Phone Photography: Five Composition Rules for Pro-Looking Shots

Today's phone cameras hold their own against the professional cameras of a few years ago. What separates a great photo from an ordinary one is the photographer's eye far more than the hardware.

The rule of thirds

Turn on your camera's grid. Place the subject on one of the intersections instead of dead center.

Put the horizon on one of the horizontal lines; if the sky is the star, give it two-thirds of the frame.

Lines and frames

Roads, railings or rows of trees lead the viewer's eye to the subject.

A doorway, a window or a branch can form a natural frame and add depth to the picture.

Light and simplicity

Golden hour, just after sunrise and before sunset, gives soft, warm light.

The busier the frame, the more the message gets lost. Step closer and cut out the clutter.

The takeaway

The best camera is the one you have with you. The rule of thirds, leading lines and good light make phone photos look professional.

This is a sample article, written to show what the blog can do.