As we know, the smartphone camera has become the go-to tool for capturing life’s small moments and major events alike. As smartphone photography continues to evolve at a rapid pace, taking full advantage of all the available features and settings can feel overwhelming.
To help users get the most out of their smartphone cameras, OnePlus shared with us five simple tips for taking better photos with our phone.
1. Explore camera Features
Start by familiarizing yourself with your camera’s settings and functions. Many smartphones today offer special shooting modes designed to optimize the camera for different lighting conditions and subjects.
For those interested in more detailed editing, enabling the RAW format provides greater flexibility during post-processing. From the OnePlus 13 (read our review here) to the others modern smartphones, every flagship today present this possibility.
Play with camera modes
Modern smartphones are packed with creative tools that make it easier to experiment with perspective and framing.
Whether you’re photographing sweeping landscapes or urban skylines, there are specific formats which add an artistic touch to your shots.
Use Gridlines for Better Composition
Composition can transform a good photo into a great one. Many smartphones allow you to enable gridlines on the screen, typically a 3×3 grid, which helps you apply the rule of thirds:
- Position key elements, like a person’s eyes, along the grid intersections;
- Use the horizontal lines to structure your shot into foreground, middle ground, and background.;
- For dynamic images, experiment with diagonal lines and 45-degree angles. If you prefer a calmer, more natural feel, try using the golden spiral as a compositional guide.
AI can enhance your photos
One of the biggest innovations in smartphone photography is the integration of artificial intelligence, or AI. Some AI features work automatically behind the scenes to improve your images, while others offer more hands-on control.
For instance, the OnePlus 13 and other Android smartphones include AI Eraser and AI Reflection Eraser — handy tools that let you remove unwanted elements like window reflections or photobombers with just a few taps.
Experiment with the Advanced Features
Ready to take your photography to the next level? Dive into the more advanced camera settings:
Master Mode let you manually adjust focus, ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and exposure. By underexposing a photo, you can bring out more dramatic colors, such as the intense reds of a sunset. Tweaking the white balance allows you to create warm, reddish tones or cooler, bluish hues. Don’t be afraid to experiment — sometimes intentionally blurring a photo or adjusting the lighting can produce stunning, artistic results.
The OnePlus Awards
To celebrate the power of everyday photography, OnePlus invites users to submit their best shots to the OnePlus Photography Awards 2025.
The winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000 USD (with the final prize value in DKK determined by the exchange rate on June 30, 2025, at 23:59 UTC+8). Entries are open until June 30, 2025, and the winner will be announced on August 19.
