#TeachMeTuesday: You can almost do it all...with your phone.
The below is a post written after a conversation with a friend that wanted to start an Etsy shop, without having to use a computer. She wanted to do it all with her phone.
I said "That's Easy! Etsy even has some awesome apps to help you sell via mobile"....But she resisted. After prying a bit, it turns out my friends apprehension was due to the fact she felt "well my pictures are going to be bad"...
Stunned, I looked at her phone. Her cell phone was newer than mine, so how could she be worried about pictures?
It turns out, like many non-techie people, she had no idea how to use the camera on her phone. Going through her Pictures folder, hundreds of blurry, out-of-focus or overexposed photos were in her feed. Occasionally there might be something in focus, but it was usually outside, in the sun. I spent the rest of the afternoon showing her how to use the camera on her phone as well as how to navigate some easy apps for selling online.
With the creation of the VISUAL outlet that is Social Media, it's no wonder most Americans have a cellphone in their back pocket with the capacity to take pictures. In fact, all phones ranging from "budget friendly" to "Flagship" have a camera on par with your basic-point-and-shoot digital camera.
Well, just as you wouldn't whip out a camera and immediately start hitting the shutter button, cell phone cameras have a proper way to be used as well. For starters, in order to get a clear, in-focus photo with your phone, most phones require you to TAP the screen over the area you would like to be in focus. Once a "Box" (or in some cases a "Circle") appears on the screen, the camera is ready to take a photo. If the "Box" doesn't appear, you might be too close to your subject (thing you're trying to take photos of). Try backing up about 8 inches and tapping the screen again.
Notice, when you tap your screen, the screen may get lighter or darker. That's called "exposure" -Exposure is the level of brightness a camera can detect. Smartphones are really "smart" -they're trying to compensate for your dimly lit over overly lit environment.
While there are many different types of smartphones with their own unique features, it's recommended that you "GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DEVICE" by reading up on your phone. Don't worry, you don't need a manual. Go to the "Settings" or "Help" for you phone. Phones have built in tutorials, FAQ's, and Guides for common usage features. Otherwise, Google It.
One Last Tip: If the thing you're trying to take a photo of is too dark, or underexposed, ask yourself "where is the light?" -Meaning, Are you taking a photo of something with a light or lamp BEHIND it? That's called "Backlit" and will cause your photo to not be as bright or in focus as you would like it to be. Try putting your subject UNDER a light (but not too close, 2-4 feet should be fine) or turning more lights on in the room. If you need further help, that would fall under advanced shooting tips and trips. If that's the case, I recommend you CONTACT ME or CheapGeek!
Hopefully, this post helps you and posting or sharing better pictures with your friends.
I said "That's Easy! Etsy even has some awesome apps to help you sell via mobile"....But she resisted. After prying a bit, it turns out my friends apprehension was due to the fact she felt "well my pictures are going to be bad"...
Stunned, I looked at her phone. Her cell phone was newer than mine, so how could she be worried about pictures?
It turns out, like many non-techie people, she had no idea how to use the camera on her phone. Going through her Pictures folder, hundreds of blurry, out-of-focus or overexposed photos were in her feed. Occasionally there might be something in focus, but it was usually outside, in the sun. I spent the rest of the afternoon showing her how to use the camera on her phone as well as how to navigate some easy apps for selling online.
With the creation of the VISUAL outlet that is Social Media, it's no wonder most Americans have a cellphone in their back pocket with the capacity to take pictures. In fact, all phones ranging from "budget friendly" to "Flagship" have a camera on par with your basic-point-and-shoot digital camera.
Well, just as you wouldn't whip out a camera and immediately start hitting the shutter button, cell phone cameras have a proper way to be used as well. For starters, in order to get a clear, in-focus photo with your phone, most phones require you to TAP the screen over the area you would like to be in focus. Once a "Box" (or in some cases a "Circle") appears on the screen, the camera is ready to take a photo. If the "Box" doesn't appear, you might be too close to your subject (thing you're trying to take photos of). Try backing up about 8 inches and tapping the screen again.
Notice, when you tap your screen, the screen may get lighter or darker. That's called "exposure" -Exposure is the level of brightness a camera can detect. Smartphones are really "smart" -they're trying to compensate for your dimly lit over overly lit environment.
While there are many different types of smartphones with their own unique features, it's recommended that you "GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DEVICE" by reading up on your phone. Don't worry, you don't need a manual. Go to the "Settings" or "Help" for you phone. Phones have built in tutorials, FAQ's, and Guides for common usage features. Otherwise, Google It.
One Last Tip: If the thing you're trying to take a photo of is too dark, or underexposed, ask yourself "where is the light?" -Meaning, Are you taking a photo of something with a light or lamp BEHIND it? That's called "Backlit" and will cause your photo to not be as bright or in focus as you would like it to be. Try putting your subject UNDER a light (but not too close, 2-4 feet should be fine) or turning more lights on in the room. If you need further help, that would fall under advanced shooting tips and trips. If that's the case, I recommend you CONTACT ME or CheapGeek!
Hopefully, this post helps you and posting or sharing better pictures with your friends.
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