Hey friends, Aijaz Uddin here! I am a digital creator and I love playing with new technology – especially my phone's camera. Let's be honest, nowadays my phone has become my main camera, right?
I have always been the type of guy who believes that you don't need to sell your kidney to get a killer camera phone. My friends have a different scene – they just run behind flagship phones, that too the latest and the most expensive ones.
The Nighttime Photography Challenge
Now listen to the scene – A few weeks ago, I and my friend Sameer went out for late-night snacks. He had a brand new iPhone, he was feeling very proud, he was taking photos from every angle. I had a brand new Android phone – which I got for around ₹25,000. As soon as Sameer saw my phone, he made a sarcastic comment – “Does this also take photos at night?”
Then what else – challenge accepted.
The Great Night Photo Showdown
What happened after that was not just surprising – literally mind-blowing. My mid-range phone not only came close to the iPhone, but clicked better photos than it! And yes, I have the proof – those photos.
The Scene Setup
The scene was something like this – a typical late-night food street. Dimly lit areas, bright neon signs, and shadows everywhere – a setting where more phones are overpowered.
Sameer took the first shot. I took a photo of a stall with my iPhone – the photo was okay, but the dark areas looked a little grainy, and the neon sign was a little overexposed. Just like when the light is too bright, it doesn’t.
Now it was my turn. I turned on my phone’s ‘Night Mode’, kept my hand a little steady for 3 seconds, and clicked.
The Results
Result? Bhai, it was amazing.
We both became silent for a few seconds – the photo on the screen was crisp, vibrant and in full detail. Every corner of the stall was clearly visible without any noise, and the neon sign was absolutely sharp – every letter was clearly readable. Colours were absolutely popping, compared to the iPhone photo.
Sameer was literally shocked – “No way. Take one more photo!”
For the next hour we did just comparisons. Portrait under dim streetlight, long shot of a busy road, and a close-up of a steaming plate of momos. Each time, my ₹25k phone was giving brighter, sharper, and better balanced night shots.
Photo Comparison
Make a little mental picture:
iPhone Shot: Shadows were quite dark and details were a little missing. There was a halo type effect around the lights. Decent, but not amazing.
My ₹25k Phone: Like someone has lit up the scene with professional lights. The details in the shadows were clear, the colours looked real, and the lights were in perfect exposure. Clear winner.
The Secret Behind Budget Phone Photography
So what is the secret then? How did the budget phone win?
You must be thinking – how is this possible? The answer is – computational photography.
Understanding Computational Photography
Imagine, there is a small genius photo editor sitting inside your phone. When you click a photo in Night Mode, the phone does not take a single photo, but takes multiple photos at different exposure levels.
Some shots are dark so that the lights are captured correctly.
Some are bright so that the details of the shadows are captured.
Then the phone’s processor and AI software combine all the photos – brings out the best parts, reduces noise, and balances the final image perfectly. This is why mid-range phones are competing with flagship phones these days.
Brands like Google, Samsung, Xiaomi have made their software so advanced that even low-cost phones can take top-quality photos. Google Pixel ‘a’ series is a name for software-based photography – less hardware, but amazing photos.
Tips for Amazing Night Photos on a Budget Phone
You too can take amazing night photos! (Even without buying a new phone)
It is not necessary to be a professional. Just follow some simple tips:
📸 Always use Night Mode: This mode is made for low-light situations. It takes a little time, but it is worth it.
💡 Take photos near a light source: Even at night, try to be near some light – streetlight, shop light, or another phone’s flashlight will do.
🤫 Stay absolutely steady: When the phone is taking a long exposure photo, even a little shake will blur the photo. Use a table, wall, or tripod if possible.
👉 Tap to Focus: Don’t click directly. Tap on the screen where you want to focus. Exposure is also adjusted correctly.
🧼 Keep the lens clean: Dusty or smudged lens ruins the photo. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth first.
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