We enjoyed all the fun in the sun with #teampixel this summer. From a whirlwind tour around the globe to getting one with nature, our Pixel photographers shared some stunning shots that gave us the chills (in a good way). Before we head into fall, we’re paying one last homage to the warmer months with a series spotlighting the cooler tones. Thanks for keeping us cool this summer, #teampixel. ?

Shout out to @nemod96, whose photo is featured above and makes an appearance on our Instagram today. Tag your photos with #teampixel and you could be featured, too. 

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again—#teampixel, you continue to impress us! Each week we’re honored to share some of #teampixel’s best work, and today we’re spotlighting community member @fefefeng. Her tranquil image of a moonrise amid a soft pastel sky has us swooning.

If you’re looking for a few more moments of zen, make sure to scroll through our other featured images, which underscore #teampixel’s use of soft lighting.

This week’s tips come from Naina Redhu, India-based lifestyle photographer and blogger, who says that more is more when shooting but less is more when sharing. Check them out, then grab your Pixel to practice.

What/who are your favorite photography subjects?

I look for colors, textures, shapes and light. I'll photograph anything/anyone, whether inanimate or alive. If it helps me capture a memory, even better.

What is the biggest difference between shooting on a phone versus camera? Do you prefer one over the other?

Phone photographs, in my opinion, force me to be a better photographer. I need to get the image right the first time. With a DSLR I can be a bit lazy and can adjust exposure / contrast later. Even if a phone has the ability to capture RAW images, it's still not a full-frame sensor. If I had my way, I would photograph everything with a phone. Especially the Google Pixel. The quality of images it allows me to produce is insane.

What's a piece of advice for capturing great shots?

Shoot a lot. Use technology to your advantage. Use the burst mode. Don't be shy to use the Auto/Program mode to your advantage. You focus on the subject and let the gear worry about optimum settings.

Then choose which images to share wisely. Just because you have something on your camera roll doesn't mean it deserves to be shared publicly. Curation and selection are also important. When in doubt, hit the shutter button. You can always decide to delete the capture but you can't create the capture after the moment has passed.

Don’t miss #teampixel’s final moments of summer, and check back for more photos this fall!

This week’s tips come from Naina Redhu, India-based lifestyle photographer and blogger, who says that more is more when shooting but less is more when sharing. Check them out, then grab your Pixel to practice.

What/who are your favorite photography subjects?

I look for colors, textures, shapes and light. I'll photograph anything/anyone, whether inanimate or alive. If it helps me capture a memory, even better.

What is the biggest difference between shooting on a phone versus camera? Do you prefer one over the other?

Phone photographs, in my opinion, force me to be a better photographer. I need to get the image right the first time. With a DSLR I can be a bit lazy and can adjust exposure / contrast later. Even if a phone has the ability to capture RAW images, it's still not a full-frame sensor. If I had my way, I would photograph everything with a phone. Especially the Google Pixel. The quality of images it allows me to produce is insane.

What's a piece of advice for capturing great shots?

Shoot a lot. Use technology to your advantage. Use the burst mode. Don't be shy to use the Auto/Program mode to your advantage. You focus on the subject and let the gear worry about optimum settings.

Then choose which images to share wisely. Just because you have something on your camera roll doesn't mean it deserves to be shared publicly. Curation and selection are also important. When in doubt, hit the shutter button. You can always decide to delete the capture but you can't create the capture after the moment has passed.

Don’t miss #teampixel’s final moments of summer, and check back for more photos this fall!

We’ve traveled far and wide with #teampixel this summer but not as far as Jeremy Foster, this week’s Pixel expert. He’s been globetrotting the world for the past seven years and offers some sage advice on taking photos with your Pixel. So whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned explorer, check out his tips for travel photography:

Tip #1: All about HDR

Use for: Those glorious sunsets you only seem to find when traveling.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is is best utilized when you have an uneven exposure in your photo—that is to say, when some of the photo is bright and some is dark (for example, a landscape shot with a bright sky and dark foreground). When you activate HDR, your Pixel will take three photos in burst mode, at different exposures, and blend them all together for a well-balanced photo.

Tip #2: Turn up the volume

Use for: Street photography in crowded places. 

Hardware buttons (like the volume button) are easier to access than software buttons (like in your camera app). For a more discreet shooting experience, skip the on-screen shutter button and opt to use the volume button instead. You’ll also have a sturdier grip on the phone, which means there’s less chance for motion blur in your photos. Pro tip: If the phone is in sleep mode, double-click the power button to open the camera and slide your finger over by an inch to the volume button to snap a photo! You don’t even need to look at the screen.

Tip #3: Let’s get down to details

Use when: Your photo of that gorgeous mountain range doesn’t look like the real thing.

A camera can only capture one-third the amount of detail as the human eye, but editing your photos can bring the other two-thirds of that stunning landscape into view. Tap the “Auto” filter for the Pixel’s best guess, or, for more fine-tuned control, and to create your desired effect, tap the slider icon to adjust Light, Color, and Pop. Want to get even more granular? Tap the down arrows next to Light and Color for full control over exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, saturation, skin tone, and more.

Tip #4: Anyone can be a videographer

Use when: pictures just won’t do.

The Google Pixel has the remarkable ability to capture 4K video—the sharpest video that exists. Go into your camera settings and make sure your back camera video resolution is set to “UHD 4K (30 fps)”—that stands for “Ultra High Definition 4K” (30 frames per second). Not bad for a piece of hardware that sits in your back pocket.

And here’s another weekly roundup of our favorite photos! Keep crushing it #teampixel ✌️

There is no theme for this week’s #teampixel feature, instead, the common thread binding them together is that each photo is unique. We’re continually impressed by our community’s work that transports us to faraway lands and different civilizations, allowing us to see the world through someone else’s eyes. So this week, let’s celebrate their diversity, and how together...we are better.

Show #teampixel some love by visiting the feed and like their photos. Who knows -- you might even make a new connection. ;)

Have a Pixel? Upload them to Instagram with #teampixel and you might be featured next.  

Looking for a breath of fresh air? You came to the right place. This week #teampixel is becoming one with nature and capturing everything from surreal sunrises to the scenic views outside their tents. Check out another round of stellar contributions, pitch a tent and celebrate the final weeks of summer with us.

Pixel photographers know that the best image isn’t always the most obvious one. Sometimes you get it by looking up—sometimes by looking down. It might be close up, or framed by something unexpected. But if you keep your eyes open, it’s there. Take a look at what #teampixel saw this week:

Visit #teampixel on Instagram for more great shots and don’t forget to tag your own—we’d love a peek at the world the way you see it. 

This week we’re admiring the artistic acumen of #teampixel photographers as they discover the hidden surprises behind light, shadows and reflections. Get ready to ride with a backlit bike through a Bulgarian sunset or check out a dim sum house that’s making us green with envy. And don’t forget to share your own Pixel photos on Instagram—we just might feature you next.

Dig #teampixel’s photography? Visit the feed to share the love and likes on your favorite photos.