Xiaomi Redmi 8 is often seen as a budget device for basic tasks, but its capabilities in the field of mobile photography are often underestimated. The right approach to settings and understanding the principles of the sensor allows you to get pictures that are not inferior to frames from more expensive models. In this article, we will discuss how to squeeze the maximum from a dual main camera with a resolution of 12 MP and front at 8 MP.
The key to success lies not only in the hardware, but also in the MIUI Camera image processing software algorithms, which make a simple soapbox a powerful creative tool, and let's start with the journey to quality mobile photography.
Basic setting of the camera interface
Before you start shooting, you need to adapt the interface to your needs. Standard settings are often focused on automatic work, but for a beautiful photo, you better take control. Go to the settings menu by clicking on the three bars in the corner of the screen, and select the gear icon.
Pay attention to resolution first. By default, the camera can be set to memory saving mode or standard 4:3. For maximum quality, choose 12 MP (4:3) resolution for the main module. If you plan to further process in graphics editors, it makes sense to activate the RAW format if it is available in your firmware version, although for Redmi 8, the standard JPEG is handled fairly well by algorithms.
An important aspect is to enable a framing grid, which helps you follow the rule of thirds and align your horizon. → Grid. It's also worth turning off the shutter sound if you plan to take covert reporting shots, although in some regions this feature is software-blocked.
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Turn on the display of the level of the horizon in the settings – this will help to avoid littered photos of landscapes and architecture.
Using Pro Mode for Creative Shooting
Pro mode is the ultimate trump card for a photographer on Redmi 8, which allows you to manually control exposure parameters, which is critical in difficult lighting conditions. Unlike automatic mode, here you decide how bright or dark the frame will be.
The main parameter to experiment with is shutter speed: short shutter speed (like 1/1000) freezes motion, which is ideal for shooting children or sports. Long exposure (like 1/10 or a few seconds) blurs motion, creating the effect of water flow or light plumes, but requires a tripod.
- 📷 ISO: It regulates the sensitivity of the matrix (50-100) They give a clear picture in bright light, high (800-1600) It allows you to shoot in the dark, but adds digital noise.
- ⚖️ WB (White balance: allows you to adjust color temperature. Use warm tones for sunsets and cold for winter landscapes.
- 🎯 Focus: switch to manual mode (MF), focus on macro objects or, conversely, defocus the background for artistic effect.
⚠️ Warning: When shooting at long exposure in Pro mode, image stabilization won't help if you're holding your phone. Be sure to use a tripod or envelop the device against a stationary object.
Remember, Expocorrection (EV) is a tool that allows you to quickly brighten or darken your frame without changing shutter speed and ISO manually, and it's useful when the automation is wrong, like shooting an object against a bright sky.
Secrets of portrait shooting on Redmi 8
The portrait mode on Xiaomi Redmi 8 uses software blurring (bokeh). Although there is no telephoto lens with optical zoom, artificial intelligence algorithms do a good job of highlighting the outlines of a person, the main condition is good lighting of the face of the model.
For better results, move away from the subject at a distance of about 1-1.5 meters. The camera itself will suggest activating the mode of the portrait when it recognizes the face. After that, you can adjust the degree of blurring of the background with the slider f. The value of f2.0 will give a strong blur, and f5.6 will be more natural.
☑️ Checklist of the perfect portrait
And the front camera, which also supports portrait mode and AI Beauty, is worth mentioning, but to get a live photo, it's better to minimize or turn off the retouch level altogether, because too much skin smoothing turns the portrait into a plastic doll.
How to improve the portrait without third-party applications?
Night photography and lighting
Night Mode is a lifeline for budget smartphones. On Redmi 8, it works by taking multiple shots of different exposures and then adding them together, which allows you to significantly reduce noise levels and pull details out of the shadows.
When you activate night mode, a countdown timer will appear on the screen. In these 3-4 seconds, you need to hold the phone absolutely still. The Scene Detection AI algorithm will determine what you are shooting (nightscape), and prompt you to switch to the appropriate mode.
| Parameter | By day | Night Mode (Night Mode) | Indoors. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | 50-100 | Auto (up to 1600) | 200-400 |
| Excerpt. | 1/100 - 1/500 | 1/10 - 2 sec | 1/30 - 1/60 |
| Outbreak. | Off | Off | Auto/Off |
| HDR | Automobile | On | On |
It's important to understand that the built-in flash on Redmi 8 is pretty weak and gives a hard, flat light. Using a flash indoors almost always spoils the photo, making the background black and the face over-lit. It's better to use Night mode or find an additional light source, such as a lamp or another phone's screen.
Macrographing and detailing
The second module of the Redmi 8 main camera is a 2MP depth sensor, which is also used as a macro camera. Although the resolution is low, this mode allows you to get to objects at a distance of 2-3 cm, which is impossible for a main wide-angle lens.
To activate macro mode, you need to switch to the appropriate item in the mode menu or allow the AI to recognize a nearby object. Focus in this mode can be slow, so be patient. There should be a lot of light, because at close focal length, the aperture effectively closes, and the matrix receives less light.
- 🌿 Ideal for capturing textures of fabric, leaves, insects and small details.
- 💡 Use daylight or a table lamp facing the side.
- 📱 Keep your phone parallel to the subject so that the entire subject falls into the field.
⚠️ Note: Do not expect high detail in macro mode due to the resolution of 2 MP. These photos are good for social networks, but for printing in large size will not work.
Post-processing and preservation of the result
Even a perfectly shot often requires minimal correction. The built-in editor at Xiaomi Gallery offers powerful tools: framing, filters, adjusting the cut-off pattern. This is enough for fast processing on Instagram or Telegram.
If you want to achieve a professional result, use third-party applications like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile, which allow you to work with curves, selective correction and remove minor defects. Save the original files so you can always go back to the source.
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The main secret to beautiful photos on Redmi 8 is a clean camera lens and the right light. 80% of success depends on whether you wiped the camera before shooting.
Clean your phone’s memory of failed frames regularly. An overflowing drive can slow down the image processor, leading to lags when shooting episodes or in HDR mode.