# Camera & Screen Settings

Fine-tune camera settings like exposure, white balance, zoom for photo quality. You can also adjust some other settings. 

{% hint style="info" %}

## Use a Light Source

A well-lit environment is essential for high-quality photos. We strongly recommend using a dedicated light source regardless of your setup.

Explore lighting options:

* [Professional Lighting Solutions](http://buy.simplebooth.com/)
* [DIY Lighting Ideas](https://www.simplebooth.com/blog/best-diy-photo-booths/)
  {% endhint %}

***

### Accessing Camera & Screen Settings <a href="#h_908534276f" id="h_908534276f"></a>

All adjustments are made from the Mission Control page, accessible after launching your booth while on the “Tap to Start” screen.

These settings cannot be adjusted from the online dashboard.&#x20;

#### Access Instructions

Mission Control is designed to be hard to access accidentally. It might take some time to get the hang of this pinch gesture.&#x20;

1. Place two fingers side-by-side on the "tap to start" screen
2. Slowly pinch outward (slide fingers apart).
3. Mission Control defaults to your booth's status screen.
4. At the bottom of Mission Control, tap over to an "adjustments" screen.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/x7CGurzf8KBPKoQp8XBe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### Screen Settings

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Level" %}
Open the level tool to ensure your iPad is not tilted. The indicator will turn green when it’s perfectly level (red means it’s still off).
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Digital Zoom" %}
Zoom helps frame your shots when physical booth placement is limited. Use it to center your subjects and fine-tune the layout.\
​\
Zoom levels vary based on the iPad's camera capabilities. The available range may differ between models—and even between the front and back camera on the same device. The app will let you zoom in or out within the limits supported by that specific camera.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Start Screen Transparency" %}
Adjust how visible the “Tap to Start” screen is by changing its opacity. Set it to fully opaque, fully transparent, or anywhere in between.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Gallery Preview" %}
Once your gallery has a few [public photos](/gallery-design/basic-gallery-settings/gallery-privacy-options.md), if no faces are detected for a short time, a live preview will appear on the start screen.

This live preview is enabled by default but can be disabled here in your screen settings if preferred.&#x20;

* The preview disappears once a face is detected or the screen is tapped, so the tap to start screen language is displayed
* It is automatically disabled for private galleries and/or if you have a custom start screen file uploaded.&#x20;
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

***

### Camera Settings

Camera adjustments are controlled with sliders.&#x20;

In addition to using the settings outlined below, consider adjusting the booth’s location or your lighting setup if you're dealing with harsh overhead lights, nearby windows, or other lighting challenges.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Exposure" %}
Exposure controls how bright or dark your photos appear. Adjust this in tandem with your lighting to find the ideal balance.

**Locking Exposure**

* Keep exposure unlocked in most scenarios to allow for natural lighting shifts.
* Lock exposure only when lighting is guaranteed to stay consistent throughout the event

If lighting at your event will change over time (e.g., daylight turning into evening), check exposure periodically to ensure consistency.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="White Balance" %}
White balance adjusts the color temperature—how cool (blue) or warm (yellow) your images look. [Learn more](https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-white-balance-definition/).

White balance's default setting is to automatically adjust based on your lighting conditions. If photos appear overly warm or cool, you can override the auto adjustments by enabling Manual Mode and using the white balance slider to correct it.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="info" %}
To get the best results, make all camera adjustments on-site during setup—not from your home or office.
{% endhint %}


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