There are a ton of articles and videos on-line about camera phone hacks and how to compose better travel photos. Most of them are useful, but I found one particular piece of advice, outstanding, and really fun to try while out and about. What is it? Read on.

The best camera phone hack is to turn your phone upside down and place it on or near the ground.

When should you try this? 1) Do this when you have a puddle or some water to create reflections, or 2) when there is interesting ground between you and the subject. Finally, 3) if you have a very small subject (like a flower) and you want to make it very large in the foreground with a soft and creamy background. Here are some examples.

This is Muckross House in Kilarney National Park, Ireland. The difference between these two photos is the height of the camera phone. The one on the left is about an inch off the ground and the one on the right is on the rocks. What a difference an inch makes.

These Thirft flowers were all over Ireland in strange places, especially growing in rocks along the beaches and shores. I had to get really close in an awkward stance, but I got the shot. For flower shots like this use the portrait setting.

Often times, when the phone is slow low to the ground it will be hard for you to see the screen. I usually start with the phone on the ground and then move it up and down an inch or so and also tilt it front to back and vice versa and shoot 4-5 shots at once and then review and see what I got. Usually, one of those will work.

So, next time you’re out and about try this technique. Have fun. To see more of our photos, including albums from Ireland and Scotland, and to buy our photographs, please go to www.pamphotography.com and check out more of our photos on FLICKR.