How to take clearer, better photos with the phone you already have

You do not need an expensive phone to take good photos. Light, steadiness and a clean background do most of the work.

Start with clean lenses

Phone lenses collect fingerprints. Wipe the camera with a soft, clean cloth before shooting. This single step often fixes blurry, hazy pictures.

Use good light

• Face a window or shoot outdoors in the morning or late afternoon.
• Avoid strong light behind your subject, which makes it dark.
• Avoid the flash for close pictures, since it can look harsh.

Keep still

Hold the phone with both hands and rest your elbows on your body or a table. Tap the screen on your subject so the camera focuses and sets the brightness.

Pay attention to the frame

1. Move closer instead of zooming, since digital zoom reduces quality.
2. Keep the background simple and tidy.
3. Turn on the grid lines and place your subject near a crossing point.
4. Take several shots and keep the best.

For products

Place items on a plain surface, such as a clean sheet or board, in soft daylight. Show the product from the front and from one or two other angles, and include something that shows size.

Light editing

Use the built-in editor to crop, straighten and slightly brighten. Do not over-filter, since customers want to see what they will actually receive.

Written by the EarnNaija team at EarnNaija Digital Technologies.

This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Earnings are never guaranteed. See our fees page for the exact costs.