How to take a cool selfie on a smartphone Xiaomi Redmi: from camera settings to processing

Selfies on Xiaomi Redmi can be as good as on flagship smartphones — if you know a few tricks. A2 Redmi Note 12 is equipped with cameras with a resolution of up to 50 MP and support HDR, But by default, they often shoot flat, and the problem is not the hardware, but the settings: wrong white balance, automatic processing that eats away at the parts, or the banal disregard of lighting.

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything from smartphone prep to photo finalization, which camera modes give you the best results on specific Redmi models, how to get around the limitations of budget frontals, and why 8MP selfies look better in good light than 32MP in the dark, and a secret manual trick that Xiaomi “hidden” in the depths of the menu.

1. Preparation of the smartphone: cleaning the lens and software update

Before you set up the camera, make sure the lens is clean. The Redmi front camera often accumulates greasy prints, dust and even cosmetic residues - this leads to blurring and glare. Use a microfiber wipe (for glasses, for example) and an alcohol wipe for degreasing. Don't rub the lens with your fingers or coarse cloth!

The second step is to update the firmware. Xiaomi regularly improves photo processing algorithms, especially in Redmi Note models. 11/12/13. Check the relevance of the software:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have a new version, install it (preferably via Wi-Fi).
3. After the update, restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially global ones) reset the camera settings after the update. Take screenshots of the current settings in advance in the Additional section.

2.The optimal camera settings for selfies on Redmi

Standard Photo mode rarely gives the best result, and depending on the Redmi model, the following options are available:

For all models it is mandatory:

• 🔍 Turn off Auto Improvement (blurring details).
• 🎨 Set the Color Style to “Natural” or “Bright” (not “Live” – it recolors the skin).
• 📏 Enable the Grid (Rule of Thirds) for the correct composition.
• 🔄 If there is a mirror selfie option, turn it on (the photo will be like in a mirror, without inversion).

Disable Auto Improvement|Turn on the grid.|Select Portrait Mode/HDR|Check the purity of the lens|Set the "Natural" color style"

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⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ redmi K60 50MP selfies are overly detailed (pores, wrinkles are visible). Social media is better off shooting in 12MP with Skin Smoothing enabled (Level 1).

3. Lighting: How to avoid shadows and relights

Even the most advanced Redmi camera won't save a selfie in poor light, but the rule is that the light should fall in front or above, but not behind (otherwise it will be a silhouette).

• ☀️ Natural light at the window (but not in direct sunlight – there will be hard shadows).
• 💡 Ring lamp (cheap options are available on AliExpress for the 500-1000 ₽).
• 📱 Screen of another smartphone with a white background (at last resort).
• 🕯️ Warm light on a desk lamp (but not yellow) distorts skin color).

Avoid:

• 🚫 Incandescent lamp (gives a reddish hue).
• 🚫 Fluorescent light (greenish hue).
• 🚫 Contrast light (e.g., the sun) + Shadow: The face will be half dark).

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If you're shooting in a dark room, use Night Mode even during the day, which reduces noise and adds detail, but keep your phone as still as possible. 2-3 seconds.

To check for lighting, take a test photo and look at the histogram in any editor (such as Google Photos), if the graph is pressed to the left or right edge, the light is too dim or bright.

4.Positions and angles: how not to look clumsy

The angle of the shot has a big impact on the face.

• 📉 From the bottom up - double chin and large nostrils.
• 📈 Too high, the head looks small and the forehead looks huge.
• ☹️ Right into the camera, there's no volume, the face looks flat.

Optimal angles:

• 👍 Slightly above eye level (on the 10-15 cm) - lengthens the neck and tightens the oval of the face.
• 😊 A slight head turn (30-45 degrees, adds dynamics.
• 🤳 Extended arm (not too close to the face) – reduces distortion of the wide-angle lens.

For a group selfie:

• 👥 Use a timer (3 or 10 seconds) and put your phone on a stable surface.
• 📏 Back up on 1-1.5 a meter from the camera so that everyone fits in the frame.
• 🔄 Enable Horizontal Level in the camera settings (helps avoid curved lines).

5. Xiaomi's Secret Camera Features for Selfies

Redmi smartphones have hidden options that are not visible on the camera's home screen.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch it. ⚙️ → Additionally. → The laboratory (or on older models).
3. Turn on:

• 🎭 Portrait Improvement (for Portrait mode).
• 👁️ Autofocus on the eyes (focus on the pupils).
• 🌈 Expanded HDR (Only for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ newer).
• 📸 Raw photos (if you plan to process in Lightroom).

In the models with AMOLED-screens (Redmi) K50, Redmi Note 12 Pro) has another trick: before a selfie, turn Always on the screen (in the display settings) with a white background - this will create a soft face lighting.

⚠️ Attention: Function Raw photos (RAW) takes up (20-30 MB per image) and requires manual processing, only use it if you can work in Lightroom or Snapseed.

6. Selfie processing: apps and settings

Even the perfect selfie can be improved, and basic processing is good.

• 📱 Google Photos (autocorrection) + manually adjusting light/shadow).
• 🎨 Snapseed (Selective correction tool for point corrections).
• 👗 Facetune (for skin retouching, but don't get carried away!).
• 🌄 VSCO (natural-color filters).

What can be fixed:

• ⚪ Increase exposure to +0.3...+0.7 (but do not overshoot!).
• 🔘 Add contrast (+10...+15) for volume.
• 🎨 Reduce the saturation of the skin by -5...-10 (Not to look like a plastic doll).
• 🔍 Apply background blur (Bock tool in Snapseed).

⚠️ Warning: Avoid filters with pink or orange tints - they distort the natural colors of the skin. HB1 or SE3 into VSCO.

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The most important thing about processing selfies is to keep them natural, and if you don't recognize yourself after you edit, you've overdone it.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced Redmi users make these mistakes:

If selfies are too dark, don’t raise them. ISO manually, lower shutter speed (if you have one in pro mode) and Redmi has optimal values:

• 🌞 Daytime: ISO 100-200, exposure 1/1000.
• 🌆 At dusk: ISO 400-800, exposure 1/30 (Keep your phone steady!).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions