1. The Camera app in Windows
The camera app is one of the most frequently used apps on smartphones – and Windows also has a camera app. Microsoft has greatly improved it via online updates. You can easily find it in Windows 11 via the start menu under All Apps > Camera.
2. After the start
Quickly take a new profile picture, check the image before a video conference or use it as a make-up mirror: the camera can be used in many different ways. The design and operation of the app are based on smartphone camera apps. After starting the app, you will see the live image from your webcam.
3. Take photos
The photo mode is set when you start the app: Click on the capture button to take a photo. The new image appears as a preview at the bottom right – click on it to view it.
4. Using the self-timer
To take photos with the self-timer, click the stopwatch button on the left in the camera app. By clicking repeatedly you can then switch between 2, 5 and 10 second delays.
5. HDR shots
Depending on your camera, the app may display additional buttons on the left side, for example for HDR (high dynamic range) shots with particularly high image contrast. The “Show advanced controls for photos and videos” button can be found in the settings.
Depending on the position it is in, the additional options will be displayed or not. Try it out: On our test PC, HDR mode was only available when the switch was deactivated.
6. Set resolution
You can set the resolution the camera uses in the app settings (step 4). In the “Photo settings” area, under “Photo quality,” set the best possible resolution that your camera offers. Then scroll down to “Video settings” and under “Video quality,” set the desired resolution of your camera for filming.
7. Time lapse
Time lapse is an additional feature of the camera app. It automatically takes pictures at set intervals. The resulting photo series shows an accelerated view of reality. You can turn time lapse on using the slider in the photo settings.
To take a time-lapse photo series, activate the self-timer (step 5). The camera app will then record until you press the camera button again. A blue circle visualizes the pause between shots.
8. Recording videos
To record a video, use the arrows on the right side of the window to switch to “Video” mode. Then start recording with the video button – another click on the button ends the recording.
The camera app does not display an image
If the Camera app cannot access your webcam, you need to adjust the security settings.
To do this, open the Settings app and go to Privacy & Security > Camera. In the list that appears, find Camera and make sure the switch to the right of it is set to On.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication PC-WELT and has been translated and localized from German.
