Unlocking Beauty Mode On Your Lg Camera

The LG G6 is a smartphone with an excellent camera. It has a dual-lens wide-angle rear camera and a wide-angle selfie camera. The phone has a 5.7-inch, 18:9 aspect ratio screen, which enhances the camera experience through a special app and additional features. The camera has a variety of modes, including Panorama, Food, Popout, and a basic and 360-degree panorama mode. There are also three new modes available when shooting selfies: Filter, Lighting, and Skin Tone. The Lighting and Skin Tone modes act as a beauty mode, allowing users to adjust their skin tone and lighting to their liking.

Activating beauty mode on an LG camera

The LG G6 has a dual-lens wide-angle rear camera and a wide-angle selfie cam on the front. The G6 also has a 5.7-inch, 18:9 aspect ratio screen, which enhances the camera experience through a special app and some additional features.

How to activate Beauty Mode

To access the beauty mode on the LG G6, open the camera app and turn the camera to face you, so you are in selfie mode. On the right-hand side of the display, you will see buttons for the camera shutter release and the video mode. There will also be a preview of the last photo taken. On the right-hand side of the viewfinder, you will see buttons labelled Filter, Lighting, and Skin Tone. These three buttons are used to adjust the beauty mode settings.

Adjusting Beauty Mode Settings

The filters adjust the look of the entire scene and are shown live on the screen. The Lighting and Skin Tone buttons only affect your face, acting as a beauty mode. Play around with the on-screen slider controls to get the look that suits you best. The filters adjust the look of the entire scene and are shown live on the screen, just like with the rear camera. The Lighting and Skin Tone buttons only affect your face, making it look smoother and brighter, and acting as a beauty mode.

Adjusting beauty mode settings

• Open the Camera App: Start by opening the camera application on your LG device.
• Switch to the Front Camera: If you're taking a selfie, make sure to switch to the front camera. You can do this by using the button on the left of the camera viewfinder or by swiping up or down on the screen.
• Access the Beauty Mode Settings: Once you're in the front camera mode, you'll see three modes on the right-hand side of the viewfinder, labelled "Filter", "Lighting", and "Skin Tone". These are the beauty mode settings.
• Adjust Skin Tone: Tap on "Skin Tone" to adjust your skin tone settings. You will see a slider that allows you to increase or decrease the intensity of the skin tone effect. Move the slider to the left to decrease the intensity and to the right to increase it.
• Adjust Lighting: Tap on "Lighting" to adjust the lighting settings. Similar to the skin tone settings, use the slider to increase or decrease the lighting intensity. Adjust it according to your preference.
• Preview Changes: As you make adjustments to the skin tone and lighting settings, you'll see the changes reflected in the viewfinder in real time. This will give you a preview of how the photo will look with the applied beauty mode settings.
• Take the Photo: Once you're happy with the beauty mode settings, simply press the shutter button to capture the photo.

It's important to note that the beauty mode settings may vary slightly depending on the model of your LG device. The steps provided are based on the information available for the LG G6. Always refer to your device's user manual or support pages for model-specific instructions.

Beauty mode on other smartphone cameras

While LG does not seem to have a dedicated "beauty mode" for its smartphone cameras, the feature is available on other smartphone brands.

Samsung, for instance, offers a Beauty Face mode on its Galaxy Camera. This feature automatically adjusts portraits to create a more visually pleasing photo. To activate it, users need to open the camera application, touch and hold the Mode option, and then select the Beauty Face thumbnail. Once the subject is in focus, the shutter button needs to be partially depressed until the focal point turns green. Users can also touch the screen to focus on a specific area. After taking the photo, the device will make the necessary adjustments and save the image to the album.

Google has expressed its opposition to beauty modes and image-altering features on smartphone cameras, citing their contribution to body dysmorphia in young people. The company plans to update its Pixel camera app with value-neutral iconography and clear text descriptions to promote digital wellbeing. Instead of terms like "Natural," the updated app will use the word "Subtle" to describe the level of retouching.

Other smartphone brands, like Vivo and OnePlus, also offer camera features that enhance photos. Vivo's Gimbal camera technology and OnePlus's portrait filters are examples of alternative camera modes that can be used to create special effects or improve image quality. While these features may not be labelled as "beauty modes," they provide users with additional tools to experiment with their photography.

It is worth noting that the presence of beauty modes and image-altering filters on smartphone cameras has sparked debates about their impact on mental health and body image issues, especially among young people. As a result, some companies are re-evaluating their approach to these features, prioritising transparency and user wellbeing.

How beauty filters work

Beauty filters are digital image effects that alter the appearance of selfies taken on smartphones or other similar devices. They are commonly used to enhance beauty and alter features, but there is a wide range of filters with different functions. Filters can be used to adjust photo tones, use face animations, or enable interactive elements. They can also be used to apply virtual makeup, such as lipstick or eyeshadow, or to slim the face and increase the fullness of the lips.

The development of beauty filters can be traced back to the introduction of the front camera on the iPhone 4 in 2010, which led to a significant increase in selfies. The improvement of facial recognition technology and computer-generated augmented reality has played a crucial role in the advancement of beauty filters. Augmented reality (AR) effects can change a person's appearance or background using computer vision and image processing models that modify video input in real time.

A central component of beauty filters is a facial detection algorithm, such as the Viola-Jones algorithm, which detects facial features by identifying differences in contrast between portions of an image. Once the facial features are detected, the software aligns a statistical model of the face using machine learning. This model, known as an active shape model, is derived from hundreds of thousands of facial images with marked feature borders. The model is then scaled and adjusted to fit the user's face perfectly.

The scaled model, or mesh, is where the modifications are made. Special software can distort the mesh, attach accessories, or apply colour changes to specific segments. These alterations must move in sync with the video of the user's face to ensure a smooth viewing experience. However, the tracking is not yet perfect, and effects may disappear when the user turns their head.

One concern surrounding beauty filters is their potential impact on body image, particularly among girls and young women. Critics argue that the subtle distortions created by these filters, such as slimming noses or jawlines and enlarging eyes or lips, contribute to unrealistic beauty standards. This phenomenon has been dubbed "filter dysmorphia" and has led some individuals to seek plastic surgery to achieve the altered appearance they see in filtered photos. Additionally, the Eurocentric standard of beauty promoted by these filters has been criticised for exacerbating feelings of body image insecurity among certain ethnic groups.

While beauty filters can provide entertainment and creative expression, it is essential to be aware of their potential psychological effects. The ease of use and widespread availability of these filters have led to a significant increase in photographic manipulation, with potential consequences for self-perception and body image.

Privacy concerns related to beauty mode

While beauty mode can be a fun feature for many, it's important to be aware of the potential privacy concerns that come with it. Beauty mode has been offered by several East Asian companies, including Samsung, Huawei, LG, Oppo, and Xiaomi. These companies have been criticized for adding beauty filters that smoothen skin and lighten complexion, perpetuating certain beauty standards.

One of the main privacy concerns with beauty mode is the collection and misuse of user data. Some beauty camera apps have been found to request excessive permissions, such as access to contacts, GPS location, microphone, and camera, which are not necessary for their core functions. This data can be sold to advertisers, leading to targeted ads and potential privacy breaches. For example, the app "BeautyPlus - Easy Photo Editor & Selfie Camera" was identified as malware or spyware, with its developer, Meitu, suspected of collecting and selling user data.

Another concern is the potential for apps to engage in unethical practices without user consent. Some apps have been known to redirect users to phishing websites, send pornographic content, or infect devices with malware or adware. These practices can compromise user privacy and security, leading to data breaches and identity theft.

To protect yourself, it's important to be cautious when downloading beauty camera apps, especially those with suspicious permissions or unknown developers. Well-known apps like Snapchat, Messenger, or Instagram may be safer alternatives. Additionally, always review app permissions and be wary of providing unnecessary access. Withdrawing consent and opting out of data sharing can also help protect your privacy.

It's worth noting that data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), exist to safeguard sensitive personal data. However, it's the responsibility of both brands and their technology partners to ensure compliance with these regulations and maintain transparency with users.

Frequently asked questions