Tutorial Mobile Photography: 6 Tips for Taking Attractive Photos

Learn 6 keys to taking photos with your mobile and succeeding on Instagram with the advice of Alba Duque

Getting a photo to stand out on social media is not an easy task. In what is known as lifestyle photography, capturing natural images that are also visually striking is the challenge faced by all photographers who use their mobile as their main tool for creating content.

In this tutorial, photographer and content creator Alba Duque (@albaduque_) shares a series of useful keys to make our photos for social media more interesting and attractive. Discover it in the following video:

6 tips for taking attractive photos for social media

1. Take vertical photos for Instagram
The mobile phone will be our ally if we are taking photos for Instagram. It's best to take vertical photos, as that's how we'll see them on the screen. However, if they are for the Instagram feed, it's worth remembering that the format is more square, so we may need to frame the photos with the possibility of cropping them later. If the photo features a model, make sure their face is close to the center of the composition to avoid cutting it off.

2. Use the rule of thirds
Composition techniques like the rule of thirds can help you create appealing photos. To use them, use an app with a grid that serves as a guide when framing your photos.

3. Experiment with focus
Although it's common to focus on our subject and blur the background, it's sometimes worth experimenting to achieve different results. For example, by blurring the subject instead of the background, you can achieve a more mysterious and original effect, which can help you capture different ideas and styles.

4. Play with light
If you want photos with more pronounced and darker shadows, you can use midday light to illuminate your compositions. On the other hand, if you want softer and more enveloping light, the ideal times for your session will be early in the morning or during sunset.

5. Experiment with reflections
By taking photos through windows with reflections or using mirrors in your compositions, you can achieve creative effects that will elevate your photographs.

6. Cover part of the lens
To add a creative detail to a more classic photo, you can slightly cover part of your camera's lens. The element you are using in the foreground will be blurred, while your subject will remain in focus. This will give your photography a new dimension and depth.

If you liked this tutorial, remember that if you want to learn how to capture natural images and achieve professional results with minimal resources, you can discover Alba Duque's online course Lifestyle Photography: From Your Mobile to Instagram.

If you're interested in photography for social media, you can learn more with tutorials like:

- Photography tutorial: How to take creative photos with your mobile
- Instagram tutorial: 5 tips to create your own style
- Instagram tutorial: How to create engaging captions

You might also be interested in:

- 'Trend hunting on Instagram: creating stylish photographic portraits,', a course by Aaron Walls.
- 'Photo editing with a smartphone for social media,' a course by Juan David Chaves Abadía.
- 'Instagram as a photographic portfolio,', a course by Pati Gagarin.