Hey guys! Welcome to the first post! I wanted to start the blog by talking about the little camera that most of us already own and carry around everyday - the smartphone camera!

Here are some basic tips for taking great quality photos with iPhone models 7 and up.

1. Get Closer Rather Than Zooming in

Taking zoomed-in photographs on your phone might be the best way to capture something far away, however the iPhone doesn't have the technology for an optical zoom lens. Photos taken when zoomed in diminish the quality of what would be the perfect photo.

Instead, try to get as close you can to your subject.

There are also some really cool optical zoom lens accessories that attach to your phone. On Amazon you'll find an abundance of cool lens attachments you can use to take great close-up photos. Take advantage of these new tools to make the most out of phone photography.

2. Don't Use Flash in the Dark

Think back to a time where you where enjoying a nice night out with friends. Out of no where, you're very nearly blinded by a random stranger snapping photos with their phone nearby with the FLASH ON. You think to yourself "oh my, who brought the strobe light?" (or at least I do). Not only is it a nuisance for everyone around you, it's also really not necessary to use your flash when taking photos in a dark space.

Many people use their flash settings in lighter spaces to make photos more vivid and bright. However, if you're using the flash to take your photo in a dark setting, most of the time photos will turn out grainy and blurry.

Instead, use a phone flashlight or get a Lume Cube.

You will need at least two phones for the phone technique, so ask to borrow your friend's while you take their picture! You'll have much more flexibility with light placement and you can get really cool effects.

3. Embrace the Grid

One of the basic fundamentals of photography is The Rule of Thirds, and photographers utilize this with the help of a grid overlay. The "grid" creates nine even squares that help you place the important compositional elements on the lines or the intersections of those lines.

Your iPhone provides this optional grid overlay feature. To enable it, go to your Settings > Photos & Camera and and turn the Grid toggle on.

Why is this important? The idea is to create an off-center composition which much is more pleasing to the eye and looks more natural rather than placed in the middle. It's a versatile technique that you can apply to any composition and create beautiful, more professional looking photos.

4. Turn on the HDR

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. I'll admit that when I first got my iPhone, I had no idea what "HDR" meant and kept it turned off - until I learned what it could do.

When activated, HDR creates clearer, more colorful photos with a higher contrast. It can take your photos from basic to "WOW" in a flash (pun intended). You can activate auto HDR by simply tapping "HDR" in your camera app.

Unfortunately, some of the older iPhone models don't offer smart HDR, so its not ideal to leave on for certain settings - otherwise you could get some strange blurry photos.

5. Use Burst Mode to Capture Movement

Can't quite get the kids to stand still to take a photo or want to get a great shot of your friend doing a killer backflip? Burst mode is an excellent feature to use when you're taking pictures of something in movement. Instead of taking one singular photo, it will take ten photos per second while its engaged. Pretty cool, right?

To activate burst mode on your iPhone, you simply have to hold the shutter button for however long you'd like to capture the burst photos. You'll end up with a bunch of photos and you're more likely to get a clear image!

6. Clean Your Lens

This one may seem obvious, but its not something we always think about when we start snapping photos with our phones. I've had so many photos ruined due to a dirty lens. That one little black dot that appears in each photo, in the same spot, over and over! I'm sure this has happened to you before too.

Its important to clean your lens with the right material. Trying to clean it by rubbing it on the sleeve of your sweater will sometimes make the lens even smudgier. Invest in a microfiber cloth to keep it clean. Trust me, it's worth it!

7. Try Out Different Apps

Last but not least, experiment with different photography apps. There are several free iPhone photo editing apps available in the app store. I know, many of us already use Instagram for photo-editing needs - but why stop there?

I've personally used the VSCO app and I love this one! It takes my photos from ordinary to artistic. The presets and adjustments are very simple to use to make your photos really pop without having to pay for expensive editing software.

1. Without VSCO

2. VSCO Edit

There are many more photo editing apps out there like Snapseed, Photoshop Express, and Filto. Explore and see what cool photos you can create!

This was my first post on Shutter Hack - a blog dedicated to discussing technology and technique behind taking cool and exciting photos and video!

Do you have a favorite photo editing app or want to share your tips and tricks for taking great iPhone photos? Leave your feedback in the comments below!