Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra camera has a very good sensors and if you know how to use it, you can make beautiful images. Here are some tips how to make better and pro images.
Single Take
Single Take is a function that allows the phone to capture multiple images and video clips — each with a different effect applied — just by pressing the shutter button once. Its aim is to allow you to capture a whole variety of interesting photos and videos of, say, your child unwrapping a birthday present, without having to decide in advance on a particular style, zoom lens or filter.
It was a feature launched on the Galaxy S20, but it’s been expanded to produce even more effects. It sounds complex, but using it is very straightforward. To start, tap into the Single Take camera mode in the mode dial next to the shutter button. Then, all you need to do is tap the shutter button and wait for the 10 seconds it takes to capture everything. The idea is that you’ll move around, maybe pan the camera between faces, so that the phone has more material to work with to create all the different options for you.
108-megapixel images
The 108-megapixel resolution of the main camera sensor is huge and while it’s the same resolution as the S20 Ultra, it’s been given some software tweaks to improve it, so it’s worth checking out if you haven’t already. To activate it, start off in the standard camera mode and you’ll see some icons along the top of the screen (or the left, if you’re holding it in landscape mode), one of which will be for the aspect ratio and will be indicated with numbers such as 3:4, 1:1 or Full.
Tap it and you’ll see the 3:4 108MP option. Tapping that will activate the high resolution mode, but keep in mind that with that active you won’t be able to use any of the zoom lenses as it relies solely on the main camera’s image sensor.
12-bit raw
Samsung has apparently given the S21 Ultra a boost in its raw shooting skills with support for 12-bit raw files. Raw files are essentially “digital negatives” that don’t save information like white balance or digital sharpening, giving a better base image for editing the shot later. Raw files are typically used by pro photographers who want the utmost control and quality from their images.
12-bit raw files, in theory, capture more dynamic range meaning more detail in the highlights and shadows. It’s a pro feature perhaps, so it’s no surprise that you’ll need to go into More and then activate the Pro mode. This will bring up all the manual settings for exposure, white balance and auto focus, so it’s only worth experimenting with if you’re confident with your photography knowledge. Activating raw mode takes an additional step though; tap the settings cog, go into Format and advanced options and turn on RAW copies, which will allow the phone to take a raw image as well as a standard JPEG.
Keep in mind, though, that raw files take up a lot more space than JPEG images, so if you’re running low on space, make sure you’ve not left this mode switched on and are accidentally filling up your gallery with high-resolution raw images of your pet. Unless that’s what you’re into.
