Turn Your Phone Upside Down

While I always choose my pro camera (Nikon D850 and Z7) for people, when I travel, or even when I am on-site for a portrait session and can’t resist capturing the end scene (ie the sunset or the dusk photo) I definitely pull out my iPhone 15 Pro. I love the iPhone and have been using it as a tool in my toolkit since the first generation, especially when I travel. And while I absolutely post on my business Instagram when it comes to people photos, when I travel I post on my travel Instagram lifesunsensored (sensor – get it? get it?!).

I always love learning and sharing little nuggets about how to photograph better, and this tip pertains to any phone. Put your phone in portrait mode or leave it in regular capture mode, get down on the ground and turn that phone upside down so that the lens is close to the ground. Then be sure to touch to focus on your subject and move it around as needed. Yes, this does mean you may have to get down on the ground too! Of course, this also works on any surface – tables, countertops, etc. The goal is to go from the photo above on the left to the photo above on the right. It changes the perspective, the depth of field, and creates some great interest in a photo that might otherwise be so so.

The leaf photo below was one I recently took in Bethlehem, PA. I love me a good fall scene but getting close up on the leaf makes you feel like you can hear the crunch underfoot as you walk through the forest (or in this case, a cemetery!). And all I had to do is turn my phone upside down!

So the next time you’re out and about and want to try something new, flip that phone upside down and you’ll see a whole new world! And for more fun tips, check out my recently updated (previously posted in 2018) post on Taking Better Drink Photos with your Phone.