Have you ever seen a website with amazing pictures that lead you to staying on their site? Well, there’s a special connection between good photos and good website design, especially in the construction industry, and we’re about to dive into it!
Imagine you’re starting a project you’re really excited about. You want others to see it, right? To get them excited, you’d take pictures to show them. These pictures would help others understand what you’re doing and even make them want you to do the same for them.
A construction website should be a virtual tour of your projects. Construction companies want people to see their projects and understand how they build these awesome things. That’s where good photos come in.
Photos on construction websites show potential clients how your company can make their vision a reality. Good photos help explain what’s happening at a construction site. They can show your work, the materials being used, and the progress being made. It’s like having a special tour guide for each project!
But there’s more to it! Good photos also make your website design look impressive. Just like a well designed house is appealing, a well-designed website with great photos is more likely to catch someone’s eye and make them want to explore.
So, in the world of construction, remember this: good photos and good website design go hand in hand. They help people understand the building process and make construction projects look amazing. Now, let’s discover how these pictures and designs work together to create awesome construction websites!
Taking good photos with a phone camera doesn’t require expensive equipment or extensive technical knowledge. Here are 10 basic tips for capturing great shots with your phone:
Table of Contents
Clean the Lens
for better photos that elevate your website design
Before taking a photo, wipe your phone’s camera lens to remove any smudges or fingerprints that can affect image clarity.
Cleaning your camera phone lens before taking a picture is super important, especially when you’re thinking about your website’s look and design. The lens is like the eye of your phone’s camera, and if it’s dirty or smudged, your photos won’t look as good as they could.
Imagine you want to take a cool picture for your website. You aim your phone, but there are fingerprints and dust on the lens. When you snap the photo, those smudges can make everything look blurry or weird. That’s not what you want for your website’s design.
So, here’s what you should do:
- Get a Soft Cloth: Find a soft cloth, like the one you use to clean your glasses or a clean piece of a T-shirt.
- Wipe Gently: Gently wipe the camera lens with the cloth. Be careful not to press too hard, just enough to remove any smudges or dust.
- Check Before Clicking: Before you take a picture, quickly check the lens to make sure it’s clean. If you see any dirt or smudges, give it another gentle wipe.
Cleaning the camera lens is a small thing, but it makes a big difference in how your pictures turn out. It helps your photos look clear and sharp, which is important for making your website look
Use Gridlines
for better photos that elevate your website design
Turn on gridlines in your phone’s camera settings to help with composition. The rule of thirds is a basic principle where you place your subject along the lines or at their intersections.
Using gridlines on your phone’s camera can be really helpful. Gridlines are like invisible lines that divide your screen into sections, kind of like a puzzle. They help you take better pictures.
Here’s how it works:
- Turn on Gridlines: First, go to your camera settings and turn on the gridlines. It’s usually a simple switch.
- Rule of Thirds: The gridlines follow something called the “rule of thirds.” Imagine your screen has two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, making nine boxes in total. You want to place the important stuff in your picture along these lines or where they cross.
- Better Composition: Instead of putting your subject right in the center of the picture, which can be boring, try placing it along one of these lines or at the spots where the lines meet. This makes your picture more interesting and pleasing to look at.
For good website design, this is super useful because it helps you take pictures that look great on your site. Whether you’re snapping photos of products, people, or anything else, using gridlines and the rule of thirds makes them look balanced and attractive. It’s like a secret trick to make your website’s overall design even better.
So, remember to turn on those gridlines and use the rule of thirds when you’re taking pictures for your website. It’s an easy way to make your photos look awesome!
Have Steady Hands or a Tripod
for better photos that elevate your website design
Keep your phone steady to avoid blurriness. If possible, use a tripod or brace your phone against a stable surface.
When you’re working on your website design and taking pictures with your phone, it’s essential to make sure your photos are clear and not blurry. One way to do that is by keeping your hands steady.
Here’s why it matters:
- No Blurriness: When your hands shake while taking a picture, it can make the photo look fuzzy or blurry. This is not good for website design because you want your pictures to look sharp and clear.
- Steady Hands: To avoid blurriness, hold your phone with both hands. Keep your elbows close to your body, like when you’re holding a big sandwich. This helps your hands stay steady.
- Tripod Help: If you have one, you can use a tripod. A tripod is like a stand for your phone, and it keeps it super steady. This is especially useful when you need to take a lot of pictures or if you’re taking photos in low light.
- Bracing on Surfaces: If you don’t have a tripod, you can place your phone on a stable surface like a table or a rock. This can help you take clear pictures too.
Remember, for your website design to look professional, your photos should be clear and not shaky. So, keep those hands steady or use a tripod or a stable surface. It’s an easy way to make your pictures look great on your website!
Use Proper Framing
for better photos that elevate your website design
Pay attention to what’s in the frame. Remove clutter or distracting elements from the background, and make sure your subject is the focal point.
When you’re working on adding photos to your website, it’s important to think about how your photos will look. Proper framing is like putting a picture inside a nice frame – it makes your photos look even better!
Here’s how to do it:
- Look at the Whole Picture: When you’re taking a photo, don’t just focus on the main thing you want to capture. Look at the whole picture on your phone’s screen.
- Check for Clutter: See if there’s anything in the background that might be distracting. Maybe there’s a messy room or a random object that doesn’t belong. Get rid of that clutter!
- Focus on Your Subject: Your subject is the main thing you want people to look at in your photo. Make sure it’s the star of the show. You can do this by zooming in or getting closer to your subject.
- Use the Rule of Thirds: Imagine your screen has lines that divide it into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Try to place your subject where those lines cross. This makes your photo look balanced and pleasing to the eye.
- Keep It Simple: Sometimes, less is more. If you have too much stuff in your photo, it can be overwhelming. So, simplify and make your subject stand out.
When you follow these steps, photos for your website will look neat and professional. People will be more interested in what you’re showing them, and that’s a great thing for your website! So, remember to frame your photos properly, and they’ll look awesome on your site!
Mind the Horizon
for better photos that elevate your website design
Ensure the horizon is level to prevent a tilted or off-balanced appearance. Use the gridlines to help with this.
You will want pictures for your website to look just right. One important thing to check is the horizon, which is the line where the sky meets the land or water in your photo. Making sure the horizon is level, like a straight line, is crucial.
Here’s how to do it:
- Level Horizon: Look at the horizon in your photo. It should be nice and straight, not slanted or tilted. A crooked horizon can make your picture seem off-balance.
- Gridlines Help: Many phone cameras have a special feature called gridlines. When you turn them on, your screen gets divided into squares. These gridlines act like a guide to help you keep the horizon straight.
- Line It Up: When you’re taking a picture, try to line up the horizon with one of those gridlines on your screen. It’s like putting the horizon on a straight path.
Why is this important for your website design? Well, when your photos have level horizons, your website looks more organized and neat. People enjoy looking at well-arranged things, just like your photos should be.
So, always keep an eye on the horizon and make good use of those gridlines when you’re taking photos for your website. It’s an easy way to make sure your pictures look fantastic on your site!
Better Focus and Exposure
for better photos that elevate your website design
Tap the screen to set the focus point and exposure. This allows you to control where the camera prioritizes focus and brightness.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Focus: Focus is like making sure the main thing you want to take a picture of looks super clear. To do this, just tap on that thing on your phone’s screen. Your camera will make sure it’s sharp and clear, like magic!
- Exposure: Exposure is all about how bright or dark your photo is. Sometimes, a photo can be too bright or too dark. You can fix that by tapping on your phone’s screen too. When you tap, your camera will adjust the brightness to make it just right.
Why is this important for website design? Your photos are focused on the right thing and have the perfect brightness, they look more professional on your website. People like to see clear and well-lit pictures.
So, don’t forget to use focus and exposure buttons when taking photos.
Use Good Lighting
for better photos that elevate your website design
Choose well-lit environments whenever possible. Natural light is often the best option. Avoid using the phone’s flash, as it can create harsh shadows and unflattering lighting.
One of the most important things to think about is lighting.
Here’s what you should know:
- Good Lighting: Picking a place with good lighting is a great start. You want your subject, the thing you’re taking a picture of, to be nice and bright. When there’s good lighting, your photos look clear and beautiful.
- Natural Light: The best kind of lighting is natural light, like sunlight. It’s soft and makes everything look fantastic. If you can, take your photos outside when the sun is shining, or stand near a big window to let in lots of natural light.
- Flash Caution: On your phone, there’s a little flash that can make light, but it’s not always your best friend. Using the phone’s flash can sometimes make your photos look strange with harsh shadows and weird colors. It’s better to avoid using it when you can.
For your website, good lighting is super important because it makes your pictures look professional and appealing. People like to see things clearly.
So, remember to find well-lit places, especially with natural light, it makes your pictures look fantastic on your site!
Use Golden Hour
for better photos that elevate your website design
Take advantage of the “golden hours” (early morning and late afternoon) for soft, warm, and flattering natural light.
When you’re taking photos for your website, you’ll want to make sure those pictures look really good. One way to do that is by taking pictures during “golden hour.” It’s the time of day when the sun makes everything look beautiful.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Golden Hour: The golden hour happens twice a day – in the early morning when the sun is rising and in the late afternoon when it’s about to set. During these times, the sunlight is super soft, warm, and makes everything look amazing.
- Soft Light: The light during the golden hour is a gentle hue for your photos. It’s not too bright or harsh, which means it won’t create weird shadows or make your subjects too bright.
- Warm Colors: The sun during the golden hour gives everything a warm color. It gives your photos a mood that makes them way more professional looking.
When you take photos during golden hour, your photos will look better naturally and more captivating. People will be drawn to the photos on your website because they will look more appealing and inviting.
So, when you’re planning to take pictures for your website, try to do it during the golden hours – early in the morning or late in the afternoon. It’s a simple trick that makes your photos look 10 times better!
Get Close-Up Shots
for better photos that elevate your website design
For close-ups, get as physically close to your subject as possible without compromising image quality. Most phone cameras have a fixed focal length.
A balanced website design includes a variety of images which includes some pictures of things up close. Close-up shots make the small details look big and impressive.
Here’s how to do it:
- Get Close: For close-up shots, you want to get really close to your subject. The closer you get, the more details you can see.
- Avoid Zooming: You need to get close without making the picture look fuzzy or weird. Most phone cameras have a fixed focal length, which means when you zoom in you’re actually diminishing the pixels in the image.
If you want an eye-catching website design, close-up shots can show details that would otherwise go unnoticed. When people see those small details up close, they get a better idea of what you’re showing them.
When you’re taking pictures for your website and you want to get close to something, remember to get as physically close as you can without making the picture blurry.
Edit Carefully
for better photos that elevate your website design
After taking the photo, use editing apps or built-in tools to enhance the image. Adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance to improve the overall look.
Editing your photos adds the final touches to make them look awesome and cohesive with your website design.
Here’s how to do it:
- Edit Tools: Most phones have editing tools or apps. You can use these to adjust things like brightness (how bright or dark it is), contrast (how different the light and dark parts are), and color balance (making the colors look just right). Here are some other tools you can use:
- Adobe Lightroom Mobile
- Snapseed (iPhone, Android)
- VSCO
- Enhance the Image: By editing carefully, you can make your photos match your website design. You can make some colors pop, the details stand out, and the whole picture’s look more inviting.
When your photos look their best, your website looks its best too. People like to see clear and attractive pictures when they visit a site. So, don’t forget to edit your photos after taking them. Or even better hiring an agency like CenWest Tech that can edit your photos to match your website design.
Bonus: Turn Your Phone
for better photos that elevate your website design
As a website designer, the worst thing a client can do is send over hundreds of images that are vertically oriented.
Keep in mind that websites are oriented in “landscape” formats. You can follow all of the steps above, but the image could be unusable if it’s taken take in “portrait”.
It’s good to have some vertical images for social media, but when it comes to designing your website the content performs much better horizontally.
Just that the phone as you normally would, but turn your phone to it’s side, make sure your fingers aren’t blocking the lens, and take a better photo.