How to set up a camera on the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still a popular device, thanks in large part to its versatile four-module camera. However, the standard settings set by the manufacturer do not always allow you to unlock the full potential of the 48-megapixel sensor, many users do not even know about the hidden features that can dramatically change the quality of the images received.

Getting the right interface configuration is the first step to professional photography. You don't have to be an expert in photography to take studio-quality shots, you just need to be able to manage MIUI Camera software. In this guide, we'll take a look at all aspects of the setup, from basic settings to advanced manual focusing tools.

The camera interface on the MIUI shell may seem overloaded, but it's only at first glance. The main task is to turn off the extra "improvers" and learn to use shooting scenarios consciously. Let's figure out which parameters require your attention in the first place to get clear and rich pictures.

Basic configuration and resolution of images

The first thing to start with is choosing the right resolution, and by default, the camera can run in 12MP mode, using pixel binning technology to improve sensitivity, but for landscapes and daytime photography, it often makes sense to switch to a full sensor.

To activate high-resolution mode, you need to find the appropriate icon at the top of the screen or in the settings menu, usually denoted as 48MP or AI (depending on the firmware version), it is important to understand that when you turn on 48 MP, the file will take up significantly more space in the memory of the device.

Also worth paying attention to is the aspect ratio: the standard 4:3 value uses the entire area of the matrix, whereas 16:9 just cuts the top and bottom of the frame in a software way. If you plan to print photos or crop, you better shoot at full size immediately.

Remember to regularly clean your lenses of fingerprints. A fat film on glass can negate all your adjustment efforts, making the shots cloudy and depriving them of contrast. Rub the camera with a soft cloth before each important shot.

Set up the grid and horizon level

The composition of the frame is crucial to the perception of the photograph, and the built-in grid helps to structure the frame according to the rule of thirds, placing key objects at the intersection of lines, and it's an easy way to make the shot more harmonious and professional.

To activate this function, go to the settings menu by clicking on the three bars in the corner of the screen and select Settings. Find the Grid switch and activate it. Now, when you shoot, you will see the guide lines that will disappear in the finished photo.

• 📐 Rule of thirds: Place the horizon on the bottom or top of the grid.
• 🏔️ Landscapes: Use vertical lines to align buildings and trees.
• 🤳 Portraits: center your face or shift it to the intersection of lines for dynamics.

It's also useful to turn on the Level option in the settings, and when you tilt the phone, the screen will show a straight line when the camera is aligned relative to the horizon, which is especially true when you're shooting architecture and seascapes, where the littered horizon is very conspicuous.

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Use the grid not only for composition, but also for leveling the horizon, and even a slight deviation of 2-3 degrees can spoil the impression of the landscape picture.

Using Pro Mode for Manual Control

Pro mode gives you access to manual exposure settings, allowing you to have full control of the shooting process, where you can independently adjust ISO, shutter speed, white balance and focal length, ignoring the smartphone’s automatic algorithms.

This mode allows you to shoot in RAW (DNG) format, which contains raw data from the matrix, which gives you a lot of freedom when you post-process in editors like Lightroom or Snapseed, you can pull details from the shadows and correct colors without losing quality.

You need to take a quick shutter speed, like 1/500 of a second, to capture moving objects (water, children, vehicles), and if you want to take a light trail at night or smooth the water, set a shutter speed of a few seconds and use a tripod.

Manual mode requires practice, and try to take a series of images of the same object, changing only one parameter at a time, and this will help you understand exactly how ISO affects the level of digital noise and how shutter speed changes the nature of movement in the frame.

Macrograph and wide-angle lens

The Redmi Note 8 module includes a dedicated macro camera with a resolution of 2 MP. It allows you to focus on objects from a distance of only 2 cm This opens up a world of textures, insects and small details that are invisible to the naked eye.

To turn on macro mode, it is often enough to simply hold the camera very close to the subject in normal mode, and the phone will switch itself. However, to guarantee the result, you should choose Macro mode in the scene menu. The wide-angle lens (8 MP) is useful for shooting interiors and large groups of people.

⚠️ Note: When using macro mode, try not to block the light with your body or phone. Due to the close distance to the object, the shadow from the device can completely block the object being filmed.

A wide-angle camera has less resolution and aperture than the main module, so in low light conditions, the quality of the images can noticeably drop. Use this lens mainly in good daylight for sharp and detailed shots.

Portrait mode and background blur

Portrait mode in Xiaomi uses artificial intelligence algorithms to define the boundaries of the object and blur the background. This creates a bokeh effect characteristic of expensive SLR cameras with high-speed optics. On the Redmi Note 8, this mode works quite efficiently in good lighting.

You can adjust the level of background blur in portrait mode settings, and the slider is usually at the bottom of the screen or appears after you click on the setting icon inside the mode, and you don't want to set the maximum value, because it can lead to artifacts around the hair and complex contours.

• 👤 Single portrait: works best with people, clearly highlighting the figure.
• 🐶 Animals: Algorithms can make mistakes with hair, good light is required.
• 🏙️ Objects: can be used to shoot food or gadgets against the background of a blurred interior.

The effectiveness of portrait mode depends on the contrast between the object and the background. If you shoot a person in a white T-shirt against a white wall, the camera may not see the boundaries and will not apply blurring. Try to choose contrasting backgrounds.

Setup of video shooting and stabilization

The smartphone supports 4K video at 30 frames per second and Full HD at 60 frames. For dynamic scenes such as sports or running, it is preferable to choose 60 fps, which will ensure smooth movement. 4K is better for static scenes and maximum detail quality.

An important feature is Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), which cuts the edges of the frame to compensate for the shaking of the hands, and you can turn it on in the video settings, but it's worth remembering that when you activate EIS in 4K, the quality can decrease slightly due to the crop of the matrix.

The sound in the video is recorded through built-in microphones. If you're shooting in windy weather, try to cover the microphone hole downwind with your hand or use windshield, otherwise the sound will be spoiled by noise. In the settings, you can also turn off the recording of sound if you plan to overlay music later.

⚠️ Attention: Recording video in 4K It uses up the battery quickly and heats up the device. If the phone overheats, the recording can automatically be interrupted. 1080p.

Hidden functions and additional settings

There are some useful options hidden in the camera's settings menu that you should activate right away, such as Document Scanning, which automatically aligns and improves text contrast by turning a photo into a digital document, which is faster and more convenient than looking for a separate application.

Also note the possibility of shooting on schedule or with a delay: the 3c or 5c timer allows you to avoid lubrication from pressing the screen, and the 10c timer will give you time to take up space in the frame for a group photo. In some versions of MIUI, you can shoot with a cotton or a smile.

Don’t ignore the Watermarks section, you can add a date, time, or even location directly to the photo at the time of the shoot, which will eliminate the need to edit the photo later if you keep a travel photo diary or a job report.

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Regular updates to the Camera app via the GetApps store or Google Play can bring new processing algorithms and fix bugs, so keep an eye out for software versions.