Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro has long been the king of the middle segment, and in many ways this is due to its main camera with a sensor 64 MP. Many users buy this device for the sake of the ability to take high-quality pictures, but standard settings often do not reveal the full potential of the matrix.
To get really impressive results, you need to manually optimize a number of parameters that are hidden from the surface view. Proper white balance calibration, focus setting and understanding the night mode will allow you to take pictures that are not inferior to flagship devices of higher price range.
In this article, we will take a look at all the stages of setup, from basic parameters to advanced shooting techniques, and learn how to get rid of unnecessary noise, improve detail, and use all camera modules, including a macro lens, to the maximum of their capabilities.
Basic configuration and resolution of images
The first thing to start with is to choose the right resolution: By default, the camera can work in pixel binning mode, producing 16 MP shots. However, for landscapes and static objects, it is better to activate the full 64 MP mode. This will significantly increase the detail, especially when viewing photos on a large screen or when framing.
To activate this mode, open the Camera app and look for an icon labeled “64M” in the top menu. It is important to understand that zooming will be digital and less high-quality in this mode, and files will take up more space. Use this mode only in good lighting, since at night the 64MP sensor can give more digital noise due to the smaller pixel size.
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Use 64MP mode only in daylight or good artificial lighting, and at night it is better to switch to standard mode or Night for better light sensitivity.
Also worth paying attention to is the aspect ratio: Standard 4:3 uses the entire matrix area, whereas 16:9 just cuts the top and bottom of the frame. If you plan to edit or print photos, it's better to shoot in full format, and framing is done already during processing.
Focus and exposure setting
Autofocus in the Redmi Note 9 Pro is fast enough, but in difficult scenes it can be wrong. To control the shooting process, learn to use manual lock exposure and focus. Touch the screen at the point that should be in focus, and hold your finger until the AE/AF LOCK label appears.
Once you lock it, you'll see a slider (sun) next to the focus square. By moving it up or down, you can artificially brighten or darken the frame. This is critical for shooting against light or when you need to highlight the silhouette of an object. Overexposure often helps pull details out of the shadows, but be careful with the lights that are knocked out.
For video, manual exposure locking is mandatory. If you're shooting a video while moving the camera, the automation will constantly change the brightness of the frame, creating an unpleasant flicker effect.
☑️ Setting up the exposure
Use of PRO mode and manual settings
The built-in PRO mode gives you access to full sensor control, so you can set your ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and focal length, and it's the best way to learn how to take photos and get results that you can't automatically do.
ISO is responsible for light sensitivity. The lower the value (for example, ISO 100), the cleaner the picture, but the less light gets to the matrix. Raising ISO to 800 and above will inevitably lead to “grain” or digital noise. Try to keep ISO minimal, compensating for the lack of light exposure.
| Parameter | Meaning | Impact on the photo |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | 100-3200 | Light sensitivity and noise level |
| Excerpt (S) | 1/8000 - 30 sec | Amount of light and motion lubrication |
| WB (Balance) | 2000K-10000K | Warmth or coldness of shades |
| Focus (MF) | Hand trick | Point of Field (macro/infinity) |
Shutter speeds determine the time that light is exposed to the array. Short shutter speeds (e.g., 1/1000) freeze motion, which is ideal for shooting children or sports. Long shutter speeds (between 1/30 and longer) require a tripod, but allow you to take stunning pictures of the night city or light trails from cars.
The secret to long exposure
Low-light shooting
Night photography is a challenge for any smartphone. In the Redmi Note 9 Pro, Night Mode is responsible for this. The algorithm takes a series of images with different exposures and glues them together, removing noise and increasing brightness. For best results, the phone must be held absolutely still for 2-4 seconds.
However, automatic night mode sometimes makes the pictures unnaturally bright, removing the atmosphere of the night. In such cases, it is better to switch to PRO mode, set a low ISO (about 400-800) and shutter speed of about 1-2 seconds, which will preserve contrast and natural shadows, making the photo more artistic.
⚠️ Warning: When shooting with long exposure at night, even micro-shaking your hands will blur the frame. 3-5 seconds or voice control so as not to touch the screen when the shutter is lowered.
It's also worth turning off the flash in most cases. LED-A flash in smartphones gives a hard, flat light and often spoils colors. It is better to use the available street light or the screen of another phone as a source of illumination for portraits.
Working with Portrait Mode and Bokeh
Portrait mode in MIUI uses software blurring of the background. The camera defines the boundaries of the object and blurs everything behind it. For quality work, you need good lighting and contrast between the object and the background. The distance to the object should be within 0.5 - 2 meters.
You can choose the bokeh effect (imitation of different lenses) and the degree of blur in your portrait settings. You don't need to twist the blur to a maximum (f/0.95 or analog), because the algorithms can go wrong on complex boundaries, such as around hair or glasses, the optimal value is f/2.8 or f/4.0, which gives a natural effect.
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The perfect portrait on the Redmi Note 9 Pro is obtained in natural daylight and moderate background blurring force. Avoid motley backgrounds so that the algorithm does not "lost" the edge of the object.
If you are shooting indoors, turn on HDR in portrait mode, which will help to align the face exposure if the background is too bright (such as a window), and avoid silhouette instead of portrait.
Macrograph and wide-angle lens
The Redmi Note 9 Pro macro camera has a fixed focus at a very short distance (about 2-4 cm from the subject) and you need to literally "push" the camera into the subject to take a picture. Zumming in this mode does not work, since it uses a separate sensor.
The ultra-wide camera allows you to capture more space in the frame, but suffers from lower resolution and lower dynamic range compared to the main module. When shooting at a wide angle, try to keep the horizon strictly flat, otherwise distortions around the edges of the frame will be noticeable.
Light is critical for macro photography, so at this close range, the phone can block the light source with its body, use sidelights or shoot in bright daylight to get sharp and detailed texture shots.