• How to take photos with a webcam and get good pictures. How to take a photo of yourself on a laptop or computer

    Photos can be taken not only with a camera, but also with the webcam of a laptop or computer. Windows XP, for example, provides the user with the ability to shoot even without using special programs. For the seven you will have to install third-party software. Let's look at how to take a photo from a webcam in more detail.

    How to take a photo using Windows

    In Windows XP, you need to go to “My Computer”. In the window that opens, you will see a webcam icon. Usually it is at the very bottom. In order to open the camera window, you just need to double-click on the icon. In the left column you will see the line “Take a new photo”. Click on it and the photo will be ready.

    Taking a photo using the Cyberlink YouCam program

    Now let's see how to take a photo from a webcam using the Cyberlink YouCam program. In this case, you can add various types of effects to the photo. Immediately after launch, the editor begins to show the image captured by the webcam. Below, under the demo window, there are two icons. One of them is responsible for photographing, the second for video filming. The picture is taken by pressing the first button. Subsequently, you can view the photo by clicking on its preview in the field under the demo window.

    In order to apply any effects to the image, click on the blue arrow to the right of the demo window. The range of designs provided by this program is quite wide. To select the desired effect, simply click on the appropriate box.

    Photos using LiveWebCam

    As you can see, it’s not difficult at all - photo from a webcam. LiveWebCam also allows you to do this in a couple of clicks. When launched, it immediately begins to demonstrate what the camera is capturing. To take a photo, you just need to click on “Take Photo”. The program saves all received images in an archive, so you can always view them if desired.

    How to take photos on Skype

    The Skype program, which you probably already installed a long time ago, also has a function for capturing captured frames. Of course, you can only take a photo with the camera running. To start shooting and demonstrating a video, in Skype you need to go to “Tools” (in the panel at the top) and go to the “Settings” line. Next to the “Enable video” option, check the box. You can take a photo by going to the “Video Settings” line and selecting “Freeze Frame”. Then click on “Save still image”.

    Thus, we have figured out how to take a photo from a webcam with using Skype. In some versions of the program, the photo is taken a little differently. In the “Video Settings” menu under the demo window, click on the “Change Avatar” button. As a result, a window with a “Take photo” button will open at the bottom. After the photo is received, you need to click on “Use this image.” If the frame is unsuccessful, you should try again. To do this, there is a “Try again” button. All photos taken will be displayed in a special field at the bottom left of the window.

    How to take a photo of your interlocutor on Skype

    In order to take a photo of your interlocutor in Skype, you need to right-click on his image during a conversation. After this, a menu will appear in which you will need to select the “Freeze frame” line. Then the photo can be saved to any folder on your computer.

    made on Skype

    Thus, in Skype you can take any photos via a webcam. In order to view pictures taken using Skype, you need to go to the Skype menu and select the “Personal information” line. After this, another menu will appear in which you should select “Change my avatar”. Images taken in Skype are saved automatically, usually in the folder Skype/your nickname/Pictures.

    Photo online from webcam

    There is another way to take pictures using a webcam. There are services on the Internet specifically designed for this purpose. You can find such a site using any search engine. Select the service you like from the list provided and go to it. The first thing you will be asked to do is allow the use of your webcam. Click on the corresponding button in the menu that appears and see yourself in the window that opens.

    We point the webcam at the object that needs to be photographed and click on the “Take photo” button. Next, select “Save Image”. The resulting photo will appear in the field at the bottom of the page. To save a photo to hard drive, you need to click on the preview. After this, the photo will be displayed in the demonstration window. Next, you need to right-click on it and select the “Save image” line. In the menu that opens we look for the desired folder and click “Save”. Also, online photo services usually provide a link to the photo, which can be inserted on forums or used on social networks.

    On the Internet, among other things, there are resources that provide the user with the opportunity to take very original photos. A webcam with effects, or rather, design functions built into the service program, allows you to create such pictures without difficulty. Of course, a photo taken with a webcam is rarely of very high quality. You can correct the situation by using one of the graphic editors. For example, with the same “Photoshop”.

    How to improve the quality of a photo you take

    So, we found out how to take a photo from a webcam. Now let's see how to improve its quality. Usually you have to adjust the contrast of the image, that is, the ratio of the number of white and black dots. To do this, you can simply tighten the levels.

    Open the Photoshop editor and go to the Image menu. Next, select the Adjustments line and go to Levels. A window with a histogram will open. If there are not enough white dots in the photo, it will not reach the right edge. To correct the situation, you need to move the right slider to the beginning of the histogram. The same should be done with blackheads. Only in this case you need to tighten the left slider. It is best to work with levels in color mode Lab Color, since this allows you to leave the photo colors unchanged when changing the contrast. IN RGB mode After adjusting the levels, the pictures sometimes take on an “acid” tint. To change it, go to the Image menu and select the first line Mode. In the window that opens, click on Lab Color.

    Today, not a single laptop can do without a built-in web camera, and it’s not particularly difficult to purchase it separately. a lot of work. But most users remember this device with the inclusion of Skype or the VK video calling service. However, you can also take photos using a webcam.

    The easiest way to take a photo is to use standard utility Windows XP. To do this, open “My Computer” and find the “USB video device” shortcut.

    If all drivers are installed correctly, the camera control window will open, in which you just need to click “Take a new photo”. The resulting photo can be saved, printed, or deleted.

    Webcam programs

    But standard Windows program, unfortunately, has very little functionality (the standard tool for working with a webcam is missing in the latest versions operating system). There are a number of special programs that significantly expand the capabilities of a regular camera:

    • LiveWebCam– allows you to take automatic pictures at certain periods of time, using your computer as a paparazzi at a party.
    • EasyWebCam– most universal program, and works with almost all cameras. Has a large selection of settings and additional functions, which makes it somewhat cumbersome and difficult to work with.
    • LiveWebCam- one of the most best programs, plus it's free. After downloading and installation, a window opens in which you can see the image. By simply clicking on the “Take photo” button, you immediately get the desired result.

    Online service for webcam

    If you have the Internet, you can use numerous online services to obtain photos. For them correct operation preferably latest version. On the Internet you can find a wide variety of resources that allow you to get interesting results:

    • Webcamleo, thanks to its effects, has the opportunity to take creative photos that will delight all your friends on social networks.
    • Picachoo.ru– no less convenient service. By going to his website, we allow access Flash Player to the web camera.

    After setting the resolution, click on the corresponding button. Having installed the camera in the desired position, we get a picture. If desired, you can use the reportage shooting function or delay timer.

    A webcam is perhaps one of the most enjoyable and useful technologies of the 21st century. With its help, in real time, you can photograph what is happening around you (video recorders, external surveillance cameras), communicate with a person located at a great distance from us, and at the same time see him. Many people know that using a front-facing webcam, usually installed on laptops, you can take a photo of your face online from the webcam, for example. But few people are aware of the existence special services, allowing you to take such a photo in good quality and embellish it with various effects. IN at the moment There are a huge number of such resources, but most of them are either stuffed with advertising that interferes with the comfortable creation of an avatar, or have a rather meager set of functions and effects. Taking this into account, we will consider in this article best services, thanks to which you can take a photo online.

    One of the most popular photo editors for smartphones now exists as an online service. Pixlr has the following features that make it possible to call this resource one of the best of its kind:

    • Absence intrusive advertising— the only banner is located on top, is not noticeable and does not interfere with shooting;
    • Allows you to take pictures online using a webcam;
    • Excellent image quality relative to similar resources;
    • Rich functionality, including various effects both for the photo itself and for its framing.
    • But if you need it, it's better to do it in Paint.

    Let's take a closer look at Pixlr. To take a photo, you must:


    Click "Allow"

    The webcam turns on and we can see ourselves - now, to take a photo, click on the “Camera” icon located at the bottom in the middle.

    Ready. After the photo is created, two icons appear in the lower right corner - the first is for taking a second photo, the second is for going to the toolbar, click on it.

    Now, right below the photo we can see the image processing panel. For the convenience of the user, it is implemented here special switch in the form of a “clock”, allowing you to instantly switch to different editing modes for certain areas of the photo:

    • By clicking on the “red” scale, we find ourselves in the section for setting the tone of the photograph: a huge list of colors that give the picture remarkable quality - distinctive feature Retrica, which made her popular;
    • By clicking on the “blue” scale, we find ourselves in the block for creating effects for photos, here we can make our image, for example, “vintage” or “broken” by clicking on the corresponding items in the list of effects;
    • Finally, the “yellow” scale allows you to create a frame for our photo, there is not much to say here, but we must give credit to the creators of the service, some frames really delight with their creativity.

    Saving an image to Pixelr

    After you have taken a photo from your webcam and your editing is complete, you should:


    Picachoo - create a photo

    Another great service for creating photos from a webcam. A distinctive feature of online Picachoo lies in the shooting modes - the editor has three of them:

    • Ordinary;
    • Serial - I think everything is clear from the name, the mode allows you to take several photos in a row, and in the settings you can set the interval between shots;
    • Animation is the main feature of the service, this mode makes it possible to create GIF file(in common parlance “gif”) lasting three seconds. I have never seen this on any of the services I reviewed. AND this function, undoubtedly, can please any user who wants without problems with special software designed for this purpose.

    There is also nothing complicated in using Picachoo:



    Click on “Download photo” to download the image

    Webcamtoy - taking a photo is simple and convenient

    The last service that I would like to consider in this article is Webcamtoy. It also has its own distinctive feature relative to similar editors - the ability to switch effects is provided by Webcamtoy not after the photo, but during it. This is very convenient, primarily because it is not always possible to find desired effects under the photo we took, and here you can immediately take care of two components of our photo.

    To use the service, you must:

    1. Follow the link to the official Webcamtoy website - https://webcamtoy.com/ru/;
    2. In the middle there is a welcome tab “Ready? Smile!”, click on it;
    3. Next, another window opens in which you need to click on “Use my camera!”;
    4. We again confirm permission for the site to use our camera.

    So, a shooting block opens in front of us, in which we can see ourselves.

    • There are two panels for setting effects:

    Conclusion

    The article discussed the best, in my opinion, online services for creating photos using a webcam. Their main advantage, of course, is the absence of advertising and the presence of a wide range of different effects. But do not forget that they all require an Internet connection. Thanks for reading, I hope you found the article interesting.

    The world of digital technology has rapidly burst into our lives, giving many users the opportunity to communicate over the Internet. Skype, Mile, Google Talk allow owners of computers, tablets and laptops to make video calls via the Internet. Nowadays, almost every multimedia device is equipped with a front-facing video camera for video communication. As a matter of fact, thanks to this webcam, programs broadcast the image. But few people know what you can do with a webcam regular photos. How to take a photo from a webcam?

    True, the quality of these photographs will be noticeably inferior to images taken on a smartphone or digital camera. As a rule, manufacturers save on photo modules and install 0.3-2 megapixel cameras in laptops and tablets. But in the absence of a camera or smartphone, such photographs have a right to life.

    Photos using Skype

    You can take a photo from your webcam using various programs, among which the most popular, perhaps, is Skype. Skype allows you not only to communicate via video, but also to take pictures during the video session. But, in addition, it is possible to save a photo from a webcam in the following way:

    Taking pictures with LiveWebCam

    As a rule, a webcam comes with drivers and a program for creating videos and images from a webcam. If you use a laptop, then for the cameras built into portable devices, not provided special utilities. But don't worry, as there are a huge number of applications created to work with webcams.

    LiveWebCam free program from a domestic developer with light weight and Russian-language interface. How to take a photo from a webcam using LiveWebCam? Open the developer’s website http://iddd.ru/programs/livewebcam and download the archive with the program to your computer.

    Unpack the archive and run the livewebcam.exe program installer double click left mouse button. At the first stage of installation, accept the agreement by clicking on the “Accept” button.

    On next stage Uncheck the boxes that you are not happy with and click “Next”.

    Specify the directory to install the application or leave the default C:\Program Files (x86)\LiveWebCam. Click the “Install” button and wait for the installation process to complete.

    During the installation of LiveWebCam, a window will open asking you where to save the images. Select any location convenient for you and click “OK”.

    If you suddenly missed this moment, then remember that the pictures taken are saved to the C:\Program Files (x86)\LiveWebCam\Save folder. Complete the installation of the program by clicking the “Close” button.

    So, the program is installed, it's time to take photos from the webcam. Launch LiveWebCam and click the “Take Photo” button.

    The image will be automatically saved to the folder you specified when installing the program. At the same time, so that the pictures do not mix with other images, a folder with the current date is automatically created, and all photos from the webcam are saved into it.

    If you see a black window when starting the program, do not rush to get upset and look for another utility. Windows 7 has an excellent compatibility mode that allows you to quickly deal with this problem.

    Close the program and right-click on the LiveWebCam shortcut. After which in context menu select "Properties". In the LiveWebCam Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab.

    Check the box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode” and select “Windows 98\ME” in the drop-down list. Save your settings and restart the LiveWebCam application.

    The problem with the black window will be solved. As a rule, owners of computers with Windows 7 x64 encounter this problem.

    The LiveWebCam application can only take photos from the built-in webcam. If you want more functionality, use other utilities or online services, for example

    Almost everything modern models laptops are equipped with built-in web cameras. They can be used not only for online video communication, but also for taking selfies. At the same time, you can take a self-portrait using both standard Windows tools, and through third-party software. Let's look at how to take a photo of yourself using a laptop camera.

    How to take a selfie with a laptop camera using standard means

    Before you start taking pictures with your laptop camera, you need to see if it is turned on. Some PCs may have a lever near the webcam eye that controls its status. It should be pulled to the On position. The active state of the device is indicated by an LED.

    The webcam can also be disabled at the software level. To enable it, you need to go to the “Image processing devices” section located in the “Device Manager”, right-click on the required tool and click “Enable”.

    To take a photo of yourself with the laptop's factory camera, you can use the software included with the laptop. laptop computer. For example, an HP PC this utility called HP Camera, and Toshiba - Toshiba Web Camera. To take a photo using this program, you must:


    One more standard means for taking photos using a laptop camera is graphic editor Paint, located in the " Standard programs» Start menu. To take a photo of yourself, you need to open this program and in the “File” tab select “From a scanner or camera.” In the same editor, you can immediately edit the photo at your discretion.

    You can also take a selfie on a laptop through the “Cameras and Scanners” tab. It is located along the path “Start” - “Control Panel”. All will be visible in the list graphics devices connected to a PC. Select your camera, sit comfortably near the monitor and click “Shoot”. The resulting image will immediately appear on the right side of the screen. Click Next, then give the file a name and storage location.

    Taking photos with a laptop camera using third-party software

    A very interesting and easy-to-use tool that allows you to take photographs with your laptop’s built-in camera is the free Live program Webcam. To take a selfie with it, you need:

    You can also take a photo of yourself through everyone’s favorite online messenger, Skype. To do this, you need to open the program and in the “Personal Data” tab click “Change Avatar”. The photo taken will be on system disk laptop in the Skype\Pictures folder.

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