Today’s Xiaomi Redmi smartphones have cameras that have caught up with, and in some scenarios outstripped, budget SLRs. However, many users don’t realize they’re only using 20 percent of their device’s capabilities, limited to the standard Point and Shoot mode. The secret lies in getting the software right and understanding the physical workings of your gadget’s optics.
To turn ordinary photos into professional photos, you need to master several key techniques available in the standard MIUI Camera app, we will examine not only the basic features, but also the hidden features that will help you look as natural and attractive in photos as possible.
The first thing to do is to switch to the front camera. To do this, in the camera interface, click on the icon with the image of two cameras or swipe on the screen. Make sure that the Settings → Camera → General option is turned on “Mirror reflection” if you are more accustomed to seeing yourself as in a normal mirror, and not as others see you.
Setup of camera parameters and shooting modes
The main tool for creating quality portraits is Portrait Mode. Unlike the standard photo mode, here Xiaomi AI AI AI AI algorithms separate the object from the background, creating a blur effect (bokeh) characteristic of expensive lenses. To activate it, select the appropriate tab in the shooting mode menu.
It's important to understand that you have to keep your distance to work properly. The optimal distance to the object is 0.5 to 2 meters. If you get too close, the focus can go, and if it's too far, the effect will be barely noticeable. The adjustment of the blur level is available with a slider that appears on the screen after the mode is activated.
In the camera settings (cog icon or swipe up), select the maximum available resolution, such as 108 MP or 64 MP, if your Redmi Note or Redmi Pro model supports such modes, which will allow you to keep the maximum detail of the skin and texture of the clothes, which is especially important for subsequent processing.
- 📸 HDR: Turn on this mode when shooting against light or in high contrast to level the exposure.
- ✨ AI-Scene: The algorithm automatically recognizes a person's face and optimizes skin colors, making them warmer and more pleasant.
- ⚡ Screen flash: Use the screen as a source of soft filling light in the dark by activating the corresponding lightning icon.
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For low-light shooting, turn on Night Mode even on the front camera if the smartphone model supports this feature. Shutter speed will increase, so keep your phone still.
Use of beauty filters and retouching
One of the most talked-about features in Xiaomi smartphones is the built-in beautyizer, which many users criticize for being too plastic, but when properly adjusted, it allows you to achieve the effect of light makeup and healthy skin without losing textures.
In the retouching menu, you'll find sliders to smooth the skin, change the shape of the face, enlarge the eyes, and even change the color of the lips. Key point: don't set the values to maximum. The optimal level of smoothing the skin is in the range of 20-30%, which allows you to remove small defects, preserving the natural pores and relief.
⚠️ Warning: Excessive use of beauty filters can lead to the loss of important facial details, causing biometric unlocking systems (Face) ID) They may not recognize the owner after processing the photo in the gallery.
And you can also experiment with color filters that are applied over the main image, which, unlike beauty mode, change the overall tone of the frame. Selfies are great for filters from the categories "Portrait" or "Food" (the latter adds warmth, which is beneficial for the skin), but their intensity is also better reduced to 40-50%.
☑️ Setting up the perfect portrait
Composition of the frame and lighting rules
Even the most expensive camera won't save a shot if you break the basic rules of composition. In the camera settings, be sure to turn on the Grid (rule of thirds), which will help you to place your face not strictly in the center, but to move it to one of the vertical intersection lines, which will make the shot more dynamic and interesting.
Light is the photographer's main tool. Always face the light source. The window in the daytime is the perfect softbox that lights the face gently, hiding wrinkles and irregularities. Avoid hard upper light (such as from a chandelier directly overhead) that creates unaesthetic shadows under the eyes and nose.
If you shoot outside, avoid direct sunlight at noon. The best time for a selfie is the "golden hour" (the hour after dawn or before sunset), when the light is soft and golden. In cloudy weather, the light is scattered by clouds, which is also a great condition for portraiture without sharp contrasts.
| Type of lighting | Recommendation | The effect in the photo |
|---|---|---|
| Direct solar | Avoid or use a reflector | Hard shadows, lights. |
| Scattered (window/shadow) | Perfect for a portrait. | Soft transitions, even tone |
| Counter (backlight) | Activate HDR or flash | Silhouette or dark face without settings |
| Artificial (lampe) | Check the white balance | Yellow or green shades are possible. |
Secrets of the professionals
Shooting with timer and voice control
Taking selfies with your arm outstretched is not always convenient or always catching the right angle. In such cases, the delayed start functions come to the rescue. In the camera settings menu, find the "Timer" and select the delay of 3, 5 or 10 seconds, which is enough time to install the smartphone, take a position and smile.
An even more advanced feature is voice control. By activating the Voice control option (often in the same settings menu or through the magic wand icon), you can take a picture by saying a command. On Xiaomi smartphones, it can be the word "Cheese," "Snapshot," or simply "Flash," depending on the firmware version and region.
This feature is indispensable when you want to capture a group of people or when the phone is mounted on a tripod. The camera will start counting down (usually 3 seconds) after recognizing the command, giving you time to blink or take the final pose. This eliminates the need to reach for the screen, which often leads to lubrication of the frame at the last minute.
- 🗣️ Voice command: Allows you to control the camera without touching the screen, which reduces the risk of concussion of the device.
- ⏱️ Serial shooting: Press the down button to take a series of frames and choose the best one in the gallery.
- 🤳 Gestures: Some models support shooting the gesture shown (for example, a raised palm), which activates the timer.
Stabilization and prevention of lubrication
One of the main problems when taking selfies, especially in low light conditions, is the lubrication of the image, which is due to the trembling of the hands and the long exposure that the camera automatically selects. Modern Redmi models use electronic image stabilization (EIS), but it works more efficiently when shooting video.
For static photos, try to hold your smartphone with both hands, elbows tightly pressed against the body, which will create a stable design. If you use one hand, you can hold your wrist or elbow against a hard surface, and it also helps to use a short flash that freezes movement.
⚠️ Attention: Digital zoom in selfies significantly degrades the image quality, as it is just a crop (trimming) of the central part of the matrix.
In professional mode (Pro), you can manually set a shorter shutter speed (e.g., 1/100 or 1/200 seconds), which is guaranteed to remove the lubrication from hand movements, but will require good lighting or ISO raising, which can add digital noise.
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The main enemy of a clear selfie is not a bad camera, but the movement of the hands when the shutter is lowered. Use a timer or voice to completely immobilize your smartphone.