How to turn your camera on

Follow the steps below to turn your camera on to see yourself or test that it's working properly. See also the following section on troubleshooting where we outline what could be wrong if the camera isn't turning on for you -- and common steps to take to fix the issue.

Turn on the camera using Turn Camera On

1. Grant permission for the camera to turn on. Before you can see yourself and use the camera with this webpage, you'll have to click "allow" at the prompt given to you by your browser. If you accidentally, missed this prompt, don't worry! Just reload the page, and you'll have another chance to grant permission. If you still can't find the prompt, please see below for tips on troubleshooting.
   
   
2. After permission is granted, we'll automatically detect the best method to render your camera's live video feed using the highest possible resolution. You should see your picture start to stream into the main video window!
   
   
3. Choose whether you prefer your camera video in standard size or fullscreen size. The camera feed starts out in standard size, but if you want a larger image, just press the fullscreen button above your video feed.
   
   
Go full screen

You can enter fullscreen mode by clicking here: Go Fullscreen

4. Once the camera is on, you can use it to do anything that you'd need a mirror for.
   
   
Your webcam is a versatile tool

You'd be surprised how many times people reach for cameras to do things other than take photos! One of the reasons we originally built this tool was to help straighten and curl my hair during days we didn't have access to a mirror. Fortunately for all of us, you don't need a mirror if you have access to a webcam!

5. To take a picture, press the camera button below the camera image feed.
   
   
How to download your image

Click the floppy disk icon to save the online photo to your device. Don't lose it by refreshing the page!

6. Apply a beautiful or fun filter if you'd like from the selection that appears below the picture.
Why filters?

Filters are a good way to make your photo look more professional, and bring more emotion into a an otherwise ordinary photo. The filters this tool uses perform advanced calculations to create the prettiest photos without having to be an expert photo editor.

7. Share your photos with friends and family by clicking on the Facebook or Twitter icons. You can post directly from TurnCameraOn.com to your preferred social media platform.
Social media best practices:

People appreciate photos more with a comment about what's going on in the picture. Consider adding a message in the comment box before you share your photo!

Styling the perfect photo of yourself

Over the last half decade, it's becoming more and more apparent how popular selfies have become. We asked expert Instagram users what their best tips were for styling their shots. See below for their tips on how to improve your photos!

Lighting. Don't be back lit. Ideally, have natural, soft, and indirect light on your face, and don't sit with a light source directly behind you. This will let all the features of your face appear natural and in full color.

Face position. Stick your chin out and slightly down (but not so much that you look strained). This helps give your face more definition and avoids the perception of the dreaded "double chin".

Posture. Sit up with your shoulders back. This helps project confidence and energy.

Surroundings. Be mindful of your surroundings. Place yourself in a nice background, and make sure the surrounding area is clean enough to be in your photo.

and... don't forget to smile :-)!

Troubleshooting

Having trouble turning your camera on? There are many possible reasons. Here are the basic steps to take to get your camera working again:

Computer camera troubleshooting

Built-in or external camera? If your device is built-in (like on a Macbook or Chromebook), you don't need to check the connection with the computer. Additionally, the drivers are likely up-to-date, since the necessary software comes with the computer. However, if you're using an external camera, you'll want to do the following:

• Ensure the connection is complete between the camera wires and your computer. Sometimes the cables get loose so examine each end and ensure a tight connection.
• Check that the camera has been installed. You'll have to follow the instructions specific to your device. If you use one of the most popular Logitech devices, find your specific drivers at their website.

Restart your device. Most of the time, the issue is temporary and will resolve itself from a reboot.

Allow permission for TurnCameraOn to use your camera. When you first load the site, make sure to choose "Allow" when your browser asks if you want to let TurnCameraOn use your camera. If you accidentally click don't allow, just clear your cache and it will ask you again.

Mobile camera troubleshooting

• As of late 2017, most browser companies implemented the necessary support to access mobile device cameras by default in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers.
• If you're using an Android or Apple iPhone and can't get the camera to turn on, please make sure you're using one of these popular browsers.
• Ensure that only one app is using the camera. If you have another app using the camera, TurnCameraOn won't be able to show you the video screen.
• If issues persist, try rebooting. If nothing else works, please let us know and we'll see if there is another issue.