Augmented Reality involves interacting with reality through virtual elements generated by computers to improve the real-life experience. This way, digital signals create an enhanced environment – that is way better than what you get in real life.
Popularly known as AR, Augmented Reality has come to stay as part of daily life. This revolutionary technology is changing the world at a breakneck speed. Moreover, AR has influenced the world extensively.
Think of AR as using the virtual world to boost what you experience in the real world. For this experience to be immersive, AR uses what you see, hear, touch, feel, and even emotions – and improves them so you can feel a ‘perfect’ virtual world.
Also, with companies investing heavily in AR, it’s undeniable that the future will see more augmented reality devices springing to life. For example, several photography devices – like mobile phones – support AR. In addition, from augmented reality photos to immersive gameplays and medical applications, AR creates room for greater possibilities.
Many people have keyed into the trend. That’s why many people ask, “How do you take a picture of augmented reality?” Follow this guide to know more about AR photography.
What Are Augmented Reality Photos?
Augmented Reality photos are produced by blending the real and virtual worlds. AR photos use the virtual world and computer-generated elements to enhance photos. In other words, think of it as using the virtual world to augment what is perceived as missing in the real world.
Also, AR photos are one of the significant applications of AR – this field has found application in almost every aspect of life. As a result, big tech companies invest heavily in AR Photography.
Furthermore, AR photography has also changed the workspace environment – and with remote work becoming more popular, AR makes more things possible.
Applications of Augmented Reality Photos
As the real-life experience continues expanding, AR photos are used for more and more things. And that makes for more fun. For instance, here are some present applications of AR photography.
Virtual Mirroring: This deals with presenting objects electronically in 3-dimensional (3D) format. Previously, customers made buying decisions based on 2D images on websites. However, customers now interact with the product, which excites them thanks to virtual mirroring.
For example, virtual mirroring makes them experience the product as if they were in a showroom.
Google Lens and Intelligent Smartphones: Have you ever seen a familiar place and searched it on the web using your camera? Or did you get fascinated by a building and browse it via your camera? If yes, you used AR photography.
AR Photos allows you to search up almost everything via the internet by just taking a picture of it. For example, from flowers to animals and buildings, you get help without asking anyone.
Interactive Marketing: Before marketing, websites used 2D images to display products. 2D pictures cannot show everything, and as a result, websites offer customers less about a product.
However, to get photos that sufficiently answer all buyers’ questions, one would need many pictures from different angles.
That’s why AR photos are super helpful. Just create an interactive showroom by taking 3D shots with just cell phones. All customers need is a mouse pointer, and they can zoom, rotate, flip and examine the product.
Other Hot Applications of AR Photography Include
Enhanced Workspaces: Teleconferencing giant, Zoom, and other tech companies are investing heavily in AR-enhanced workspaces. This feature involves using computer-generated virtual elements – based on the workspace environment – in making the remote work experience more fun.
A good example is the Zoom video conferencing feature where employees sit beside each other at meetings – like in the regular workspace – even as they work from different places.
Face Tracking and Facial Recognition: We cannot talk about the top applications of AR photos without looking at these two. Facial tracking and recognition are handy in security, crime monitoring, and healthcare.
For example, many devices today offer the option of face unlock – thanks to AR photography. And law enforcement officers successfully track down the bad guys with facial recognition.
There are other minor applications of AR photos – most of which are still in development.
How Do You Take a Picture of Augmented Reality?
Finally, let’s get down to the question, “How do you take a picture of augmented reality?”
Firstly, whether you need augmented reality pictures for your website, business, or you’re just in love with it, you need the best experience – so you enjoy the fun.
Moreover, taking a picture of Augmented Reality is super simple. Unlike other types of photography, which use hard-to-learn techniques and require months of training, anyone can take Augmented Reality photos.
All you need is a phone camera and an AR app. There are several apps on your phone’s app stores, such as Google Playstore for Android and Apple Appstore for iPhone.
Also, the type of app you need depends on what you will do with the AR. There are AR apps geared towards businesses and marketers. These apps have virtual stores where customers try out the product they want.
In addition, some entertainment-focused apps also let you enjoy the fun of using AR. These apps integrate easily with social media platforms, so you quickly share your AR pictures.
AR photography has changed the world – and this tech is getting better with time.
Top 7 Best Apps for Taking AR Photos on Your Phone
- TikTok
- YouCam Makeup
- GIPHY World
- Augment
- Snapchat
- Wanna Kicks
Now, let’s look at them briefly.
TikTok
Price – Free
TikTok rose to fame a few months after its release. It is similar to Facebook and Snapchat. However, TikTok’s focus is different. And this is what pushed it to the top.
For example, users make or create AR-enhanced short videos with TikTok – and this is its main selling point. In a short time, many youngsters downloaded the app over 1 billion times.
Tiktok is a social platform where users create enhanced short videos and take AR Photos. This trend became popular among the younger generation. Therefore, the app is a one-stop junction for most things AR.
YouCam Makeup
Price – Free
YouCam Makeup is an AR Platform for women. It is niche-specific and a bit narrow in scope.
Previously, before women could find a makeup combination that worked for them, they did a lot of trial-and-error. Now, YouCam Makeup helps women try makeup combinations in a super simple way – by doing it digitally with AR photos.
This way, women save time and money. Moreover, they can also try various designs fast. Furthermore, users of the app also share their AR Photos via popular social media networks.
AR-based fashion is improving, and there are greater possibilities across different niches.
GIPHY World
Price – Free
GIPHY World takes AR Photography to a whole new level. This app converts AR photos to canvas. GIPHY allows you to combine animated GIFs and AR in a way that creates more fun. This tool improves pictures and makes them a more effective tool for entertainment.
Augment
Price – Free
Focused on business and e-comm stores, Augment creates AR photos of home goods. This way, you show more product features to the target audience. The fun part is that you can easily add these AR-enhanced pics to your e-comm store or website.
Augment is rapidly gaining popularity. The app is available for iPhone and Android.
Snapchat
Price – Free
Snapchat is a messaging-oriented app where people communicate with each other. It is a popular option among teenagers and young adults. As well as messaging app functions, Snapchat takes AR photos.
Unfortunately, the app consumes a lot of power. Of course, this depends entirely on how frequently you use the application. Even at that, there are different ways you could optimize for lower power consumption. At the very least, if you find yourself relying heavily on the platform for social interactions or business of some sort, you could simply get a power bank to serve as a mobile source of energy whenever you need it.
Regardless, it’s excellent at taking cute AR photos. Snapchat enables you to shoot AR Photos in real-time.
Price – Free
The tech giant, Facebook, was not left out in AR’s emergence. They have invested heavily in AR Photography and plan to develop their AR studio app.
For now, Facebook Stories has AR filters and you can use them to spice up your pictures. While Facebook is not the best AR photo app out there, you can use it for a good experience with AR stuff.
The app is available for Android and iPhone.
WannaKicks
Price – Free
This app targets business owners. In addition, it focuses on wearables – sneakers, precisely. The app takes virtual sneakers and blends them to match customers’ feet. Moreover, buyers see how the sneakers look on them. This little add-on increases the buying urge.
Furthermore, when you take a picture of yourself with this app, you choose any Sneakers you want and see how the AR app makes customers look when they wear them. The great thing is that you can see this in 3D – from any angle.
How Do You Take Augmented Reality Photos on an iPhone?
Do you need augmented reality photos for your social media? Or do you want to tease your friends with some cute AR tricks?
Taking augmented reality shots on an iPhone is super simple. Follow these simple steps here.
- Firstly, go to your iPhone App Store.
- Secondly, search for AR photo apps.
- Next, check the app reviews and select whichever has the features you want.
- Then, download and install the app – most Augmented Reality apps are free of charge.
- Launch the app and start taking some cute photos. Apply AR filters on the go as you shoot pictures. Also, you can edit the images after shooting them. Some apps allow editing while taking the photographs or after the photoshoot.
- Finally, share your pics on your favorite social media and invite friends to like them.
How Do You Take Augmented Reality Photos on Android?
Taking augmented reality photos on Android is similar to what you get on an iPhone. As Android phones become better, more features make taking AR photos fun.
- Firstly, head to Google Playstore and type AR Photo Apps. Check our shortlist above to see if any app there fits your needs.
- Next, browse the results and pick any of your choices. We suggest reading the reviews first. Apps above 4.3 stars are a good starting point.
- Then, download and install the app.
- Next, launch the app and sign up (if required). Then you can start your AR photoshoot.
- Many AR apps allow editing during and after the photoshoot. Use the AR filters to enhance your pictures.
- Finally, share your AR pictures to your Social Media win one tap with the app’s integrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which app is used for Augmented Reality?
There are many apps on App stores that enable AR photo capture. We advise you to check the top 7 picks above and see which suits your needs.
2. How do you take an AR photo?
Use an app that suits your needs for AR photos. Most apps are simple and offer guided tours on how to use them. Open the app, take some shots and apply any AR filters that you like.
3. Are AR photos better than stock photos?
Yes. AR photos are enhanced and portray the environment better. Also, they are captivating and allow interaction. One can flip, hover, zoom or rotate AR pictures.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, this article gives answers to the question “How do you take a picture of augmented reality?”. Furthermore, we reviewed popular AR apps that you can use to take instant AR shots.
Check our review list and select whichever matches your needs – for example, Augment, GIPHY World, and Wanna Kick are for content creators and business owners. So, go on and explore the world of Augmented Reality photos now.