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Photo Mode - Version 9 vs Version 10
May 23, 2026, 02:30 PM
Corrected wikilink existence flags
May 23, 2026, 02:56 PM
Removed duplicate in-body wikilinks
11Photo Mode is the built-in camera and screenshot system in Starsand Island. It lets you capture scenic shots, take selfies with your character, photograph landmarks for the Scenery Album, and snap photos with NPCs to commission sugar paintings. Photos can also be placed in frames as home decorations, making your house uniquely yours. The Camera app is available from the start of the game with no unlock requirements, and photographing landmarks is one of the reliable methods for earning Starsand Points.22How to Access Photo Mode44There are three ways to open the camera:66InputMethodKeyboardPress PControllerPress LB + LeftPhone MenuOpen your phone (Tab on keyboard, Y on controller) and select the Camera app99All three methods open the same Photo Mode interface. The Camera app is in the top row of phone apps and requires no progression to unlock.1010Camera Modes1212Photo Mode offers three distinct camera perspectives. Switch between them using the "Switch Mode" button in the photo HUD.1414ModeDescriptionHandheldStandard third-person photography. The camera stays behind your character, framing the scene as if holding a camera.SelfieFront-facing camera for character portraits. Your character faces the lens, and you can adjust the angle for group shots with NPCs or scenic backdrops.Free RoamDetaches the camera from your character entirely. Fly the camera to any position and angle for the perfect composition, independent of where your character stands.1616Free Roam is the most versatile mode for landscape photography, since you can position the camera at dramatic angles that are impossible in Handheld or Selfie mode.1717Camera Settings1919The photo HUD provides several adjustment options to fine-tune your shots:2121SettingEffectZoomAdjust the focal length to zoom in or out on your subjectTiltRotate the camera along the horizontal axis for Dutch angle effectsTime of DayChange the lighting by shifting the in-game time (golden hour, sunset, night, etc.)BrightnessIncrease or decrease the overall exposureContrastSharpen or soften the difference between light and dark areasSaturationBoost or mute the color intensityVignetteAdd a darkened border around the edges for a cinematic look2323To hide all on-screen UI elements for a clean screenshot, press Tab (keyboard) or Y (controller) while in Photo Mode. This removes the HUD, health bar, and minimap.2424Scenery Album2626The Scenery Album is a collectible system tied to the Album app on your phone. Important Points of Interest (POIs) are scattered across the island, including shops, statues, piers, and unique landmarks. Taking a photo of a POI adds it to your Collected Sceneries list and rewards Starsand Points.2828Known landmark POIs include:3030Serena's StoreZerine's General StoreHalf-Moon Bay PierAureleaf KitchenWindflute Island PierVarious statues and scenic overlooks3232At certain collection milestones, you receive emotes as rewards. Emotes can be used during social interactions and in Photo Mode itself. The Scenery Album is one of four methods for acquiring emotes (alongside treasure chests, the Ethereal Styles store, and DLC content).3434To access the Scenery Album, open the Album app on your phone and switch to the Scenery tab. You can also reach it directly from within Photo Mode by selecting the Album option.3636NPC Photos3838At Heart Level 2 (220 Affection Points) with any NPC, you unlock the ability to take a photo with them. Speak to the character and select the photo option. The NPC will strike a pose for the camera.4040NPC photos serve two purposes:4242Sugar paintings. Bring a photo of an NPC to Hattie at her booth near the town center to commission a personalized sugar painting for 100 Coins. The resulting item ("Sugar Painting - [NPC Name]") makes an excellent gift for the depicted character.Personal collection. Photos taken with NPCs are saved in your gallery and can be placed in photo frames as home decorations.4444NPC photo milestones fit into the broader Heart Level progression:4646Heart LevelAffection RequiredMilestone1 Heart90 PointsNPC gives daily gifts when talked to2 Hearts220 PointsCan take a photo with the NPC3 Hearts370 PointsAccess to their private bedroom (contains a gift chest)4 Hearts770 PointsRequest board opens for that NPC5 Hearts820 PointsCan ask them to move in (romanceable NPCs only)4848Sugar Painting Connection4949Hattie (the Tanghua Master) operates a booth near the center of Starsand Town, closest to Soluna Cafe. She creates personalized sugar paintings from your NPC photos. The process:5151Take a photo with an NPC (requires Heart Level 2+)Visit Hattie's booth and select the photoPay 100 Coins for the sugar paintingReceive a "Sugar Painting - [NPC Name]" itemGift the painting to the depicted NPC for an affection boost5353Limitations: You can commission only one sugar painting per day. If Hattie says "this one is a bit hard to draw," you need to retake the photo.5555Sugar painting affection bonuses vary by NPC:5757ReactionNPCsSuper Adored (+30 Affection)Aurelis, DelphinLoves (+10 Affection)LorenLikes (+5 Affection)Stella, SylvainNeutral (no bonus)Alex (does not care for sweets)5959Photo Frames6060Photos taken in Photo Mode can be displayed in photo frames as home decorations. This lets you personalize your house with scenic shots, character portraits, or memorable moments from your island life. Photo frames are placed like any other furniture item through the Build Mode system.6262Tourist Photo Requests6464Random tourist NPCs wearing colorful clothing spawn around the island at locations including Half-Moon Bay, piers, the town square, the ranch area, the Flower Corridor, and beaches. Some tourists will ask you to take their photo when you interact with them. Completing a tourist photo request rewards:6666Starsand PointsVarious items (fish bait, flowers, seeds, crafting materials)6868Tourists also give you a random gift just for starting a conversation with them, even if they do not have a photo request.7070Tips7272TipDetailsUse Free Roam for landscapesDetaching the camera lets you find dramatic angles impossible in standard mode. Great for sweeping coastal shots and elevated forest vistas.Adjust Time of Day for golden lightThe Time of Day slider in Photo Mode settings lets you shift to sunrise or sunset lighting without waiting. This is purely a visual adjustment for the photo; it does not change the actual in-game time.Photograph every landmarkThe Scenery Album grants Starsand Points for each new POI captured. Equip a Skateboard or Rollerblades for faster movement between landmark locations.Stock up on NPC photos for sugar paintingsSince you can only commission one painting per day, take photos with multiple NPCs and visit Hattie daily for a steady stream of personalized gifts.Hide the UI before capturingPress Tab (keyboard) or Y (controller) to remove all HUD elements for clean screenshots.Place photos in your homePhoto frames let you display your best shots as unique decorations that no other player will have.