your scene, and shoot. Over time, you’ll get a feel for when to use each mode, but experimenting is the best way to learn!

So don’t hesitate to try these modes and see what works best for you. The more you play with them, the more you’ll understand what they can do. That’s the first step in becoming a more skilled and confident smartphone photographer.

10. Straighten the horizon

A common beginner smartphone photography mistake is a crooked horizon. After all, it’s so easy to accidentally tilt your phone when shooting!

Unfortunately, crooked horizons are a major problem, and unless you know how to handle them (either in the field or in post-processing), you’ll be stuck with a set of bad photos.

Fortunately, dealing with crooked horizons isn’t difficult. Simply take a moment to turn on your camera grid; this will display a set of lines across the screen, which you can then use to level your horizons in the field.

You can also handle crooked horizons in post-processing. Most editing apps include some sort of straightening option, though you will lose pixels in the process, so it’s always best to get it right in the field!

11. Use leading lines

Leading lines are lines that lead the viewer into the frame and draw attention to the main subject. And these lines, if used correctly, are insanely powerful.

When you’re shooting with your smartphone, look around for roads, buildings, or even furniture that can help lead the eye to the subject. Technically, a leading line can be pretty much anything, from outstretched arms and tree branches to road signs and buildings, so even if you can’t see any obvious lines, I encourage you to keep looking!

Once you find a leading line, adjust your position so that it points to the main subject. Your composition will instantly improve! Here, I used the row of chairs to direct the viewer toward the building in the background:

12. Photograph in natural light

Earlier in the article, I mentioned the value of natural light, but it’s so important that it deserves its own section. You see, there is something so pure and clean about photographing in natural light. It looks great, it produces beautiful photos, and it’s always available.

I love morning and evening light because of its golden hues and soft, flattering effect. Overcast light is nice, too. And even high-contrast light produced by the harsh sun can look amazing (especially in black and white).

If you shoot in heavy shade or at night, you can still use natural light, but you’ll need to use a tripod to prevent image blur. (Fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality yet relatively cheap smartphone tripods to choose from!)

This next image, of a foggy morning out on Lake Michigan, shows the beauty of soft natural light:

13. Try not to zoom

Unless your smartphone offers a proper telephoto camera, I recommend you do as little zooming as possible.

You see, most zoom functions use digital zoom, which simply crops the image to magnify the subject. In other words, it doesn’t actually get you closer to the subject; instead, it just removes pixels. Recently, smartphone manufacturers have developed algorithms that allow for slightly better results when zooming digitally, but it’s still always better to get close to your subjects instead of relying on your device’s digital zoom capabilities.

If you own a smartphone with a zoom capability, and you’re not sure whether the images are simply cropped or whether the device boasts a genuine telephoto lens, go ahead and read the specifications sheet (you can find this on the manufacturer’s website). In general, this should clear things up, and you can determine the best approach for photographing distant subjects.

14. Consider using a sophisticated camera app

I know that you might be comfortable with the built-in camera app on your smartphone. But as you grow in your photography skills, you’ll find that more sophisticated camera apps can provide you with greater control and creativity.

Many advanced camera apps offer manual controls. Imagine being able to adjust the shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, just like professional photographers do with their DSLRs. And as I mentioned in a previous tip, some of these apps let you focus manually to pinpoint exactly where you want the sharpest details in your image.

Some apps also allow for a more artistic shooting process. They’ll apply filters to your camera feed in advance so you can see the world in high-contrast black and white, intense grunge, monochromatic blue, and much more. If you’re in a creative rut, trying such an app can certainly help you out.

Note that camera apps like Adobe Lightroom Mobile and ProCam offer significant manual capabilities and are generally user-friendly, so don’t be afraid to experiment with them and see what you think.

15. Process your images using an editing app

The work doesn’t stop once you’ve captured a nice photo – because with a little post-processing, you can turn a good image into a great one. And the best part? You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard to do it. Most smartphones come with a range of easy-to-use editing apps that can help you enhance your pictures.

I’d recommend starting with the basics: Crop your photo to improve the composition, then adjust brightness and contrast to make the image pop. You might also tweak the white balance or add a bit of sharpening. Don’t be afraid to play around with these settings. Often, a little tweak here and there can make a world of difference.

Many of these apps also offer filters and presets. These are ready-made settings that apply a particular look to your image with just a single tap. They can be a fun way to explore different styles, but be sure to use them judiciously. Sometimes, less is more.

If you want to dive a little deeper, some apps allow more advanced editing like layering and blending. You might find these options a bit more challenging if you’re new to editing, but don’t be discouraged. There are plenty of tutorials online that can guide you through the process.

What’s vital here is to maintain the quality of your image during editing. If the app doesn’t offer non-destructive processing, always work on a copy of the photo rather than the original file, and be cautious not to over-edit. Subtlety often works best.

Editing isn’t about changing what you captured; it’s about enhancing it. Think of it as the final touch that brings your photo to life. And most importantly, have fun with it! Experimenting with different techniques can be an enjoyable and rewarding part of the photographic process.

How to take amazing smartphone photos: final words

With a bit of practice, you can capture amazing smartphone photos of landscapes, people, and so much more – even if you’re an absolute beginner.

Keep in mind that photographing with a smartphone should be simple. At the same time, an iPhone or Android camera is a genuinely powerful tool to explore the world around you, capture memories, and express your artistic vision. There’s no right or wrong approach, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.

I encourage you to pick up your phone and start exploring the possibilities. You might be surprised at what you can create. And remember, the best camera is the one you have with you!

Now over to you:

What kind of smartphone photos do you plan to take? Which of these tips will you use first? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Smartphone Photography: The Essential Guide (+ 15 Tips) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Karthika Gupta.

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[Photography] Horse Photography: 10 Tips for Amazing Equine Images

The post Horse Photography: 10 Tips for Amazing Equine Images appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Lea Hawkins.

Horses are not just beautiful and intelligent creatures; they can be the subjects of some truly breathtaking photographs. And horse photography – which is all about capturing the grace and majesty of these animals – is intensely rewarding.

Yet photographing horses can present certain challenges. Horses are free-spirited, plus they can be easily spooked. Add to that the technical expertise required to photograph a horse in action, such as racing or jumping, and you might start to feel more than a bit overwhelmed.

But don’t worry! Even a beginner can learn to take great horse photos; they just need an experienced guide. I’ve done plenty of horse photography, and I’ve also spent plenty of time learning from trainers and owners. In this article, I share it all: how to capture beautiful horse portraits, how to create stunning horse race photos, and even how to effectively photograph events like show jumping.

Ready to create some gorgeous horse images? Let’s dive right in!

1. Be careful

Approaching a horse with a camera is not always straightforward. While some horses may be exceedingly gentle, others can be unpredictable or even aggressive. A single kick from a horse can cause serious injuries, so caution is essential.

Never stand behind a horse or catch them by surprise. Sudden movements or even wearing bright colors can startle them. It’s essential to be aware of the horse’s presence and ensure they know where you are.

Before diving into the photography session, have a chat with the owner or handler about the horse’s personality. Is the horse flighty or bitey? Have they ever seen a camera before? Understanding these aspects can help you approach with caution.

Flash photography is generally a no-no around horses unless you’re sure they are used to it. A flash could endanger not just you but also the horse and the handler. I advise avoiding it as much as possible.

2. Learn the horse’s language

Horses communicate through their ears, leg stance, and head movements. This language is understood by horse owners and trainers, but it might be new to you. Spend some time researching horse body language before your first shoot. You’ll want to understand how the horse is feeling to predict their behavior and avoid danger.

Horse owners often prefer certain positioning of ears, legs, and heads. For example, pinned-back ears signify an unhappy horse, while relaxed, forward ears can mean the horse is content. Understanding this language will not only keep you safe but also ensure you capture shots that the owners will love.

If you’re familiar with this equine language, you’ll have a better sense of what the owners want, and your photo shoot will be more successful. So invest a little time in this unique aspect of horse photography; it’s well worth it!

3. Start with an introduction

Photographing horses isn’t about jumping right in with your camera. It requires a delicate approach. When you first meet the horse, it’s essential to create a calm environment.

Let the handler introduce you if the horse is calm enough. Allow the horse to approach you, sniff the camera, and become familiar with your presence. Talk softly and move slowly; a gentle pat might be welcomed if the handler deems it appropriate.

Are you unsure how the horse will react to the sounds of your camera? Organize a few test shots with the handler. Ensuring that everyone is in a safe position during these test shots is vital. If the horse reacts negatively, a sudden buck or kick can be dangerous.

If your camera has a silent shooting mode, this is a great time to use it. But remember, “silent” doesn’t always mean entirely noiseless. Test it out to gauge the horse’s reaction.

4. Choose the right lens for horse photography

Selecting the right lens is a critical decision in horse photography. It can be influenced by various factors, including the horse’s temperament and the type of shots you’re aiming for.

If you’re doing a portrait session and the horse is comfortable with you getting close, a wide-to-standard zoom lens, like a 24-70mm with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, can be a great choice. With it, you can capture wide-angle shots or zoom in for tighter images.

A 50mm or 85mm prime lens is also a fantastic option. These lenses often offer quality at an affordable price, with a wide aperture like f/1.8 for beautiful background blur.

When photographing from the sidelines or with a skittish horse, a longer telephoto lens is a must. A 70-200mm lens will allow you to capture detailed images from a distance.

Sometimes, having a good telephoto zoom handy, even with a more approachable horse, can enhance your shots. It allows you to get those close-up details without invading the horse’s personal space.

5. Dial in the right horse photography settings

Setting your camera correctly is fundamental. Using Auto mode won’t do justice to these magnificent creatures; instead, you’ll likely end up with blurry shots.

Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, or Manual mode are your friends here. A fast shutter speed is essential – a minimum of 1/250s for general horse photography. If the horse is moving quickly, even faster speeds like 1/500s or 1/1000s are necessary.

Don’t be afraid to boost your ISO if you need to ensure a good exposure. Modern cameras handle high ISO quite well, but test your camera to know your limits.

A wide aperture, such as f/2.8 or f/4, can be valuable, especially in low-light conditions. But remember, a wider aperture narrows the window of sharpness. You’ll need to focus with precision, making sure the horse’s eyes and head are in sharp focus.

Getting the settings right will allow you to capture the horse’s grace and energy, adding depth and emotion to your photographs. It’s a combination of understanding the horse’s behavior and using your camera’s capabilities to their fullest potential. It’s not about having the most expensive gear, but about knowing how to use what you have to create stunning images.

6. Photograph the tender moments

Connecting with a horse is a magical experience. Capturing that connection between horse and rider in your lens? Even more so. Every horse owner has a bond with their companion that is unique, personal, and full of emotion. As a photographer, your mission is to capture that bond, that shared love, in a way that transcends the physical frame.

Take a moment to observe. Notice the horse and its owner, their interactions, their unspoken communication. Look for the soft moments, the shared glances, the loving gestures. It’s in these fleeting moments that the true essence of their relationship lies. Patience is key here, and waiting for these tender moments can often reward you with the most touching and powerful images.

An integral part of this process involves integrating the rider into your photoshoot. It’s essential for you to keep them engaged, keep them relaxed. Encourage them to interact with their horse naturally, as they would when no one is watching. These candid shots often result in the most authentic images, brimming with raw emotions and moments of connection. Remember, horse lovers are often just as excited to be part of the shoot as they are to have their equine companions photographed.

7. Don’t forget about the details

Horse photography is not just about the whole animal, but also about capturing the individual details that make each horse unique. These can range from the gleaming shine in their coat to the distinct patterns of their markings, the flowing mane, the softness in their eyes, and so much more.

I always find it useful to have a chat with the owner before I start clicking away. Get to know the horse through their eyes, understand what makes their horse special to them. They might have a fondness for certain features – the curve of the horse’s neck, the unique color of their eyes, the way their mane catches the light. Your job as a photographer is to capture these personal favorites in the best light possible.

Use your lens wisely for these detail shots. A telephoto lens works great if you want to maintain a safe distance, especially if the horse is a little skittish. However, with a calm and friendly horse, feel free to move closer and use a standard lens. Experiment with varying your aperture to create a range of effects, from an overall sharp image to a focused shot with a beautifully blurred background.

8. Take your time

A crucial tip for successful horse photography, which I can’t emphasize enough, is to take your time. Spend a day, if possible, with the horse and the owner. Get to know them, understand their dynamics, build a rapport. Patience and understanding go a long way in establishing trust, which in turn helps capture the best possible images.

Observe the horse’s habits, their likes and dislikes. Maybe they love a particular spot in the paddock, or they jump around gleefully after a good run. Keeping these nuances in mind will help you anticipate their actions and be prepared for spontaneous shots.

Slowing down also allows you to notice the small but significant details of the environment around you – interesting backgrounds, shifting light patterns, shadows, and reflections. All these elements can add depth and context to your photographs, turning a good picture into a great one.

Don’t rush the process. Horse photography, like all good things in life, takes time. It requires patience, practice, and a keen eye for detail. But rest assured, the results will be worth your effort.

9. Use similar techniques to photograph equine events

Photographing equine events like show jumping has its own challenges, but many of the principles remain the same. Finding a safe spot is crucial, and one where the horse can see you from a distance. Always stay put and never move towards the horse and rider, and remember, using flash is a big no-no. Checking with any officials before you start is also a smart move.

To capture both horse and rider in mid-jump – a favorite of horse riders – you’ll likely need a shutter speed around 1/650s to 1/800s. By setting your camera to continuous release (burst) mode, you can press the shutter just as the horse lifts off, increasing your chances of getting the perfect shot.

Focusing can be tricky, so you’ll need to be extra attentive. Prefocusing in advance where you know the horse will be is an option, but I find using your camera’s AF tracking to follow the horse generally better. It lets you shoot a variety of images as the horse moves in different directions, giving you a range of dynamic shots to choose from.

10. Work fast for horse race photography

Horse racing is a thrilling sport, and capturing it in a photograph requires a special touch. Horses at top speeds are incredibly fast, so I’d recommend the fastest shutter speed the light will allow. Use your camera’s continuous shooting mode, and don’t hesitate to take hundreds of shots. Among the failures and near-duplicates, you’ll find those magical moments that make it all worth it.

Getting close to the finish line at smaller race meets can make for breathtaking photos, but you’ll need permission. Assure the officials that you don’t use flash and that you understand how easily horses can be spooked. Your diligence can grant you access to some unique vantage points.

Here’s a pro tip: try panning shots during the races. It captures the sense of movement and speed, giving your photos an artistic flair. Lower your shutter speed to around 1/30s and move your camera along with your subject as you fire the shutter. If done right, you’ll end up with a sharp horse and rider against a stunning blur of motion in the background.

This technique might take a few tries to master, but the resulting images can be truly spectacular. Combining both standard and panning shots during horse races can provide you with an exciting and varied portfolio of images, each illustrating a different aspect of the race!

Horse photography tips: final words

From understanding a horse’s personality and body language to choosing the right lens and settings, we’ve explored essential tips and techniques so you can capture beautiful images of horses.

Remember to approach each photo session with care and patience; with some perseverance, you’ll capture plenty of horse photos you can be proud of – whether it’s a tender moment between rider and horse, or the thrilling speed of a race.

Now it’s your turn to grab a camera and explore the world of equine photography. Happy shooting, and have fun!

Over to you:

Which of these horse photography tips do you plan to use first? Do you have any advice of your own that we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Table of contents

Pet Photography

• GENERAL
  • 9 Pet Photography Tips
  • 9 Tips for Taking Better Photos of Cats
  • Beginner's Guide to Photographing Horses

    • 1. Be careful
    • 2. Learn the horse’s language
    • 3. Start with an introduction
    • 4. Choose the right lens for horse photography
    • 5. Dial in the right horse photography settings
    • 6. Photograph the tender moments
    • 7. Don’t forget about the details
    • 8. Take your time
    • 9. Use similar techniques to photograph equine events
    • 10. Work fast for horse race photography
    • Horse photography tips: final words
    • 1. Be careful
    • 2. Learn the horse’s language
    • 3. Start with an introduction
    • 4. Choose the right lens for horse photography
    • 5. Dial in the right horse photography settings
    • 6. Photograph the tender moments
    • 7. Don’t forget about the details
    • 8. Take your time
    • 9. Use similar techniques to photograph equine events
    • 10. Work fast for horse race photography
    • Horse photography tips: final words
  • Why Taking Pictures of Your Pets Will Help Make You a Better Photographer
  • How to get the Money Shot in Pet Photography
  • What Are Your Pet Photography Peeves?
• PREPARATION
  • 6 Tips for Working with Unruly Animals in Pet Photography
• LIGHTING
  • Tips for Great Lighting for Pet Photography
• GEAR
  • 4 of the Best Lenses for Creative Dog Photography
  • Pros and Cons of Photographing Dogs with a Prime Lens
• CREATIVE TECHNIQUES
  • Five Tips for Creative Pet Photography
  • 10 Amazing Camera Hacks for Better Dog Photography
• POST-PROCESSING
  • Fixing Animal Eyes in Lightroom
• BUSINESS
  • Five Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Pet Photography Business
• ADVANCED GUIDES
  • 6 Tips for Photographing Dogs in Action
  • How to Photograph Agility Events and Other Dog Sports
  • How to Shoot Animal Portraits [video]
• INSPIRATION
  • 29 Shots of Dogs Sticking Their Heads out of Car Windows [Humor]
  • 25 Inspirational Dog Portrait Photographs
  • 38 Pet Photos to Amaze and Inspire You
  • 5 Adorable Pet Photos [and How to Make your Shots even Cuter]
  • Today's Dose of Cuteness – a Collection of Cats in Windows and Doors

The post Horse Photography: 10 Tips for Amazing Equine Images appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Lea Hawkins.

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