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How do I take good smartphone photos in low light conditions?

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Photograph of a street scene with artificial lighting

Smartphone photography is challenging at the best of times, but low-light photography is especially testing. You’ll often find that your photos are grainy or blurry, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Here are some ways to capture good smartphone photos in low light conditions.



Use of artificial lighting sources

Unless you’re shooting the moon or northern/southern lights, artificial light sources will be your best friend for low-light smartphone photography. I like to use neon signs because they are just as bright and colorful, but you can also look for street lights and car headlights.

Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

You can also use traffic lights and even bring your own studio lights if you want to get creative. If you are shooting at home, turn on as many lights as possible. While it will be easier to use artificial lighting sources in urban areas, you can still find plenty of opportunities in rural areas to get the perfect lighting for your mobile photos.


If possible, get closer to the subject

I’ve often found that smartphones are somewhat limited when it comes to photographing distant subjects in low-light conditions. So I logically approach my subject when possible. This is usually pretty easy if you’re shooting something static like a building, and it’ll also work if you’re shooting portraits of someone in low light.

Photo of the sculpture from the festival of lights
Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

Once you get close to your subject, I recommend tapping the screen to change it to a focus point; Doing so will automatically adjust the amount of light your phone lets through. If you feel that you are too close, you can always zoom out a little.


Placing the phone on a flat surface

You can use smartphone tripods to stabilize your device. If the initial investment is out of your budget right now, don’t despair because there are budget-friendly options. When shooting in low light conditions, I sometimes put my phone on flat surfaces like benches or even the ground.

If there is nothing around you, I recommend bringing your phone as close to your body as possible. It’s one of the best ways I’ve learned to stabilize my gear, and it has the added bonus of keeping you warm if it’s cold outside.

Manual brightness increase

While I often trust my smartphone camera to give me the correct brightness levels, it’s not always 100% accurate. I don’t have a problem with turning the brightness up or down if things are a little off, and you shouldn’t hesitate to do so.

Most smartphones allow you to adjust the brightness by moving your finger up or down the screen. I recommend experimenting with this on multiple photos; you can always adjust the exposure and brightness later in the editing app on your phone if needed. You can also use high contrast and other understated photo editing effects for perfect exposure.


Does not include moving objects

Blurred photos can be a fun effect, but you’re more likely to deal with them when you don’t really want to. Blurry photos are almost always caused by motion, which is why it’s so important to keep your device still. If you don’t want your smartphone images to be blurry, you should also leave out moving objects such as cars, people walking, and bicycles.

City skyline at sunset
Image credit: Danny Maiorca/MUO

Even without moving objects, you can still take interesting photos. Before doing so, focus on your surroundings and observe what might be worth photographing. Alternatively, you can always learn how to capture motion blur while shooting for unique results.


Using reflections where possible

Artificial lighting can create great reflections and it pays to include them in your shots where possible. For example, when I was on my morning run, I noticed the lights from the building and the harbor reflecting on the water. I liked how the light was divided into different parts, which made me take this picture.

Photo taken early in the morning with light reflecting off the water
Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

You can also consider adding other elements when shooting reflections – for example, the side of the bank you’re standing on if you’re capturing a river. If you’re shooting around golden hour, I recommend looking for patterns in the architecture around you and seeing how they reflect off the water.


You can also think about how the lighting reflects off the street. I especially recommend looking for reflections when the artificial lights around you are harsh or have brighter colors.

You are looking for interesting patterns in architecture

I love architectural photography and always jump at the opportunity to include unique perspectives of buildings in my images. With the lights on, you can often capture more complex details, such as windows with interesting shapes. You can also look for unique patterns that may look different in low light, such as sculptures.

Architectural details on the building
Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

When shooting in low light, I recommend looking for unique perspectives on buildings that you would otherwise see as bland. Mostly, I actually think that they are the most interesting in such conditions. I also recommend going inside if you can; focusing only on exteriors is one of the many common architectural photography mistakes.


Don’t wait until it’s completely dark

Photo taken at sunset using Vivid Filter on iPhone
Danny Maiorca/MUO

Low light is often synonymous with night, but my personal definition is much broader. You can shoot during the golden hour, when it’s raining, during the blue hour, and in many other scenarios. Light conditions also vary significantly by season; For example, I live in Northern Europe when it is much milder (and darker) in the winter.

I’ve grown out of the phase of only taking pictures at certain times because I think you can tell a great story during the day (and night). Adopting a similar mindset will greatly improve your chances of taking better pictures. Using photography calculator sites and apps like JeKoPhoto’s Twilight Calculator can help you determine what the light will be like at different times of the day.


Taking photos in low light is by no means easy, but I have found a few ways to take better smartphone photos in these conditions. Keeping your device in as much position as possible is essential, and you also don’t have to wait until it’s completely dark. I also often use artificial lighting sources and reflections to their maximum potential. If you don’t know what to do in low light situations, start with these tips.

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