The Samsung Galaxy S6 comes with a brilliant camera for a smartphone, a 16-megapixel unit that’s capable of capturing exacting detail in good light. If you’re looking for a little extra though, there are a few things you can do to take better and more unique photos than you’d be capable of out of the box. Let’s take a look at what’s available.
Turn on those grid lines
The rule of thirds is one of the most important principles for new photographers to master. Thankfully, the Galaxy S6 makes it easy to shoot with it in mind – just turn on the grid lines via the camera settings and you’ll find composing your shots much easier. If you’ve got the hang of the rule of thirds, remember that the rule of fifths exists too – but sadly you’ll have to do this one by eye, either before the shot or during your editing afterwards.
Use a clip-on lens
The default lens system used in the Galaxy S6 is effective, but you can get some really interesting photos if you accompany it with an external lens. The 3-in-1 Universal Clip Camera Lens is one such lens option, adding three choices: fisheye, wide angle and macro. Each provides a vastly different style than the default lens, unlocking the door to some unique shots whether you’re taking photos or video. When you’re done taking photos, it’s easy to take off the lens and place it back in your pocket; no mess, no fuss.
Low light? Long exposure? Use a tripod
Using a tripod can be a fantastic way to ensure crystal-clear photos even in lower light levels and at longer exposure times. You could pick up an all-in-one unit like the Arkon Flexi Tripod or a simple adapter in concert with a proper DSLR tripod. Using a tripod and setting a delay also makes it possible to take group selfies without a selfie stick (but don’t worry, we’ll cover that later).
Upgrade your editing tools
There are a lot of great photo editing apps on Android, letting you take a great picture and make it exceptional. Whether you just try out a few easy filters or really go to town on adjusting the exposure, colour balance and other settings, there should be an app for you. For more on this topic and five app recommendations, check out our Top 5 Photo Editing apps for Android post.
Get a collage going
Sometimes one photo just isn’t enough – particularly on social media services like Instagram. Thankfully, there are many apps available to make a collage instead, bringing in multiple photos to tell all sides of the story. We wrote a guide recently to using one of these apps, so check it out and try it for yourself!
Embrace the selfie stick
It’s official: selfie sticks are here to stay. The average selfie won’t win any fine art awards, but with a selfie pole you can at least fit more of your friends (or background) into the shot and control precisely when you trigger the shutter. With the vastly improved front-facing camera in the Galaxy S6, you may as well make the most of it.
Keep shooting for longer
The best technique in the world is no good if you can’t take another photo because you ran out of space or your battery died. Check out tips for extending your S6 battery life and expanding your S6’s storage, and stay prepared.
Questions? Comments?
I hope this brief guide will help you get the most out of your photos on Android! Please let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or feedback. You can also reach us on Twitter @mobilefun!