Looking for: App to take photos with Webcam

[FreakinEurekan]

I’m looking for an app… basically Photo Booth, with a couple of distinct differences:
1. No self-timer delay
2. Want to be able to “Adjust” the photo in-camera before the shot is taken (exposure settings, mostly)

The situation is, I have a lighted photo box set up, and I’m going to be putting small items in that box, taking a photo of it, and then replacing it with the next item. For a variety of reasons my identity here on MacRumors is obfuscated so let’s just say it’s… I dunno, Hummel figurines.

Ideally, I’d like NOT to have to edit the photos afterwards, other than perhaps a quick crop. The photos will be used for a few purposes but one of them is to be printed on a card for each item, so I want the photo to be fairly clear & color-accurate. I’m using a Mac mini (M1, with Ventura) so I’ll be getting a USB webcam and setting it up on a mini tripod, the goal is to QUICKLY go through the items I need to photograph. I have several hundred items right now, and I add often a dozen or more at a time.

I’ve looked at the App Store and done some googling; I’ve found VIDEO capture apps and I’ve found “Screengrab” apps but not finding exactly what I’m looking for. Does anyone have a suggestion?

 

[arw]

I only know it from the old days but if you're in the business of buying a new webcam anyways, take a look at Logitech Capture.
Besides videos/streaming, it can also take pictures and beforehand adjust focus, white balance, brightness, contrast, saturation, …

 

[bogdanw]

Webcamoid https://github.com/webcamoid/webcamoid
Camera Preview https://sindresorhus.com/camera-preview

 

[HDFan]

the goal is to QUICKLY go through the items I need to photograph.

Not sure I understand. You want to go through the physical items before they are photographed?

Any reason you don't use an iPhone on a tripod controlled by an Apple watch, if you have them?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Not sure I understand. You want to go through the physical items before they are photographed?

Any reason you don't use an iPhone on a tripod controlled by an Apple watch, if you have them?

I’m just trying to cut down on the handling. With a dedicated camera & light box, I should be able to place - photograph - remove, and on to the next item. I’d done this years ago when I owned an online business; but that was with a DSLR.

My current method does use an iPhone. The trouble with that is that it’s not simple to make in-camera exposure adjustments (especially in that they have to be un-done for “normal” photography), and I have to set up the iPhone every time. Plus of course I need to wait for the image to sync to the Mac in order to use it.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I only know it from the old days but if you're in the business of buying a new webcam anyways, take a look at Logitech Capture.
Besides videos/streaming, it can also take pictures and beforehand adjust focus, white balance, brightness, contrast, saturation, …

Good to know; I see a lot of “video” capture apps and it’s not entirely clear if they do ANYTHING with Stills.

 

[Tagbert]

I’m just trying to cut down on the handling. With a dedicated camera & light box, I should be able to place - photograph - remove, and on to the next item. I’d done this years ago when I owned an online business; but that was with a DSLR.

My current method does use an iPhone. The trouble with that is that it’s not simple to make in-camera exposure adjustments (especially in that they have to be un-done for “normal” photography), and I have to set up the iPhone every time. Plus of course I need to wait for the image to sync to the Mac in order to use it.

If you are open to using an iphone, have you tried alternate camera apps like Halide? They give you adjustability but don’t mess with your regular camera settings.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

If you are open to using an iphone, have you tried alternate camera apps like Halide? They give you adjustability but don’t mess with your regular camera settings.

Ideally I'd rather not use my iPhone; just too much of a hassle to set it up & take it down. If I can just have the camera & light box "Set up" then all I have to do is turn on the lights, place the part, snap a photo, and done.

I did order a Webcam, it just arrived today (a no-name but supposedly capable of 4k stills, and it came with a mini-tripod). I'll get that set up on Sunday or Monday, and see which of those apps does the best job for me. If the quality isn't up to snuff, well... I only spent <$30 on it so that's okay!

 

[FreakinEurekan]

It works pretty well… except for the focus. I need to be able to get a clear picture at about 8” range and the image is WAY blurry with a generic webcam.

Which is fine, I can use the camera as an actual webcam for Zoom/FaceTime. Other than the focus, the concept works.

Probably should get a webcam that takes CF-type lenses, the I can customize it as needed.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Update: CF-lens camera arrived yesterday (Prime Day deal). This is what I needed. Manual zoom, manual focus, manual aperture. zoom and focus rings have locking knobs so I can “set it and forget it.” Now to figure out where in this cramped workshop this thing’s gonna live 🤔 but fortunately it has like a 10-ft USB cable so I have some flexibility on that front.