The evolution in mobile cameras has gone further than we could imagine a few years ago. Previously the results were not at all encouraging, but today the sharpness of the images can be compared to what the cameras offer if we use it correctly. One of the primary keys to taking good photos is focus control.
If in your case you do not usually get good images, we are going to give you the keys to control it from your phone. Although this aspect is not only relevant for photos, because in videos it is also important to be able to convey exactly what we want and need. Take paper and a pen, but above all put into practice and try together with others everything that we explain to you.
Autofocus takes care
So that we do not have to worry about anything, low-end and even high-end smartphones have technologies based on artificial intelligence aided by a laser in some cases. This allows us to completely forget about having to focus and saves us precious seconds that we will otherwise have to dedicate to this laborious work.
To make it a reality, we can divide this technology into three sections based on the following methodologies:
- PDAF: Smartphones that use this method rely on background and first person, artificially aligning the lens in order to achieve maximum sharpness.
- CDAF: a basic, but effective system that uses and recognizes the image through shapes without colors. In this way, try to find the correct approach in each situation.
- Laser Auto-Focus: the most complete and advanced method, since through a laser signal it allows the mobile to know the point of the receiver, it can achieve the maximum focusing speed. That system, however, also relies on the PDAF approach for the rest of the composition.
In situations where the light is minimal, things can get complicated, especially if we do not have the laser as a support, which does not require any type of light. In these cases, the artificial intelligence in charge is not capable of recognizing the edge of the objects well and can be in constant change without allowing us to take images correctly.
Take manual control
For all those occasions where we are clear about what we want to photograph or even in order to achieve the desired result, we can get down to work and focus with the help of our hand on a specific point . This is possible in any terminal, just by touching the area of the screen that we want to keep with the best possible sharpness.
This can also be blocked, so that even if we move the mobile and the image changes, the focus remains constant. To achieve this, we have to keep the finger pressed for a few seconds and a message will warn us after it has been blocked. In case it does not work, in other models what you have to do is touch on the small latch that appears when you touch manually on the screen it will show AF / AE modes locked , which deactivates the automatic mode.
Impossible at wide angle
Although the terminal requires focus also in the wide angle mode, this cannot be adapted as much as it can with the main lens. In this case, it is concerned with correcting the deformation of the lens and achieving the best sharpness in the entire space. Therefore, even if we try to place an object right in front, it will not worry about it automatically and even in manual mode. The camera in this case is not intended to fulfill our intention.
Needed in macro mode
Quite the opposite that we have seen in the ultra wide angle, it happens with the macro camera. Whether you have your own lens or bring it to life through software, it requires very precise focus . For this, it will rely on the mechanisms that we have seen and we can also achieve it manually. In this case, sharpness is key, because without it the object will not show its texture or nuances that we only get by getting very close.
In the distance
Where there is less change with respect to the main lens is when we aim in the distance. Here the camera can take as a relevant point or we can decide for it in any area. However, at long distances only the laser is capable of achieving a result capable of surprising us, the rest of the options suffer problems since the sharpness is gradually lost.
Expert level
To get to do what we really need, we can not only support ourselves with our finger, but using the professional mode of mobile phones, we have the ability to choose where we want to focus and that this does not change. An especially useful option for when we do creative photography and where we work with a tripod.
Ideal for light painting, scenes in a known position or when we are looking for a specific result. However, not for other situations because when changing the position of the main object the image will not always be perfect. To change it, we have to tap on the AF option and move the position from left to right to move from a focus point closer to infinity.
End the problems
Using one method or another, we can run into difficulties that prevent us from taking advantage of all known possibilities. To do this, many times we just have to use common sense and we will achieve in a matter of seconds that the result is what we want and imagine.
The lens is dirty
The main reason that no type of option to find the best result works correctly is dirt. With a lens that is not able to perceive reality well, there will be no way to focus since it cannot distinguish objects and elements that serve as support. Given this, we only have to pass a small microfiber cloth or quickly in a specific situation help us with a soft shirt to remove the remains of dirt that spoil the result.
Move you
Whether we use the main lens or if we do it with the macro, many times we do not achieve the desired sharpness by a few millimeters. With a small movement of our hands or our body, we make the camera recognize the area and stop dancing with the point of attention.
It does not work
Software errors also appear in this case, although luckily just closing the camera app and reopening it often solves it.
