How to take beautiful photos on Xiaomi phone: the secrets of shooting from professionals

Have you ever envied Instagram photos taken with professional cameras, thinking your Xiaomi couldn't? In fact, 90% of the quality of a shot doesn't depend on the technique, it depends on how you use it. Even the budget models of the Redmi Note 12 or Poco. X5 They can be amazing if you know a few key rules.

In this article, we will not only analyze the basic settings of the camera in the MIUI, But also professional composition, lighting and post-processing, and you'll learn how to get around the limitations of smartphone optics, which modes of photography really work and which modes are a waste of time. All tips are adapted specifically for Xiaomi, taking into account the features of their cameras and software.

Ready to turn your phone into a tool for shooting a photo level DSLR? Then read on and in an hour your pictures will collect likes, and friends will ask: “And you definitely shot it on your phone?"

Xiaomi Camera Setup: What to Change First

By default, Xiaomi’s camera is set to “universal” mode, which rarely gives a perfect result. The first thing to do is to turn off all automatic “improvements” that spoil the detail and natural colors.

Go to Camera Settings → Additionally and perform the following actions:

• 🔍 Turn it off "AI-"Camera" -- it aggressively raises saturation and contrast, making the photos look unnatural, except for the food or sunset, where you want bright colors.
• 📏 Set the 4:3 aspect ratio instead of 16:9 – so you get more megapixels and the ability to then crop the frame without loss of quality.
• 🌙 Activate "Save Settings" so you don't reconfigure everything every time.
• 🔄 Enable "Save the Original" when shooting in HDR — You will have a raw file for manual editing.

Pro Mode Supported Models (Mi 11 Ultra, 12S Pro, 13T Pro) additionally:

• 📸 Set the format. RAW (If available, this will give maximum flexibility in processing.
• 🎯 Turn on Face Focus/Eyes for Portraits – Xiaomi is more accurate than Autofocus.

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On Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (like 13 Pro), the Bitrate for video setting is available in Pro Mode. Set 100 Mbps for maximum quality.

Don't forget to update the camera firmware. Xiaomi regularly improves the image processing algorithms. Check the current version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI Compare it to the latest updates on the official website.

2. Shooting modes: which to choose for the perfect shot

Xiaomi has over 10 modes, but 80 percent of them are marketing, and we tested everything and we picked out the ones that actually work.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi is that Twilight is NOT a night mode! It's designed to capture sunset/dawn and uses a different processing algorithm. If you take pictures in the dark, always choose Night Mode, which takes multiple shots with different exposures and glues them together.

To capture moving objects (children, animals, sports) use Sport Mode or Dynamic Photo, which increases frame rates and reduces shutter time, but reduces the resolution to 12 MP. F5 There is a separate mode 60 FPS Burst – it makes 60 frames per second, from which you can then choose the best one.

3. Composition: rules that will turn your photos into masterpieces

Even the most advanced camera Xiaomi 13 Ultra will not save a picture if it is composed thoughtlessly. Here are 5 rules of composition that will instantly improve your photos:

1. Rule of thirds: Enable the grid in the camera settings (Settings) → Grids, and place key elements at the intersection of lines. On Xiaomi, the grid automatically highlights the focus points.
2. Lead lines. Use roads, fences, shadows -- anything that leads you to the main subject, and in urban photography, this is particularly effective.
3. Frame. Windows, arches, tree branches -- natural frames make the photo deeper. On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ ultra-wide angle can be used (0.6x) staff.
4. Space for movement: If you're shooting a running person or a driving car, leave a free space as you go.
5. Sky vs Earth. In landscapes, the horizon must divide the frame in a 1:2 or 2:1 ratio (not in half!). On Xiaomi, you can use the Pro level for the perfect horizon.

For portraits on Xiaomi there is a hidden feature: in Portrait mode, click on the icon 🔄 In the upper right corner, this will turn on the face light (works like a softbox). AMOLED-screens (Mi 11, 12 Pro) where the screen is used as a light source.

If you're shooting architecture, use Ultra-Wide Angle mode, but be careful about the edge distortions. The Mi 11 Ultra has a post-processing perspective correction, and the budget models (Redmi 10) have to manually fix in Lightroom.

4.Light: How to use it even in difficult conditions

The biggest problem with smartphone photos is the wrong work with light. Xiaomi sins overexposure (per-light), but this can be fixed.

3 main rules of lighting:

• ☀️ Contrast light is the worst option. Plan outdoor shooting for morning or evening.
• 🌥️ Cloudy weather is perfect for portraits. Scattered light smooths shadows.
• 💡 Artificial light (lamps, phone screen) - it gives a cold hue. Correct white balance manually.

Xiaomi has a hidden feature called hand white balance in Pro Mode. Instead of presetting ("Daylight", "Cloud"), select Kelvins (K) and set:

• 🌅 3500K-4500K — warm light (sunset, incandescent lamps)
• ☁️ 5500K-6500K — Neutral light (cloud, shadow)
• ❄️ 7500K+ — cold-light (LED-lamps, snow)

For dark spaces (restaurants, clubs), don't use a flash, it makes the photos flat.

1. Put your phone in the table or use a mini-station.
2. Turn on Night Mode and set shutter speed 1/10 or 1/5.
3. If the object is moving, raise it. ISO before 800-1600 (But not higher, there's going to be noise).

Make sure that the light source is not behind the object (counter light)

Check the shadows under the person’s eyes (use a reflector or phone screen)

Turn off the automatic flash in the camera settings

Take a test shot and check the histogram (should be uniform, with no peaks at the edges)-->

On models with ToF sensor (Mi 10 Pro, 11 Ultra) there is a mode 3D Lighting in portraiture, which analyzes the depth of the scene and adds volumetric light, and it's particularly noticeable when you're shooting hair or fur from animals.

5. Focus: How to Make a Photo 100% Sharp

Blurred photos are a major problem for aspiring photographers. There are a few ways to focus accurately on Xiaomi that few people use.

3 methods of perfect focusing:

1. Manual focusing in Pro Mode, a magnifier slider that allows you to precisely choose the plane of field, useful for macro or blurry portraits.
2. Eye Focus. In Portrait mode, double-touch the person's eye on the screen, and the camera will follow them even as they move.
3. Block focus. Hold your finger on the screen for 2 seconds, and it says, AF Lock, you can recompose the frame without losing focus.

To capture small objects (flowers, insects, food) use macro mode. On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and newer it activates automatically when approaching, but it is better to enable it manually through Quick Settings (icon) 🌸).

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Xiaomi with multiple cameras (main) + ultraswipe + telephoto lens) focusing works differently. The main camera focuses faster, but the ultra-wide has a lower depth of field (1x) And get close physically, not zoom.

If your Xiaomi is constantly “missing” with focus, check the settings:

• Turn it off. AI-camera (it interferes with precise focusing).
• Enable Continuous Autofocus in Settings → Additionally.
• Clean the lens – even a fingerprint can knock off focus.

To shoot through glass (windows, windows) use the document mode - it turns off autofocus and takes a shot with a fixed focus on infinity.

6 Post-processing: how to turn a good photo into a great one

Even professionals handle snapshots. Xiaomi has built-in tools, but we recommend using Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed for fine-tuning.

Basic edits (do in that order!):

1. Pruning and alignment. Correct the horizon and remove the extra elements at the edges.
2. Exposition. Raise shadows to work out details in dark areas.
3. Contrast, increase by 10-15%, But don’t overdo it – Xiaomi photos are often overcontrast.
4. Color correction. Reduce saturation by 5-10% natural-looking.
5. Sharpness. Apply the Sharpening mask only to the center of the frame so as not to make noise around the edges.

For portraits on Xiaomi there is a hidden feature: in the gallery, select a photo, click Edit → Portrait and adjust background blur and face lightening. This works even for photos not taken in portrait mode!

If you filmed in RAW, Use the Lightroom to:

• 🎨 White balance corrections by pipette (select neutral grey object in the photo).
• 🔍 Recovery of the lights with Dehaze (slider in the section Effects).
• 🌈 Selective color correction (e.g., making the sky blue without affecting the skin).

For quick processing, use presets on your phone. Snapseed has free presets, Portra and Film, which work well with photos taken on Xiaomi, which reduce contrast and add warm tones to compensate for the coldness of smartphone images.

7 Accessories: What You Really Need to Shoot on Xiaomi

You can do without professional equipment, but a few inexpensive accessories will greatly improve your photos.

Top.-5 useful accessories (with approximate prices):

• 📸 Mini-station (500-1500 ₽). Even a pocket tripod Xiaomi Mi Pocket Tripod will allow you to shoot in the night mode without a stir.
• 🔦 Ring lamp (1000-3000 ₽). For portraits and product shots, choose with color temperature control.
• 🔍 Lens nozzles (800-2000 ₽). Macro or wide-angle adapter from Xenvo or Apexel will expand the capabilities of your camera.
• 📱 Remote control (300-800 ₽). Allows you to take pictures without touching your phone (ideal for long exposures).
• 🎤 External microphone (1500-5000 ₽). If you're making a video, Boya. BY-M1 greatly improve the sound.

For owners of Xiaomi with support for Mi Mover (wireless file transfer) it is useful to purchase a memory card UHS-II (So, for example, SanDisk Extreme Pro, which will speed up the recording. RAW video 4K/60fps, which are "slowing" on the built-in memory.

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If you use an external lamp, set the white balance manually on your phone. 5000K — It neutralizes the cold hue. LED-light.

It is a waterproof cover that is useful for shooting from water or in the rain. 1000 ₽). Not to be confused with a full waterproof body – most covers can withstand immersion only on the water. 1-2 square.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced photographers sometimes make mistakes, here are 5 of the most common problems when shooting on Xiaomi and how to fix them:

• 👎 The sky is flooded. Solution: use it. HDR or reduce the exposure manually to 0.3-0.7 EV.
• 🤳 Blurred selfies. Solution: Keep your phone at a distance 30-40 Use the front camera with autofocus (on the Mi) 11 newer).
• 🌃 Noise in the night photos. Solution: reduce ISO up to 800 and use a tripod.
• 🎭 Unnatural skin colors. Solution: turn it off. AI-camera and reduce saturation in post-processing.
• 🏙️ Solution: Use Ultra-Wide mode only for large spaces, and for buildings, the main camera.

Pay special attention to the purity of the lens. on Xiaomi with a protruding camera (Mi 11 Ultra, 12S Ultra) Lenses often get dirty in your pocket. Rub them with microfiber before shooting — blurring at the edges is often caused by dirt.

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If your XiaomiSuddenly started to take worse photos for no apparent reason, reset the camera settings to factory: → System applications → Camera. → Resetting. Often this solves autofocus and white balance issues.

Another common mistake is shooting in the JPEG instead RAW. Yes, RAW It takes up more space, but it allows you to correct exposure and white balance errors without losing quality. - Xiaomi with Snapdragon 888/8 Gen 1/2 (Mi 11/12/13, Poco F4 GT) RAW preserved DNG, Supported by all professional editors.

Lastly, don’t overuse the digital zoom. It works worse on Xiaomi than on an iPhone or Google Pixel because of aggressive anti-aliasing. Better get closer or use a telephoto lens (if you have one in your model).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions