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World Photography Day: How to get the most from your phone

World Photography Day is billed as a day for the global community to share and appreciate photography from around the world
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.07 19 Aug 2024


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World Photography Day: How to...

World Photography Day: How to get the most from your phone

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.07 19 Aug 2024


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People might be looking into their phones more than usual as Monday marks World Photography Day.

The day is a way for the global community to share and appreciate photography from around the world.

It's also timely with a rare blue supermoon visible from Ireland tonight.

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Monday is the best day to view the Moon from Ireland but Tuesday will "almost be as good too," according to Astronomy Ireland.

Astronomy Ireland editor David Moore says it's a great way to be part of history.

"The best time to watch is at Moon rise, which is the same time the Sun sets, when a further effect, called 'The Moon Illusion' kicks in," he said.

"It can make the Moon 'look' even bigger to the human eye/brain combination.

"We especially want people to get creative Monday and Tuesday evenings from sunset on and catch the very rare SuperMoon Blue Moon.

"They can send their photos in for publication in Astronomy Ireland magazine where they will be archived for all time in the National Libraries of both Ireland and Great Britain, as well as being shared with thousands of Irish readers across the island".

A Blue Moon A Blue Moon, 27-9-15. Image: Benoit Daoust / Alamylendar.

Newstalk Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly gave her top tips for a good shot of the Moon to mark World Photography Day.

"If you can put your phone on to a tripod and do the long exposure - so try and get it to take a photograph over a few seconds," she told Newstalk Breakfast.

"The world is moving, we're turning, [so] it's very difficult to focus.

"If you have a tripod and the long exposure on your lens, you should be able to get something that looks a bit fancier than a bit of Babybel".

'A few quick things'

Jess said there are a few more obvious suggestions for avid photographers.

"I see people in stunning scenarios and their lens is dirty and grubby, they haven't tapped the screen to focus the lense, they haven't adjusted the light," she said.

"If you want to up your photography on your phone, here's a few quick things you can do.

"Turn the grid on your camera - the nine squares to help you centralise the subject of your photo.

"That is such an easy win and it'll make sure that the focus of your photograph is in the correct place."

A woman with a camera phone A woman with a camera phone

Jess said people should also check the settings on their camera.

"The next thing is to go into the settings on your camera and enable image stabilisation.

"It means that if you were at Electric Picnic the camera would do a bit of effort just to make sure that the image isn't blurry.

"A lot of the phones do [it automatically] but if you go into the settings you will see that there are certain settings there that can emphasise some of the features on your phone."

Focus and brightness

Jess said people should make sure to focus before taking the photo.

"The other thing I always do is when you tap the subject of the photo a little yellow square comes up," she said.

"I can lower the brightness, I can alter the aperture.

"By tapping on the screen and adjusting the brightness... small little things like that make a big difference".

Jess added that her final recommendation for World Photography Day is to download Google Photos "even if you have an iPhone" to improve your images.

Listen back here:

Main image: Close-up of a man using a mobile phone. Image: Tetra Images / Alamy  

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Astronomy Ireland Blue Supermoon Ireland Jess Kelly Newstalk Breakfast Phone Supermoon Top Tips World Photography Day

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