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How to Make the Most of the Galaxy S III's Camera



1. Customize the Screen

Before you start taking pictures, customize the camera's screen to get quick access to the settings you use most. You can replace four of the five icons on the left edge. Just tap and hold one of them until the shortcuts menu appears. Then press and drag the icon you want and drop it on the left.

There are 14 settings, ranging from simple ones — like Flash On/Off or switching cameras (rear or front) — to more advanced like white balance, shooting mode and scene mode.

2. Tweak Focus Settings for Still Images and Video

The S III has the familiar tap-to-focus ability that adjusts the focus of the camera wherever you tap on the display, but that's not your only focus option.

For still images you can choose Face Detection focus, which acts exactly like what you'd expect from the name. The only issue is that in low light the camera may have a hard time distinguishing faces. There's also a Macro focus mode for times when you want to take up close shots and need the camera to focus on what's immediately in front.

In video mode, you can tap anywhere on the display to refocus the image, then tap the AF Lock button to keep the focal depth steady so the camera doesn't keep refocusing if you or the subject moves.

3. Take Pictures in Mixed Light With HDR

The HDR function is one usually associated with high-end cameras that's making its way into stock camera apps of fancy smartphones like the Galaxy S III. HDR stands for high dynamic range imaging, and the technical explanation behind it is fascinating if you're a big photo geek. For laymen like me, the bottom line is that this is the setting to use in mixed light.

If you're taking pictures on a sunny day with a lot of deep shadows, HDR will bring out details in the shadows without getting too much exposure on the bright bits. It does this by taking two pictures in quick succession, then blending them — so try to keep your hand steady when you shoot.

4. Take Pictures While You Shoot Video

This is another function usually comes with high-end cameras. Taking still images while shooting video is easy. Just tap the camera icon on the upper right side of the screen as you film. It won't interrupt the video and, if you have a steady hand, shouldn't make the video shake.

5. Choose the Best Shot Out of 30

When capturing fast-moving objects, you may not get the shot you want by tapping the shutter button, no matter how speedy it is. However, you can take up to 30 pictures in a row with Burst Shot and capture a range of movement. With the S III, you can choose the best shot and immediately discard the ones that didn't quite capture the moment.

6. Instantly Share Pictures With a Group

Have you ever been to an event with several people who take pictures, promise to share but never do? Samsung's Share Shot feature was built to eliminate that laziness factor that often keeps us from posting photos.

Share Shot is more involved and less open than Google's new "Party Mode" for Google+, but that may be why some prefer it. It allows a group of people with Galaxy S III phones to connect their devices and share all of the pictures taken at an event. The connection is Wi-Fi Direct, which means it will work if you're in close proximity but not after you head home.

After a group establishes a connection, everyone can take pictures as normal. Each shot automatically transfers to all connected phones and saves to the gallery. You can keep the pictures even after you turn off the direct connection.

7. Automatically Recognize, Tag and Group Pictures of Friends

Buddy Photo Share makes it easier to recognize the people in your pictures. The feature groups images together by person.

The process relies on facial recognition technology. However, it does require some of your input. Whenever you take a picture of someone and view it in the gallery, the S III will display a yellow box around anything it recognizes as a face (even when there is more than one person). Tap the box and tag the face with the name of one of your contacts. The app will then identify that person in other pictures.

Images courtesy of Samsung Mobile on Facebook

This article originally published at Tecca here

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