Taking photos in low light can be a real challenge even for experienced photographers, let alone shooting with a smartphone. Night cityscapes, concerts or moments captured in candlelight are often disappointing due to blurred contours, excessive noise or improper exposure.
In low light, many people intuitively turn on the flash, hoping for a brighter image. However, this often only worsens the result. Most people think that flash will save the situation, but most often it only ruins the shot - the photo becomes unnatural, the lighting is uneven, and unwanted reflections appear in the background. Instead, he recommends relying on a natural light source or advanced technology on phones that allows you to maintain natural lighting even in the dark.
Another common mistake is moving too much while taking a photo. In low light, the camera's shutter speed becomes longer, so even the slightest hand shake can ruin the shot. To avoid this, it is necessary to stabilize the phone, prop it up on a solid surface, or use a tripod.
It is recommended to avoid excessive zooming, as digital zoom often reduces image detail and increases noise levels. When possible, to physically get closer to the subject being photographed, and when this is not possible, to shoot from a wider angle and crop the frame during editing.
How to achieve the best result?
To get clear and sharp shots, using manual camera settings. If your phone allows you to adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, take advantage of this option – lowering the ISO will help prevent noise, and using a longer shutter speed will capture more light. Photographers note that when using a lower ISO, it is necessary to stabilize the phone to avoid image blur.
Another important aspect is white balance, which can affect the quality of a photo even when taking photos with a smartphone. If the ambient lighting is colored, such as a concert with blue or red light, the phone may not accurately determine the color balance. In such cases, it is worth adjusting it manually in Pro mode by selecting the WB (White Balance) setting and adjusting it according to the current lighting conditions.
However, the most helpful feature can be night mode, if it is installed on your smartphone. Modern phones have advanced night algorithms that combine multiple frames into one, creating a sharp and detailed image without additional equipment. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra introduced this year is exactly what it stands for - the Nightography feature allows you to capture high-quality photos even in low light.