Database Info

[GUIDE] Macro photography with the Sensation

Hello,
If you enjoy taking macro (close-up) photos with your phone, but always have trouble getting the camera to focus properly, I put together a quick video guide with a couple of tips and tricks that may help you.
I found this method particularly useful for subjects that are not perfectly static (like insects or flowers blowing in the wind).
Here it is: http://youtu.be/vDMXcWffQJs
Let me know how you get on, and feel free to post any macro shots you have taken in this thread (ideally taken with the sensation of course).
Bugsy.

Reserved for further info

Nice explanation, i know nothing about taking photos ( i just point and click and hope for the best, so the more vids/tuts the merrier!!!

Thanks for this. It's just the thing I've been looking for.
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using XDA

Pretty simple! Thanks for the quick vid! I can happily snap pics quite quickly!

Great guide.

Definately helps on closeups! cool

Wow, thanks. I've gave up before while trying to take close up pictures before.

Well it maybe because I've been trying to focus in low light but my camera doesn't seem to be focussing properly.
I have tried focusing on my hand even in daylight but it doesn't work, it looks for focus but nothing happens after that
Someone mentioned before that it maybe because of the colour contrast and the camera doesn't recognise anything there... Any help would be appreciated
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio Z715e using xda premium

Thanks for the share. It is very useful.

LilChinchster said:
Well it maybe because I've been trying to focus in low light but my camera doesn't seem to be focussing properly.
I have tried focusing on my hand even in daylight but it doesn't work, it looks for focus but nothing happens after thatpremium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the video, you'll see that I used the text of a newspaper to establish focus lock. If you're outdoors, look for something that is relatively flat (not smooth or reflective though) and has some features. Rough concrete, old tree bark -even cut grass and soil can work surprisingly well at times. The most important thing is to fill the entire frame with something that's easy to focus on.
Finally - the poorer the light conditions, the more important it is for you to keep the camera still for the initial focus. In the video I used my finger as a distance guide, but it can also be very useful for resting your camera against.

I know I'm a noob to XDA... but here's a quick tip I've got, for nearly the same thing but in low light.
Use the camcorder with the flash on. Focus, switch back to camera, and snap the pic.
That method is useful when there's almost no light in the room, and the phone won't focus correctly.
Hope this will help someone some day.
Also, great tip!

espchris91 said:
I know I'm a noob to XDA... but here's a quick tip I've got, for nearly the same thing but in low light.
Use the camcorder with the flash on. Focus, switch back to camera, and snap the pic.
That method is useful when there's almost no light in the room, and the phone won't focus correctly.
Hope this will help someone some day.
Also, great tip!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is an extremely good tip for low light. With autofocus disabled, switch to video mode> enable video light> tap to focus> then switch back to camera mode for the shot. I like! I might even update the video with that one

SenseBugs said:
That is an extremely good tip for low light. With autofocus disabled, switch to video mode> enable video light> tap to focus> then switch back to camera mode for the shot. I like! I might even update the video with that one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome man! I've been using that trick for years now. I started doing that with my MyTouch Slide, then the MT4G, and now my Sensation. (I'm at HTC guy)
Name's Chris btw

I use the Camera360 app. It includes the 'photo light' option in addition to 'flash on/off/auto', so no need to switch to video for focusing.
Thanks for the tip though.
Cheers, Jp

Photosphere just not looking good

Anyone have a trick to get photosphere images to actually look good?
I stood STILL and took one and it sucks... mind you i did a complete image up and down.
When i only did a 360 degree circle, it looks great!
It's when you start trying to add in the above and below that it all just starts overlapping.
anyone else notice this?

h20wakebum said:
Anyone have a trick to get photosphere images to actually look good?
I stood STILL and took one and it sucks... mind you i did a complete image up and down.
When i only did a 360 degree circle, it looks great!
It's when you start trying to add in the above and below that it all just starts overlapping.
anyone else notice this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Photosphere is 100% not meant for inside so if you are doing this and expecting good results, don't. That being said on 4.4.1 I noticed excellent photosphere photos. It is optimized for outside (when the distance to the objects around you is like 20 feet (Google's recommendation) and lighting is the same. If the lighting is uneven it is difficult to both get a good focus and blend images together. There is also a making sure yo go slowly, it seems dumb but really works. Also make sure you are rotating the phone not your body.
All in all I am really happy with my photosphere photos on the nexus 5. Much better than my sgs3. I would recommend upgrading to 4.4.1 if you haven't just for the camera improvements.

aeppacher said:
Photosphere is 100% not meant for inside so if you are doing this and expecting good results, don't. That being said on 4.4.1 I noticed excellent photosphere photos. It is optimized for outside (when the distance to the objects around you is like 20 feet (Google's recommendation) and lighting is the same. If the lighting is uneven it is difficult to both get a good focus and blend images together. There is also a making sure yo go slowly, it seems dumb but really works. Also make sure you are rotating the phone not your body.
All in all I am really happy with my photosphere photos on the nexus 5. Much better than my sgs3. I would recommend upgrading to 4.4.1 if you haven't just for the camera improvements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
interesting!!
I'm on 4.4.2, I didn't know it was designed for outdoor use.
When you say move the phone, not your body... what do you mean by that? Don't I have to move my body in order to get the full 360 degree?

h20wakebum said:
interesting!!
I'm on 4.4.2, I didn't know it was designed for outdoor use.
When you say move the phone, not your body... what do you mean by that? Don't I have to move my body in order to get the full 360 degree?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rather than rotating your body which makes the phone rotate in a circle around you, rotate the phone

Lens Flare?

Has anyone else noticed significant lens flare during night shots with a source of light in the frame? It happens in day shots as well, but its less noticeable as the dot isn't in a dark/black background.
I realise lens flare is normal when shooting in a sunny conditions, but this was a night shot triggered by not a particularly bright porch light and the moon. For whatever reason the S7 cam seems to be particularly sensitive to it. And its not a normal corona type lens flare, but just a dot.... that depending on how I angled the phone, I could get to move around and see in the live view before I took the photo, some angles I could get it to go away (or at least out of frame).
I have the titanium silver S7, in a clear case. I wonder if it isn't an issue with some sort of reflection off the case?

Never noticed! Can you upload an example?
Sent from my SM-G930F using XDA-Developers mobile app

upload example

Two examples.
angelo27093 said:
upload example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a couple. The dots are marked. I think I know whats happening. These were taken on auto, so in determining the exposure, it raised ISO so it tended to capture more light that didn't look like it was there. The first one is a light blob is appearing on a spruce, it couldn't possibly reflect light, but the 2nd one similar, though there is a light varnish on the stair so it could reflect something back. I think its reflecting off the back of the phone, hence the more squarish appearance. My eyes didn't see that light though, so I don't know why the sensor picked it up.
First One:
imgur.com/i1eF0tj
2nd:
imgur.com/e1pa8v6

33buddyrich said:
Here's a couple. The dots are marked. I think I know whats happening. These were taken on auto, so in determining the exposure, it raised ISO so it tended to capture more light that didn't look like it was there. The first one is a light blob is appearing on a spruce, it couldn't possibly reflect light, but the 2nd one similar, though there is a light varnish on the stair so it could reflect something back. I think its reflecting off the back of the phone, hence the more squarish appearance. My eyes didn't see that light though, so I don't know why the sensor picked it up.
First One:
imgur.com/i1eF0tj
2nd:
imgur.com/e1pa8v6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go back to the samsung store

Why is nobody talking about the Astrophotography mode?

I have searched the internet for examples of Astrophotography with the Google Pixel 4/4XL and couldn't find any other than what Google has put out. So, I recently went to the closest International Dark Sky Reserve in my area and captured these photos.
Am I the only person interested in this feature? ?

No, you're not alone I too have been playing with this. I just got my tripod mount and live in the country. I haven't had time to get some shots like yours, very good!

Those are amazing. I might try it now. Have you tried with any human subjects in the photo? Would it even come out at all?

biggiestuff said:
Those are amazing. I might try it now. Have you tried with any human subjects in the photo? Would it even come out at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Like the one with the tree.
By the way, the light on the tree is coming from a cellphone flashlight that was behind the camera. That's a cellphone flashlight at about twenty-thirty feet away!

What about the moon?. Have you guys taken pictures of it yet?

nooblearner said:
What about the moon?. Have you guys taken pictures of it yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried it but suns light on the moon made the picture awful, too much light interference.
You'd need to get a relatively dark moon for it to be decent

Mackay53 said:
I've tried it but suns light on the moon made the picture awful, too much light interference.
You'd need to get a relatively dark moon for it to be decent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The picture I took was the November full moon.

It certainly a great feature, but it is also pretty niche.
First, you have to have a tripod or other way to hold the phone steady. This isn't that difficult to figure out, but it also means that all the people that simply rush outside to try it the first time are going to get crappy results if they try to hand hold it.
Second, having access to a dark environment away from light pollution is very helpful. Unfortunately, the vast majority of us live where light pollution is a real problem. Even the smallest towns have so many lights that it prevents these dramatic pictures from being taken. The images I have been able to take are "meh" at best. Impressive technologically, but meh photographically......

nooblearner said:
I have searched the internet for examples of Astrophotography with the Google Pixel 4/4XL and couldn't find any other than what Google has put out. So, I recently went to the closest International Dark Sky Reserve in my area and captured these photos.
Am I the only person interested in this feature? ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a great feature, but it's simply not viable for most people due to the excessive light pollution from most cities. I had to drive 1.5 hours away from home just to take my shots: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-4-camera-review/

MishaalRahman said:
It's a great feature, but it's simply not viable for most people due to the excessive light pollution from most cities. I had to drive 1.5 hours away from home just to take my shots: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-4-camera-review/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As does anyone attempting to photograph the stars. On a side note, my city is changing out the lighting here to improve star visibility. It has been working. I took this in my backyard. I used Photoshop Express "Vibrant" filter and this is it. All Astrophotography has post processing.
Can you see Orion? ?

nooblearner said:
As does anyone attempting to photograph the stars. On a side note, my city is changing out the lighting here to improve star visibility. It has been working. I took this in my backyard. I used Photoshop Express "Vibrant" filter and this is it. All Astrophotography has post processing.
Can you see Orion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but that's the problem: Most people won't want to go that far just to take photos of the stars. They might do it during the occasional vacation, though. Since there aren't that many people taking Astro shots, the feature won't get talked about that much.

sic0048 said:
It certainly a great feature, but it is also pretty niche.
First, you have to have a tripod or other way to hold the phone steady. This isn't that difficult to figure out, but it also means that all the people that simply rush outside to try it the first time are going to get crappy results if they try to hand hold it.
Second, having access to a dark environment away from light pollution is very helpful. Unfortunately, the vast majority of us live where light pollution is a real problem. Even the smallest towns have so many lights that it prevents these dramatic pictures from being taken. The images I have been able to take are "meh" at best. Impressive technologically, but meh photographically......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried with a regular camera? If so, can you still capture even with the light pollution?
I drove an hour and a half to get these photos. I had to do research to find the location, e.g. Light Pollution Map app, local Dark Sky Reserve, and opportunity to access it.
I want to get the Milky Way. I'll have to buy the Photopills app and plan for that shot months in advance. I already know where I want to get the shot, otherwise I would have to plan that too.
It takes planning to get these shots. ?

nooblearner said:
Have you tried with a regular camera? If so, can you still capture even with the light pollution?
I drove an hour and a half to get these photos. I had to do research to find the location, e.g. Light Pollution Map app, local Dark Sky Reserve, and opportunity to access it.
I want to get the Milky Way. I'll have to buy the Photopills app and plan for that shot months in advance. I already know where I want to get the shot, otherwise I would have to plan that too.
It takes planning to get these shots. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The light pollution map is pretty good, I'm too far away from black skies but I'm lucky where I can get some good shots from my garden (30 mins from nearest city)
Astro filter in the photos app makes it a bit better

Mackay53 said:
The light pollution map is pretty good, I'm too far away from black skies but I'm lucky where I can get some good shots from my garden (30 mins from nearest city)
Astro filter in the photos app makes it a bit better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are really good!

MishaalRahman said:
Yes, but that's the problem: Most people won't want to go that far just to take photos of the stars. They might do it during the occasional vacation, though. Since there aren't that many people taking Astro shots, the feature won't get talked about that much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I don't think many people know how to use it.

nooblearner said:
As does anyone attempting to photograph the stars. On a side note, my city is changing out the lighting here to improve star visibility. It has been working. I took this in my backyard. I used Photoshop Express "Vibrant" filter and this is it. All Astrophotography has post processing.
Can you see Orion? ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice how you can see the colour differences in Rigel and Betelgeuse and Alnilam.
---------- Post added at 20:01 ---------- Previous post was at 19:59 ----------
nooblearner said:
What about the moon?. Have you guys taken pictures of it yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very good for a phone camera which would normally just over-exposure the hell out of it.
Saw a full moon shot someone posted in OnePlus 7 Pro reddit. It looked like a painting by a 7 year old, no detail at all!
---------- Post added at 20:06 ---------- Previous post was at 20:01 ----------
Mackay53 said:
The light pollution map is pretty good, I'm too far away from black skies but I'm lucky where I can get some good shots from my garden (30 mins from nearest city)
Astro filter in the photos app makes it a bit better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are really killing it with these shots, absolutely amazing!
It's about on par with the dedicated CCD cameras on tracking tripods about 20 years ago, and they cost 000s and needed dedicated software and hours of processing.

m+a+r+k said:
Nice how you can see the colour differences in Rigel and Betelgeuse and Alnilam.
---------- Post added at 20:01 ---------- Previous post was at 19:59 ----------
That's very good for a phone camera which would normally just over-exposure the hell out of it.
Saw a full moon shot someone posted in OnePlus 7 Pro reddit. It looked like a painting by a 7 year old, no detail at all!
---------- Post added at 20:06 ---------- Previous post was at 20:01 ----------
You are really killing it with these shots, absolutely amazing!
It's about on par with the dedicated CCD cameras on tracking tripods about 20 years ago, and they cost 000s and needed dedicated software and hours of processing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a few more from tonight. The moons light just gets in the way.

Mackay53 said:
Here's a few more from tonight. The moons light just gets in the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Loving the first one, great image, you have a flair for this and composition.
Is that a lens flare in the third one? And the bright object bottom left a planet? Venus, Saturn and Jupiter set late afternoon, early evening and like you it's dark by 4:30 - 5, so Saturn?
I remember now we had a Saturn+Moon conjunction. Nice one.

m+a+r+k said:
Loving the first one, great image, you have a flair for this and composition.
Is that a lens flare in the third one? And the bright object bottom left a planet? Venus, Saturn and Jupiter set late afternoon, early evening and like you it's dark by 4:30 - 5, so Saturn?
I remember now we had a Saturn+Moon conjunction. Nice one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it was a plane but usually those usually give big light trails. Managed to get a light trail from the space station a few weeks ago so surprising what you can see.
Not sure about the planets as I'm still working out where they all are.
Managed to get Andromeda galaxy tonight (right hand side of photo) but not as much detail as I hoped cause the moon's out again.

m+a+r+k said:
Loving the first one, great image, you have a flair for this and composition.
Is that a lens flare in the third one? And the bright object bottom left a planet? Venus, Saturn and Jupiter set late afternoon, early evening and like you it's dark by 4:30 - 5, so Saturn?
I remember now we had a Saturn+Moon conjunction. Nice one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly Uranus to the right of Andromeda on this one (according to Google star map app)

Focus artifacts

When i try to focus on an object with wide lens the following artifacts appear. Even when i save the picture the halo is still there. Has anyone got similar results or do i have a defective device?

tasked28m said:
When i try to focus on an object with wide lens the following artifacts appear. Even when i save the picture the halo is still there. Has anyone got similar results or do i have a defective device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried to replicate this with mine, but no "luck" - I don't see this effect...
But then I'm not in as bright surrounding as you seem to be is this effect always visible or only in bright lighting?
Just a thought may be that a lens protector (glass or plastic) could have such an effect....

I could only reproduce it on the beach scenery. Ill post a video to show you exactly how its reproduced

By the way no lens protector is installed.

Gif attached shows what my problem is.

tasked28m said:
Gif attached shows what my problem is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's hope the woman in the GIF doesn't read and interprete that the way only women are able to interprete statements.
I have no idea about the cause - but I believe you still deserve an answer.
Questions: Where does the effect occur? Only in the viewfinder and/or in the finished picture? (I read your first post, still wish to make sure I got everything right.)
Does it happen with still photos or videos?
Does it also happen if you hold the phone horizontally (landscape)?
Which firmware version?
I tried to reproduce that fault although I had no ocean at hand - but never succeeded to achieve that effect.
Must be a software problem, maybe a firmware update solves it. Or a hard reset - but I don't like suggesting the typical manufacturer's helpdesk suggestion if they haven't got any clue but wish to get rid of the customer quickly.

Klosterbruder said:
Let's hope the woman in the GIF doesn't read and interprete that the way only women are able to interprete statements.
I have no idea about the cause - but I believe you still deserve an answer.
Questions: Where does the effect occur? Only in the viewfinder and/or in the finished picture? (I read your first post, still wish to make sure I got everything right.)
Does it happen with still photos or videos?
Does it also happen if you hold the phone horizontally (landscape)?
Which firmware version?
I tried to reproduce that fault although I had no ocean at hand - but never succeeded to achieve that effect.
Must be a software problem, maybe a firmware update solves it. Or a hard reset - but I don't like suggesting the typical manufacturer's helpdesk suggestion if they haven't got any clue but wish to get rid of the customer quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both viewfinder and finished picture. I could only reproduce it when the background was a beach only with wide lens. Ill try testing when the background is flat maybe in a field or something. I think thats the trigger with the halos. Didnt try it on video though. Firmware wise am on . 121.
And my woman should stay away from xda. For my sake

Hello once more!
tasked28m said:
Both viewfinder and finished picture. I could only reproduce it when the background was a beach only with wide lens. Ill try testing when the background is flat maybe in a field or something. I think thats the trigger with the halos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Due to the lower color depth, your GIF shows "banding", larger areas of the same color/brightness. Interestingly, it's one of these "bands" with gets replaced by white.
And if this phenomenon only occurs with a beach scene, it might be small areas of extreme brightness (like sun reflections in the water) triggering a software fault.
At least that's my guess. And that's why I mentioned I had no ocean at hand for trying.
Nokia's N8 had a similar, but not identical problem: If there were tiny spots of extreme brightness in a scene, the software rendered white circles or halos around that spots. Much smaller and perfectly circular, also the circles were solid white, not "just" rings like in your photos.
Maybe it's a similar thing with the P40 Pro.
The good news: It's a software problem which can be solved.
Didnt try it on video though. Firmware wise am on . 121.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with me. There's a lot of nuisances with the camera software, especially with the real bad, non-practical UI, but overall the P40 Pro really tops all of it's competition.
Let's just hope Huawei gets aware of the problems, soon.
And my woman should stay away from xda. For my sake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no other living beings on earth being perfectly able to interprete nice words as bad words like women.

That's my understanding too. Ultra bright areas confuse the software. I reported it to their support team. Maybe there will be a fix. Am sure if more people will encounter it as soon as they go to a beach it will be reported and hopefully we get a fix. Wide lens on such scenery is a must anyways.

. 131 resolved this issue. No more artifacts