ZonaJakarta – If you have a Samsung phone—whether it’s a Galaxy S24 Ultra, Z Flip, A-series, or anything in between—you already have a powerful camera in your pocket.
But here’s the secret: great photos don’t just come from snapping and posting. A little composition know-how and some simple color grading can take your shots from “nice” to “WOW.”
So how to take better photos with your Samsung camera and add the mood into it using color grading?
This is how you do it.
Part 1: Easy Photography Tips for Samsung Users
1. Turn on Grid Lines
Go to your Camera Settings > Grid Lines, and turn them on.
This helps you frame your shots better using the Rule of Thirds, a simple trick to make any photo look instantly more balanced and professional.
2. Tap to Focus and Adjust Brightness
Before you take a photo, tap the subject on your screen. Then, slide the sun icon up or down to brighten or darken the photo. That’s exposure control—easy, but powerful!
3. Use Natural Lighting
Golden hour (an hour after sunrise or before sunset) gives you soft, warm light.
If indoors, shoot near a window for diffused light.
Good light makes everything look better—even before editing!
4. Try Pro Mode (Optional)
Feeling a bit adventurous? Try Pro Mode on your Samsung camera to adjust things like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance manually—great if you want full creative control.
Part 2: How to Do Color Grading on Samsung (Without Extra Apps)
Color grading means changing the tones and colors of your photo to match a vibe—warm, moody, vintage, cinematic, and more. Good news: you can do this directly from your Samsung Gallery.
Step-by-Step: Basic Color Grading in Samsung Gallery
1. Open your photo in the Gallery app
2. Tap the pencil/edit icon
3. Use the basic editing tools like:
- Brightness – to make it lighter or darker
- Contrast – to make shadows and highlights pop
- Saturation – to boost or mute colors
- Temperature – adjust between cool (blue) and warm (yellow) tones
- Tint – shift toward green or pink tones
4. Play with each slider slowly and watch how it changes the photo mood
5. When you’re happy, tap Save
It’s quick, effective, and beginner-friendly.
You don’t need Photoshop or a fancy camera. Your Samsung phone already has the tools you need to transform your photos in just a few taps.
Samsung offers built-in filters when you edit photos. Here’s how to start editing on your Samsung:
1. Open the Gallery app
2. Tap the photo you want to edit
3. Tap the pencil/edit icon
4. Adjust sliders like:
- Brightness
- Contrast
- Saturation
- Temperature (warm vs cool)
- Tint (green vs magenta)
5. Play around until it feels right!
Let’s explore color grading mood ideas you can create directly in the Samsung Gallery editor, or with apps like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or VSCO.
1. Warm & Cozy
Give your photo a soft, golden tone that feels like sunset or a cozy coffee shop.
How to get the look:
- Increase Temperature (+20–30)
- Slightly raise Saturation
- Lower Highlights
- Optional: Add Vignette for a soft edge
Best for: Lifestyle shots, food, golden hour, warm interiors.
2. Cool & Cinematic
Create a calm, moody vibe that feels like a movie still.
How to get the look:
- Decrease Temperature (-20–30)
- Add slight Tint toward blue or purple
- Boost Contrast
- Lower Brightness for a dramatic feel
Best for: Urban streets, night shots, rain, fashion.
3. Soft & Dreamy
Make your photos feel airy and light, like a dream.
How to get the look:
- Raise Brilliance or Shadows
- Slightly reduce Contrast
- Boost Warmth just a little
- Use a filter like “Pastel” in Snapseed or “A6” in VSCO
Best for: Portraits, clouds, nature, aesthetic feeds.
4. Vintage Film Vibe
Make your photo look like it came from the 80s or 2000s.
How to get the look:
- Lower Saturation slightly
- Add Warmth
- Add Grain using Snapseed or Lightroom
- Slightly raise Shadows to fade black tones
Best for: Candid street shots, travel photos, retro fashion.
5. Moody & Dark
Rich tones, deep shadows, and dramatic energy.
How to get the look:
- Lower Exposure
- Increase Contrast
- Boost Saturation (especially for reds and greens)
- Add Vignette
Best for: Nature, forests, night city, emotional portraits.
6. Muted Minimalist
Desaturated and clean, perfect for a modern aesthetic.
How to get the look:
- Lower Saturation (-20)
- Slightly increase Contrast
- Use a cool Tint or slightly reduce Warmth
- Keep exposure balanced
Best for: Outfits, clean interior, product shots, flat lays.
With your Samsung phone, you don’t need fancy gear to take beautiful photos. A good eye, the right light, and a few easy editing tweaks can make your shots shine.
Color grading isn’t just about making a photo “look better.” It’s about making it feel something. With your Samsung phone and a bit of creativity, you can turn everyday shots into artistic visuals that tell a story.
So go out, snap some pics, and don’t be afraid to experiment with color grading. Your phone is more powerful than you think—and so are you! (*)
