The reply wasn't directed at you. However, there is something not right with some of the pictures you posted, and I'm not saying the max can deliver "perfect" snaps in every scenario.
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iPhone XS Max I don't get why a $1000+ phone takes such HORRIBLE pictures!
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I'm not that good in photography or anything, but taking photos indoor is not easy, even for an entry level or mid range DSLR... That photo even when it seems to have a lot of light, it doesn't...
No worries, I don't take it personally, I'm just not sure what I could have done to make the picture better short of setting professional equipment up or changing non existent settings on the iphone. I'll bet that the vast majority of iphone users just point and click, certainly that's the way Apple wants it in that they don't have any image sensor/aperture settings in their camera app. I will post that pixel picture(s) next week as I'm curious what side by side point and click pics look like with the same scenario, my bet is that the pictures will look much better based on my past results.
I'm not sure what my avatar has to do with this? That was a very old photo taken with a Pentax point and shoot from far away and at night which was zoomed in software and that little piece cropped out.
If your gear is your limitation, you need different gear. Not sure why that is difficult for you to accept.
The reply you are quoting is based on being told the fault lies with the photographer, not the gear. I'm still waiting to see what I could have done differently as a photographer that would have made that picture come out better.
OP is being silly, on one hand he wants to capture precious moments but on the other he can't be bothered to bring along a second device such as a decent camera. Do what the rest of us do and bring a good camera to these events.
This is the correct answer.
I’d say this photo suffers from the perfect storm of slow shutter and mixed lighting sources. It looks like one of those sources flickered brightly before or after the main exposure was captured, resulting in a blurred pic with a slight double exposure in the highlights. That’s why the white shirt has an oddly glowing appearance.
The problem is twofold or more: One major issue is that the gear being used was not something that was up to or appropriate for the job, even though in other situations it can indeed come up with some pretty nice results, and two, the person taking the photo probably (1) had unrealistic expectations of what an iPhone camera could do, regardless of how much it cost, and (2) is probably not skilled and experienced in photography in the first place, because (3) if he were, he would not have even thought of using an iPhone camera in that particular situation and would have had another type of camera with him.
Actually, the camera doesn’t take “horrible pictures” — no camera does. The person who is holding the camera and looking through the viewfinder or at the LCD screen and framing/composing the shot is actually the one who “takes” the picture; the camera only records what it sees at the moment of exposure when the shutter button is held down and clicked. The camera can only work with what it has at its disposal at the time, and it really is up to the person who is using the device to have already determined what elements (lighting, composition, etc.) will actually create the best image.
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In the end, what's your purpose in taking the picture?
In the past, people take pictures for the memories. It doesn't matter when pictures of our parents are blurry, black-n-white, over/underexposed, etc. They all still appreciate the memories about those photos.
Alas we are here now in the digital age, where pixel peeping and image quality are more important than the memories themselves.
Without being there, I wouldn't be able to say much, but here are some things that I figured out personally:
1. Indoor photography is difficult, even with a DSLR, let alone a phone camera. Even if you think the room is well lit, it is usually not the case.
2. iPhone won't use the optical zoom in low light condition. It instead relies on digital zoom of the main wide angle camera.
3. Next time, try capturing live photos or taking a video instead. To me, the additional motion of live photos and videos will spark better memories in my mind vs me pixel peeping a still photos. Heck, I took a live photo during a Facetime conversation, and despite the ridiculously bad image quality (front camera+low light+internet bandwidth compression), it is still a very memorable "photo" for me due to the motion.
4. If live photos or videos are not your thing, at least try burst shots.
Instead of being upset about how bad the tiny camera module on your phone is, maybe look at it from a different perspective of how great it was that you could capture that moment with just your phone.
I'm not a photographer. I don't pretend to be one. But since nobody offered you any semblance of a response as to why your picture turned out the way it did, I would guess that it has to do with movement of the subject versus shutter speed.
I haven't found a smartphone camera that is able to get clear shots with any movement. It looks like you subject was either finishing up a throw or Mid grapple. If that's the case I'm shocked it's as clear as it is.
People are saying it's the photographer but I honestly don't honk it's you in the sense that the situation you're trying to photograph isn't really doable very well with the equipment you have. I've seen very few action sports shots done well on these cameras. I'm sure someone will prove me wrong, but I expect a good action sports shot on an iPhone is the exception not the norm.
I haven't found a smartphone camera that is able to get clear shots with any movement. It looks like you subject was either finishing up a throw or Mid grapple. If that's the case I'm shocked it's as clear as it is.
People are saying it's the photographer but I honestly don't honk it's you in the sense that the situation you're trying to photograph isn't really doable very well with the equipment you have. I've seen very few action sports shots done well on these cameras. I'm sure someone will prove me wrong, but I expect a good action sports shot on an iPhone is the exception not the norm.
No, my response was that I honestly believe the gear wasn't up to the task at hand. That said, it's entirely possibly--probable, in fact--that you weren't holding the camera perfectly still and that coupled with the low shutter speed of using a camera indoors will set you up for camera shake. Were you braced better or had a different technique of being able to press the shutter button, you may have ended up with a better photo. Even though a phone weighs next to nothing, there is still the risk of moving it accidentally when shooting. So that would be in the realm of human error.
Also, while the Apple Camera app does not allow you to set manual settings, there are apps that do so. If you know that you are somewhere that auto settings don't work well, then it's up to you, the photographer, to make the most of your gear and work around the limitations. Use a third party app that allows manual settings (even better if it's raw) and set your own exposure. That's in the realm of human error also.
Most people here are telling you the same thing - in this situation the iPhone was not up to the task. Would a different phone camera have made a difference? Perhaps, but not substantially better. And if you own a different phone with a perceived better camera, use it instead. A phone is much smaller than a dedicated camera, and therefore not difficult to carry an extra.
And if you don't want to carry a second phone or a dedicated camera, then you are just complaining for the sake of it and really can't be bothered to save the memories. That's up to you, but don't blame the phone.
Just a different perspective, are you sure that there is no packaging film left back on your phone camera side.
Been watching and following along with this thread.
The OP simply took a poor photo and made a bad decision and wants to blame someone/thing other than himself.
First, he says he has a phone with a. Enter camera bit used the iPhone because he likes the interface on the iPhone more. That was senseless. You always use the best available tool for a job.
Second, he says there’s lots of large windows providing light. To me I don’t see it. Looks an awful lot like typical overhead fluorescent light to me, just look at the coloring.
Third, says he was within 5 feet of the subjects. Again, just doesn’t look that way at all.
No doubt it’s a lousy photo, but it’s so bad upon examination it looks like a few basic steps were skipped and this was the result. Doesn’t look like he set a focus point or exposure point which would have made a huge difference. Knowing this action photo opportunity was coming, he should have set those then shot in burst mode to capture a long series of shots to have many to choose from.
Even though he says he’s tried other apps for the camera, it appears he needs much more time with them to fully explore and understand their offerings and limitations.
As to the posters here saying camera phones are only equivalent to thirty year old instamatics. Those are absurd comments. Either they don’t know how to properly use a phones built-in camera or need to feel good about all the money they’ve spent on the huge amount of camera equipment they haul around like it’s a badge.
A phone camera will never fully replace a dedicated camera kit, but the evidence and plethora of great photos out there make it abundantly clear they can take beautiful and breathtaking photos with practice and patience.
The OP simply took a poor photo and made a bad decision and wants to blame someone/thing other than himself.
First, he says he has a phone with a. Enter camera bit used the iPhone because he likes the interface on the iPhone more. That was senseless. You always use the best available tool for a job.
Second, he says there’s lots of large windows providing light. To me I don’t see it. Looks an awful lot like typical overhead fluorescent light to me, just look at the coloring.
Third, says he was within 5 feet of the subjects. Again, just doesn’t look that way at all.
No doubt it’s a lousy photo, but it’s so bad upon examination it looks like a few basic steps were skipped and this was the result. Doesn’t look like he set a focus point or exposure point which would have made a huge difference. Knowing this action photo opportunity was coming, he should have set those then shot in burst mode to capture a long series of shots to have many to choose from.
Even though he says he’s tried other apps for the camera, it appears he needs much more time with them to fully explore and understand their offerings and limitations.
As to the posters here saying camera phones are only equivalent to thirty year old instamatics. Those are absurd comments. Either they don’t know how to properly use a phones built-in camera or need to feel good about all the money they’ve spent on the huge amount of camera equipment they haul around like it’s a badge.
A phone camera will never fully replace a dedicated camera kit, but the evidence and plethora of great photos out there make it abundantly clear they can take beautiful and breathtaking photos with practice and patience.
The exif data shows that the photo is digitally zoomed 3.696821516x, so that's probably part (but not all) of the reason you're getting that image quality.
Yeah that right there will kill any photo on a cell phone sensor. Add in the indoor, lack of light, camera shake, moving subjects, etc...I doubt the OP was only 5 feet or whatever from the subject. More like 20 feet.
Sorry OP, but you're wrong about the xs/Max taking horrible pictures.
Photography means painting with light, and while I can understand you're looking to capture moments rather than create art to be displayed at a gallery, you need to understand the basics if you are to get the results you want. Otherwise, like anything else, you're shooting in the dark.
Your picture is underwhelming because of one reason above all else. Digital zoom, as many others have stated. Digital zoom is not actually zoom. It just means cropping the picture that's already been taken. It will get blurrier and blurrier as you crop/digitally zoom, and consumer cameras or phone will add (fake) sharpening and contrast as you do that.
That example pic of yours is nowhere near good light. And it doesn't matter if it's bright outside, because you're not outside.
Your phone has two lenses, two focal lengths. Anything other than 1x and 2x will have some amount of cropping/digital zoom. Simply put, don't use it.
The iPhone also disables the telephoto camera in low light, and crops the regular camera's photo to 2x. Keep that in mind. They do this because the long lens has a 2.4 aperture and a smaller sensor.
If you want decent shots from a distance like your example, you'll need a real camera, and even then, a good one will cost you, because small sensors suck, and because cheap telephoto lenses aren't bright or good. And you'll need to learn the exposure triangle because you'll have to learn to balance shutter speed (to capture your kids motion) with iso (because you don't want it to be noisy, grainy, lacking colour and detail). The longer your focal length, the faster you need your shutter speed to be to get a sharp shot, and that's even before considering motion.
And the next iPhone can't magically solve low light problems, not even full frame cameras are anywhere near amazing in low light. I'm hoping they'll have some kind of stacked exposure mode like the pixel, but that likely won't work well with high motion shots like you showed as your example.
Photography means painting with light, and while I can understand you're looking to capture moments rather than create art to be displayed at a gallery, you need to understand the basics if you are to get the results you want. Otherwise, like anything else, you're shooting in the dark.
Your picture is underwhelming because of one reason above all else. Digital zoom, as many others have stated. Digital zoom is not actually zoom. It just means cropping the picture that's already been taken. It will get blurrier and blurrier as you crop/digitally zoom, and consumer cameras or phone will add (fake) sharpening and contrast as you do that.
That example pic of yours is nowhere near good light. And it doesn't matter if it's bright outside, because you're not outside.
Your phone has two lenses, two focal lengths. Anything other than 1x and 2x will have some amount of cropping/digital zoom. Simply put, don't use it.
The iPhone also disables the telephoto camera in low light, and crops the regular camera's photo to 2x. Keep that in mind. They do this because the long lens has a 2.4 aperture and a smaller sensor.
If you want decent shots from a distance like your example, you'll need a real camera, and even then, a good one will cost you, because small sensors suck, and because cheap telephoto lenses aren't bright or good. And you'll need to learn the exposure triangle because you'll have to learn to balance shutter speed (to capture your kids motion) with iso (because you don't want it to be noisy, grainy, lacking colour and detail). The longer your focal length, the faster you need your shutter speed to be to get a sharp shot, and that's even before considering motion.
And the next iPhone can't magically solve low light problems, not even full frame cameras are anywhere near amazing in low light. I'm hoping they'll have some kind of stacked exposure mode like the pixel, but that likely won't work well with high motion shots like you showed as your example.
I have an XS Max and I don't disagree with OP. All I want is a simple picture. No zoom. Outdoors with plenty of light.
I had an onlooker take an outdoor picture at 2 different 5k's. The second race, I had two pictures taken at different parts of the baseball stadium (outdoors, minor league). Both pictures have shadow on them.
The other was taken in front of my house by my wife. Same thing. Shadows.
I own a Canon 6D, so it's not about not having good equipment. Not bringing a DSL to a 5k race just for one or two photos.
It shouldn't be that hard to take a decent outdoor photo. I have tried in photo mode and portrait mode. No difference. Sorry, I expect more from a $1400 phone.
I had an onlooker take an outdoor picture at 2 different 5k's. The second race, I had two pictures taken at different parts of the baseball stadium (outdoors, minor league). Both pictures have shadow on them.
The other was taken in front of my house by my wife. Same thing. Shadows.
I own a Canon 6D, so it's not about not having good equipment. Not bringing a DSL to a 5k race just for one or two photos.
It shouldn't be that hard to take a decent outdoor photo. I have tried in photo mode and portrait mode. No difference. Sorry, I expect more from a $1400 phone.
You'd have to post a sample for people to see. But outdoors is not at all what the OP is describing, so your circumstances are very different.
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This seems to be a discrepancy, unless it is referencing 2 different photos
The OP used the 6mm lens, which is the wide angle and equivalent to 52mm. There are all sorts of exif readers for photos, but the info in Photoshop says the 35mm zoom equivalent was 190mm. That's approximately 4x digital zoom, which accounts for the poor quality. SS was 1/100 and ISO was 125. That shutter speed would be easy to add camera shake to, but really it's the zoom here that's the biggest factor now that I look at the exif data. It's such a tiny sensor in the phone cameras, there just isn't enough resolution to crop that heavily.
It’s not hard at all and the Max can take a mighty fine indoor or outdoor photo.
Your comment about shadows is confusing. Lighting creates shadows, not the camera.
I'm still not agreeing, but I've put this on hold until I can get some pics with my 3 XL. If the 3XL takes better pictures then this doesn't make sense to me. First I asked what, as a photographer, I could do to take better pictures, but haven't received any real answers. Secondly I don't have unrealistic expectations. Ignoring Apple's marketing on how nicely their pictures turn out, in addition to all the review sites, I honestly do not think the first picture I posted should be a realistic expectation. The room was very well lit, I was fairly close to the subjects, there was a minimum of motion (both the subjects and my hands) and there was no zoom. As to the whole "don't use a smartphone" thing, I'm confused why it's so difficult to understand that we all don't carry around cameras all the time. In that particular situation I had my Gi on with all my clothes in the locker room and had my phone because my daughter uses it while I take my class. Even that crappy grainy picture is tons better than no picture at all.
As to your 2nd paragraph what could I have done to take a better picture? And is my first picture truly what we should all expect? I'm not expecting professional results, but at the same time a Flintstones camera could have taken a better picture. Of course crappy hardware can take crappy pictures. For the record I'm not denying that I didn't have any fault, but what I'm confused on is what I did wrong. I'm not going to setup professional equipment to take a picture, and Apple doesn't let you change any settings in its camera app, so what else is left?
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Absolutely, I agree with your first paragraph. I am definitely happy that I have a picture, as crappy as it is, versus having no picture at all and am appreciative of the fact that I can do that. I won't deny that I'm not spoiled by having instant access to take pictures 24/7.
1. Thanks, that makes sense and I will take it into account.
2. I wasn't zooming
3. It was a live photo. I agree on videos.
4. Definitely will play around with that.
Thanks for at least putting up some constructive advice instead of just saying I'm a bad photographer.
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Thank you for the constructive response. They were pretty still as the instructor was trying to teach her arm placement, but you're right and maybe movement was an issue. I have other pics where the instructors were posing with her that came out just as badly, and that's everyone standing still waiting for a picture. Out of the dozen or so pictures I took that day every single one looks grainy like that.
With that said I take a ton of pictures of my daughter playing soccer, MUCH more motion and speed than this picture, and they come out pretty decent. I suspect because it's outside and there is a lot more light, but I've been fairly happy with how the iphone captures motion outside.