Photo Booth 4.x: Use effects and backdrops in Photo Booth

This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple.
Use effects and backdrops in Photo Booth

You can apply an effect to a snapshot or video clip when you create it. For example, you can exaggerate colors in a photo or make it black and white. You can also use different distortions.

Some effects are backdrops—pictures or movies that serve as the background behind your image or video clip. Photo Booth comes with several backdrops, but you can use your own photos and movies to create additional backdrops. To use movies as backdrops, you need an Intel Core Duo or faster processor.

Apply an effect

  1. Before you take a snapshot or make a video clip, click the Effects button.
  2. Do one of the following to browse through the effects:
    • Using a trackpad, swipe with two fingers.

    • Using a Magic Mouse, swipe with one finger.

    • Click the arrows below the Effects display.

  3. Click the effect you want to use.

    Some distortion effects have a slider that you can drag to control the amount of distortion. To indicate where you want the distortion to be applied, drag in the image.

    Backdrop effects show the profile of a person, which is replaced by your image. When you select a backdrop effect, step out of the live video until Photo Booth detects the background.

    To avoid using an effect, click Normal (in the center).

  4. Click the Shutter button.

Create and apply your own custom backdrop

If you’re not using Photo Booth in full screen, you can use one of your own pictures or movies as a backdrop.

  1. If you use a digital video camera to record a video backdrop, set the camera to use fixed focus, exposure, and white balance.
  2. Before you take a snapshot or make a video clip, click the Effects Button. Click the arrow next to the button until you reach the pane that contains User Backdrop frames.
  3. Drag a picture or movie to one of the frames. You can drag from the Finder, iMovie, iPhoto, or Safari, or drag a Photo Booth thumbnail.

    To add a new backdrop, drag to an empty frame.

    To replace an existing backdrop, drag to its frame.

  4. Click the backdrop you want to use, and then click the Shutter button.

To remove a custom backdrop, click it and then click Delete.

Save a single or 4-up snapshot without its effect

  1. Choose File > Export Original.

    You can also Control-click the thumbnail and choose Export Original.

  2. Specify a filename, select a location for the file, and then click Save.
Last Modified: Sep 3, 2015
Helpful?

Additional Product Support Information