Tips: Get faster camera focus (less blurry photos)

[jamielov]

Yeah, in the other thread I posted a few other concert photos with that same crazy result. Im baffled. Maybe its a bad camera or sensor, im not sure. The elements really werent anything more punishing than any other shows I've attended. The Colin Hay show (the older bearded man in the other thread with the purpple shirt totally washed out along with skin tone) I was front row and the lighting was nothing but bright, not even colored. So, god only knows at this point. Im at the point where im debating getting a used g4 to add to my plan for photos/concerts only. I wanted to give the v20 one more shot, but figured why waste one more event of brutally bad shots.

 

[recDNA]

The number of people who visit a phone forum is a fraction of a percent of phone owners. This thread has no statistical relevance for either side of the conversation.

I haven't posted in this thread until now but I've seen the same purple hue or tint in pictures in 2 situations that I can recall: outside at night taking pictures of full moon and in some caverns a few weeks ago. When it happened I either closed the camera app and opened it back up or I changed the focus point and the purple went away. No idea what caused it but it's not something that ever happened on G2, G3, G4, V10, Note 7 or my GF's G5.

That said, I've also snapped some great full auto pictures in those same situations.

I think the V20 has a great camera but it's not the best for full auto, take it out of your pocket, point and shoot photo takers.

Which is over 90% of us.

 

[jamielov]

I'd have to go back and look at your other photos because the 2 that I see in this thread don't like resemble each other in shape, size or distance. I'm thinking there has to be something wrong with your specific camera. Most of the low light issues have been with regard to motion blur and in some cases complaints about grainy photos. Shutter speed obviously helps with motion blur and lowering the ISO usually takes care of the grain. Trick is to have the right combination. Your picture sample in this thread is bad in all aspects. It is so bad I'm going to say its the worst V20 photo I've seen.

I'm wondering, is there anything i can shoot to replicate that challenging lighting? I'm debating adding a used G4 for a concert shooter to my plan, but id be wasting the newly discounted unlimited pricing (im still using my grandfathered single line plan, which is crazy expensive) by adding a second phone. Verizon sent me a new one (v20) that i havent been able to test yet, but i have a few events within two weeks and not sure I want to risk losing out on two more shoots of those crazy halo/ghosted pictures if it wasnt a camera defect.

 

[Mike Dee]

I'm wondering, is there anything i can shoot to replicate that challenging lighting? I'm debating adding a used G4 for a concert shooter to my plan, but id be wasting the newly discounted unlimited pricing (im still using my grandfathered single line plan, which is crazy expensive) by adding a second phone. Verizon sent me a new one (v20) that i havent been able to test yet, but i have a few events within two weeks and not sure I want to risk losing out on two more shoots of those crazy halo/ghosted pictures if it wasnt a camera defect.

Any kind of stage show at a school or performing arts center

 

[jtcannonball]

So what settings would you suggest for fast moving toddlers? This was my only struggle with the camera. I'm debating swapping my Pixel out for another V20 as I loved the V20 besides the images I got from the phone when it came to my kids.

 

[Infiniti14]

So what settings would you suggest for fast moving toddlers? This was my only struggle with the camera. I'm debating swapping my Pixel out for another V20 as I loved the V20 besides the images I got from the phone when it came to my kids.

First, I would say if you are happy with the Pixel camera then maybe stick with it. That said here I go.

To catch a moving toddler without blur your most important need will be a fast shutter speed. In my experience if you are in a low light situation no phone will take a good picture of a moving toddler. If you have good light you will hopefully be able to get good pictures.

Here is what I do:

1. Flip to manual mode;

2. Set white balance to automatic (one less thing to worry about);

3. Set the phone to auto focus, we will pick a focus point later;

3. Start with your shutter speed. If you have good light, especially outside, you can jack the shutter speed way up...say 1/320 or 1/500, or even higher with really good light;

4. Take a guess at a starting ISO based on the lighting conditions. If you are outside in good light start low, maybe even 50;

5. Point the camera at your toddler and see what the phone says about your exposure level (whether it's positive and over exposed, or negative and underexposed). This number is in the middle of the on screen controls). If the exposure is negative then you need to increase the ISO or drop the shutter speed, but remember you want a fast shutter speed to catch a moving toddler, so move the ISO upwards until you get the exposure around 0;

5. Now take a test snap. Tap to focus on your toddler, then when the phone focuses for that distance snap a pic...you have a few seconds after the phone is focused to wait for a cute moment before the phone resets the focus point. By pre focusing you will get the camera ready for an instant snap of your moving toddler. As the first steps become second nature you can learn to use focus peeking to really get set for instant snaps;

6. Adjust settings based on how your picture looks. If you still have motion blur you need a faster shutter speed. Which means your ISO has to go up as well. If the picture is grainy then the ISO is too high, lower both the ISO and shutter speed and see if you can capture a sharp picture at a lower shutter speed.

As with everything it's a balance. In this case you are looking for a high shutter speed to catch motion, but you want the ISO as low as possible for sharpness. This likely sounds complicated, but you will find once you do this a few times you will know about where the settings should be, and you can tweak from there in seconds.

Another good way to get a starting point is to take a picture in auto, then check that picture's details and see what shutter speed and ISO the phone picked. Adjust as explained above.

Good luck and remember digital pictures are free, take a ton and you only need one good one to turn out.

Also, as I am by no means a pro, someone who knows more than me can chime in and correct me if need be.

 

[Mike Dee]

First, I would say if you are happy with the Pixel camera then maybe stick with it. That said here I go.

To catch a moving toddler without blur your most important need will be a fast shutter speed. In my experience if you are in a low light situation no phone will take a good picture of a moving toddler. If you have good light you will hopefully be able to get good pictures.

Here is what I do:

1. Flip to manual mode;

2. Set white balance to automatic (one less thing to worry about);

3. Set the phone to auto focus, we will pick a focus point later;

3. Start with your shutter speed. If you have good light, especially outside, you can jack the shutter speed way up...say 1/320 or 1/500, or even higher with really good light;

4. Take a guess at a starting ISO based on the lighting conditions. If you are outside in good light start low, maybe even 50;

5. Point the camera at your toddler and see what the phone says about your exposure level (whether it's positive and over exposed, or negative and underexposed). This number is in the middle of the on screen controls). If the exposure is negative then you need to increase the ISO or drop the shutter speed, but remember you want a fast shutter speed to catch a moving toddler, so move the ISO upwards until you get the exposure around 0...all while while leaving a fast shutter speed;

5. Now take a test snap. Tap to focus on your toddler, then when the phone focuses for that distance snap a pic...you have a few seconds after the phone is focused to wait for a cute moment. By pre focusing you will get the camera ready for an instant snap of your moving toddler. As the first steps become second nature you can learn to use focus peeking to really get set for instant snaps;

6. Adjust settings based on how your picture looks. If you still have motion blur you need a faster shutter speed. Which means your ISO has to go up as well. If the picture is grainy then the ISO is too high, lower both the ISO and shutter speed and see if you can capture a sharp picture at a lower shutter speed.

As with everything it's a balance. In this case you are looking for a high shutter speed to catch motion, buy you want the ISO as low as possible for sharpness. This likely sounds complicated, but what you will find is that once you do this a few times you will know about where the settings should be, and you can tweak from there in seconds.

Another good way to get a starting point is to take a picture in auto, then check out that picture's details and see what shutter speed and ISO the phone picked. Adjust as explained above.

Good luck and remember digital pictures are free, take a ton and you only need one good one to turn out.

Also, as I am by no means a pro, someone who knows more than me can chime in and correct me if need be.

I agree with most of the above but I wouldn't go much below 1/200th even in good light if there is a lot of motion and I might even go as high as 1/500 if they run around. If its too dark bump up the ISO or bump up the aperture a little.

 

[Infiniti14]

I agree with most of the above but I wouldn't go much below 1/200th even in good light if there is a lot of motion and I might even go as high as 1/500 if they run around. If its too dark bump up the ISO or bump up the aperture a little.

Thanks Mike, I was unsure what the "book ends" should be for shutter speed for a moving subject. A range of 200-500 really helps.

Unfortunately our phones have a fixed aperture, so no fiddling there..I think. Still learning.

 

[RaRa85]

So what settings would you suggest for fast moving toddlers? This was my only struggle with the camera. I'm debating swapping my Pixel out for another V20 as I loved the V20 besides the images I got from the phone when it came to my kids.

Also I might add presenting a general focus area the toddler might cross and then snap the picture. And for low light the flash is your friend in manual mode. Take the shutter speed up, turn the flash on and play around with the ISO but 200-400 should give you excellent shots.

 

[Mike Dee]

Thanks Mike, I was unsure what the "book ends" should be for shutter speed for a moving subject. A range of 200-500 really helps.

Unfortunately our phones have a fixed aperture, so no fiddling there..I think. Still learning.

You are correct.... Sometimes I forget which forum I'm in

 

[jamielov]

Just a follow-up from this entire thread... This is exactly why I went back to the G4 camera. I can't think of a more difficult or punishing lighting environment than a Flaming Lips show and it made me realize how beautiful the old pictures where I used to take instead of what I've been getting now with the v20. Whatever they did with that sensor was a really poor choice

 

[Infiniti14]

Just a follow-up from this entire thread... This is exactly why I went back to the G4 camera. I can't think of a more difficult or punishing lighting environment than a Flaming Lips show and it made me realize how beautiful the old pictures where I used to take instead of what I've been getting now with the v20. Whatever they did with that sensor was a really poor choice

Glad the G4 works for you in that shooting environment. But you really need to qualify your statements, unless your only goal is to inflame...which it kind of feels like now.

 

[jamielov]

Glad the G4 works for you in that shooting environment. But you really need to qualify your statements, unless your only goal is to inflame...which it kind of feels like now.

Not at all. Had you read prior, you would've seen i kept my V20 for all the other uses. I don't need to sit here and praise every ounce of it, its a great phone (enough so i still use it as my daily driver) but I'll remain baffled how LG managed to take such a huge step back this round , camera-wise) on what is a flagship. It sucks to have to dole out money for an extra specifically for shooting photos but from my own examples its no contest.

If people somehow need to get mad and incensed at that, im sorry. Not my goal. As i Always state, simply my personal opinion and with all the discussion I felt it fair to follow up

 

[anon(782252)]

Not at all. Had you read prior, you would've seen i kept my V20 for all the other uses. I don't need to sit here and praise every ounce of it, its a great phone (enough so i still use it as my daily driver) but I'll remain baffled how LG managed to take such a huge step back this round , camera-wise) on what is a flagship. It sucks to have to dole out money for an extra specifically for shooting photos but from my own examples its no contest.

If people somehow need to get mad and incensed at that, im sorry. Not my goal. As i Always state, simply my personal opinion and with all the discussion I felt it fair to follow up

And you are entitled to it.

I stated previously that I had seen that purple hue show up in a couple shots as well so I can appreciate your frustration with the camera. That's exactly why I'm looking forward to seeing how the G6 performs on full auto.

 

[jamielov]

Thank you. For sure. I'm definitely keeping my eyes and ears open for the reviews. It would be really great if they got the camera back to great, along with the other advancements they have made recently

 

[Infiniti14]

Not at all. Had you read prior, you would've seen i kept my V20 for all the other uses. I don't need to sit here and praise every ounce of it, its a great phone (enough so i still use it as my daily driver) but I'll remain baffled how LG managed to take such a huge step back this round , camera-wise) on what is a flagship. It sucks to have to dole out money for an extra specifically for shooting photos but from my own examples its no contest.

If people somehow need to get mad and incensed at that, im sorry. Not my goal. As i Always state, simply my personal opinion and with all the discussion I felt it fair to follow up

I don't think people are incensed, but this isn't the topic of this thread and you keep bringing this issue up complaining about the V20 camera sensor.

 

[jamielov]

The topic of the thread was less blurry/better photos. Was discussed. Sort of changed directions slightly after the "tip" was posted. So was worth posting being as quite a few posted thoughts on both sides of the discussion. A photo thread that discusses the sensor and reasons for why the OP needed tips/tricks to get less blurry photos seems pretty logical. If you got what you needed from the thread, its an easy skip.

 

[gustav30]

One tip I can offer is setting up a different camera app like Proshot. For example in Proshot I have a mode where ISO is set to 200 and EV is auto. This way I don't have to dial the exposure to find the right ISO setting. Saves a huge amount of time which we know is the important factor lining up a shot. It will remember your settings.
I also have a setting that does the opposite where exposure is set to like 1/24 and ISO is auto. This way I get a fast exposure (good for my kid who won't stay still). I don't habe to worry about finding the right ISO.


My theory as to why LG stopped using the IMX234 from the G4-G5 was wanting a sensor that had both phase detection AF and contrast AF. LG got that in the IMX298 sensor.

 

[jamielov]

I dont know much, sadly, behind the hardware. Can you explain why the change could be beneficial with the sensor? It honestly seemed such a quality step backwards, im wary of any new LG purchase until its fixed.

 

[Infiniti14]

I dont know much, sadly, behind the hardware. Can you explain why the change could be beneficial with the sensor? It honestly seemed such a quality step backwards, im wary of any new LG purchase until its fixed.

The explanation is that it's not an inferior sensor. You seem to be the only poster with this particular axe to grind. I have both the V20 and G4 in my household and the V20 is easily the superior shooter. Not to say the G4 isn't great, because it is, but it's not as good as the V20.

Your constant complaints about the V20 camera, and relentless statements about LG putting poor cameras in their phones because you don't like the performance in one lighting condition is over the top.

Pop into the V20 pictures thread and look at what this camera can do.