Adjust your phone camera settings manually to take better pictures

Taking photos with your phone camera's automatic settings is easy, convenient and comfortable – especially with a smartphone.

But depending on the lighting conditions, your phone's camera may not always produce satisfactory photos.

Now, many smartphones offer manual settings that you can activate in the camera menu. They may be referred to as professional mode.

"If you take the time to try out and get to know the various options, you are likely to be rewarded with better shots or photos that are closer to what you want," says telecommunications site Teltarif.de.

Retrofit professional mode with an alternative camera app

Some smartphones - perhaps less expensive ones - do not offer this option as standard. Alternative camera apps can help, such as the free and open-source Android application Open Camera, which allows you to customize your camera settings.

In professional mode, you can manually adjust the following settings:

ISO value: A low ISO value is recommended for shots in bright sunlight or in bright indoor environments. A higher value should be set in darker environments. However, note that high ISO values can quickly lead to image noise, especially on smartphones.

Exposure time: This has a significant influence on the brightness of the photos. In dark environments, a longer exposure time is advantageous, for example 1/20 second. However, you need to hold your phone steady so that the image does not blur. For moving subjects, a shorter exposure time is recommended, for example 1/1000 second.

White balance: This determines the color temperature of the image. If the automatic balance fails, manual adjustment may produce better results. Some camera apps offer continuous adjustment of the color temperature via a slider, while others provide selection options such as daylight, incandescent or cloudy sky.

Mastering night shots as a special challenge

Night shots are a particular challenge for smartphones. Many cameras have an automatic night mode designed to get the best out of poor lighting conditions.

If this doesn't work, it's best to go back to the manual settings and experiment with the exposure time and ISO value until you get a photo that is bright enough but not noisy.