3 apps to help you learn to take photos with your smartphone

Sure, YouTube and online courses are popular for learning smartphone photography, but what if the best teacher was right in your pocket? These apps not only help you hone your skills, but also inspire your next great shot while you practice.

1. 500px

Browsing other photographers' photos in the 500px app will teach you a lot about lines, contrast, and other essentials of smartphone photography. The Mood Gallery categorizes different styles and moods, such as perspective, travel, and black and white photography. For smartphone-specific photos, search for the device name in the search bar (e.g., "iPhone").

You can save any photos you like for future reference. In addition to using the tool to learn about new photography styles, you can also turn to 500px if you need new inspiration in familiar categories.

Note : The 500px blog includes more comprehensive photography resources, but you'll have to visit the website as these aren't available in the app.

1. Get 500px for | (Free, in-app purchases available)

2. Lightroom

In addition to using Lightroom to edit your smartphone photos, you can also learn a lot from its community. Like 500px, you can browse through its many categories. Lightroom is a better blend of smartphone and professional photography—you can see the exact editing process for each photo. It's a great way to learn if you want to achieve a particular style or experiment.

Lightroom also lets you see remixed versions of other people's photos, making it easier to explore different editing styles. You'll also learn a lot about subject selection and color theory, and you'll also learn the amazing capabilities of your phone. To access Lightroom, you'll need a subscription.

1. Get for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

3. Unscripted

Even if you're primarily a professional photographer, you can still use Unscripted to explore unique poses for smartphone portraits. The app has a comprehensive set of poses divided into categories, with information on the exact camera settings. This is especially useful if you're changing the aperture in Portrait Mode, or if you've downloaded a smartphone camera app that has the option to change the ISO, etc.

Unscripted's Suntracker feature is also handy. On the home page, you can see the weather for your location and sunrise/sunset times, so it's much easier to prepare for different conditions and know when to head outside for better light. If you sign up for a premium subscription, you can see the Blue Hour and Golden Hour times for your current location.

1. Download Unscripted for | (Free, in-app purchases available)

Micah Soto

Update 06 January 2025