How to set up the front camera on Android. How to set up and improve the camera on Android

Smartphone cameras have come a long way over the past few years. Now, to take a good photo, you just need to take out your favorite gadget and make a couple of taps on the screen. Although, if you look at some photos on Instagram, you can understand that not everyone succeeds even in this.

In fact, there are many ways to improve the quality of photography, and if you think that you have already reached the maximum professionalism in this, then I have bad news for you. Each smartphone camera is different, so sometimes even small changes can dramatically change the picture.

Our colleagues at Lifehacker.com interviewed a variety of photography experts to narrow down their top tips on how to improve your smartphone photography. Take a look at them, perhaps tomorrow you will become a popular Instagramographer.

Use light correctly

This advice applies to all phone models: the subject should be facing the light source, but not the camera. The main problem with smartphone cameras is working with a small amount of light. Therefore, our main task is to give the camera maximum amount Sveta. You may have to think a little about how to place the object, but you'll love the results.

Clean the lens

Stupid? But no. By wiping the lens before shooting, you will rid yourself of photographs with subtle but unpleasant spots and dots. If you like to touch your phone with greasy hands, then this tip will come in handy.

Avoid Zoom

Use physical zoom. How? It's very simple: if you need to zoom in on an object, walk up to it. That's all. As a last resort, if you cannot get close to the subject, you can simply crop (crop) the photo in the editor. Thus, you will achieve the same result without losing anything. And a photo taken with digital zoom will be ruined forever.

Flash

Most photographers recommend turning off the flash on your smartphone altogether and using it only as a flashlight. However, in a situation where you need to take a photo in the dark, flash can still come in handy. Just put it in “Auto” mode and the smartphone will decide when to turn it on.

If a situation arises in which you doubt whether a flash is needed, then best choice will take two photos: one with a flash, the other without, and then figure out which one turned out better.

Understand the settings

Of course, if you are the proud owner of an iPhone, then the only setting available to you is to turn the grid on/off. However, if you are using an Android device or third party application, then the number of settings can cause a nervous tic. But you will have to figure them out, especially if you want to improve the quality of your photos.

Check the resolution

Most smartphones allow you to choose the resolution of your photos. Needless to say, for best quality should it be maximum?

Turn on image stabilization

When you press the button to take a photo, you move the phone slightly. This also applies to breathing and various involuntary gestures, which can also blur and ruin a photograph. Therefore, if you are not a sniper who knows how to control your breathing, then it is worth looking in the settings for image stabilization and turning it on.

Adjust white balance

In most cases, modern cameras determine the white balance themselves. And it’s quite good. But in a situation with little light, even they can mess up and turn your photo into something terrible and suitable only for friends on Instagram. Sometimes the camera takes a few seconds to detect the amount of light. For example, if you suddenly entered a room from the street or vice versa. Giving her those few seconds will reduce the chance of taking a bad photo.

Adjust exposure

Exposure determines the amount of light that hits the lens. It's worth playing around with this setting yourself, as it is highly case-dependent. The longer the exposure, the more light hits the lens, and the photo becomes brighter and lighter.

Adjust color rendering

If adjusting the white balance and exposure does not give the desired results, you can try adjusting the color rendition. For example, in or in a smartphone application.

Make the photo black and white

If all else fails, then you will have to be like the hipsters and make your photo black and white. In most cases, this filter hides major flaws in a photo and makes it more interesting.

Some smartphones support real-time filters, so you can immediately photograph an object in black and white. We do not advise you to do this, as there will be no turning back.

Make your photo look less mediocre with filters

We left this tip for last so that you try the other methods first and use this one only when absolutely necessary. Some filters really make photos unusual and beautiful. But you don’t eat bad breath with chewing gum in the morning, do you?

You don't need to apply all these tips to every photo. A little experimentation and you will find your style and the tips that work best with your photos. If you have your own tips that we forgot, please share them in the comments!

For several years now, smartphones have replaced point-and-shoot cameras in matters of amateur photography! This outcome is predictable mobile device always with you, and also has more compact body, which easily fits into your pocket. On this basis, the quality of mobile photomodules is constantly growing, and some functions of the “big brothers” are getting mobile adaptation! One of these features is an advanced mode with manual settings.

Manual mode on smartphones allows you to control basic parameters: shutter speed, ISO sensitivity of the matrix, white balance and focal length. The adjustment range depends on specific model. For example, it was used with Oxygen 4.1.6 (Android 7.1.1) on board.

A full-fledged manual mode in smartphones first appeared in models of late 2014 - early 2015. Among the first were: Sony Xperia Z3, Samsung Galaxy S6, LG G4. There is no need to talk about newer smartphones. Manual mode in a modern flagship is not a unique feature, but part of the standard equipment.

Mid-price smartphones are also not standing still. Presented last year ASUS Zenfone 3 belongs to the mid-price segment, but at the same time it received a good Sony Exmor IMX298 module in combination with advanced software. Over time, an increasing number of models in different price categories will receive similar opportunities.

Exposition

The story about manual mode should begin with this concept. What is exposure? - This is the amount of illumination of the matrix, which is determined by three parameters: aperture, shutter speed and photosensitivity. The last of them does not in any way affect the amount of light falling on the matrix, but is an excellent lever for regulating the illumination of the frame. In addition, due to the design features of the smartphone, the aperture value does not change - two levers remain in the hands of the mobile photographer.

It is worth considering that to achieve the same correct exposure, you can choose no combination of the specified parameters. The choice of a specific set largely depends on external conditions. More on how exactly, later in the article.

Excerpt

In technical terms, shutter speed determines the amount of time the shutter on the light sensor opens to capture light. The longer the shutter speed, the more light manages to reach the matrix, which results in a more illuminated frame.

Exposure duration is measured in seconds, for modern digital cameras typical minimum value is 1/8000 of a second. The upper limit is determined by the creators software, in my case it's 30 seconds. It would seem that the shorter the shutter speed, the less time is spent creating the frame, which means short values are more profitable. However, the shutter speed is directly proportional to the amount of light that hits the sensor, therefore, at a short shutter speed there is a risk of getting too dark, underexposed frames. The opposite situation is also possible; the result of the shutter speed may be an overexposed frame, with similar aperture and light sensitivity values.

First of all, it is worth considering the dynamics of the movement of objects in the frame. The faster the subject moves, the faster the shutter speed is required to get a sharp photo. Second factor: the smartphone must remain static to avoid blurry photos. When the shutter speed is more than 1/15 second, it is recommended to fix the camera, for example, using a tripod or tripod, otherwise the clarity of the frame will be lost. The exception is smartphones with an optical stabilization system; with their help, you can get unblurred frames at longer shutter speeds handheld.

The second meaning of shutter speed is artistic. Depending on its length, you can convey the movement of objects in the frame in different ways. Or create photographs with the play of light, for example, patterns of light lines.

Photosensitivity

A parameter that determines the brightness of a photo, regardless of the amount of light that hits the matrix. Light sensitivity is indicated in ISO, the higher the value, the brighter the finished result. In the world digital photography The same values on different matrices give different results, so it is worth taking into account the specifics of each individual device.

By increasing the value you can compensate for a short shutter speed. You need to be careful, high values lead to digital noise, even completely damaging the photo.

Focal length

Smartphone autofocus systems are constantly evolving. From basic contrast to advanced phase! There are also hybrid systems that use a rangefinder laser - it works in any conditions. As a result of evolution, focusing time has decreased from one second to an average of 0.3 seconds in favorable conditions.

The last sentence is key, because even modern systems Poorly lit scenes are not always up to the task. Autofocus takes an unacceptably long time to work or is completely wrong. In such situations, it is beneficial to use manual settings. Manual focusing is also beneficial when shooting the same subject using a tripod to avoid constant refocusing, and therefore eliminate errors and speed up the process.

White balance

White balance is a color correction option based on the temperature of the light source. Correctly selected values ensure the correct reproduction of colors in the photo. As a rule, smartphones use an advanced Kelvin scale in increments of 100 units. However, in the same OnePlus 3T only a few presets are available that determine the illumination of the frame: cloudy, daylight, and so on.

In the vast majority of cases, the automation works perfectly! Modern algorithms correctly process homogeneous light. Problems arise when a frame is illuminated by multiple sources with different color temperatures. A typical example is sunlight from a window and a fluorescent lamp in a room.

Why are manual settings useful?

Automation is an eternal compromise between shooting time and the quality of the resulting frame. The algorithms are aimed at quick handheld shooting and are unaware of what kind of frame the photographer wants to get. Also, exposure metering is not without its drawbacks; in difficult conditions, an error is possible! In this situation, it comes to the rescue manual mode, which, although it requires more time to prepare for shooting, in capable hands helps to get best result.

Do not neglect such advanced capabilities of the smartphone camera. This is far from a useless function; with its help you can squeeze out mobile camera maximum! The parameters described above are quite easy to understand, adopt and immerse yourself in the world of photography. It is possible that a simple smartphone is your ticket to the world of professional photography with the appropriate equipment and knowledge!

Use light correctly

This advice applies to all phone models: the subject should be facing the light source, but not the camera. The main problem with smartphone cameras is working with a small amount of light. Therefore, our main task is to give the camera the maximum amount of light. You may have to think a little about how to place the object, but you'll love the results.

Clean the lens

Avoid Zoom

Flash

If a situation arises in which you doubt whether a flash is needed, then the best choice would be to take two photos: one with a flash, the other without, and then figure out which one turned out better.

Understand the settings

Of course, if you are the proud owner of an iPhone, then the only setting available to you is to turn the grid on/off. However, if you're using an Android device or a third-party app, the number of settings can make you nervous. But you will have to figure them out, especially if you want to improve the quality of your photos.

Check the resolution

Most smartphones allow you to choose the resolution of your photos. Needless to say that for the best quality it should be maximum?

Turn on image stabilization

Adjust white balance

Adjust exposure

Adjust color rendering

If adjusting the white balance and exposure does not give the desired results, you can try adjusting the color rendition. For example, in or in a smartphone application.

Make the photo black and white

If all else fails, then you will have to be like the hipsters and make your photo black and white. In most cases, this filter hides major flaws in a photo and makes it more interesting.

Some smartphones support real-time filters, so you can immediately photograph an object in black and white. We do not advise you to do this, as there will be no turning back.

Make your photo look less mediocre with filters

Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with the presence of a camera; all laptops, tablets and smartphones are equipped with them. Some are capable of taking photographs that are not inferior in quality to professional cameras. The article provides information about the front camera, which is designed for shooting using the front panel of the gadget.

What is a front camera and why is it needed?

There are two types of cameras: main and front. The front camera is the one located on the front panel of the gadget. Usually the front camera is slightly inferior in quality to the main one; for example, if the resolution of the main one is 8 megapixels, then the front one will most likely be about 5 megapixels.

The front camera is designed for making video calls, that is, when communicating via Skype or similar programs, the interlocutors see each other using these cameras. Therefore, before you turn on front camera, it would be nice to get yourself in order.

Taking selfies has become very popular lately. For those who don’t know, this is a self-portrait, that is, after you turn on the front camera, you take pictures of your loved one.

How to enable the front camera on your phone?

When it comes to video calling, usually the front camera turns on automatically. This is especially true for laptops. But sometimes on tablets and smartphones you still have to do it manually.

Let's say you are communicating with a friend via WhatsApp or Skype, but the interlocutor does not see you or sees a completely different image instead of your face, that is, the main camera is turned on. How to turn on the front camera in this case? You need to find the icon indicating the camera and click on it. Usually after this there is a camera change.

If you intend to take a photo of yourself and are wondering how to turn on the front camera on an Android smartphone, the approximate procedure is as follows:

activate (unlock) the smartphone screen;
find the camera icon on the desktop or in the main menu;
By default, on all Android gadgets the main camera is turned on first. In shooting mode, there should be a camera icon on the screen with two arrows that go around it, click on it.

That's all, now you know how to turn on the front camera. The interface of smartphones and tablets based on Android is approximately the same, so this guide is valid for all gadgets.

How to enable the front camera on iPhone?

So, a guide to working with smartphones and tablets on iOS base:

Find the icon in the main menu gray with the camera in the middle and activate it. If you are interested in how to quickly turn on the front camera on an iPhone, we recommend using additional function. In cases where you urgently need to turn on the camera, just swipe left on the lock screen.
In the screen that appears, there is an icon with two arrows (lower right corner), click on it if you want to take a selfie.
At the very bottom there is a round white button, and above it horizontal list all available shooting modes. To take a standard photo, set the photo mode and press the round button.
To shoot video, set the video mode and press the white button again.

Well, that's all, actually. If you wish, you can edit the resulting photos at your discretion in the “Settings” tab.

Read our article detailed instructions about how to set up a camera on a phone or tablet based on . Simple explanations for unclear settings.

Are you disappointed in yours because of low-quality photos? Have you tried setting up the pre-installed Camera application? If you do not know the meaning of some points, then read our article. We will try to help you achieve the best quality photos.

Nowadays you won’t find smartphones on sale without a built-in camera. The operation of this module is ensured by a pre-installed application. This could be Google Camera, or something from the smartphone manufacturer. In any case, the program will be tailored for automatic shooting. However, some manual settings“Camera” also has it. And they need to be used - otherwise good shots you won't always succeed.

How to set up a camera on your phone

But first, you should understand that the quality of photos depends not only on the settings. No matter how trivial it may sound, before pressing the shutter button you need to do a little preparation:

Clean the lens lens- this element is prone to fogging and becoming covered with all sorts of dirt. It’s not for nothing that professional photographers constantly carry a clean cloth with them to wipe their optics.
Try to find the right angle- do not shoot against the sun, as the tiny smartphone matrix will not have enough dynamic range. And try to ensure that the viewer's gaze follows from the upper right to the lower left corner of the final photo (unless you are shooting a portrait).
Turn on the self-timer or voice control - this rule must be followed in poor lighting conditions. The fact is that touching the shutter button will slightly shake the smartphone, and with a long exposure this will lead to blurring of the image.
Try to shoot with the rear (main) camera- in most cases, it has a larger matrix, higher resolution, and better sensitivity. A monopod with a mirror allows you to take selfies with the rear camera.
Forget about digital zoom- throw these thoughts out of your head! If you need to zoom in on the picture, just walk up to the object. On some modern smartphones Optical zoom is implemented (the dual camera has lenses with different focal lengths) - you can use it.

But stop thinking about preparation! It's time to talk about how to set up the camera on your phone.

How to set up a camera on your phone: Global settings

The existing Camera settings can be divided into two categories. The first includes parameters that globally influence the final result. They are located in a special section, access to which is provided after clicking on the “Settings” icon (in the application itself, of course). The second category includes the parameters of the shooting itself - shutter speed, ISO, white balance, etc. First, let's look at what awaits you in the menu called “Settings”:

Image Size- this parameter determines how many pixels the photo will consist of. This item may also be called “photo resolution”. Feel free to choose the most affordable option.
Video size- or his permission. Likewise, choose the highest setting (or, in extreme cases, HD). Note that even though high resolution Some shooting modes, such as high-speed video, may not be available.
Video frequency- determines the speed at which it will be written. The higher the parameter, the smoother the picture will be. The optimal choice is 50 or 60 fps. But cheap smartphones do not have enough processor power for such high-speed shooting, in which case you will have to make do with a smaller parameter.
Browse Images- If you activate this switch, then after pressing the shutter button you will see the final image. They will appear for a few seconds. If the switch is not active, then you can instantly take the next frame, and the photo will immediately go to the “Gallery”.
Timer- or self-timer. After pressing the shutter button, the number of seconds you select passes, after which the frame is taken.
Net- its display allows you to align the horizon line. Of course, there will be no grid in the final photo.
Photo quality- this parameter determines how much the image will be compressed. Select "Maximum quality" - then you will get the best result. Other parameters may lead to some blurring of the image.
Geotagging- this switch determines whether photos will be included in tags geographical coordinates shooting locations.
Storage- select “SD card”, if your device has one.
Anti-flicker– fluorescent lamps V different countries flicker at different frequencies. This setting allows you to suppress the flicker effect, but you need to select a specific frequency - 50 or 60 Hz.
Voice control- this item is not available in every smartphone. This feature involves shooting using a voice command.
Volume key- determines what actions are assigned to the corresponding button during shooting. For example, it can become an additional shutter button. Or pressing it will start video recording.
Gesture control- another shooting method implemented in some smartphones. For example, a raised hand or a smile can start the self-timer.
Optical stabilization- enabled on some devices. It allows you to make the shutter speed longer without increasing the risk of blurring the frame. But the effect of the stabilizer is best seen when shooting video.

These are the main parameters contained in the corresponding section of the standard Camera application. Understanding and correctly applying certain settings will help you solve the issue of how to set up the camera on your phone. But some smartphones have additional settings- here everything depends on the imagination of the manufacturer and his skills.

Manual settings

how to set up the camera on your phone: manual installations

If you want to get great shots, then you must wean yourself from constantly using automatic mode. We can spend hours telling you how to set up the camera on your phone, but if you only use presets, this will not help you much in difficult cases. In difficult shooting conditions, try to adjust certain settings, which are often available right during framing.

Flash- can be disabled, forced enabled or run in automatic mode. In the third case, the system itself will decide whether to activate the flash now. The result of its work depends on the specific implementation and shooting conditions. Sometime it can really save a picture, but in other cases its use only spoils the frame.
ISO- the so-called photosensitivity. As the frame increases, more energy is supplied to the matrix, as a result of which data is read from it a little better. But in return, the image may receive a certain amount of digital noise - random flickering dots. The noise is most noticeable when viewing a photo at 100 percent zoom. You should only think about ISO in low light, raise it too much this parameter You definitely shouldn’t, otherwise the result will unpleasantly surprise you.
Excerpt- Adjustable only on some smartphones. This parameter refers to how long the aperture will be open. The longer, the more light the matrix will receive. But if you overdo it, overexposure will occur.
Exposition- marked with an icon in the form of a square with a plus and a minus. This is the easiest way to make a shot lighter or darker.
Diaphragm- the degree of its opening is regulated only on some devices. Again, the diameter of the hole determines how much light will enter the frame.
Exposure metering- this determines exactly how the system will determine how light the frame is.
White balance- makes the image warmer or cooler. Usually, automation copes with its task without human intervention. But if you are shooting in unusual lighting conditions, then it is better to select one or another white balance manually.
HDR- when this function is enabled, the camera will create several frames at once with different exposures. Then all this is combined into one image, from which areas that are too dark and overexposed are excluded. But it takes time to take multiple frames, so you don't need to photograph moving objects in HDR mode.

These are a few settings that can usually be selected while shooting. But almost any Camera application also provides different operating modes. We should talk about this too.

Camera shooting modes on phones

By default, the application activates regular photography. In it you can switch to the front camera. Or go to video shooting. In addition, the application provides several other shooting modes:

Panorama- for shooting natural and city landscapes this mode fits perfectly. It automatically creates several pictures, after which they are stitched into one frame. The result is a very wide photograph that allows you to see the area around you in detail.
Beauty shooting- when this mode is activated, the application will try to smooth out the skin and make other improvements to the image. The mode is primarily designed for shooting with the front camera.
Blur background- shooting in this mode can be realized different ways. Smartphones with a dual camera are best able to blur the background. If the device has only one lens, then the background is blurred or programmatic method, or after a certain movement of the device from top to bottom.
GIF animation- in fact, video is shot in this mode, but with a frequency of only about one frame per second. The resulting images are combined into one GIF animation, which you can then post on a social network.
Continuous shooting- in this mode, you can take several frames at once in a second (their exact number is affected by processor power). You can then select the best shot, or keep them all in memory. A good mode for shooting children, cars, sports and other active scenes.
Night - special mode for shooting in low light conditions. It automatically increases light sensitivity and makes the shutter speed longer.
High-speed shooting (slow-mo)- this mode is available on smartphones with very powerful processor. The mode is used when shooting video. The camera in it does a very a large number of frames per second. The video can then be slowed down, allowing the subject's movements to be seen in great detail.

These are the most popular modes found in standard applications"Camera". There are also some specific modes, but there is little point in talking about them in a short article.

Conclusion

Now you know what certain camera settings are responsible for. Act wisely - this way you will squeeze out all the possibilities even from the most simple smartphone or tablet! And don’t forget that you can always download more functional camera apps on Google Play.

How to set up the front camera on Android. How to set up and improve the camera on Android

Use light correctly

Clean the lens

Avoid Zoom

Flash

Understand the settings

Check the resolution

Turn on image stabilization

Adjust white balance

Adjust exposure

Adjust color rendering

Make the photo black and white

Make your photo look less mediocre with filters

Exposition

Excerpt

Photosensitivity

Focal length

White balance

Why are manual settings useful?

Use light correctly

Clean the lens

Avoid Zoom

Flash

Understand the settings

Check the resolution

Turn on image stabilization

Adjust white balance

Adjust exposure

Adjust color rendering

Make the photo black and white

Make your photo look less mediocre with filters

What is a front camera and why is it needed?

How to enable the front camera on your phone?

How to enable the front camera on iPhone?

How to set up a camera on your phone: Global settings

Manual settings

Camera shooting modes on phones

Conclusion

We are in social networks

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