Tip of the Week: How to Take Better Gun Pictures With Just Your Smartphone

We get it…you just picked up a brand new gat from your local FFL and are dying to show it off to internet strangers.

So here are some easy tips shared by our very own in-house photographer to help get your gun looking its best for social media.

Contrary to popular belief, a dedicated camera worth more than a 2005 Toyota Corolla is not required. We decided to keep this tip simple, utilizing a single tool that you likely already have in your possession: a smartphone.

Top-notch equipment helps greatly if you have a basic understanding of manipulating the large array of controls these sophisticated cameras feature. However, any smartphone made within the past few years will do.

Lighting

Lighting is arguably the most important aspect of photography. In fact, photography wouldn’t exist without it! Any image that is poorly lit will lack artistic flair. This rule even applies to photos taken with a camera valued more than your monthly mortgage payment.

On the flip side, I have seen photos taken on smartphones that are frame-worthy simply due to the fact that the lighting was spot on.

Many photographers will shoot during sunrise or sunset, with an overcast day being the exception to these magical hours. The almost universally agreed upon reason behind this is the increased quality of natural light.

Unlike the harsh daylight we tend to shelter from in the heat of the afternoon, the soft lighting produced under these favored conditions can make all the difference in your photos.

If we completely nix the need for expensive equipment, how should we go about achieving decent lighting? You guessed it, we temporarily abandon our basements and head outside!

Framing

The easiest but still visually pleasing camera angle is dubbed a “flat lay.” This is where your subject(s) are placed on the ground and shot from a top-down position. The sun should be in the 11-1 o’clock position from your subject(s) if you were looking directly down onto your setup.

I found that this natural lighting “setup” produces a flattering yet dramatic effect.

You can get extremely creative with the backdrop or keep it simple. I’ve used the bare hardwood flooring of my deck, old M81 BDUs, and even uniquely patterned fabric from Hobby Lobby at $5 a yard. Anything you can think of can do!

Experiment with different angles and placements of your firearm. Utilize different “props” such as knives, spare mags, watches, or any other items that can add visual interest to the scene. I went with an “EDC”-based photo showcasing my favorite goodies that are carried daily (well, minus the ammo can)

Don’t have the luxury of taking a gun outside on private property? A window combined with enough light spilling in will also do! The flooring in my home wasn’t doing the shot justice, so I placed a white poster board under the identical setup just shot outside and nailed a “studio” styled photo in its stead.

Explore Your Phone’s Features and Apps

The Pew Pew Tactical team often utilizes the “Portrait Mode” feature, which creates a DSLR-like background blur. Most modern smartphones now offer this insanely useful tool to help achieve an enhanced and professional result.

If your smartphone does not have this feature, it may have a 2X zoom function. Feel free to give that a try, as it can provide a somewhat similar effect.

A huge plus of shooting pictures on your smartphone is the ease of editing directly on your device after you’ve taken the shot, coupled with the large array of photo editing applications available.

Afterlight is my go-to photo editing app, and the free version offers a decent variety of filters and tools to get started.

Give it a Try!

Photo editing yields another opportunity to add your own personal signature to your artwork. Experiment with various apps and tools, and you’ll naturally find your own style in due time!

This is what the hipsters call “art,” and the sky is the limit here. Creating artwork should be a fun process. You’ll slowly learn how to manipulate light and how to play with various angles and editing techniques.

Soon, you will be ultimately ready to show off your gats to all your fellow basement dwellers, myself included!

Do you have any tips or tricks for easy gun photography? Let us know in the comments below! Looking to take better photos because you are selling a gun? Be sure to check out our article on How to Improve Your Online Gun Sales Ad!