Know Your Lenses: A Mobile Photography Starter Guide

Main (primary) camera lens

The main (or primary) lens, often labelled “Wide” or “1x” in your camera app, is your go-to camera for general photography. It typically has a focal length of around 24 – 28mm equivalent (full-frame terms) and a large aperture (often about f/1.5–f/1.8). This essentially means it sees a scene much like the human eye does, with a moderate field of view. Because of its large aperture and usually larger sensor or pixel size, the main lens excels in low light. It is used by default for most shots and is often employed in Night or HDR modes to capture brighter, clearer images in the dark.

Some tips to keep in mind with the main camera include:

• Stick to the main camera for day-to-day shots and portraits: Use the main camera for everyday scenes (people, food, pets, products) since it typically produces the highest image quality compared to the other lenses. For portraits, many phones let you use portrait mode with this lens – the phone uses AI to blur the background and focus on your subject. Good lighting improves the effect.
• Use it for night shots: The usually wide aperture of the main lens allows for a bright exposure. Turn on the phone’s Night Mode or keep it in Automatic, and the camera will take multiple exposures and merge them to brighten shadows and reduce noise. Keep the camera steady (or use a tripod) for best results.
• Avoid digital zoom: As much as possible, avoid excessive digital zoom when using the main lens to crop the image, as this degrades the detail. If you need to “get closer,” switch to the telephoto lens if available (optical zoom is much better than digital).

Wide and ultra-wide camera lens

The wide/ultra-wide lens lets you capture much more of the scene than the main lens. It usually has an equivalent focal length of around 12 – 15mm and a wider aperture (often around f/1.8), giving a very wide field of view (typically ~100 – 120° diagonally). This lens is perfect for landscape photos, group shots, architecture, and any time you want to fit a lot into one frame. For example, mountains, cityscapes, or tall buildings that don’t fit in the frame with the main lens often work great with the ultra-wide.

Take note of the following considerations when using the wide lens:

• Explore interesting perspectives: Use the ultra-wide lens whenever you want to capture sweeping vistas, large crowds or interiors since it “sees” dramatically more than the main camera. Move in close to your subject with this lens to create a dynamic perspective (nearby objects will look larger).
• Minimise the distortion: Wide lenses can bend straight lines near the edges. Keep horizons level (use the gridlines!) and avoid placing important subjects at the very edge, where they may look stretched. You can later straighten or crop the image if needed.
• Be mindful of your shot in low-light conditions: Ultra-wide cameras often have smaller sensors. In very low light, shots may appear darker or noisier than with the main lens. In dim conditions, consider staying on the main camera (with Night Mode) or use flash/lighting.
• Check for a macro toggle: On many phones, moving extremely close to a subject can trigger a “macro mode,” which often uses the ultra-wide lens to focus very near. (If you see a “flower” or macro icon appear on the screen, the phone has switched lenses for you). If no macro mode is available, you can also take an ultra-wide shot from a normal distance and crop in (though focus may be limited).

Telephoto (zoom) camera lens

The telephoto lens provides optical zoom. It’s essentially like having binoculars on your phone. Many smartphones include a 2x or 3x telephoto lens (roughly 50 – 80mm equivalent), and some high-end models even offer 5x or more (up to ~120mm equivalent). Use the telephoto lens when you want to get closer to a distant subject without physically moving or to shoot portraits with a flattering, compressed perspective.

Besides switching to telephoto whenever you need to zoom in on a subject, here is some expert advice to best utilise this lens:

• Switch up your portraits with telephoto: Telephoto naturally flattens the scene, making subjects pop against a more blurred background. Many phones use the tele lens for portrait mode (subject isolation). For best results, have good light on your subject and a plain or distant background.
• Get enough lighting: Tele cameras usually have smaller apertures (e.g. f/2.8) and smaller sensors. They gather less light, so they work best in bright daylight. In low light, images from the tele lens can be dark or noisy. In those cases, it’s often better to shoot with the main camera and crop later or enable night mode (which may stay on the main lens).
• A good substitute for close-up shots: If you don’t have a dedicated macro lens, you can sometimes use a high-zoom telephoto as a poor-man’s macro: zoom in optically (2x – 5x), then move closer to your subject and tap focus. This effectively crops a portion of the image for a closer view. It won’t focus as close as a true macro lens, but it can help with detail shots if your phone lacks macro mode or you don’t have a macro lens accessory.
• Stabilise your phone: Because even a slight shake is magnified at high zoom, hold the phone very steady or brace it on something. Use optical image stabilisation, if available, or a tripod/self-timer for the sharpest results when zooming.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of your smartphone’s camera lenses unlocks a world of creative possibilities. By understanding each lens’s strengths, applying the practical tips above, and doing your own experimentation, you can elevate your mobile photography and capture images that are both visually stunning and emotionally engaging.

You don’t need fancy gear to take amazing photos; just the right skills. The Academy of Design Arts and Media (A.D.A.M.) gives you those skills in our Smartphone Photography Essentials course. Learn to compose, light, and edit like a pro, and gain the confidence to share your unique perspective with the world. Join us today and make your photos unforgettable.