How I Learned to Take Better Photos: Simple Tips for Beginners Using Any Camera or Phone

When I first got into photography, I had no idea what I was doing. My first picture? A blurry photo of my cat with half her face cut off. I thought it looked cool — until I compared it to actual good photos. That’s when I realized: taking great photos isn’t about having a fancy camera. It’s about knowing how to use what you have.

Whether you're using your phone or a basic camera, here are some super simple tips and fun tricks that helped me improve — and might help you too.

📸 Easy Photography Tips That Changed Everything

1. Light Is Everything

One of the first things I learned is that light can make or break a photo. Natural light is your best friend. Try taking photos during the golden hour — that’s just after sunrise or before sunset. Everything looks warm and soft.

Avoid harsh midday sunlight. It creates strong shadows and can make people squint. I once took a beach photo at noon and everyone looked like they were melting.

2. Use the Rule of Thirds (It's Not Complicated)

Picture your screen with a tic-tac-toe grid. Instead of putting your subject right in the middle, place them along the lines or where the lines meet. This makes your photo feel more balanced and interesting.

Most phone cameras have a grid option — I keep mine on all the time now.

3. Keep It Steady

Blurry photos used to be my signature move (not in a good way). I learned to hold my phone with both hands and tuck in my elbows. If you have shaky hands like me, try using a timer or leaning against something for support.

4. Focus on the Right Thing

Always tap your screen to focus. If you're taking a photo of a person, focus on their eyes — it makes a huge difference. I used to wonder why my photos looked soft and fuzzy until I realized I was focusing on the background instead of the subject.

5. Simple Background = Better Photo

I used to take photos in messy rooms and couldn’t figure out why they looked bad. Turns out, clutter in the background distracts from your subject. Look for clean spaces, or blur the background by getting closer to your subject.

🎨 Fun Photography Tricks to Try

These little tricks helped me be more creative without needing any fancy gear.

1. Use Reflections

After a rainy day, I love taking photos of puddles — they make amazing mirrors. Try shooting near windows or mirrors, too. It's an easy way to make your photos more interesting.

2. Find Leading Lines

Look for lines that naturally guide your eye — roads, fences, hallways, even shadows. I once took a photo of my friend walking down a pier, and the planks led straight to him. It looked way more pro than I expected.

3. Play With Angles

Don’t just shoot straight on. Try taking photos from above, below, or from a weird side angle. I once lay down on the ground to take a picture of flowers from underneath — and it turned out awesome.

4. Try Black & White

Removing color can make a photo feel deeper or more emotional. It’s great for moody skies, portraits, or city streets. I sometimes switch to black and white when the lighting isn't perfect.

5. Experiment with Long Exposure

This one's a bit advanced, but worth trying. I used a free app to slow down my shutter speed and took a picture of traffic at night — the light trails looked like magic. Just remember to use a tripod or something steady!

📱 If You’re Using a Phone (Like I Did)

Most of my early photos were taken on my phone, and honestly, you can do a lot with it.

• Clean the lens – I didn’t know this at first, but fingerprints make everything cloudy.

• Try portrait mode – It adds that nice blur to the background.

• Edit after – Apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile can make a huge difference. I just tweak brightness and contrast a bit to make photos pop.

🧠 Final Thoughts from a Beginner

Photography isn't about being perfect — it's about capturing a feeling, a moment, or a story. I started with zero knowledge, just curiosity. And every photo I took (even the bad ones) helped me get a little better.

So whether you're snapping sunsets, pets, or your lunch — just keep shooting. The more you play around, the more fun it becomes.

Happy shooting! 📷✨