Take a picture of myself

June 5, 2009 12:15 PM

A couple of years ago, my PhotoBooth app on my Mac was acting funky, so I trashed it. For some reason, I thought I could just go online and download a fresh version. That's proving difficult. Ultimately, I don't really care about downloading PhotoBooth. I just want to use my built-in webcam to take a picture of myself. Preferably high enough quality that I can make 2" by 2" passport photos. My webcam works fine (I use it for Skype, for example), but I can't seem to find a way to just take a damn picture of myself. And I don't want to pay for to download an application online. Hope me, hivemind.
posted by billysumday to technology (16 comments total)

Can't you download a free program like Picasa, and then import a photo using your webcam as source hardware for the import?
posted by scarykarrey at 12:20 PM on June 5

You can use Pacifist to retrieve applications like that from the original CDs.
posted by odinsdream at 12:31 PM on June 5

Most Macs come with it. Can you copy it from someone else's computer?
posted by davextreme at 12:37 PM on June 5

Can you use Cameroid? You don't even have to download anything.
posted by joshrholloway at 12:38 PM on June 5

Or, assuming you have Leopard, you might find a special and magical little present for you at this link. If you're still on Tiger, I can't really help you.
posted by joshrholloway at 12:43 PM on June 5

Command-Shift-3, does a screen dump of whatever you're seeing, including live preview of your cam at screen res. You could be sitting in Skype with a live video feed, snap the screen, there's your picture. Or you can get EyeSight, looks like it's nice, and free.
posted by dbiedny at 12:44 PM on June 5

Cameroid was perfect. Thanks for the other suggestions, as well.
posted by billysumday at 12:45 PM on June 5

You could open iChat, go into the preferences, click Video (which shows a preview from your cam for testing purposes), then take a screenshot of yourself with Command-Shift-3.
posted by bcwinters at 12:45 PM on June 5

Looks like joshrSanta to the rescue!
posted by dbiedny at 12:46 PM on June 5

Are you on Facebook? If you are, and make like you're gonna change your profile picture, they offer you a "take it with my webcam" option. I haven't done this myself so I don't know the quality, but I noticed this choice the other day.
posted by xo at 12:46 PM on June 5

joshrholloway: thanks for that. unfortunately, the app is sitting there on my desktop and i can't open it. i threw it in the applications folder, nothing. i'll keep trying, see if i can't get it to open. like i said, my computer and [redacted] don't work too well together, so it could be some weird thing with that specific app and my specific computer. but thanks anyway!
posted by billysumday at 12:52 PM on June 5

Definitely seconding the strategy to use Pacifist to allow you to go in and reinstall just PhotoBooth from your original install CD.
posted by misterbrandt at 1:08 PM on June 5

If you do install it from Pacifist, bear in mind that it flips the picture so you see yourself as you think you really look -- if you're making passport photos, be sure to flip them!
posted by fightorflight at 4:05 PM on June 5

As a side note, be careful about taking your own passport photos. They are really funny about the regulations about how it has to look. Also I recommend printing it at home because photo-places that normally charge a lot to print passport photos get pissy when you try to DIY.
posted by radioamy at 9:00 PM on June 5

Skitch is also pretty good for this and is an all-around kick-ass app for sharing images from your monitor.
posted by jedrek at 12:47 AM on June 6

I haven't tried this site, but it might be helpful for getting the passport pic right.
posted by sero_venientibus_ossa at 1:54 PM on June 6