You only need to look at the back of the Huawei P9 to see this is a modern cameraphone. You’ve got two lenses on the back, one colour sensor and one monochrome, and of course Leica’s famous badge. Here are our tips for taking the best photos on the Huawei P9.
Explore the many shooting modes
The Huawei P9 comes with many more shooting modes and manual controls than most Android smartphones on the market, accessible by swiping to the right on the main camera screen. As well as the usual modes — photo, video, HDR, panorama — there are more exciting choices.
One is a monochrome mode which uses solely the monochrome sensor to capture an insanely detailed black and white image. There’s also a pair of beauty modes, which improve your face’s shape and complexion to fit (someone’s) societal norms. If you have a Huawei P9 stand, then you can also try out the time-lapse mode, which for the P9 is capable of spectacular results.
There are tons of additional modes on offer, so be sure to check out the full selection.
Pro mode for manual controls
Activate pro mode by swiping up from the little white lozenge above the shutter button, and you’ll have access to the phone’s manual controls. You can adjust the shutter speed, white balance and other settings. You have access to many more controls than most smartphones, so it’s definitely worth learning to use these if you want to take photos. If used correctly, you can achieve some very artistic results.
Use a narrow depth of field for nearby subjects
One of the nicest features of a full-size camera is being able to control your photo’s depth of field. The Huawei P9 achieves this through its second camera. Tap on the lens icon at the top of the screen, and you’ll be able to adjust the focal point by swiping up and down after a photo has been taken to achieve that beautiful bokeh effect.
Image credit: Andy Boxall, Digital Trends
Change additional settings
Remember that you can also change the camera options by swiping to the left, giving you access to resolution settings, GPS tagging, film modes (vivid or smooth), camera grips, self-timers and different shutter options. You can even have the camera automatically take a photo when you smile — awesome for taking selfies without needing to even touch the phone.
Probably the most important setting for mobile photographers is only visible once pro mode is engaged – you can choose to record RAW files in addition to the usual JPGs. These files record much more information than a JPG does, which helps with editing in Photoshop later on.
Editing tools
The fun doesn’t have to stop once you’ve taken your photo, and with the help of some top Android editing apps you can turn good photos into great ones. There are a number of apps to choose from, some of which let you make basic adjustments to things like brightness and contrast, while others let you apply artistic filters and create collages.
Notable recommendations include Photo Editor by Aviary and Snapseed. Another standout new addition is the Prisma app, which can transform your photos into entirely new styles with advanced AI-generated processing. For more on the best Android editing apps, check out our top five recommendations.
Accessories
There are also plenty of third party accessories available for the Huawei P9 which can help you take better photos.
Tripods
Tripods are an essential piece of photographical equipment, especially if you’re taking shots with long exposures, particularly in low light conditions. Not only do they offer a sturdy platform to rest your Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge on to ensure sharper focus, they’re also a must if you plan on taking self-timed and group snaps. The Arkon Universal Smartphone Holder with Flexi Tripod and the Kenu Stance Compact are both great options, but check out our full range to find the one that best suits your needs.
Selfie sticks
Alright, we know this is a controversial pick, but selfie sticks can be a brilliant way to take wider shots of you, your friends and your surroundings. Some of our favourites are the Olixar Pocketsize Selfie Stick, which comes with a built-in mirror, and the DiCAPac Action Floating Selfie Stick which is great for shooting near water (just remember the P9 isn’t waterproof!).
We hope these tips and accessories make it easier for you to shoot great photos on the Huawei P9. Thanks for checking out the article, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments! You should also check out our full range of P9 accessories via the button below.
Image credits: Digital Trends, Android Central