How to take a photo of Xiaomi Redmi 9C Clear and bright: step-by-step instructions

Introduction: Why Photos on Redmi 9C are blurred or dark?

Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone 9C It is equipped with a triple main camera (13 MP). + 2 MPs + 2 MP), but many users face problems: pictures come out noisy in low light, lose details when zoomed in, or suffer from an incorrect white balance. The reason is not the β€œbad matrix” but the suboptimal default settings and the lack of understanding of how the software works. MIUI.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to improve photo quality without buying a new phone, from the hidden features of the standard Camera app to professional shooting techniques. HDR, You can set up manual mode and even improve your finished shots with free tools. 9C firmware MIUI 12.5 and newer.

Important: results depend on the conditions of the shooting. 9C They are fundamentally inferior to flagships due to the lack of optical stabilization and small pixel size (1.12 microns.

1. Optimizing the camera's default settings

The first thing you need to do is reset the camera settings to the factory and reset them. Often users accidentally change the settings (for example, include Live Photos or Watermark), which worsens the final quality.

Camera app β†’ βš™οΈ Settings β†’ Restore default settings

After reset, activate these parameters:

  • πŸ“Έ Photo resolution: select 13 MP (4:3) is the native resolution of the main sensor. 9 MP (16:9) uses software framing, which reduces detail.
  • 🌟 HDR: Turn on the car-HDR (Xiaomi’s algorithm sometimes fails to display the same exposure when forced. HDR.
  • πŸ”„ Save settings: activate the option "Save camera settings" - this will allow you to quickly switch between manual and automobility modes.
  • 🚫 Disable: β€œShall Sound”, β€œWater Sign”, β€œLive Photos” – these features add unnecessary processing.

⚠️ Note: If the camera settings do not have the option β€œRestore Default Settings” in them, update the Camera app via Google Play. Outdated versions (up to 6.4.101) do not support resetting.

13 MP resolution (4:3) selected

Auto-HDR on

Watermarks and shutter sound disabled

Updated app "Camera" to the latest version-->

2 Manual control of the shooting parameters

Automatic Redmi mode 9C It's often incorrect with exposure and white balance. Fortunately, the Camera app has a manual mode (Pro) that allows you to control the white balance:

  • πŸ“ Excerpt: from 1/1000 before 32 Seconds (useful for night shooting with tripod).
  • 🎯 Focus: manual focus from 0.1m to ∞ (macro-relevant).
  • πŸ”† ISO: 100–3200 range (the lower the noise, the less).
  • πŸ”„ White balance: pre-setting (daylight, cloudy, incandescent lamps) or manual temperature (2000–10000K).

How to use manual mode:

  1. Open the Camera app and swipe left to Pro.
  2. Touch the badge. βš™οΈ in the upper right corner to unroll the sliders.
  3. Set up parameters for the situation: πŸŒ… Daylight: ISO 100–200, exposure 1/500–1/1000, white balance "Daylight". πŸŒƒ Night: ISO 800–1600, exposure 1/10–1/4 (Use a tripod!), white balance "Incandescent lamps". 🌸 Macro: manual focus on 0.1–0.3, ISO 100, exposure 1/200.
Filming conditionsISOExcerpt.White balanceFocus
Bright sunny day100–2001/1000DaylightAutomobile
Overcast/shadow200–4001/200–1/500Cloudy.Automobile
Room lighting400–8001/30–1/100Fluorescent lampsManual (0.5-1.5m)
Night (with tripod)800–16001/4–1Filament lampsManual (∞)

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To shoot moving objects (children, animals) use the Sport mode in the main camera menu - it captures the shutter speed on the camera. 1/1000 and turns off autofocus between frames.

3. Use of Night Mode is correct

Night mode on Redmi 9C It works differently than Xiaomi flagships. There is no multi-frame addition (like in Mi). 11), Therefore, the maximum exposure is limited. 1/4 seconds without tripod and 1 And the algorithm aggressively suppresses the noise, which has a soapy effect.

How to make night photos better:

  • πŸ“± Keep your phone as still as possible: even micro-movements when shuttering 1/4 You'd better use a mini-station or lean your phone against a hard surface.
  • 🌌 Shooting at dusk: the mode "Night" gives the best result in residual lighting (sunset, street lights), and not in complete darkness.
  • πŸ”¦ Additional light: If you shoot a portrait at night, illuminate the object with a flashlight (not a built-in flash!).
  • πŸ“Š Processing: After shooting, increase contrast and sharpness in Google Photos (Edit tool) β†’ Correction").

⚠️ Attention: Night mode on Redmi 9C Automatically activate digital zoom Γ—2 when shooting in the dark, which makes the detail less detailed. To avoid this, manually set the zoom on the camera. Γ—1 before filming.

Never.

Rarely (1-2 times a month)

Sometimes (once a week)

Frequently (daily)-->

4 Post-processing: how to improve the finished photos

Even perfectly shots can be perfected with editing. 9C These tools will do:

AnnexAdvantagesDeficienciesBetter for you.
Google PhotoFree, Automatic Improvement, Cloud StorageLimited manual settingsFast color correction and exposure
SnapseedProfessional tools (selective correction, curves)Difficult for beginnersFine tuning of contrast, sharpness
Lightroom MobilePresets, manual color correction, synchronization with PCFees paidPackage processing, work with RAW
VSCOStylish filters, minimalist interfaceLimited free toolsCreating a single style for a series of photos

The basic algorithm for improving photos with Redmi 9C:

  1. Cut the frame (remove the extra elements at the edges).
  2. Increase the exposure to +0.3–0.7 EV (don't overglaze!).
  3. Increase contrast by 10-20%.
  4. Add sharpness (in Snapseed: Details tool) β†’ Structure").
  5. Adjust the colors: πŸ”΄ Reduce the saturation of red (on Redmi) 9C he's often swamped). 🌿 Increase the saturation of green for natural images.
How to save the processed photo without loss of quality?
Always export your photos in maximum resolution (in Snapseed or Lightroom, select Export.) β†’ 100% quality. Avoid re-compression – if you want to send a photo to the messenger, use the format.PNG instead.JPEG (At least the file will be heavier).

5. Alternative Camera Applications

Xiaomi’s standard Camera app doesn’t always take full advantage of the sensor’s potential, but alternatives offer advanced settings and better processing:

  • πŸ“· GCam (Google Camera): Ported version of the camera from Google Pixel with improved HDR+ And night mode. 9C fitting BSG GCam 8.1 (you can download it from the forum) 4PDA).
  • πŸŽ₯ Open Camera: Open source software with manual control of all parameters, including support RAW. The downside is no optimization under MIUI.
  • πŸŒ„ Footie: specializes in landscape images with automatic horizon alignment.
  • πŸ‘€ Portrait Cam: Improves Portrait Mode by More Accurate Blurring.

How to Install GCam on Redmi 9C:

  1. Download. APK-a file from a verified source (e.g., Celso Azevedo website).
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Special Access β†’ Install unknown applications.
  3. Install APK and open the app.
  4. In GCam settings, select: Camera Model: Nexus 6P (optimally for Helio G35). Turn it on. HDR+ Enhanced. disable Saber (may cause artifacts).

⚠️ Note: Some versions of GCam are in conflict with MIUI 13+. If the app crashes, try rolling back to GCam 7.3 or using Open Camera.

πŸ’‘

The GCam offers a 15-20% increase in detail compared to a standard camera, but can slow down when shooting video.

6. Technical tricks: lens cleaning and calibration

Often, poor photo quality is not due to settings, but to physical factors:

  • 🧴 Contaminated lens: greasy spots, dust or scratches on the glass reduce clarity!).
  • πŸ“ Defocus: If autofocus is constantly floating, reset it through the engineering menu (see instructions below).
  • πŸ”‹ Overheating: during long-term video or serial shots, the Helio processor G35 TNTlitol, which makes processing worse. Let the phone cool for 5-10 minutes.

How to reset the autofocus calibration:

  1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##6484##.
  2. Choose Manual AF Calibration.
  3. Point the camera at a contrasting object (e.g., text on paper) at a distance of 20-30 cm.
  4. Press Calibrate and wait until it is completed (don’t move the phone!).

If the camera is still not focused, check for hardware damage:

  • πŸ” Inspect the lens for cracks or displacement.
  • πŸ“± Check if the glass is β€œbreathing” when pressed (this is a sign of a detached module).
  • πŸ”§ If the problem is hardware, contact the service - replacing the camera with Redmi 9C worth ~1500–2500 rubles.

7. Accessories to improve photos: what really works

Even the budget camera can be improved with the help of inexpensive accessories:

  • πŸ“Έ External lenses: Macro Lens (magnification) Γ—10–×15) - for small objects. Wide-Angle Lens (120)Β°) β€” Fisheye, which is a fish-eye effect (more for creativity) Recommended brand: Xenvo or Apexel (cost) ~1000–2000 rubles.).
  • πŸ’‘ Ring lamp: soft light for portraits and macro. Choose models with adjustable color temperature (3000–6000K).
  • 🎀 Mini-station: even a budget tripod for 500 rubles (for example, UBeesize 50) stabilizes the frame with long shutter speeds.
  • πŸ”‹ Powerbank with Quick Charge: When shooting intensively (especially with GCam), the phone runs out in 2-3 hours. Powerbank at 10,000 mAh with Quick Charge 3.0 support will solve the problem.

Example of a macro shooting kit:

  1. Install the Macro Lens on the main camera.
  2. Lock the phone on a tripod.
  3. Illuminate the object with a ring lamp (power 5-10 W).
  4. Use manual mode with a focus on 0.1m and ISO 100.

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To shoot documents or checks, use Document mode in a standard camera - it automatically aligns the perspective and increases the contrast of text.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I shoot Redmi 9C in RAW format?
Yes, but only through third-party apps (Open Camera, Lightroom Mobile). MIUI supportive RAW. The files will weigh. ~20 MB each, but will give more post-processing options.
Why are photos taken during the day over-lit?
The blame for this aggressive algorithm HDR into MIUI. Turn it off. HDR Or use manual mode with exposure correction -0.7 EV. Also check if the light sensor is covering the finger (located to the right of the main camera).
How to make a blurred background (boke) in portraits?
In a standard camera, use Portrait mode, but consider its limitations: Works only at a distance of 0.5-2 m from the object; It is better to shoot in good light (in the dark, the edges of the object "break"). For best results, use GCam with Portrait Mode enabled.
Should I upgrade my firmware to improve my camera?
Updates MIUI Sometimes they are optimized for the camera (for example, in the MIUI 12.5.3 improved processing HDR). However, you should not expect radical changes - the iron remains the same, 4PDA), as new versions may introduce bugs (e.g. green in the photo).
Can I replace the camera with a Redmi? 9C more powerful?
Technically, but it's not practical, the camera module is soldered to the motherboard, and replacing it requires a complete disassembly of the phone (~3000-5000 rubles.) is comparable to buying a used smartphone with the best camera (for example, Redmi Note 10).