Expert tips on taking photos of your home with a phone
Professional photographer Pernilla Danielsson has teamed up with Google’s Pixel 3 to share her top tips for taking social-worthy snaps using your phone
Image: ©️ Pernilla Danielsson, shot on Pixel 3
Google Pixel 3‘s official lifestyle photographer Pernilla Danielsson of Lifestyle Mallorca, shares her top pics for taking snaps of your own home like an Instagram pro using only your phone – and no need for any fancy equipment.
Know your phone
Image: ©️ Pernilla Danielsson, shot on Pixel 3
“Make sure you understand how to use all the great built-in features on your phone’s camera, so when the moment comes, you are ready to capture it.
Get familiar with your phone camera so you’re able to pull it out and pick the best setting for the kind of photo you want to take in the blink of an eye. With Pixel 3, you can just double click the phone’s power button and you’re ready to go!”
Use the light
Image: ©️ Pernilla Danielsson, shot on Pixel 3
“As a Scandinavian, used to long, dark winters, I have a special love for great natural light.
When you’re composing your photo, pay attention to where the light is coming from: hard, direct sunlight can add drama to bigger pictures or sweeping vistas, where shadows can be an interesting feature of the image. Soft light, or even shade, can often be more flattering for portraits where balance is important.”
Find your angle
Image: ©️ Pernilla Danielsson, shot on Pixel 3
“Don’t be afraid to do something unusual and take photos from different angles. Move around to find the best. How does the feel of your photo change if you crouch down low?
What happens if you angle the phone’s camera to get more of a top-down perspective? Just keep the horizon straight. You can turn on gridlines to help keep yourself level-headed.”
Guide the eyes
Image: ©️ Pernilla Danielsson, shot on Pixel 3
“The best picture tells a story. Think about how you want to guide the eyes through that. You can use the light or a frame in your frame – like some leaves close to the lens on the side – to gently lead the viewer.
You can use depth to make your subject pop. Try portrait mode on Pixel 3. Once you’ve taken a photo, you can easily change the blurriness of the background or choose a new point of focus.”
Mix it up
Image: ©️ Pernilla Danielsson, shot on Pixel 3
“Good photography is a result of experimentation. It can be all too easy to take the same kind of shots again and again, but a variation of styles will make your photos a lot more interesting.
Mix big bold scenery shots with atmospheric, detailed close-ups; keep an eye out for how the colours and light can create a scene. Experiment as much as you like. With Pixel 3, you can’t run out of storage, so nothing should stop you!”