10 tips for smartphone photography from EyeEm founder Flo Meissner

A step-by-step guide to making the most of the camera on your smartphone, from Flo Meissner, CEO and co-founder of EyeEm, a photo-sharing app used by more than ten million people worldwide

Flo Meissner is CEO and co-founder of EyeEm, a photo-sharing app used by more than ten million people worldwide. As well as image-enhancement, the app allows photographers and enthusiasts to offer tips to their fellow shutterbugs, and soon, the opportunity to sell their images via agencies such as Getty Images. This year, they held their first Eyem Awards. Here, Eissner shares his tips for taking better photos with your smartphone: 1. Take lots of photos and don’t worry about the duds. It’s quite often the case that for every great shot I get, I have 10, 20, 30 duds. Don’t let this put you off. Photography is about experimenting with different angles, lighting, textures and letting your imagination run free. Even the world’s elite don’t get 10 out of 10 photos the way they want them every time. It’s about persevering, keeping a sharp eye and having fun. Above: 'Last 4' in Fortaleza, Brazil Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
2. Explore and experiment with alternative and unique subject matters. Whilst it’s easy and fun to stick to your usual subject matter when taking photos, try mixing it up every now and again. If you’re anything like me, your smartphone will be in your pocket wherever you go, and the world is filled with amazing images just waiting for you to capture. Whether you’re walking down the street, exploring the countryside, at a gig, cooking food or just hanging out with your friends, take your camera out every now and again and you’ll be surprised by how much there is to photograph at your every turn. Above: 'Waiting Area', New York City Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
3. Think about the background as well as the foreground. The primary focus of your photo may be what’s in the foreground, but don’t let that distract you from the finer details - the background is just as important. If your background is too busy or distracting, it may detract from the overall shot. Take some time to step back and look at your shot as a whole. If there’s something in the background that shouldn’t be there, try moving your subject or shoot from an alternative angle. Above: 'Through the Fence' Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
4. Think about framing We usually put images into frames as a way of displaying and drawing attention to our photos. But you can also use natural layers to dramatically increase depth and dimensions of your images. For example, windows make great frames - they’re everywhere and usually provide great light. What’s inside the window frame will be the centre of attention while everything that’s outside remains hidden. You can also play around with architecture by using its contours to mimic the framing effect. Mirrors, picture frames and urban objects can all be used to help you get that unique shot - so keep your eyes open! Above: '50 Shades of Grey' at MUNI Bus Stop, Market & Montgomery, San Francisco Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
5. Don’t use the zoom! Unlike a regular camera which will likely have a lens, the zoom function on your smartphone is digital. Its use can often result in poor quality, blurry images that are too pixilated to see clearly. My advice is to take the image then crop it later for the zoom effect, thus preserving the quality. Above: 'Beach Life' at Posto Cumbuco in Fortaleza, Brazil Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
6. Colour versus black and white. Whether you shoot in black and white or colour is totally down to your own opinion, style and perspective. Think about the picture as you’re taking it and understand what mood you’re trying to set and what emotions you’re trying to evoke. You can always play around with filters and effects, colours and contrasts to find what best conveys the story of your image later on. Above: 'Cyberposium' at Harvard Business School, Boston Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
You’ll take the best photos when you know your camera and its capabilities.
Your camera has loads of functions that you’re perhaps unaware of - and there are lots of accessory apps on the market which can help improve your photography experience. For example, there are several shutter speed apps out there that allow you to enhance or slow down the shutter speed for amazing effects. Check out Slow Shutter Cam for the iPhone or Speed Shutter for Android.
Play around with filters, lighting, frames and textures. Learn to use your focus, exposure function and shutter speeds. These are all things that will be hugely beneficial to you and are so simple to learn - you just have to practise.
7. You’ll take the best photos when you know your camera and its capabilities. Your camera has loads of functions that you’re perhaps unaware of - and there are lots of accessory apps on the market which can help improve your photography experience. For example, there are several shutter speed apps out there that allow you to enhance or slow down the shutter speed for amazing effects. Check out Slow Shutter Cam for the iPhone or Speed Shutter for Android. Play around with filters, lighting, frames and textures. Learn to use your focus, exposure function and shutter speeds. These are all things that will be hugely beneficial to you and are so simple to learn - you just have to practise. Above: 'Sunday Treat' at O2 World Berlin in Berlin, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
8. Know when to use filters. Filters are an amazing companion for any photographer. The can greatly enhance the mood of your photographs and really help convey its message. However, it’s important to think about how you use them. Filters are becoming a more commonly used tool, so rather than make your original image look generic by using a filter without a plan, think about what it’s bringing to the photo. If it’s not really bringing anything - don’t use it. Above: 'Sky Temple' at Wolfback Ridge in Sausalito, USA Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
9. Take a moment to think about lighting. Where there is no light, there is no photograph, that’s a fact. So whenever you’re in low-light situations you need to search for the light and use it to your advantage. Look for lamps, lanterns, spotlights or even moving light sources like car lights. Don’t shoot against them but rather use their glow to light a bigger part of the scene you’re taking photos of. It can also be tempting to use your phone’s built-in flash but this usually does more harm than good. It’s hard to control and can often burn out all the colours. Trust in yourself, search for a constant light source and take on the challenge to produce a stunning shot without the use of artificial lights. Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
10. Get inspired and have fun! Go to exhibitions and take in the work of some of your favourite photographers online to get you inspired. Mix it up a little - shoot from above and below your subject or shoot from the hip without looking through the lens. Gain different perspectives and take as many photos as you can. You’ll be amazed by some of the effects you get by playing around and having fun. Above: 'Oh hai dere' with miqua at EyeEm Studio Kreuzberg in Berlin, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
Click through for more of Flo Meissner's best smartphone shots... Above: Fascinating talk by @marclevoy @stanford on @googleglass photography at DI Symposium 2014, New York City Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Rehearsing The Portraitist', 2014 EyeEm Awards at the Goethe Institut, Tokyo Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
The 2014 EyeEm Festival & Awards at Alte Teppichfabrik in Berlin, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
Kotti D'Azure at Kottbusser Tor in Berlin, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Power Napping' at Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, San Francisco Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'GetYourGuide Cityscapes' at EyeEm HQ in Berlin, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Urban Geometry', San Francisco Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'SpaceShip Architecture' at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'From My Window', New York City Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Morning Run' at Pier 7, San Francisco Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Carpets' at Sultan Ahmet Meydanı
'Carpets' at Sultan Ahmet Meydanı Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
Thnx @ASMP @peterkrogh @kitchenInQueen @richardkellypho for a fascinating panel today' at PhotoPlus Expo, New York Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Coffee Art' at EyeEm Studio Kreuzberg in Berlin, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Foggy Morning' in Hollywood, USA Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
JR at New York City Ballet, New York Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Clear Sky' at Macondray Lane Steps, San Francisco Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Treasure' in Tokyo, Japan Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Great read Aperture Magazine Documentary Photography' with Stephen Mayes in Berlin, Germany Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo
'Sky Temple Around the World' by Lufthansa The Explorer, 2014 EyeEm Awards Picture: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo Credit: Flo Meissner, CEO and Founder of EyeEm/ @Flo