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Taking high-quality photos has never been so easy or effortless, thanks to smartphones. With a little practise and a few special tips, you can improve the way you capture your daily life and routine. Here are our 5 favourite tricks: 

1. Clean your camera lens

Yes, it's as simple as that! Using a dirty camera lens is like looking at the world through a blurry, dirty window. Make a habit of cleaning your lenses with your shirt, for instance, every time you shoot.

2. Use gridlines and the "rule of thirds"

Split your photo into 9 segments by using 3 vertical and 3 horizontal lines. Then place the key elements of your scene in one or more of these areas in a photo.

Applying this rule will get you a more balanced result. 

You can switch to grid view on your phone by going to your Camera "Settings" and turning the Grid option on. 

Source: Digital Photography School

3. Develop Your Photographic Eye

Find different perspectives. Having an "eye" for photography means the way you see. Taking photos from a unique, unexpected angle can make them more memorable, and you can train your eye: try taking a photo from above and play around with different angles.

4. Look for symmetry and play with colours

Symmetry can be defined as "a vague sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance. It's one of the simplest and most compelling ways to compose a photo. 

Source: iPhone Photography School; Paul Octavious

Use the Colour Wheel to obtain contrasting colours. This is a useful tool to illustrate the basic idea of how different colour combinations work with each other.

For example, Red and Green are complementary colours. They are highly contrasting which can create a vibrant photo.

5. Use Natural Light 

Light is the most important photography ingredient. And the most basic form of light is natural light, especially created by the sun or by its absence. Play with sunrise or sunset lights (also called the Golden Hour).

Do the exercise of seeing the beauty of the contrast between black and white in the shadows. Practise photography in front of the windows and also during foggy and grey days. 

It's all about the way you perceive the world and translate it into images. 

Stay connected to your classmates and upcoming photography contests via our Greenwich College Instagram profile.