Calling all lovers of photography for smartphones: There is a lot to learn from the recently announced winners GR 2024 Photo Festival.

Now, this is a competition, focus on the photos taken with Ricoh Gr cameras (this is simple and compact, but they are incredibly powerful cameras, very popular among street photos). But this competition has some amazing examples of composition, lighting and choosing the topic.

Although these cameras use APS-C sensors, much larger than the 1-inch sensors in the best popular phones that focus on the camera today, this does not mean that mobile photographers must feel frustrated. In fact, the opposite is true-the study of these prize-winning shots can be incredibly valuable, regardless of the device you launch with it.

Notice the duplication of color on both ends of the shot. | Image Credit – Cristobal A. Padilla Moreno from the GR 2024 Photo Festival

Many people believe that owning the latest and largest smartphone with a first -class cameras is the key to taking amazing images. But the devices alone do not guarantee convincing pictures. The winners of the GR Festival prove that factors such as composition, lighting, color balance and topics are important (if not more) as important as the sensor size. A good frame snapshot will appear with interesting elements, strong contradiction, natural or dynamic lighting, regardless of the camera used.

The composition is the king.

Although the APS-C sensors provide better details and depth of influencing current smartphone sensors, mobile devices compensate for the Massion of Amnesty International. The main phones today use advanced algorithms to enhance details, improve dynamic range, and refine low -light performance. Features such as automatic HDR, recognition of the smart scene, and AI-supported photo patterns help smartphones for smartphones to achieve competing results- Or even bypassing traditional cameras in some cases.

A picture equal to a thousand words, right? | Image Credit – Penphan Tarczaly from the GR 2024 Photo Festival

By analyzing the winning footage of the festival, the mobile prescribed can capture the main techniques that apply to any type of photography. Note how the best natural light images use to create depth, or how the leading lines draw the viewer’s eye across the frame. Pay attention to color theory – how warm and cold tones interact to create mood and emotion. These elements are universal, and photographers for smartphones can apply them as much as they use custom cameras.

You do not need a large camera dedicated to pull a glorious shot, similar to this. | Image Credit – Umareta Dan from the GR 2024 Photo Festival

At the end of the day, the wonderful image is not related to the size of the sensor, but rather about seeing the photographer and his ability to capture a convincing moment. So, instead of obsession with devices specifications, I am inspired by the best pictures of the GR 2024 photo festival and see how you can apply these lessons to your photography. The tools in your pocket are stronger than ever – now it is up to you to use it, so wake up from the sofa and go to the photography marathon!