Even though Independence Day falls on a Thursday this year, I know you still have big 4th of July plans and parties! And at these parties, you’re going to take pictures of your cute kids’ outfits, everyone hanging out by the pool for the whole hour of clear skies we get (is it just me or does it rain EVERY July 4th??), and the cool pictures of fireworks you want to get so badly but never can get right. I wrote this blog last year, but after updating my site I decided to add this to the new site because it was such a hit last year!

So this year I want to give you a few tips to get better quality pictures this July 4th with your phone!

1. Have Subject In Complete Shade Or With Light Coming From Behind.

Having consistent light is the BEST way to get a better photograph. By complete shade, I mean c.o.m.p.l.e.t.e. shade! Not underneath a tree with little spots of light on your son’s shirt because the sun is coming through the leaves. The best way to do this is to make sure there isn’t any small sunspots on the ground/wall of where you’re going. If it’s on the ground, it will be on whoever or whatever you’re taking a picture of.

If you’re not around any shade just put the light source behind who/what you’re take a picture of. This is perfect if you’re trying to get your kids playing in the pool but realize you can’t see any of the face features because it’s so bright. Move to the side of the pool where your camera on your phone will be facing the light, leaving the light to be behind whoever you’re take a picture of.

Enjoy cute pictures of my dog explaining what I mean

Under a tree with light coming through a fence (the stripes of light on the ground show me it wasn’t a good spot in the first place).

Light coming at an angel from behind, perfectly and evenly lit.

2. Adjust The Exposure BEFORE Taking The Photograph

Have you ever tried to take a picture and the background was very bright but the subject was dark? Let me guess, you tried the old trick of “tapping the subject” but it still didn’t brighten the subject.

That because where you tap tells the camera that’s where you’re focusing not if you want it brighter or darker. There’s this trick that not a lot of people know about but both iPhones & the new Samsungs have. When you tap where you want it to focus you can then adjust the brightness by scrolling either up or down.

If you follow my tip #1 you may realize the subject is dark. Just tap the subject, scroll up and the brightness will go up, then snap the pic! This will reserve the quality of your photograph rather than just taking a dark image and editing the brightness/exposure after.

Without adjusting exposure and brightening it after taking the photo.

Here’s how you adjust the exposure before taking the photo on an iPhone:

Adjusting the exposure before taking the photo. — Adjusting the exposure *before* taking the photo.

3. How To Get The PERFECT Firework Picture

Because I’m telling you how to get a good firework picture DOESN’T mean I support fireworks. In fact, I am completely against them. Most people don’t realize but the sound fireworks create triggers PTSD symptoms in our wonderful veterans & active duty military that fight for us to have this Independence Day still!! This causes what should be one of the favorite holidays of military man/woman to actually be one of the most dreadful holidays, next to New Years. Not to mention, the animals that get scared, run away, and have anxiety attacks from them.

BUT they’re going to happen regardless my opinion, so why not try to take a good photograph of one.

So here’s how:

Follow Tip #2 & adjust the exposure before taking the picture. You want to turn the exposure down… almost completely. Do this as soon as the firework is let off and before it POPS.
DON’T use the flash on a picture of just fireworks. Yes, it’s dark out. Yes, flash is recommended in the dark. Flash is not recommended when taking pictures of lights & a firework is a light in a sense so flash is unnecessary.
If you do decide to edit after the picture is taken, turn the saturation/vibrance up a bit to bring out the color in the fireworks.

There’s three of my best tips I can give to to take better pictures with your phone this 4th of July! I hope you have a great & safe Independence Day!

Remember, the less fireworks the better off our war-vets are this holiday!