This wikiHow teaches you how to use the webcam on your PC or Mac to take photos. You can use the Camera app on Windows 10, or Photo Booth on Mac.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Windows
Step 1. Make sure your computer has a webcam
Most laptops today are equipped with a webcam. However, if your laptop or computer does not have a webcam, you will need to install a webcam on the computer before proceeding.
Step 2. Open the Start menu
by clicking the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Enter the camera into the Start menu to search for the Camera app
This app lets you take photos with any camera connected to your computer.
Step 4. Click the Camera icon to open Windows Camera
It's a white camera-shaped icon at the top of the Start window.
Step 5. Wait for your computer's camera to turn on
Once the camera is on, the light next to it will also light up, and you'll be able to see yourself in the Camera window.
Step 6. Point the computer at the object you want to photograph
The object will appear on the screen.
Step 7. Click "Capture" to take a photo and save it to the Photograph application on a Windows computer
It's a camera-shaped icon at the bottom of the Camera window.
Method 2 of 2: Using a Mac
Step 1. Click the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the screen to open Spotlight
Step 2. Enter the photo booth in Spotlight to search for the Photo Booth app on your Mac
Step 3. Click Photo Booth to open the app
This app will appear as the first search result below the Spotlight search bar.
Step 4. Wait for your computer's camera to turn on
After the camera is turned on, the green light next to it will also light up.
Once the camera is on, you will also be able to see yourself on the Photo Booth screen
Step 5. Point the Mac screen at the photo object
Any object that appears in the main Photo Booth window will become part of the photo. Therefore, adjust the direction of the computer according to the display in the Photo Booth window.
Step 6. Click the red and white camera-shaped "Capture" icon at the bottom of the window
The computer will take the photo, and save it to the Photos app.
If you have an iPhone or iPad with the Photo Stream feature, those photos will also appear on your device
Tips
- If you're using Windows 7, you'll need to use the built-in camera app to take photos. For example, your camera might include Cyberlink YouCam or a similar app. If you don't know the type of webcam on your computer, try entering "camera" in the Start menu, or search your computer for the type of webcam it has.
- Photo Booth provides various filters and other visual effects that you can use to beautify your photos after taking them.
