Smartphone cameras have evolved much more than what they used to be a decade ago.
From capturing pictures at low light to freezing fast-moving objects, your smartphone camera can provide you with as many options as a DSLR camera can offer. By default, the automatic mode on the smartphone cameras provides impressive pictures which automatically tunes to the surrounding exposure. But to have complete control of your shot, the Pro Mode is the right option.
Where to find the Pro Mode?
By default, most Android smartphones provide the Pro Mode under the more option on the camera app. Open your phone camera and swipe to the right under the camera options. Click on the more option and choose the Pro Mode option to switch to Pro Mode.
Pro Mode settings
Pro mode offers various options that have their own functionality. It is important to understand the functionalities of these features to get complete control over your shot.
ISO — ISO controls the light sensitivity of the camera. A lower ISO setting is ideal for a sunny outdoor picture or a stationary object. A higher ISO setting is ideal for low light or indoor pictures and fast-moving objects. A higher ISO results in a brighter picture but at the cost of more noise and grains in your picture. This can be compromised by setting a suitable shutter speed.
Shutter Speed — Shutter speed determines how fast the camera shutter closes. A slower shutter speed lets in more light into the camera resulting in a brighter image while a faster shutter speed lets in less light resulting in a darker image. A slower shutter speed is suitable for night time shots and stationary objects while a faster shutter speed is suitable for day time shots and moving objects. Consider using a tripod while using a slower shutter speed as any disturbance will result in a blurred & shaky image.
EV — EV adjusts the overall brightness of the image. EV setting is generally used as a compensation to change the image brightness as a result of the ISO setting.
Focus — Focus setting lets you set the focal distance. This helps to provide a depth-of-field on your image by highlighting the primary subject. Sliding the focus slider to the left lets you focus objects close to the camera while sliding to the right lets you focus objects far away from your camera.
WB — WB adjusts the colour temperature of your image. Sliding the WB slider to the left provides a more blueish & cooler look while sliding to the right provides a more orangish & warmer look.
The various features of Pro Mode can help you gain complete control over your image. By adjusting the various settings as per your subject and your surroundings, you can get the perfect shot that your smartphone camera can give. Pro Mode can also click pictures in RAW format which offers greater flexibility while post-processing editing. Experiment with the various Pro Mode features to test the limits of your smartphone and your photography skills.
