How to shoot in RAW on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone often underestimate the photographic potential of their device, relying solely on automatic processing algorithms. However, to get studio-quality images, you need to go beyond the standard JPEG and start working with the RAW format. It is this format that stores all the information obtained by the matrix, allowing post-processing to create real wonders with dynamic range and color reproduction.

Unlike compressed JPEG, where the camera decides how to illuminate the shadows and saturate the colors, the RAW format (in this case DNG) is a “digital negative.” You get a file that looks faded immediately after shooting, but hides a huge amount of data for subsequent retouching, especially in scenes with complex lighting, where the smartphone’s automation often loses details in the lights or falls shadows into black.

In this article, we will take a closer look at how to activate professional shooting mode on your Redmi Note 8 Pro, what settings you need to configure to get the perfect source and how to properly handle the obtained files. You will learn why ISO and shutter speed play a crucial role, and get practical tips for improving the quality of photos without using expensive equipment.

You don't have to install third-party apps to get started. Xiaomi's Camera app already has all the functionality it needs hidden in the extra settings menu. The key is to understand the logic of how manual settings work, so you can stop being just an observer and become the creator of your shots. Are you ready to unleash the full potential of your gadget? Then we start setting up.

Camera Preparation and Activation of Pro-Mode

The first step to start shooting in RAW is to switch the standard camera interface to manual control mode. On the home screen of the Camera app, you have to scroll through the list of modes to the right to the Other. That's where the PRO tool hides, which gives you access to the physical parameters of the lens and the sensor, and without activating this mode, shooting in RAW on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is impossible.

Once you select PRO mode, you'll see a number of icons at the top of the screen or on the side, depending on the orientation of the smartphone. We're interested in an icon labeled RAW or JPG+RAW. By default, it can be turned off. Click on it to activate the original data save. Now each shot taken will be duplicated: one copy in the usual JPEG for quick viewing and one in the DNG format for deep processing.

It is important to understand that the inclusion of the record RAW-The file size increases significantly the size of each image. JPEG near-weight 3-5 MB, then bundle JPEG+RAW may take up 30-40 MB of disk space.So before a photo shoot, make sure that your Xiaomi has enough free memory, or set up automatic upload to the cloud.

⚠️ Note: When shooting actively in RAW The smartphone buffer memory fills up faster. Don't do serial shooting in long bursts, otherwise the camera may temporarily block the interface for processing data.

The PRO mode interface may seem overloaded to a beginner, but all controls are logically arranged. The bottom is the sliders for adjusting white balance, focus, shutter speed and sensitivity. On the top are the lens switches (if there are several) and flash settings. The Redmi Note 8 Pro features a 64MP core module, which should be used for maximum quality.

Exposure setting: Exposure and ISO

The key parameters affecting exposure in manual mode are shutter speed and light sensitivity (ISO). On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, these settings are implemented in the form of convenient sliders. Shutter speed determines how long the matrix will "see" light. Short shutter speed (for example, 1/1000 s) freezes movement, and a long (1/4 s or more) blurs it, which is useful for shooting water or night traffic.

Parameter ISO It regulates the sensitivity of the sensor to light. ISO at a minimum value (usually 50 or 100) to avoid digital noise. ISO It is necessary in dark rooms, but on mobile matrices this quickly leads to the appearance of "grain" and loss of detail. RAW-The format allows you to clear the noise a little while while processing, but it is better to avoid high values initially.

To properly assess exposure, use a built-in histogram. In PRO mode, the screen displays a graph of the brightness distribution. Your task is to adjust the shutter speed and ISO so that the histogram hump does not stick to either the left (total blackness) or the right (total white) edge, which ensures that details are preserved in shadows and lights.

• 📸 To shoot the current water, use a longer exposure. 1/2 seconds and fix the phone on a tripod.
• 🏃 For sports scenes or children, set the shutter speed shorter. 1/250 seconds to avoid smears.
• 🌙 Don't bully at night. ISO above 800, it is better to extend the shutter speed if the object is static.

There's a direct correlation between these parameters: if you increase shutter speed (make the frame lighter), you need to reduce the ISO, and vice versa. Experiment with these values by looking at real-time previews. Redmi Note 8 Pro quickly handles changes, which allows you to quickly respond to changing lights.

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Use the frame grid (in camera settings) to set the horizon evenly, especially at long exposures when the slightest tilt will catch your eye.

Working with focus and white balance

In automatic mode, the camera decides what to focus on, which often leads to errors when the foreground is blurred and the background remains clear, or vice versa. In PRO mode, you get full control of focus (MF - Manual Focus). The focus slider allows you to select a point of field with a precision of millimeter, which is critical for macro photography or portraits with blurred backgrounds.

When filming in RAW white-colour (WB) You can leave it in the Auto position or select the right preset. RAW It's raw, so you can change the color temperature without losing quality on your computer or in your mobile editor. JPG+RAW, setup WB affect JPEG-Previews that can confuse you when evaluating a frame on the screen.

For creative purposes, you can intentionally shift white balance to cold or warm tones, which creates a certain atmosphere of the frame, for example, the "warm" light of a candle can be amplified by moving the slider towards yellow, or neutralized, in DNG, these edits are completely untraceable for image quality.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro allows you to bring the lens very close to the subject, in which case the autofocus can start to "scour." By switching to manual focus and adjusting the sharpness with a slider, you are guaranteed to get a clear picture of the texture, insect or small detail.

Comparison of formats: RAW vs JPEG

Many users are wondering if the game is worth the candle. To understand the difference, let's look at the technical aspects. JPEG is a compression format that throws away some of the information that the human eye allegedly does not notice. RAW (DNG on Xiaomi) is a container that stores data from each pixel of the matrix without aggressive compression and software grinding.

Main advantage RAW — It's a way to pull a frame. JPEG The sky has become a white spot, and RAW-In a file, you can often reconstruct the texture of the clouds, and in the same way, you can pull out the details from deep shadows that you can pull out. JPEG It would be just black noise, and that makes it an indispensable format for landscape and architectural photography.

But RAW has its drawbacks, and the main one is post-processing, and the RAW image looks flat and unsaturated, and it's going to take time and software (Lightroom, Snapseed, VSCO) to turn this digital negative into a beautiful photo, and JPEG is ready to be posted on social media immediately after you hit the down button.

⚠️ Attention: Files DNG Do not support some camera features, such as a program blur portrait mode or Night Mode, as these modes require complex algorithmic processing of multiple frames.

Processing RAW-smartphone-file

Shooting in RAW on Xiaomi is only half the story. The second, equally important, part is the development. Fortunately, modern mobile processors and AMOLED screens allow you to process photos directly on a device with professional quality. Adobe Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed applications are the best for working with DNG files.

In Lightroom, the process starts with the automatic application of the profile. When you open the DNG file, you'll see that the Light, Shadows, Whites and Blacks sliders have a huge stroke. That's the magic of RAW. You can lower Light to a minimum to show the sky, and lift Shadows to illuminate the dark corners of the room, while still keeping the image natural.

Focus on color. RAW has HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) correction, which allows you to change the shade of a particular color without affecting the rest. For example, make the grass yellower or the sky deeper blue. On JPEG, this manipulation often leads to artifacts and banding, but DNG forgives these edits.

• 🎨 Start processing with exposure and white balance correction.
• 🔍 Use Selective Adjustments for local edits, such as lightening only the face.
• 💾 Always keep a copy of the original or use non-destructive editing.

Remember, your smartphone screen may have a factory calibration that distorts colors. What looks perfect on the Redmi Note 8 Pro on another device may go blue or yellow. Try to check the result on different screens or use reference images for comparison.

Frequent errors when shooting in manual mode

The transition to manual mode is often accompanied by typical errors that can ruin even the most interesting shot. The first and most common mistake is using high ISO when shooting from hand indoors. Users forget that the smartphone's matrix is physically smaller than in a SLR camera and it makes much more noise, the result is grainy, unprintable photos.

The second mistake is to ignore stability. In PRO mode, you'll often use shutter speeds longer than 1/60 of a second. At that speed, any micro-hand movement will lead to lubrication. If you don't have a tripod, put your elbows on a hard surface or lean your phone against a wall. Stability is key to sharpness.

The third mistake is to overdo it in post-processing, and when you see the power of RAW, beginners start to twist all the sliders to the maximum, and it leads to unnatural colors, plastic skin, and halo effects around contrasting boundaries, and remember that sense of proportion: the best retouch is the inconspicuous retouch.

Also worth mentioning is the object selection error: RAW saves technical parameters (exposure, color), but it doesn't save composition or boring plot. You need to focus not only on the ISO 100 and 1/500 settings, but also on what you're shooting. Look for lights, shadows and interesting angles.

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The secret to quality is low ISO and a stable camera, and a low ISO oiled frame that you can try to save is better than a high ISO noise mess.

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