How to take photos on Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro: a complete guide from settings to processing

Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro is a budget smartphone with a camera that can compete with the flagships of the past. Its main module 48 MP (with pixel binning up to 12 MP), ultra-wide-angle lens, macrolens and depth sensor allow you to shoot in a variety of conditions. But to unlock the potential of the camera, it is not enough just to press a button — you need to understand how modes, settings and post-processing work.

In this article, we will cover all aspects of shooting on Redmi 9 Pro, from basic settings to professional techniques, you will learn how to use Night Mode correctly, customize Portrait for realistic bokeh, shoot videos in the video. 4K It's also a unique life hack for shooting in difficult conditions (for example, against the sun or in motion), which is rarely mentioned in standard instructions.

Basic camera settings: what to turn on before shooting

Before you take your first shots, check the key settings in the Camera app. Many users miss this step and then wonder why the photos are dark or blurry. Open the settings menu (the gear in the upper right corner) and pay attention to the following points:

• 📸 Photo resolution: select 12 MPP (4-into-1) for a better balance of detail and noise. 48 MP is suitable only for shooting in bright lighting.
• 🌙 Night mode: Turn on the Auto option so that the camera itself offers to activate it in the dark.
• 🔄 Save settings: activate so you don’t set settings before each session.
• 📏 Grid: Include Rule of Thirds for compositionally balanced frames.

Pay special attention to the item AI-Xiaomi's algorithms automatically recognize scenes (sky, food, portrait) and adjust the color profile. AI wrong, for example, can make the skin too smooth, in such cases it is better to turn off the option or use Pro Mode to manually adjust.

⚠️ Note: If you are shooting in a format HEIF (It saves space, and remember that not all social media and editors support this format. JPEG customized.

2. Shooting modes: when and how to use them

Redmi 9 Pro offers 7 basic modes, but not all users understand their purpose.

I'd like to highlight Macro mode, which allows you to shoot objects from a distance of 2 to 10 cm, but many users complain about the blur.

1. Use additional lighting (for example, a smartphone flashlight).
2. Focus manually by touching the screen.
3. Avoid trembling hands - it is better to lean on the surface.

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To capture moving objects (children, animals) in Photo mode, turn on Serial (hold down the button).

3. Night photography: how to avoid noise and lubrication

Night mode on the Redmi 9 Pro works differently than the flagships: it does not just increase the performance of the Redmi 9 Pro. ISO, It takes multiple pictures and combines them, and it reduces noise, but it requires a smartphone to be still for 2 to 5 seconds:

• 🌃 Use a tripod or a support, even a slight tremor of the hands will ruin the frame.
• 💡 Add light: If an object is stationary (like a building), illuminate it with a smartphone flashlight from the side.
• ⚙️ Set up manually: install in Pro mode ISO on 800–1600 and exposure 1/10–1/2 s.
• 📱 Turn it off. AI: In the dark, algorithms often misbalance white, making frames too cold.

The mistake many beginners make is trying to capture moving objects (such as fireworks or passing cars) in Night mode. 1/30 c ISO 3200, But be prepared for noise. The alternative is to make videos in the space. 4K@30fps and cut the frame later.

⚠️ Note: When shooting night scenery with HDR You can see artifacts in colored stripes, and if you notice this effect, turn it off. HDR customized.

Clean the lens of fingerprints|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Insert the flat horizon grid|Shut down. AI-camera|Set the timer for 3 seconds (to avoid grease when pressed)-->

4. Portrait Mode: How to Get a Natural Bokeh

The depth sensor in Redmi 9 Pro helps create a background blur, but often the result looks artificial.

• 👤 Distance to object: optimally 1-1.5 meters. Too close - face will be distorted, too far - bokeh will disappear.
• 🌈 Lighting: Avoid contrasting light (such as the sun at its zenith) and it is better to shoot in shade or in diffuse light.
• 🎨 Background: monochromatic surfaces (wall, sky) blur better than loaded ones (forests, crowds).
• ⚙️ Settings: In Portrait Mode, tap the screen to manually select the focal point (the camera doesn’t always correctly identify the face).

If the bokeh is too aggressive, try editing the photo in the standard Gallery after shooting: there is a background blur tool where you can reduce the intensity of the effect. Also look for color artifacts around the edges of the object (for example, hair can glow in green or purple). To reduce them, shoot against a background that contrasts in color with the object.

5. Video Shooting: Settings for a smooth picture

Redmi 9 Pro supports video in the video 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps, But by default, the camera shoots in 1080p@30fps — It's enough for social media, but not for professional purposes:

1. Go to Camera Settings → Video resolution and select 4K (for detailing) or 1080p@60fps (smoothly).
2. Activate Stabilization (in the same settings), but note: it cuts the edges of the frame.
3. To shoot in motion (for example, from a car), use an external stabilizer or hold the smartphone with both hands, pressing your elbows against your body.
4. Avoid digital zoom – better get closer or shoot on a wide-angle module (swipes up).

Notice the autofocus, which is sometimes "breathing" in the video, which is constantly adjusting, which spoils the frame.

1. Point the camera at the object.
2. Touch and hold the screen for 2 seconds until the message appears. AF Lock.

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in 4K The smartphone gets very hot, and in 10-15 minutes, you can automatically shut down the camera. 1080p Or use an external battery for cooling.

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For slow motion video (slow-mo) use Slow Mode in the video 120fps, But remember, the permission will be all. 720p, The lighting should be bright.

6. Photo processing directly on the smartphone

Even the perfect shot can be improved with Xiaomi’s built-in tools. Open the photo in the Gallery, click Edit and pay attention to these features:

• ✨ AI-Retouch: automatically improves contrast and color, but sometimes oversubstantiates with saturation. Use 50-70% of the maximum.
• 🎨 Curves: allow point-to-point adjustment of shadows, light and contrast (similar to Lightroom).
• 🔍 Sharpness: Increase by 10-15% for macro or portraits, but no more – artifacts will appear.
• 🎭 Effects: filter Soft smooths the skin well, and Vivid is suitable for landscapes.

For deeper processing, install Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile. In Snapseed, pay attention to the Selective Correction tool, which allows you to brighten only the face without affecting the background. And in Lightroom, the Mask feature is useful for spot editing (for example, make the sky blue without changing the rest of the frame).

If you're filming in RAW (And it's available in Pro Mode, and it's going to give you even more processing, like in Lightroom, you can restore over-lit areas or shadows without losing quality: RAW-Files take 20-30MB each, so don’t overuse this format.

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To quickly compare the original and the edited photo in the Gallery, hold your finger on the screen – the original version will appear.

7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the frame.-5 Problems and solutions for Redmi 9 Pro:

1. Blurred photos in good lighting: Reason: dirty lens or wrong focus. wipe the lenses with microfiber and tap the screen to set the focus point manually.
2. Overlit skies or shadows on faces: Reason: high contrast of scene. HDR Or shoot in Pro mode with exposure correction -0.7 EV.
3. Green in artificial light: Reason: wrong white balance. In Pro mode, set white balance on an incandescent lamp or 4000K.
4. Noise in the room photo: Cause: High ISO. Turn on Night Mode or use an external light source.
5. Curved horizons: Reason: no level. Turn on the grid or use Pro Mode with electronic level.

Another common problem is that auto-returns take too long. The default delay is 3 seconds, but you can reduce it to 1 second in the timer settings, which is useful for spontaneous shots.

8 Additional accessories for improving shooting

Although the Redmi 9 Pro does well without accessories, a few inexpensive gadgets will help take photos to the next level:

If you have a budget, start with a tripod, which solves 80% of the blur problems. It's good to buy a propeller stabilizer for video shooting, DJI Osmo Mobile SE), But it's an investment of 5,000. ₽.

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The most useful accessory for Redmi 9 Pro — UV-filter on the main camera (worth it) ~300 ₽). It protects the lens from scratches and reduces glare when shooting against the sun.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions