diff --git a/static/index.html b/static/index.html
index 6867fce..ee23efb 100644
--- a/static/index.html
+++ b/static/index.html
@@ -994,12 +994,12 @@
         <div id="manPhotoArea" class="camera-area" style="aspect-ratio:4/3;margin-bottom:8px;">
           <div id="manPhotoPlaceholder" class="camera-placeholder" onclick="document.getElementById('manPhotoInput').click()">
             <span class="cam-icon">📸</span>
-            <div class="cam-hint" style="margin-top:4px;">Tap to take photo</div>
+            <div class="cam-hint" style="margin-top:4px;">Tap to choose photo</div>
           </div>
-          <input type="file" id="manPhotoInput" accept="image/*" capture="environment" style="display:none;" onchange="handleManualPhotoFile(event)">
+          <input type="file" id="manPhotoInput" accept="image/*" style="display:none;" onchange="handleManualPhotoFile(event)">
         </div>
         <div id="manPhotoCaptureRow" style="display:none;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:8px;">
-          <button class="ocr-capture-btn" onclick="document.getElementById('manPhotoInput').click()" title="Capture" style="position:static;width:48px;height:48px;font-size:18px;">📸</button>
+          <button class="ocr-capture-btn" onclick="openManualCamera()" title="Capture" style="position:static;width:48px;height:48px;font-size:18px;">📸</button>
         </div>
         <img id="manPhotoPreview" style="display:none;width:100%;border-radius:var(--radius-sm);">
         <button id="manPhotoRetake" class="btn btn-outline btn-sm" style="display:none;margin-top:6px;width:100%;" onclick="retakeManualPhoto()">🔄 Retake</button>
@@ -2608,6 +2608,16 @@
     manualPhotoBlob = null;    // reuse existing declaration
     let manualPhotoGps = null;
 
+    function openManualCamera() {
+      // Camera shortcut — EXIF won't survive but quick for field use
+      const inp = document.createElement('input');
+      inp.type = 'file';
+      inp.accept = 'image/*';
+      inp.capture = 'environment';
+      inp.onchange = handleManualPhotoFile;
+      inp.click();
+    }
+
     async function handleManualPhotoFile(event) {
       const file = event.target.files?.[0];
       if (!file) return;