4 Tips for Capturing Amazing Travel Photos Using Just Your iPhone, According to a Pro Photographer

Tiffany Nguyen never intended to be a professional photographer. Like many, she began by taking photos on her iPhone 4 to document her daily life. Gradually, she picked up essential techniques of the trade using the tools at her fingertips, leading her to become one of the most esteemed travel photographers today.

"During my first year in dental school, I hadn’t yet embarked on my photography journey. Fast forward 12 years, and I’ve fully transitioned into a career as a photographer," Nguyen shared with Dinogo. "The iPhone played a crucial role in my growth as a photographer and opened my eyes to my passion for capturing moments and creating unique visuals." She reflected, "My path wasn’t the linear one I anticipated, but I hope sharing my story inspires others to pursue their passions too."

Following the launch of the new iPhone 14, Nguyen expressed her admiration for the image quality, highlighting its 48-megapixel RAW capability, which she believes rivals DSLR images more than ever. "Each image carries so much detail, allowing for extensive edits," she remarked. "I truly think we are nearing the point where an iPhone camera could completely replace a DSLR."

To assist others in enhancing their photography skills, Nguyen offered some essential tips for improving your shots directly from your phone, along with some of her favorite images from Los Angeles taken on her device to inspire you to get out and capture more.

Consider shooting in RAW format.

"Many people don’t know that shooting in RAW gives you more data to enhance your editing options," Nguyen explained. RAW is an uncompressed format that allows your camera (or smartphone) to capture as much detail as possible. This enables you to edit images with greater precision. (The only drawback is that RAW files require significantly more storage space.)

"With 48 megapixels at your disposal, you have immense flexibility to truly enhance an image during editing. Locking your exposure and focus while shooting also ensures you capture the scene just as you imagined it," Nguyen noted. "Setting your exposure in-camera and getting it as close to perfect as possible simplifies the editing process greatly."

Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of composition.

Creating stunning photos isn’t solely about having high-end gear; it also involves grasping some essential principles of composition.

"I recommend shooting around sunrise or sunset to take advantage of the best lighting for your photos," Nguyen suggested, highlighting the period known as "golden hour" for its enchanting warm tones.

"Strong composition can truly enhance or diminish your image," Nguyen stated. "Some of my preferred composition techniques include leading lines, negative space, symmetry, the rule of thirds, and layering. Combining these techniques with shooting in soft light can significantly elevate your iPhone photography."

Choose a subject and keep practicing.

Nguyen loves to practice with cityscapes, as seen in these stunning shots from L.A. Choosing a favorite subject inspires people to venture out and practice even more.

"The best camera is truly the one you have handy, and the iPhone lets me effortlessly capture moments in high quality while I’m on the move," she shared. "There’s so much happening around you when you’re exploring a city, and using an iPhone allows me to stay completely engaged in the experience while still capturing stunning images of my favorite sights and memories."

Master the art of on-the-fly editing.

While taking amazing photos is essential, learning to edit is equally important, as Nguyen pointed out.

"Editing is where the real magic happens, and it’s half the fun!" she explained. "I edit all my iPhone photos directly on the device. The apps I frequently use are Lightroom Mobile and Touch Retouch. It’s the fastest and most convenient way to edit my images on the go, providing nearly the same editing power as my laptop. I'm always astonished by what I can create entirely on my iPhone!"