These days, smartphone cameras are almost as good as those the professionals use. Really. Camera phones have come a long way and you can get some beautiful shots with them. That's why it's worth learning how to use your smartphone camera well.

It's not difficult to learn how to take better smartphone photography, and learning to do so can make your holiday, personal, and professional photos even better. Never again will you cut off the top of people’s heads or leave family members out of focus! Seriously.

Follow these smartphone photography tips and you’ll improve your photography skills, take better photos, and have good pictures worthy of posting and printing.

1. For a professional photo, balance your shot by using gridlines

When you turn on your phone’s gridlines, it superimposes a series of lines on the screen of your camera. These help keep the photo parallel with any vertical or horizontal lines in the shot. If you place your subject – your grandchild opening a present Christmas morning, for instance – along the lines, your photo will be more level and balanced. It makes a huge difference.

To turn the gridlines on:

• On iPhone: Go to "Settings," select "Photos & Camera," and switch "Grid" on.

• On Android: Launch the camera app, go to "Settings," scroll down and switch the "gridlines" option to "on."

Apply the rule of thirds

In the rule of thirds, an image is split into nine equal blocks that form a three-by-three grid. You should aim to get the most interesting parts of your image near the corners of these segments, where the imaginary gridlines meet. Using the rule of thirds give a more natural feeling to the image and allows the eye to flow around the picture with ease.

2. Determine where you want your camera to focus

Your phone camera is automatically set to focus on the foreground of your frame, by default settings but if the image in the foreground isn’t what you want to be your focal point, you can adjust that.

To adjust the focal point:

Open your camera app and tap the screen where you want the focus to be. For example: In the foreground, your husband is eating a piece of pie. But what you want to focus on is your son photobombing him in the background. Tap your son’s face. A square or circular icon will appear on your camera screen. When it does, snap the photo. Tapping the screen automatically adjust how much light the camera lets in. If it's too much, you can edit it in the photo settings.

To take a portrait

In your camera settings, select portrait mode for a detailed image of your subject. In the foreground, your subject will be crisp and clear, while the background will be more out of focus and softer looking.

3. Steady your camera

Blurry photos are the worst, so for good photos and more professional photos, you need to really steady yourself and your camera before shooting.

To do so:

Lean on a friend or family member or lean against a wall to prevent your hands from wobbling. You can even prop your phone up using a phone stand, books or camera equipment like a tripod.

4. The digital zoom in is not the answer

It’s tempting to zoom in on something you really want to capture, but it’s not the best way to go. Why? Because when you zoom in, the result is typically a grainy, blurry, or pixelated photo. Instead, get closer to your subject physically. That way, you won't impact the image quality much of the photo and it will be easier later to crop it or somehow manipulate it as you’ll be working with a larger image.

5. Clean your smartphone’s camera lens

Ever take a photo and then wonder what all those tiny specks are on it? They’re dust and particles that have collected on the lens of your phone’s camera. Our phones live in our pockets, bags, and backpacks, and consequently, all manner of debris collect on the camera lens. Cleaning it with a soft cloth before you start shooting will go a long way toward giving you high quality photos you'll enjoy sharing.

6. Shoot in natural light, aka the outdoors

The best photos aren't taken indoors. Just ask professional photographers. Sure, you can get good shots around the dinner table, in front of a fireplace, etc., but if you can get outside, in the natural light, to take photos, do so. Natural light is best for taking more professional pictures photos with your smartphone. It seems natural lighting not only helps capture the subject better, but it also imparts mood and atmosphere which create a more well-rounded result.

With landscape photography, the right time of day is very important. Frequently, the best and most interesting shots are taken in the early morning, at sunrise and during the golden hour, at sunset. Low light ca create a great photo.

Cool things to try

Shoot in bright light

Try shooting a subject in front of a bright light like the setting sun, and manually adjust your camera settings so all you're left with is an interesting picture of a dark silhouette against a background of light.

Perfect your pics by editing

Learn to edit photos right in your smartphone. Touch-ups, such as cropping, brightness adjustments, and color correction, can make the photo even better.

Just beware of doing too much. Less, as they say, is more.

Burst photos enable you to take multiple shots at one time. The result is a great variety from which you can pick the best shots. Just go into your camera roll and see which ones you like.

Mix it up. Try taking photos from different angles. This can make them more interesting and memorable.

Practice. Since you're not wasting film, the best way to learn to take a professional photo is to practice. You can take as many photos as you want, and you don't need to print them to see the results.

At H2O Wireless , we believe in helping you do more than take good care of your phone. We believe in helping you get the phones and service you deserve at a real savings.

Save money and switch to H2O Wireless. Ours are among the best cell phone plans of 2023.

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H2O’s premium wireless plans start at just $25 a month!

Just $25 a line. No kidding.

At just $25 a line, H2O Wireless gives you great coverage, more than enough data, and unlimited international talk and text (plus a $5 international talk credit), so you can keep in touch with family and friends around the globe and they can keep in touch with you! Plus, we offer a tremendous selection of the latest iPhones and Androids at prices that let you get the phone you love.

Enjoy Multi-Line Savings

Connect your friends and family to get Multi-Line savings with 2 lines for $50 or 4 lines for $100. Each line comes with 6 GB of LTE data so you can stream, listen, and do what you do at $25 per line.

Here’s Exactly What Every Line Gets...

• 6 GB of LTE Data
• Unlimited Data, Talk & Text
• Unlimited International Talk to 70 Countries
• Unlimited International Text
• $5 International Talk Credit

Here’s Exactly What You Don’t Get…

• Contracts
• Hassles
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What our customers are saying…

 “I have been using H2O prepaid service for more than 3 years. I get a good connection in the mid-west and other places I have visited in the US, with no dropped calls. I only recharge when my balance is low and never had any issue with their customer service. I have contacted their customer service on few occasions, and they’ve been most helpful.”

With H2O Wireless, you get the best cell phone coverage for less and the best unlimited plans – not to mention the most cost-effective, realistically priced unlimited plans – anywhere.

Or, choose our 12 month plan for just $8.33 a month!

With H2O Wireless’ 12 Month Plan, you purchase service once and you’re done for the year. No worrying about missing a payment or tracking the expense. You simply make a one-time payment of $100 using your credit or debit card, and that’s it. Our 12 Month Plan breaks down to crazy low $8.33 a month, and gives you an entire year of unlimited talk and text, as well as 1GB of high-speed data every month. There are no other payments to make or additional steps to take. Plus there’s no contract and no hidden fees.

Let’s look at “unlimited data”

With so many cellular phone businesses vying for your money, it’s difficult to tell which you can trust. The overpriced services clamber, “Pick me!” with promises of low cost, unlimited data plans. But do you really need an unlimited amount of data? Will you use all of that data? Maybe. But if you don’t, guess what? You still have to pay for it.

If you’re on a $70 a month plan which gives you up to 23GB of data it means you’re paying $3.04 per GB of data. And if you’re using just 4GB a month (which is what most people typically use), you’re paying $57.40 per month for data you’re not using. Ouch.   

The truth is…

Most people use just 2-5GB of data per billing cycle, and that’s because you’d have to spend every waking moment, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week online to exceed that amount. The average consumer doesn’t do that, and that’s why the average consumer doesn’t need a $50, $60 or $70 a month unlimited plan!

At H2O Wireless, we don’t think you should pay for data you don’t need and aren’t going to use.

That’s why we’re proud to offer you plans starting as low as $18 a month (with auto pay) for unlimited talk and text and 2GB of data.

Need more data one month? Simply go into your account portal and add more. When next month rolls around, if you need less data, you can go right back into your portal and reduce it. Simply log onto PureTalk.com, click on My Account, and select Manage My Data. Make your changes, save them, and log out. It’s that simple.

Plus, H2O Wireless Connects You to the World

Each H2O Wireless Monthly Unlimited Plan includes unlimited international talk to 70 Countries (including China and Mexico), unlimited text to any country in the world, and up to $5 international talk credit depending on the plan you select. 

Purchase these features whenever you need:

International Talk

You can purchase International Talk for your plan for $5 or $10. Simply log into your account to make this purchase.

International Roaming

You can purchase International Roaming for your plan. This can be used for talk minutes, text, or MMS.

5G / 4G Data

You can purchase additional high speed data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10 or 5GB for $20.

Hotspot Data

Share your cellular data via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB using laptops, tablets, and more by purchasing Hotspot Data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10, 5GB for $20, or 10GB for $30.

What our customers are saying:

“I have had H2O monthly unlimited for a few years now. I use WIFI and Data interchangeably, and don't even think about it. My data is unlimited, and even if I stream videos or the news to my phone any time I want, I have never had it slow down.”

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Refer a Friend

When you join H2O Wireless, you can take advantage of our Refer a Friend (RAF) referral program. It enables you to share the H2O love and lower your bill! Share the H2O love with enough friends, and you might not even have a bill.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Spread the Word

Get your unique referral link, then send it to friends and family.

Step 2: Sign Them Up

Help your friend select an H2O Wireless Plan.

Step 3: Get Rewarded

Once your friend activates their H2O service, you each get rewarded with $50 in RAF rewards points.

RAF Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Refer a Friend Program?

Refer a Friend is the H2O® Wireless referral program in which you and a friend get $50 of H2O points for each activated referral.

When are H2O points applied to my account?

When the person referred activates their H2O Wireless service your rewards points will be applied. Please note: For Port-Ins, points will be received within 1-5 business days.

Do I get referral points if I just tell a friend about H2O?

No. They need to use your referral link.

How many people can I refer?

You can refer up to 10 people per month, which is a total of 120 referrals per year, for thousands of dollars’ worth of reward points. So many rewards points they might pay for your H2O service!

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Bring Your Own Phone

Have a phone you love? H2O Wireless makes it easy to bring it with you. Simply join H2O Wireless and, at checkout, choose eSIM. Like a physical SIM card, but without the 3-5 day wait for a physical card to arrive, eSIM enables you to use your new service much faster. In fact, you can activate your service right after checking out. Of course, before you select eSIM, make sure your phone is eSIM compatible by reviewing the list below.

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

eSIM compatible phone models include:

• iPhone XS series
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone SE 2nd gen
• iPhone 12 series

What our customers are saying…

 “I have been using H2O prepaid service for more than 3 years. I get a good connection in the mid-west and other places I have visited in the US, with no dropped calls. I only recharge when my balance is low and never had any issue with their customer service. I have contacted their customer service on few occasions, and they’ve been most helpful.”

“I have had H2O monthly unlimited for a few years now. I use WIFI and Data interchangeably, and don't even think about it. My data is unlimited, and even if I stream videos or the news to my phone any time I want, I have never had it slow down.”

“My phone is an unlocked, international version Samsung. I pay $28 a month at H2O and get a service that is literally unlimited in every way. A special bonus with this plan, is that I get international texting - which I was unable to achieve with T-Mobile, Sprint or AT&T.”

With H2O Wireless it’s easy to stay connected to your family, friends, work, your favorite shows, podcasts, news outlets – your whole world – for less. That’s what makes us refreshingly. different. wireless.

See for yourself today!