The Huawei P10 and P10 Plus is one of the best new phones for mobile photography, thanks to its trifecta of Leica-branded cameras. The dual rear cameras are a photographer’s dream; one monochrome lens for capturing light and detail, and an RGB sensor that colours the scene. If you’re considering the P10 or you’ve already picked one up, here are five photography tips to make the most of your new equipment.
5. Experiment (with tripods) for portraits
Huawei have put a lot of effort into engineering their camera app into a great choice for portrait photography. Take your time to explore the camera app, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different effects to get a feel for your toolkit. For example, you can add bokeh thanks to the phone’s ‘depth-of-field technology’, allowing you to mimic the look of much bigger lenses, or turn on advanced processing that will make facial features more exaggerated.
If you’re going to do serious portrait photography, particularly in low light conditions, you’ll get much sharper images from using a tripod. This also opens the door to time lapses, which are a great way of recording an epic road trip, a beautiful summer’s day or your latest construction project. You can even get a 360-degree rotating camera mount if you want to get really creative.
4. Get the right kit to save yourself some hassle
Just like tripods make low light photography easier, there are plenty of other bits and pieces that can save you some time or allow you to take shots that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. For example, you can pick up an Olixar Photography Kit that includes a tripod, a 3-in-1 lens kit and a selfie stick. Another helpful addition is an external LED flash module, which will outperform your built-in flash by a factor of 10. The result is broader, more even lighting, plus less of that harsh glare that tends to limit low-light smartphone photography.
3. Selfies count too, but make ’em good
When it comes to selfies, most people are shooting with artistic intent… but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible! Huawei upgraded their front-facing camera in 2017, adding a large sensor that captures three times as much light as last year’s model. That gives you a good starting point, but you can do more to take your selfies to another level. Composition — framing your shot just right — is as important here as it is in other types of photos; consider combining a selfie stick and a wide-angle lens if you want to expand your field of view. The LED flash we mentioned earlier can also help a lot here.
2. Lenses aren’t just for DSLRs any more
Lenses are what separate point-and-shoot cameras from DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and other professional options. They’re also an option for your smartphone that can let you take shots that would be otherwise impossible. This 3-in-1 lens kit is a good start, providing a wide-angle lens, a fisheye and a macro lens for capturing smaller subjects. These are great for shooting video too. If you want to take photos at a distance, you can also pick up an 8x zoom lens. Note that photography with a zoom lens gets a lot easier with a tripod, as any motion of your hand will be magnified substantially.
1. Use that unique sensor: shoot in black and white
While the P10 and P10 Plus have strong cameras objectively, there are plenty of competitors that could make similar claims. What makes the P10 special is its proper monochrome sensor, so make use of that advantage! Shooting in black and white can completely change the tone of a picture, and with the 20-megapixel sensor you’ll be capturing a ton of light and detail when you shoot this way. Get yourself onto the streets or into the wilds and challenge yourself to shoot exclusively in black and white — you’ll be stunned at the results.
Wrapping up
We hope that you found these tips helpful! Let us know what you think in the comments below, or write to us on Twitter @mobilefun. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more guides, news and accessories!
Black-and-white image credit: AOL