In today's digital age, almost everyone has a mobile phone camera at their disposal at all times. However, taking a good photograph is not just about snapping it at the right moment; it's about the final visual presentation. At the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF) 2023, young artists learned how to use free apps on their phones to create the perfect picture.

Faisal Alqedra, photographer and content creator, who led the session titled 'Photography basics that can be used for social media', said children could learn a few basics and tricks that will put them on the right path towards becoming professional photographers.

Attendees were taught how to enable and use grids to compose their shots. Grids are lines that divide the screen into thirds, making it easier to align the subject and create a balanced composition.

Getting hands-on in the session, participants learned the difference between good and bad angles. Using iPads, they tried shooting from a low angle, which made the subject appear more powerful while shooting from a high angle can make the subject appear smaller.

Lighting plays a crucial role in photography; Alqedra told participants that natural light is the best lighting source and how to use it to their advantage. They were also shown how to use artificial light sources, such as lamps or flashlights, to create different lighting effects.

Participants were also taught how to use the focus and exposure lock feature on iPads to avoid blurry or overexposed photographs before being introduced to the best angles for different types of pictures. They learned that portrait photographs are best taken from eye level, while landscape photographs are best taken from a higher angle to capture more of the scenery.

At the end of the session, Alqedra introduced the young shutterbugs to the free app Snapseed and how to use it on their smartphone phones to edit their pictures.