Keep capture simple
Use a stable position and deliberate light. Learn your device's focus and exposure controls from its own interface. A clear original gives later edits more room without needing to invent detail.
Compare treatments
Make two edits from the same file, one restrained and one expressive. Evaluate colour relationships, texture, and the focal point. Keep the stronger treatment rather than combining every appealing effect.
Create a print pair
Print an original and an edited version at a modest size. The comparison can reveal halos, colour shifts, or lost detail that remain less obvious on a bright phone screen.