We all take photos with our phones every day, but very few of us actually bother to adjust the camera settings. And, interestingly, those are precisely the ones... Small changes in settings can make all the difference between a normal photo and an image that looks like it was taken with a professional camera, without installing a single extra app.
The good news is that, even if you don't have the latest mobile phone on the market or the best camera in the world, You can get much more out of the hardware you already have. simply by understanding what each setting does and how to use it in specific situations: night photos, groups, selfies, motion, videos, etc.
Basic camera settings you should check right now
Before delving into advanced features and AI wizardry, it's worth reviewing those basic settings that often come incorrectly configured from the factory or that Android and manufacturers hide among unclear menus.
Image resolution and format
The first thing to check is that your camera is using the maximum resolution and the appropriate format for each situationMany mobile phones automatically lower the resolution to save space, and this is noticeable when you zoom in or crop the photo later.
- Activate maximum resolution of the rear camera for important photos: landscapes, portraits, travel, etc.
- If your mobile phone allows it, check if it offers RAW mode: It's a file type that stores much more information than JPG and will allow you to edit it more freely afterwards.
- Please note that the photos are in maximum resolution and RAW. They take up considerably more space.So you can use them only when you want the highest quality.
For everyday use, for quick photos for social media or messaging, It's fine to use a slightly smaller sizeBut when you want an image that looks perfect large or that you're going to print, it's worth going up to the maximum.
HDR: when to turn it on and when it gets in the way
HDR (high dynamic range) is one of those settings that can save a photo with high contrast between light and shadowWhat the camera does is combine several shots with different exposures to bring out detail in both dark and very bright areas.
It's best to have HDR in mode Automatic on most mobile phones, but there are situations where you can force its use or disable it:
- Activate it or make sure it's used in scenes with very clear skies and deep shadows (landscapes, sunsets, buildings brightly lit on one side and dark on the other).
- Turn it off in photos where there are fast movement (sports, children running) or when you want a more natural look with defined shadows.
If your phone allows you to manually select HDR, learning how to use it will give you extra control. The photos shouldn't be overexposed due to the sky or muddied by shadows..
White balance and color
Most users leave the white balance on automatic, but often the camera gets confused and unwanted colors appear. overly yellowish or bluish tonesIf your camera app allows you to change this setting, it can make a big difference.
Some quick tips:
- Indoors with warm lighting (yellow bulbs), you can Adjust the balance to a cooler tone. so that the scene doesn't look like an orange cave.
- In bright daylight or clear skies, the automatic mode usually works well, but if you notice the image is too cold, The warmth increases slightly.
- In nighttime photos with neon lights, streetlights, and signs, playing with white balance helps you to avoid exaggerated color dominance.
Many phones don't allow you to adjust the balance in automatic mode, but you can in other modes. Pro or ProfessionalIf your device includes them, it's worth taking a few minutes to try them out, because you'll notice that your photos They no longer look "weird" because of their color.
Professional mode: controls focus and exposure
If your mobile phone offers a Pro or Manual mode, you have several tools at your fingertips that are very similar to those of a DSLR camera: manual focus, exposure time, ISO, white balance, etc. You don't need to master them all from day one, but there are two that will help you a lot without complicating your life.
Focus control
Autofocus works in most situations, but it doesn't always hit the exact spot you want. That's why it's so useful. manually mark where you want maximum sharpness before shooting.
Even if you're not using a full Pro mode, virtually all camera apps allow you to:
- Tap on the screen right above the subject or object you want in focus.
- Press and hold for a few seconds to lock focus (and sometimes also the exposure) at that point.
This prevents the camera from focusing on the background instead of the person's face, or from focusing on the sky instead of the building. When photographing close-up details, This small gesture marks a huge leap in the feeling of sharpness..
Exposure time: key in night photos
Exposure time indicates how long the camera's "virtual shutter" is open, capturing light. In automatic mode, your phone decides for you, but if your app includes an advanced mode, you can adjust it. extend that time to achieve much brighter night photos.
Some practical ideas:
- In relatively stable night scenes (a cityscape, a lit building), increase the exposure time It allows the photo to capture more light without increasing the ISO as much, which reduces noise.
- However, the longer the exposure, the more essential it becomes. keep the mobile very steady (ideally with a tripod or supported on a surface) to avoid blurry photos.
Many modern mobile phones have modes of night or long exposure “smart” that take care of everything without you having to touch any numbers. Even so, if you prefer fine control, playing with this setting allows you to achieve Cleaner nighttime images with better detail.
Extra screen light: the trick for selfies in low light
Not all phones have a physical front flash, but almost all can use the screen itself as a light source. This feature turns the panel into a kind of improvised flash for selfies when it's dark or in very dimly lit interiors.
Normally, in the settings or on the front camera flash icon, you can choose:
- Disabled.
- Automatic.
- Always on.
- Illuminated screen mode, in which the mobile Turn the brightness up to maximum and display a clear color during the shot..
Using the screen as a light source is ideal for Avoid faces that are noisy or excessively dark When taking selfies at night, it's not as powerful or natural as good ambient lighting, but it gets you out of many tight spots and usually offers a more flattering result than a direct front LED flash.
RAW and HDR photos: when are they worth it
If your phone is compatible, it's worth understanding the difference between Use only the traditional automatic mode and opt for RAW and HDR in the right situations. They are two different but complementary tools.
Shoot in RAW
The RAW format stores much more information than a JPG, especially in shadows and highlights, and practically internal processing does not applyThat means the photo might look flatter at first, but you'll have plenty of room to edit it.
It is especially useful when:
- You'll edit the photo afterwards with a powerful app (like Snapseed or similar).
- The scene has complicated lighting: backlighting, interiors with very bright windows, intense sunsets, etc.
Keep in mind that RAW files are significantly larger, so it's best to selectively enable this format rather than leaving it enabled for absolutely every shot. In return, you'll gain brutal flexibility in editing.
Combine RAW and HDR
On some devices, you can shoot in RAW and at the same time have an HDR processed versionIn this way, you have:
- A ready-to-use photo, which the mobile phone already processes with striking colors and contrast.
- The RAW file, flatter but full of information, for Work on it calmly if the photo deserves it..
If you're interested in going a little beyond simply taking a quick photo, this workflow allows you to to have the best of both worlds without sacrificing immediacy or top quality.
Video: Settings we almost never touch that make a big difference
It's not just photos that benefit from good settings: video recording can also be greatly improved if you spend a minute reviewing the options. Many phones offer slow motion, time-lapse, and 4K resolution modesbut they don't always come properly configured as standard.
Slow motion and time-lapse
Slow motion allows you to capture quick moments in full detail: a waterfall, a jump, a sporting gesture, etc. In contrast, Time-Lapse speeds up the scene to show long processes in a few seconds (moving clouds, traffic, sunsets, etc.).
By adjusting these modes:
- Check if you can select the slow motion speed (for example, 120 fps, 240 fps) to decide how much smoothness you want.
- In Time-Lapse mode, some phones let you choose how often a photo is taken; the longer the interval, time will be more compressed.
Understanding these settings helps you create much more spectacular videos without needing to third-party applications nor complicated editing.
Additional settings before recording
Just like with photos, video usually has a settings section where you can choose:
- Resolution (1080p, 4K, etc.).
- Stabilization (electronic or optical, if available).
- Frame rate (30 fps, 60 fps…).
Increasing the resolution and frame rate can result in a smoother and more detailed appearance, but at the cost of take up considerably more space and consume more batteryIdeally, you should adapt these values according to the type of content you are recording and the use you will give it later.
Smart settings in Google Camera and Pixel for better photos
On Pixel phones and in the Google Camera app, there are several very powerful settings designed for automatically improve the quality of your photosespecially in scenes with movement or multiple people. If you're using a compatible Pixel, it's well worth enabling them and understanding how they work.
Best Shot: the camera chooses the winning photo for you
With the Best Take feature, the Pixel's camera app performs a burst of images when you press the shutter release and, in the background, selects the one it considers best: less shaky, better expression, more sharpness, etc.
To activate Better Take:
- Open the Camera app on your Pixel.
- At the bottom left, enter Settings.
- Activate the function corresponding to Better Take if your model includes it.
Once activated, you don't have to do anything special: the camera takes care of it. analyze the different captures and offer you the best option without having to check them one by one.
Photos with movement: choose your favorite frame
Motion photos (similar to Live Photos) record several moments before and after pressing the shutter releaseThis is ideal when photographing someone who is moving, when there are changes in expression, or when you want to capture a short sequence.
On Pixel 10 and later models, you can enable motion photos like this:
- Open the Camera app on your device.
- At the bottom left, tap Settings.
- setup Photos with movement in Automatic or Activated mode.
After taking the photo, you can enter the gallery and manually choose the frame you like best within that sequence. Additionally, if you wish, you have the option to save the moving photo as a video: simply go to the More menu and use Export > Video > Export.
Better automatic version: group photos without weird faces
One of the biggest headaches in mobile photography is the group photos in which there is always someone with their eyes closed or looking somewhere elseIn the Pixel 10 and later, Google has incorporated a feature designed precisely to solve that problem.
The feature is called Automatic Best Version and it allows the mobile phone combine the best facial expressions of each person to create a single group image where everyone looks good.
To use it, you need to meet these conditions:
- Having a Pixel 10 or later.
- Have the app installed Google Photos.
- Having activated the setting of Better Take in Google Camera.
Activation is done as follows:
- Open the Camera app on your Pixel.
- Toca Settings In the bottom left.
- Sign in More adjustments.
- Activate the option Best automatic version.
Once activated, when you take group photos the device can automatically recommend the version where everyone looks betterAlso, from Google Photos, you can manually adjust faces using the Best Version tool to further refine the result.
Frequent faces: the camera learns who you photograph most often
To make these smart features work better, Google includes a setting called Frequent Faces. With it, the camera Learn which faces appear most often in your photos and videos and uses that information to recommend better shots.
As Google itself explains, when you activate Frequent Faces:
- The camera It recognizes patterns in the faces you capture most often. to help you get better photos of those people.
- All facial data is They are only stored on the device.They are not sent to Google servers.
- If you disable the function, the data will be delete from phone.
To activate it:
- Open the Camera app on your Pixel.
- Toca Settings > More settings.
- Sign in Frequent faces.
- Activate the option Frequent faces.
On the Pixel 6 and later (including Pixel Fold), this feature also contributes to the camera's performance. display skin tones more accurately and naturallypreventing some people from appearing too pale, reddish, or dull.
Footej Camera 2: when the native app falls short
Although this article focuses on the settings you already have on your phone, it's true that some pre-installed camera apps fall short. In those cases, Using a more advanced app can unlock options that your phone supports but that the manufacturer doesn't disclose. in the native app.
A well-known example in Android is Footej Camera 2One of the most highly rated apps for having more control over photography without changing your phone. It was created as an evolution of the original Footej (from 2016) and has accumulated over a million downloads in its second version alone, in addition to a very high rating on Google Play.
This app stands out for offering a Simple interface but with a huge number of controls At hand: in the bottom bar you'll find the usual photo and video modes, but also shortcuts to advanced settings to shoot almost like with a professional camera.
Among its most interesting options are:
- Detailed control of focus before shooting.
- Adjustment of the exhibithion time, very useful for night photos or low light scenes.
- Screen usage as selfie flash in dark environments.
- Ability to save in HDR and RAW if the mobile hardware is compatible.
- Modes of slow motion video y Time-Lapse with settings that many native cameras do not offer.
Thus, even on mid-range or somewhat older mobile phones, Footej Camera 2 allows to get the most out of the sensor and the processing without needing to root or touch the system.
Limitations as a default camera app
However, there is one major drawback: due to Privacy and security on AndroidThird-party apps like Footej Camera 2 cannot be easily set as the system's default camera.
There are tricks and methods to try to force it, but they are usually cumbersome, unreliable, and with potential security implications which don't compensate. The most sensible thing is to use the native app for the basics and open Footej when you want more control or better quality under specific conditions.
Paid model and free version
Footej Camera 2 offers a free version that is updated quite frequently, which is appreciated because It guarantees bug fixes and constant improvements.In return, it includes advertising within the app itself.
It also has a paid subscription that costs around 14,99 euros per weekThis figure, when calculated annually, is quite high for most users. It's not that the app doesn't deserve it in terms of features, but it ceases to be a "universal" solution suitable for all budgets.
The paid version adds options such as:
- Adjustable time interval with more parameters for Time-Lapse.
- A wider range of advanced settings in photography and video.
- Removal of advertising from the interface.
Even so, the app allows Try these paid features free for 7 daysThis is very useful for deciding whether you really need those extra options or if the free version is more than enough. For most users who just want to slightly improve their photos, the free version is usually more than sufficient.
The importance of editing: fixing and enhancing any photo
Properly adjusting the camera before shooting is essential, but The work doesn't end when you press the buttonMany photos that seem mediocre at first glance can be transformed into something very impressive with a few minutes of basic editing: adjusting lighting, cropping, straightening, correcting color, etc.
There are countless apps in this field, but one of the most complete and accessible is SnapseedOwned by Google and available for years on Android and iOS, it's a completely free editing tool that offers a level of control close to that of professional programs.
With Snapseed you can:
- Precisely modify the brightness, contrast, shadows and highlights.
- Adjust colors, saturation, and temperature for correct dominant traits or create your own style.
- Change the perspective from the photo to correct crooked lines in buildings or cityscapes.
- Apply predefined filters that you can customize down to the last detail.
- Edit over files RAW, taking advantage of all the information captured by the camera.
The key is to avoid excess: with a few well-thought-out touches, you can bring an ordinary photo to life without oversaturating the colors or using excessive contrast. And all this without installing paid apps or resorting to complicated solutions.
Knowing and taking advantage of the camera settings you already have on your phone, relying on intelligent features like Best Take, motion photos, or Frequent Faces on Pixel phones, and complementing the process with good editing in tools like Snapseed or advanced camera apps when necessary, allows you to Dramatically improve any photo without changing your phone or filling it with unnecessary apps.
Simply by understanding what each option does and spending a few seconds before and after shooting, your images can go from "run-of-the-mill photos" to something you really want to save and share. Share the information and more users will know how to adjust their cameras.