One of the pleasures of travel is to record your journeys so that you, friends and family can enjoy the visual memories later. However, if they look amateurish, blurry, dark and otherwise distorted, your lack of skills will ruin it all.

Photo basics have been around since photographer Matthew Brady followed Union troops into the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. His work is classic, despite the fact he had to lug around a huge box camera, easel, glass plates, processing chemicals and other heavy equipment. All you need is your Smartphone to get sharp images and video, and you can do it in color.

Select your composition, whether you pose subjects or the scene happens just right. Have the sun or other source of light behind you, unless you want a sunset or silhouette. Before you take your trip, read up on Smartphone photo skills. You’ll enjoy results you’ll review with pride.