How to get the most out of your smartphone camera
When was the last time you actually used a compact camera? If you're a seasoned smartphone owner, then the answer is probably a lot time ago, as our trusty mobiles have all but killed off the traditional point-and-shoot snapper.
With superior sensors, massive megapixel counts and professional-standard optics, the smartphone has become the go-to photographic device for millions of people all over the world, and is often one of the key selling points of any particular model.
With the Huawei P8 this is no different. While the phone boasts a gorgeous metal unibody design and some fearsome internal specifications, just as much time and effort has been put into making sure that its camera is at the very cutting-edge of the mobile sector. The 13 megapixel sensor captures an incredible amount of detail, allowing you to zoom in on certain parts of the image without the expense of clarity or definition.
The shutter speed is lightning fast, too, which means you'll avoid blurry shots and never fail to capture your subject. A DSLR-standard image signal processor ensures professional-quality images every time, and the four-colour RGBW sensor delivers totally accurate colour replication in photos every single time. Optical image stabilization comes as standard, so you don't have to worry about having shaky hands when you're trying to record that perfect moment - the Huawei P8 does all the heavy lifting for you. You can also turn on optional image tracking, so the camera follows a particular object - handy when you're shooting fast subjects, like E-number fuelled children.
Getting the most out of the Huawei P8's camera is easy, despite the amazing power on offer. Firstly, you'll find the various shooting modes allow you to tailor the hardware to the photo you want to take. A "Super Night" mode offers better performance in low-light conditions, while the High Dynamic Range option composes several shots to create an image which showcases striking contrast and colour. "All Focus" mode is handy when you want to keep everything crystal-clear - when you're shooting a group of people, for example - while "Best Shot" is essentially a burst mode which takes multiple images and then allows you to pick the best one to save. There's also a Panoramic option for capturing stunning vistas when you're out and about.
These aren't the only weapons in the Huawei P8's photographic arsenal, however. As was demonstrated by Canadian photographer Benjamin Von Wong, the phone comes with a unique "Light Painting" mode where you can use light sources to create eye-catching images or allow elements of your image - such as falling water - to paint their own trails on the photo. You'll need to keep the phone steady during capture, but the results are more than worth the effort. In addition to this, there's also a Time Lapse mode which you can use to condense several minutes of video footage into just a few seconds.
Benjamin Von Wong
Possibly the most exciting feature of the Huawei P8 camera is the ability to create exciting multi-angle video sequences using the innovative "Director Mode". Up to three Android phones can be tethered wirelessly to the Huawei P8, and it can use their cameras to shoot a video from different angles. This footage can then be spliced and edited on the Huawei P8 to create the kind of sequence you'd normally expect from a Hollywood movie. When it comes to pure video recording, the Huawei P8 is capable of capturing razor-sharp 1080p video which looks great on the phone's 5.5-inch display, but even better when transferred to a HD TV set.
The Huawei P8 can also satisfy your inexhaustible desire for selfies, with its built-in "Beauty" mode making even the closest image look stunning. The camera can highlight your better qualities and accentuate them for the perfect selfie - one so good, you'll want to share it with everyone you know. And that's a big part of the appeal of the photographic capabilities of the Huawei P8; the images it captures are ones you'll absolutely want to share with others, whether its via email or via social networks like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
For more information on the Huawei P8 Android smartphone, see here.