On Windows as well as computers running macOS, you can easily take pictures and record videos with your webcam
Easy as it may be, not everyone can take pictures or record videos using their computer’s webcam. Some users don’t even know it’s possible. In fact, they think that the webcam on their computer is only useful for making video calls. Of course, the result is not comparable to what you would get using an SLR camera, just as it is not comparable with the shots taken by a smartphone. But it is still a feature that in some cases can be very useful. It doesn’t matter whether the webcam is integrated on the computer – such as the one found in notebooks – or is external: with this small device you can take photos and record videos in a very simple and fast way. All you need to do is activate the webcam. Don’t know how? Don’t worry, just follow these tips.
Windows 10
Let’s start with Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. Probably in one way or another, you will have come across “Camera”, the application produced by Redmond that lets you manage your computer’s webcam. With the “little program” integrated in Windows 10 you can, in fact, take photos or record video clips. And it’s also very intuitive.
First you need to launch the application: from the search menu (you can find it at the bottom left of the screen) type “Camera” and start the software.
At this point you just have to click on the classic camera icon for photos. If, on the other hand, you want to record videos with the webcam, you’ll just have to press the other button, the one representing a video camera. That’s it. Your media will be saved in the “Camera Roll” subfolder (found in “Pictures”).
Windows 7
The procedure on Windows 7 is almost similar to the one described above, although it should be noted that this version, unlike Windows 10, doesn’t have a dedicated app. Don’t worry, if your PC includes a built-in webcam, it will surely be accompanied by the manufacturer’s program. You’ll just have to do as before: from the search bar, type “webcam” or “camera” and you’re done. For external webcams it’s even easier: they always have their own management software.
MacOS
Not only on Windows, even on computers made by Apple you can take photos or record videos. MacOS, the operating system that runs on computers from Cupertino, includes an application to control the webcam: “Photo Booth”.
Open “Spotlight”, the MacOS search tool, and type in the name of the program. Don’t know where to find Spotlight? Easy: in the upper right corner, from the toolbar, press on the hourglass icon. That’s it. Now all you have to do is enjoy taking photos or recording videos with Apple’s software.