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How to take pictures the right way with a dual-lens camera

Got your hands on a new smartphone with dual-lens camera? Here’s how to get the most out of it.

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Got your hands on a new smartphone with dual-lens camera? Here’s how to get the most out of it.


A growing trend among smartphone designers is adding a dual-lens camera which is a little more complicated than you might first think. This is because some dual-lens cameras, such as the Huawei P9 gets black and white photos to get more info about the light conditions while the iPhone 7 offers a wide-angle and telephoto lens.

If your phone has a dual-lens, here are some tips to get the most out of its capabilities.

Zooming

dual lens zoom

Optical zooming is often overused as it is better to walk closer to the subject. But if you cannot, then you should be careful about using the optical zoom because it does increase the chances of blurring. You should use a tripod or find a way to steady the camera on a table, next to a wall, or on the shoulder of a friend if need be. The good news about optical zoom is that the results are superior to digital zoom, so if you need to use it, go with the optical.

Portrait Shots

buddy portrait

The iPhone 7 offers a Portrait mode which automatically blurs the background when taking portrait photos. By swiping to the Portrait mode, your iPhone will tell you if you need more light or if you must move back. You’ll need to experiment a bit to find the right balance of light, distance, and framing. It may take you a few photos before getting the look you want, but it will be worth it when you see the results.

Using Third Party Apps

apps

There are several third-party apps that allow you to get the most out of the dual-lens camera, some of which allow you to switch from telephoto to wide-angle and back depending on your needs. However, there are other apps that open the possibilities.

  • Shutter Speed
  • Exposure
  • ISO or Light Sensitivity & More

Additional Options

Android dual-lens systems are different than the iOS found on iPhones, but they do offer several different options that you can use.

Landscape or Portrait: This changes the width and height of the framing to accommodate either landscape or portraits for improved framing purposes.

Bokeh: This is a mode that allows you to change the depth of field for the photos by moving a slider up or down.

Post-Photo Focus: One of the more interesting features is the post-photo focus that lets you sharpen the image after it has been taken. You can also make tweaks of the exposure and other settings using this function and without having to download another app.

Monochrome: Allows you to take black and white photos for ultimate clarity.

There are other features that let you overlay different photos, create collage effects, and more. While you may not use all of them, it helps that they are present so you have the option. It is true that you’ll find more dual-camera modes on smartphones from now on as they provide an added level of versatility that makes taking photos and video even more intriguing.

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Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com or find him on Mastodon or Post.

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