Fixed focal length, consistent distance (30 to 40 cm for close-ups), and locked white balance produce trackable results on any smartphone. You do not need professional camera equipment to build a reliable hair loss tracking record. What you need is a repeatable process where every photo is captured under identical conditions, so that the only variable changing between sessions is your hair.
Why Camera Settings Matter for Tracking
Your camera makes dozens of automatic decisions every time you press the shutter: how bright to make the image, what color temperature to assume, where to focus, which lens to use. These auto-adjustments are designed to make each individual photo look good. But for tracking purposes, you do not want each photo to look its best. You want each photo to look the same as the last one, so that real changes in your hair are not masked by changes in camera behavior.
A common scenario: you take a photo in January, and the phone's auto white balance renders it warm-toned. In February, it renders slightly cooler. The cooler photo makes your scalp appear more visible and your hair appear thinner, even if nothing has actually changed. This kind of false signal is exactly what manual settings prevent.
Smartphone Settings
Step 1: Choose the Right Lens
Modern smartphones have multiple cameras (ultrawide, main, telephoto). Always use the main (1x) lens. It has the best optical quality and the most consistent performance.
Do not use:
- Ultrawide (barrel distortion affects hair appearance)
- Digital zoom (reduces resolution and introduces artifacts)
- Telephoto on older phones (smaller sensor, more noise)
Step 2: Lock White Balance
White balance controls how your camera interprets color temperature. On auto, it shifts between sessions based on ambient light, wall color, and clothing.
iPhone: Use the built-in Camera app's manual controls (available in ProRAW mode on Pro models) or download a free manual camera app. Set white balance to "Daylight" or manually to 5000 to 5500K.
Android: Most Android phones allow manual white balance in Pro/Manual mode. Set to "Daylight" or 5200 to 5500K.
If your phone does not support manual white balance, use the same dedicated light source (see our lighting setup guide) every time. This keeps the color temperature consistent even if the camera auto-adjusts, because the light it is responding to does not change.
Step 3: Lock Focus
Tap the scalp area in your camera viewfinder to set focus, then lock it (long-press on iPhone, or use AE/AF lock on Android). This prevents the camera from hunting for focus or focusing on the background.
For close-up shots (30 to 40 cm), some phones switch to macro mode automatically. If your phone does this, let it, but be aware that macro mode may use a different lens. Test this once and note which lens activates at your tracking distance.
Step 4: Fix Your Distance
Distance affects two things: how much scalp you capture in the frame, and the apparent size of individual hairs. Changing distance between sessions is one of the most common tracking errors.
Solution options:
- Use a selfie stick locked at a fixed extension length
- Mark a distance on your mirror (tape a small guide at 35 cm from where your head will be)
- Use a purpose-built phone mount with a fixed arm length
For overview shots (full hairline, crown view), 40 to 60 cm works well. For close-up zone shots, 30 to 40 cm captures enough detail for AI analysis while covering a meaningful area.
Step 5: Recommended Phone Settings Summary
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lens | Main (1x) | Best optical quality |
| White balance | 5000-5500K (Daylight) | Color consistency |
| Focus | Tap-to-focus, locked on scalp | Sharp detail on hair |
| Flash | Off | Use dedicated external light |
| HDR | Off | Prevents tonal variation |
| Resolution | Maximum (12MP+) | Preserves fine detail |
| Format | JPEG or HEIF (not RAW for most users) | Manageable file sizes |
| Distance | 30-40 cm close-up, 40-60 cm overview | Consistent framing |
DSLR/Mirrorless Settings
If you own a DSLR or mirrorless camera and want clinical-grade tracking images, these settings provide optimal results.
Lens Choice
A 50mm or 60mm macro lens is ideal. The 50mm focal length provides natural proportions without distortion, and a macro lens allows close focusing for detailed zone shots.
If you do not have a macro lens, a standard 50mm at its minimum focus distance (typically 30 to 45 cm) works for overview shots. For close-ups, extension tubes ($15 to $30) can adapt a standard lens for closer focusing.
Exposure Settings
| Setting | Value | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture | f/8 to f/11 | Sufficient depth of field to keep all hairs sharp |
| ISO | 200-400 | Low noise while keeping shutter speed manageable |
| Shutter speed | 1/125 or faster | Eliminates motion blur from hand movement |
| White balance | Manual, 5200K | Matches daylight ring light |
| Focus mode | Single-shot AF, center point | Precise, repeatable focus |
| Image format | JPEG Fine or RAW+JPEG | JPEG for tracking, RAW for maximum flexibility |
DSLR Advantages
- Higher resolution (24 to 45 megapixels) captures finer shaft detail
- RAW files allow post-processing with identical settings across all sessions
- Larger sensor produces less noise at equivalent settings
- Tethered shooting (camera connected to computer) enables immediate review at full resolution
DSLR Limitations
- Setup takes longer than a phone
- Requires a tripod or assistant for crown and back-of-head shots
- Overkill for most home tracking needs
Consistency Protocol
Regardless of whether you use a phone or DSLR, follow this protocol to ensure your settings remain identical between sessions.
Before Your First Session
- Set all manual settings as described above
- Take test photos of each scalp zone
- Review the images at 100% zoom to confirm sharpness and exposure
- Save your settings as a custom preset (most manual camera apps support this)
- Note your device, lens, and distance in your tracking log
Every Session
- Open your camera app with saved settings
- Verify white balance, focus mode, and resolution have not reset
- Position in your marked spot with your dedicated light on
- Capture each zone using the same sequence each time
- Review images before leaving your setup (reshoot any that are blurry or poorly framed)
If You Change Phones
If you switch to a new phone, take a dual session: photograph all zones with both the old and new phone in the same session. This creates a calibration bridge so that AI analysis and your own comparisons can account for any differences in rendering between devices.
For the complete photo-taking workflow including angles and positioning, see our guide on consistent hair loss progress photos.
Start Building Your Photo Record
The best camera settings are the ones you use consistently. Pick your device, lock your settings, and start capturing.
Upload your first set of standardized tracking photos at myhairline.ai/analyze for AI-powered analysis that works best when your photos are taken under controlled, repeatable conditions.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Photo-based tracking is a useful supplement to, not a replacement for, clinical evaluation by a board-certified dermatologist.