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8 Techniques I Use to Capture Stunning Panorama Photos on My Smartphone
- Taking better panoramic pictures with your smartphone requires some effort, but it is possible.
- You can try different techniques to take better smartphone panorama photos, such as zooming out.
- Try using different tools on your camera for better smartphone photography, such as the line straightener.
I’ve tried many techniques to take better panoramic photos on my smartphone, and I’m going to share some of them with you today. From the time of day to using extra equipment, here’s what I do to capture stunning panoramic pictures.
Shoot at Interesting Times of the Day
One of the easiest ways to improve any kind of photography, including panoramas, is to think about the time of day you want to shoot. I don’t really like photographing at midday in the summer (at least in northern latitudes) because the sun is so bright. It’s fine in the winter because the sun isn’t too high above the horizon, although this might be an issue year-round closer to the equator.
Golden hour is always a great time for panoramic photography, but I also like photographing in overcast conditions and late afternoons. The light is softer, which makes for better pictures. If you have no choice but to shoot in harsh lighting, check out these tips on taking better photos in harsh lighting.
Create as Much Distance as Possible
When I started taking panoramic pictures, it became apparent that my images were often worse when I stood too close to the subject. So now I try to create more distance. The easiest way to do this is by standing farther back, but going to a higher vantage point can also help.
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When you create more distance in your images, you will fit in the essential stuff without everything looking disoriented. Moreover, you stop yourself from getting in the picture (this is a common mistake that many beginners make).
Instead of taking panoramic pictures of anything and everything, I recommend stopping to think about what you want to capture. That way, you’ll create the right distance between your subjects and your phone.
Utilize Silhouettes and Shadows
As my photography advances, I’ve learned more about using different aspects around me for interesting pictures. When taking panoramic pictures, I sometimes use silhouettes and shadows for a better effect. For example, when capturing photos of cityscapes, I try to capture how the light reflects off the buildings.
This one can take a bit of experimentation because some shadows are more of an annoyance. Trees are a good starting point, and people's silhouettes and shadows can also be a great extra addition to your pictures.
Use the Aperture in Portrait Mode
You might think that Portrait Mode on an iPhone is just for taking pictures of people, but one unconventional way you can use it is for capturing panoramic pictures. When taking pictures with my mirrorless camera, I always use a narrow aperture for landscape photography (i.e. f/8 or later). You can do the same with Portrait Mode.
Keep in mind that you can't use Portrait and Pano modes at the same time on an iPhone. Using this technique will still get you a panoramic, wide-angle shot, it will just cover less than 180 degrees.
If you want to use Portrait Mode more effectively in other areas of smartphone photography, consider checking out this guide covering essential tips and tricks for using Portrait Mode on iPhone.
Look for Interesting Features in Landscapes
Another easy way to make your pictures stand out is by thinking about the surrounding landscape. On hikes, for example, I always try to include objects that add another dimension to the image. If you look at the images I post on Instagram, you’ll notice that they often include flying birds, lens flare, and similar things.
Look closely around to see if there’s anything that stands out. If you’re near a river or canyon, you can use those to create symmetry in your picture. Features like this are also handy if you want to use leading lines in photography. Other interesting features to look out for include lakes and patches of snow on mountains.
Zoom Out to 0.5x
I rarely recommend zooming in on your smartphone because the image quality quickly deteriorates. In fact, as I detailed in this article about features smartphone cameras need to beat DSLRs, poor zoom image quality is holding mobile devices back. However, zooming out can improve how your picture looks.
Zooming out to 0.5, if your smartphone supports it, is a great way to automatically take better panoramic pictures. If your device doesn’t have this option, you should zoom out as much as it allows.
Use the Image Straightener Feature
If you tend to take pictures that look wonky when you upload them to social media, you should strongly consider using your device’s features to straighten your pictures. For example, you can use an image straightener if you have an iPhone. The line will go yellow when you’re holding your device straight.
In addition to the straightener on your smartphone, you can use your device’s grid. Doing this will not only help you keep your picture straight, but it will also help you get the right composition.
Use Handheld Gimbals or Tripods for Stability
While I shoot most of my photos handheld (both on my smartphone and camera), it sometimes helps to have extra assistance for stabilization. This is especially true if you’re taking pictures in difficult conditions, such as when it’s cold or windy. If you’re in an urban area, you can use flat surfaces like the top of walls.
However, gimbals and tripods are usually a better option. Using one will make it much easier to take better pictures because you can focus on actually taking the photo and not whether your smartphone is straight and still. If you're in the market, see our top phone tripods for capturing the perfect moment.
If you’re looking to make your smartphone panoramas look more interesting, you’ll need to do more than simply pointing and shooting. It’s important to better frame your images and think about what you can include in them. Moreover, you should also take advantage of the settings that are available on your smartphone. Having read this guide, you should now be better equipped to take stunning panoramas.
