There's a powerful photography gear already in your pocket or handbag that you might be underutilising. It's your smartphone camera and apps.

We've written about this before, but, as blog topics go, this one is worth revisiting. Below you'll find essential tips for taking phenomenal pictures with the handiest piece of photography equipment you own.

1. Be alert and ready

Most of us have our phones handy at all, if not most, times. Consider keeping it on camera mode so that you're ready at all times to whip it out and shoot pictures. This also means you should always be alert for great photo opportunities! Keep your phone charged at all times, and don't leave it at home when you go out on a shoot! You never know what you might see that you'll want to snap on a camera phone, just because it's easier and handier. 

2. Get to know your phone

The better you know how to use your camera phone, the better your images will be. As obvious as that is, you'd be surprised how many professional photographers don't know the technicalities of using a smartphone. Moreover, get to know your phone's quirks and best features. This could mean pulling out the manual and actually reading it! More on this in tip 8.

3. Natural light

Natural light is your friend; flash, not so much! Use natural light as much as you can and don't rely on your flash, which tends to flatten images. If the light doesn't look good, try moving for a different angle. Sometimes that's all it takes to capture good light.

4. Avoid zoom

For all of its advances and advantages, the zoom is one feature of a smartphone you should try to avoid. Move before you have to rely on zoom. A phone's capabilities are not the same as a DSLR lens, no matter how advanced they are today.

5. Shoot from various angles

One of the most often repeated tips we offer for any kind of photography is to shoot from various angles. You'd be surprised what a difference it can make in creating phenomenal photography. Aim for a different perspective for the same subject. This could mean anything from squatting to standing on something to shoot from a higher angle. The reason this can make an ordinary picture extraordinary is that you give the viewer a more unique perspective on your subject. That alone can make all the difference for an image.

6. Stabilize your camera

Most smartphone cameras today have optical image stabilization built-in. That's step one in stabilizing your image. Step two is to hold the phone with two steady hands. You'll get a crisper image with less camera shake. If you need to better steady your camera than relying on your hands, use a tripod. Here's a little known tip: did you know that you might be able to use your buttons on your phone's headphones as a cable release to avoid camera shake when you press buttons? 

7. Keep your lens clean

As obvious as this seems, too many photographers forget to check their phone's lens to make sure it's clean! Think about how many things your phone touches or rests on. That alone should lead you to regularly clean your lens before you start shooting. 

8. Shoot on manual

Most smartphone cameras today will allow you to shoot on manual. It could be well worth your time to learn how to do that. Why? One good reason is if you're shooting in low-light conditions, rather than relying on your flash, you can control the exposure manually. It's not quite as advanced as shooting with a DSLR, but it's pretty darn good. It often pays off to turn off the auto-mode on your phone, and use your own judgment and control the settings.

9. Shoot RAW

Did you know that you can shoot RAW or DNG on your smartphone camera? Not all cameras can, but many do. The advantages are no different than shooting RAW or DNG files on a regular camera. You'll be able to capture more detail and highlights than a jpeg. You'll also have more flexibility in certain lighting conditions.

10. Camera apps

For exceptional images, you'll need to do some post-processing just like you would if you had used your regular camera. There are numerous third-party apps you can rely on for better images; some of those, like Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile, you can use on the go. Our favorite is Lightroom because we can use it on our computer the most effectively. But there are other free ones as well you can turn to, including:

• Snapseed

• Lightroom

• Mattebox

• Pixlr

• Distressed FX

• Camera+

11. Don't over-edit

Just because you can edit, doesn't mean you have to! Learn to edit your images and be selective in what you choose to edit, especially when you're out in the field. All too often, photographers (especially novices) over-use filters, just because they're available. Remember that most rules of photography also apply to images shot on a smartphone's camera. This means that it's possible to over-manipulate an image. It might be that you need to reshoot something because there's just no saving it, no matter how many filters or apps you have available to you!

12. The phone (camera) matters

If you're using your phone for "serious" pictures, or you're using it as an important part of your kit, it can pay to select a phone based on the camera. Do your homework on smartphone cameras before you buy the most popular consumer phone. Select a smartphone with features that will best suit your photography needs. 

The last thing we'd say about using your smartphone's camera is the same thing we say about using a regular camera: PRACTICE. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with your equipment, and the more you will get to know your camera. You'll also learn from your mistakes as you practice. No one becomes proficient as something - whether its photography, a musical instrument, or a sport - without a lot of consistent practice. So whip out that phone and get going!