This year’s Bird Aware Solent photo competition once again includes a special prize for images taken on a mobile phone, like last year’s winning image by Matt Bowdler of crashing waves over Meon beach.
So what simple techniques can help us get the best from the camera built into our phones?
Matt Bowdler’s photo, taken on a mobile phone, of the waves on Meon shore
Modern mobile phones are packed with clever features that can elevate our coastal photography and a few simple tricks can make a noticeable difference.
Here’s what Rangers Charlotte and Eloise, two of the judges in this year’s competition, had to say:
Get familiar with your phone’s modes and features
It is worth spending a little time exploring what our phone cameras can do. Many models include a High Dynamic Range (HDR) setting, which helps balance bright skies and darker foregrounds so we keep more detail across the whole scene. Switching this on can be especially helpful along the coast, where light can be strong and reflective.
Most phones also offer a burst mode, where holding down the shutter captures a rapid series of images. This can be invaluable when we are trying to photograph a fast moving bird or catch the exact moment a flock takes off.
A group of lapwing in flight
The more we understand the tools built into our phones, the more confidently we can use them when the right moment appears.
Tap to focus
Our phones will guess what we want in focus, but they’re often wrong. Tapping the screen where we want the sharpest detail – whether that is a silhouetted bird or a textured shoreline – gives us far more control.
Adjust exposure manually
After tapping to focus, sliding a finger up or down brightens or darkens the scene. This is especially helpful when we are shooting into bright skies or reflective water.
Keep it steady
Using both hands, leaning against something solid or resting the phone on a rock or railing helps keep our shots sharp, especially in low light.
Ranger Eloise adds: “Even the smallest wobble can affect the quality of your photo, so anything that steadies your hands makes a big difference.”
Clean the lens
It sounds simple, but a quick wipe can transform a hazy shot into a crisp one.
Try different perspectives
Crouching low, shooting along the waterline or framing a subject through grasses or driftwood can all add interest. You can even try lying on the on the ground to give your photo more foreground which can help to draw attention to your subject.
Ranger Eloise says: “A slight shift in height or angle can completely elevate the feel of a photo.”
Pay attention to the light
Light shapes every photograph we take, so it is worth noticing what the conditions are doing. Mobile phones often struggle in very low light, which can lead to grainy or blurred images, so making the most of natural daylight usually gives us better results.
Bright midday sunshine can be just as challenging, creating harsh shadows and strong contrasts. Softer, more even light – the kind we get on overcast days or during the early morning and late afternoon – often works beautifully along the coast. It helps bring out detail in the landscape and creates a calmer, more flattering look for both scenery and wildlife.
Ranger Charlotte says: “Golden hour – just after dawn or just before sunset – is my favourite time to take photos. You get beautiful, warm and rich tones for both landscapes and wildlife.”
Oystercatchers in the warm glow of ‘golden hour’
Think about composition
A little compositional awareness can lift our photos instantly. The rule of thirds is a great place to start: imagine the screen divided into a 3 × 3 grid and place key elements – such as the horizon, a bird, or a striking feature of the coastline – along those lines or where they intersect. It helps create balance and draws the eye naturally into the scene. Most mobiles give you the option of adding a 3×3 grid guide when you’re taking a photo – look for the ‘composition guide’ or ‘grid’ in the photo settings.
Look for leading lines, such as a shoreline or a row of posts, which guide the viewer’s gaze through the image. Sometimes the simplest trick is to leave space around our subject, giving the landscape or wildlife room to breathe.
Ranger Charlotte says: “Composition is where you can really get creative – even small tweaks can turn a good photo into a great one.”
Newtown on the Isle of Wight
Staying wildlife aware
The best and most memorable images happen when nature is completely undisturbed. Keeping a respectful distance helps birds rest and feed in peace, and it also results in more natural, authentic photographs. If a bird stops what it is doing, looks alert or moves away, it is a clear sign for us to step back and give it space.
Because mobile phones are not always designed for close up wildlife shots, this is a great opportunity to embrace wider, more atmospheric scenes. Birds silhouetted against the water, a group of brent geese ribboning across the sky or the dramatic landscape of the Solent coastline can all make striking compositions without needing to move in close.
It is also worth being mindful of where we stand. Much of the Solent coastline is made up of delicate habitats such as saltmarsh and shingle, where a single misplaced step can cause damage. Sticking to firm ground and established paths helps protect these special places for the wildlife that depends on them.
Staying wildlife-aware allows us to capture images of birds behaving naturally
