You’ve probably seen them on Facebook or a real estate website. They are those cool, interactive pictures you can click and drag. They let you see everything around you. These are 360 photos, and they are easier to create than you might think.

Taking a traditional photo captures a single moment from one viewpoint. But a 360 photo, or 360° photo, puts you right in the middle of the scene. In this blog post, we’ll show you exactly how to take 360 photos using your phone camera or a special 360 degree camera.

We will look at different methods, from simple apps to high-quality gear. By the end, you’ll be ready to capture your own amazing, immersive content.

What Exactly Is a 360 Photo?

Think of a 360 photo as a complete sphere of an image. Instead of just a flat rectangle, it wraps all around you. It captures the view from every single direction, recording the entire scene.

This spherical image lets you look around as if you were standing where the camera was. You can pan from side to side or look at the sky and ground. It offers a totally immersive point of view that a standard photo cannot match, forming the basis for many virtual reality experiences.

Technically, the flat image file you see before it’s uploaded is called an equirectangular image. This projection unwraps the sphere into a 2:1 rectangle, similar to how a world map represents the spherical Earth. When viewed in a compatible app or platform, this distorted image is re-wrapped into a sphere, creating the interactive experience.

Why Should You Even Bother with 360 Photos?

You might wonder if learning this new skill is worth the effort. Traditional photos certainly have their place. But 360-degree images are incredibly versatile and open up so many creative and practical doors.

Create Immersive Memories

Imagine standing on a mountain summit. A regular photo shows the view in front of you. A 360° image captures the whole panoramic vista, the trail behind you, and the sky above.

It preserves the entire feeling of being there. Years later, you can revisit that moment and feel a sense of presence, offering immersive experiences that let viewers explore. You can look anywhere around you and remember things you forgot from that day. This works for family gatherings, concerts, or any event where the atmosphere is as important as a single focal point.

Boost Your Business or Brand

For businesses, 360 photos are a powerful tool for creating stunning visual content. Real estate agents use them to give virtual tours of properties. Potential buyers can explore a house from their own couch.

Hotels and restaurants can showcase their spaces in a more engaging way. A potential guest can look around a hotel room or a dining area before booking. This builds trust and can lead to more business, making your listings visually stunning and more effective.

Stand Out on Social Media

On platforms like Facebook, 360° photos are interactive. Users have to stop scrolling and engage with your post to look around. This simple act of interaction can significantly increase engagement.

People spend more time on interactive content than on static images. A Demand Gen Report survey shows that buyers prefer more interactive content. Sharing a 360 view of your trip or event will get more attention than just another picture.

A Simple Way to Take 360 Photos on an iPhone

Let’s get one thing straight from the start. Your iPhone cannot natively shoot a true 360-degree photo. The hardware just wasn’t built for that specific purpose. But you can use some clever software workarounds to get pretty close.

This method involves stitching multiple photos together. You’ll then use an app to combine them into a single spherical image. It takes a little patience, but the results can be quite fun for casual use.

Several apps can help you with this capture process, which requires taking multiple shots. Popular options include the Google Street View app, which has a built-in camera function for this purpose. The Street View app can automatically stitch images for you.

Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Download a Stitching App: Go to the App Store and search for the Google Street View app or another 360 panorama app. The Street View app is a great choice as it lets you both create and share your 360 images on Google Maps.
2. Follow the Guide: Open the app and start a new panorama. The app will show a guide on your camera screen, telling you where to point your phone for each shot. The goal is to capture images that overlap enough for the software to work.
3. Move Smoothly and Slowly: To get the best results, you need to pivot your body while keeping your phone in the same spot. To minimize parallax errors, try to rotate the phone around its camera lens, not around your body. A sturdy tripod with a phone mount can help a lot with stability and reduce camera shake.
4. Capture the Full Sphere: You’ll take photos in a full circle around you. Then you’ll aim up and down to capture the ceiling and floor to complete the sphere. Be patient during this part, as you want the shots to align perfectly.
5. Let the App Work: Once you’ve captured all the necessary images, the app automatically begins the stitching process. This can take a minute or two, depending on your phone’s power, as it combines all the multiple shots into one 360° photo.

For the best results, try to shoot in well-lit environments. Big differences in brightness can make the seams between photos obvious. This method is a great introduction, but it has its limitations in image quality compared to dedicated cameras.

Learning How to Take 360 Photos on Android

Android users have a bit more variety when it comes to capturing 360-degree views. Some phones actually have this feature built right into their camera software. The experience is often much smoother than using a third-party app.

If you have a Google Pixel, you might find a “Photo Sphere” mode in your camera app. Other manufacturers sometimes include similar panoramic modes. These built-in modes are your best first option, offering a streamlined way to create a degree panoramic photo.

If your phone doesn’t have a native mode, your process will be just like the iPhone one. You’ll need to download a third-party app from the Google Play Store. The Google Street View app is also an excellent option here for both capturing and sharing.

Here are the steps to follow for Android:

1. Check Your Camera App: First, open your phone’s camera. Look through the different modes for one called “Photo Sphere,” “360 Panorama,” or something similar.
2. Follow On-Screen Instructions: If you find a native mode, it will guide you. You’ll see dots or boxes to align with as you slowly turn to capture the scene.
3. Use the Google Street View App: If you don’t have a built-in mode, the Street View app is your best bet. Tap the camera icon and select “Create Photo Sphere” to begin the capture process. The app automatically will try to stitch the final image for you.
4. Focus on Stability: Just like with an iPhone, keeping your phone steady is critical. A sturdy tripod will help you avoid shaky images and poor stitching. Any movement can disrupt how the software aligns the multiple photos.

The main issue with any phone-based method is called parallax error. This happens because the camera lens moves as you pivot your phone. A dedicated 360 camera solves this problem completely by capturing the entire scene at once.

The Best Method: Using a Dedicated 360 Camera

If you are serious about getting high-quality 360° images, nothing beats one of the dedicated cameras. These devices are built specifically for this purpose. They make the whole process simpler and give you far better results.

A 360 camera, or degree camera, such as the Ricoh Theta or models from Insta360, has two or more super wide-angle lenses. These lenses are positioned back-to-back. With a single shot, they capture the entire environment at once.

This completely removes the need for manually stitching multiple shots. The 360° camera’s software handles everything for you, as it can automatically stitch images. The seams are usually invisible, giving you a perfect spherical 360° image every time.

To give you a better idea, here’s a comparison:

Getting Started with a Dedicated 360 Camera

Using one of these 360° cameras is surprisingly simple. You’ll spend less time capturing the 360° images and more time finding cool places to shoot. The improvement in image quality over a phone is instantly noticeable.

Here’s the typical workflow once you’re ready:

1. Set Up Your Gear: Mount your 360 camera on a monopod or a thin, sturdy tripod. Using a specialized “invisible selfie stick” is even better, as the stick will disappear from the final shot.
2. Find the Right Spot: Position the camera in the center of the scene you want to capture. This gives the most balanced and natural perspective for the viewer to explore.
3. Adjust Your Camera Settings: Connect the camera to your phone through its companion app. From the app, you can adjust camera settings like shutter speed, ISO, and white balance for the best image quality. Some apps may have confusing UI elements, like a simple checkbox label or even a strange label label , so take a moment to get familiar with the interface.
4. Capture the Photo: You can trigger the camera from the app or use a self-timer. This lets you step out of the way so you aren’t in your own photo. One click and you are done.

Taking 360 Photos with an Insta360 Camera

Let’s go into detail on how you would do 360 photography with a dedicated 360 camera since this is one of the best ways of doing it. The Insta360 is one of the favorites in this field because of its ease of use and constantly evolving features.

Many people get this camera for its 360-degree video powers but soon want to know how to take a photo on Insta360 for stunning, immersive stills. I personally use it for both. The ability to capture the entire 360 scene without having to plan and then turn the camera in any direction when you get home from the shoot in both live footage and high resolution stills is amazing.

The Absolute Basics

Before you capture that amazing shot, you need to get familiar with the camera itself. Let’s get the camera powered up and ready to go. The power button is located on the side of the camera; just press and hold it for a second, and the screen will light up.

The first thing you will need is a capable microSD card. A fast and reliable sd card is vital for a 360 camera because of the large file sizes it generates. Look for a V30 or higher speed class to prevent errors when recording video or shooting burst photos.

The first thing you’ll notice is the big, bright touchscreen, your main window for changing settings and reviewing shots. On the side, besides the power button, there’s a Quick Menu ‘Q’ button which can be a handy shortcut once you get used to it. Below the screen, you will find a large circular button, which is the physical shutter.

How to Take a Photo on Insta360: The Quick Method

Let’s get right to it. The camera often defaults to video mode when you turn it on. You’ll probably see an icon that looks like a little video camera at the bottom of the screen.

To switch to photo mode, simply tap on that video camera icon. A menu will pop up showing you different shooting options like Video and Photo. All you have to do is swipe your finger across the screen until the Photo option is highlighted and tap it.

Once you select Photo, the screen will return to the live view. At the bottom, it will now confirm you are in photo mode and may show the resolution, like 72MP. Now you are ready; just tap the big shutter icon on the screen, or press the physical shutter button below it, to capture your first picture.

Understanding Photo Modes on Your Insta360

Just snapping a basic photo is only the beginning. Your Insta360 has several different camera modes, each for a specific situation. Learning what they do will let your creativity shine, especially when shooting with this advanced camera.

Standard Photo Mode

This is your go-to, everyday photo mode, the default setting once you switch over from video. In this mode, you can shoot with either a single lens for a traditional flat photo or with both lenses for a full 360 photo. A 360 photo captures absolutely everything around the camera.

The real power of a 360 photo is that you can reframe it later, choosing the exact angle you want to show after the picture has been taken. It is like having a camera operator with you at all times. This makes it perfect for creating a virtual tour of a property or capturing large group shots where you want to see everyone’s reaction.

HDR Photo Mode

Have you ever taken a photo where the sky is bright white or the shadows are completely black? HDR, which stands for High Dynamic Range, is the solution. As photography experts at Adobe explain about HDR photography, it’s a technique to reproduce a greater range of light than what a single photo can capture.

When you select HDR Photo mode, the Insta360 takes multiple pictures at different exposure levels and blends them. This process brings out detail in both the brightest and darkest parts of your scene, leading to superior image quality. Use this mode for sunsets, indoor shots with bright windows, or any scene with tricky lighting.

Interval Mode

Interval mode turns your camera into a time-lapse machine. You set an interval, like every 3, 5, or 10 seconds, and the camera will automatically take a picture. This is fantastic for capturing things that happen over a longer period, like clouds moving across the sky.

To use it, just place your camera on a tripod, select your time interval, and let it run. You can even use this method to capture your own street view style imagery of a favorite hiking trail. Later, you can look through the sequence of photos or combine them into a cool time-lapse video.

Starlapse Mode

If you have ever wanted to take breathtaking photos of the night sky, Starlapse mode is for you. This specialized mode is for capturing the movement of stars, creating what are known as star trails. The camera uses long exposures and advanced algorithms to bring the night sky to life.

For this to work well, you absolutely need a tripod to keep the camera perfectly still. You also need a very dark location, far away from city lights. The results can be truly spectacular and are a fun way to experiment with astrophotography without needing a lot of fancy gear.

Burst Mode

Burst mode is all about speed, a critical feature for any action camera. When you press the shutter in this mode, the camera fires off a rapid sequence of photos. This is the perfect tool for capturing fast-moving action, like someone skateboarding or a key moment in winter sports.

Because it takes so many pictures in a split second, you have a much higher chance of capturing that one perfect moment. This feature makes the Insta360 a competent ai-powered action cam for still photography. You can then look through the burst sequence and choose the very best shot.

Digging Into Photo Settings

Beyond the different modes, your Insta360 gives you a lot of control over the technical settings. While Auto mode does a great job, learning to adjust settings yourself can take your photos from good to great. These terms are easier to understand than you think.

Resolution and Image Size

You may have seen the 72MP setting pop up. This means your 360-degree photos are being captured at a massive resolution of 72 megapixels. This gives you incredibly detailed images with a lot of flexibility for cropping and reframing later.

For single-lens photos, you can get a crisp 36MP image, which is a feature you would expect from a top-tier action cam. You also have the option for a single-lens photo at up to 36MP. Just remember that higher resolution photos create larger files, which fill up your memory card faster.

File Formats: DNG (RAW) vs INSP

Your Insta360 can save photos in two main formats: INSP and DNG. INSP is Insta360’s standard photo file, which has some processing already applied. It is ready to share and easy to work with. INSP can be exported as JPG etc.

DNG is a RAW file format. A RAW file, as explained by camera makers like Nikon in this article, contains all the unprocessed image data straight from the camera’s sensor. This gives you maximum control when you are editing with professional software. Shooting in DNG provides the most creative freedom and allows for the best leading image quality.

If you choose to shoot DNG, your camera will save both an INSP and a DNG file for each photo captured. This gives you the best of both worlds. You have a quick-and-easy file to share and a high-quality file for detailed editing.

ISO, Shutter Speed, and White Balance

These three settings are the foundation of photography, and you can switch to Manual mode for full control.

• ISO: This controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO (like 100) is for bright, sunny days, while a high ISO is for darker conditions. Be careful, as high ISO can add grain or noise to your photo.
• Shutter Speed: This is how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, great for water sports, while a slow shutter speed creates motion blur for artistic shots.
• White Balance (WB): This adjusts the colors in your photo to look natural under different light sources. The Insta360 has presets for sunny, cloudy, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting, or you can set the Kelvin value manually for precise control.
• Exposure Value (EV): This allows you to quickly make your image brighter or darker. If the camera’s auto-exposure is making the shot too dim, you can increase the EV to compensate. This is a quick way to adjust settings without going fully manual.

If you want to learn more about the Insta360 camera and for current pricing or to purchase from our affiliates, click here.

Essential Accessories for Insta360 Photography

While the camera itself is powerful, a few key accessories can dramatically improve your photos. The most important is the Invisible Selfie Stick. When used correctly, it vanishes from your 360 shots, creating a clean, drone-like perspective. You DO NOT want to see a bent selfie stick in your 360 photos!

A sturdy tripod is another must-have, especially for Interval and Starlapse modes. For truly hands-free shots, consider one of the many mounting options. These can help you achieve excellent hands-free povs when you are on the move.

If you’re interested in improving your mobile shots as well, Insta360 makes other products like the flow pro gimbal for smartphones. While the Insta360 has great internal stabilization, some creators use other tools from the gimbal series for different types of shots. Exploring the different products insta offers can open up new creative avenues.

Composition Tips for 360 Photos

Taking a good 360-degree photo is not just about pointing the camera in the general direction of something interesting. Because it captures everything, you have to think differently about your composition. The whole scene is your canvas.

One of the best parts of the Insta360 is its invisible selfie stick. To make this work, always keep the selfie stick directly below the camera in a straight line. This ensures it is perfectly hidden in the stitch line of the 360 camera. Keep in mind the stick may cast a shadow so plan accordingly where it will not be in bright sunlight or remove the shadow manually.

Think about placing the camera right in the middle of the action instead of on the sidelines. Since you can reframe later, you can decide what to focus on after the fact. Don’t forget to consider what is happening above and below the camera, as this can add a fun and powerful perspective to your shots.

From Camera to Computer: Editing Your Photos

Capturing the photo captured is only half the fun. Editing is where you can truly make your images stand out. Insta360 offers two main software options: the Insta360 app for your phone and Insta360 Studio for your desktop, which can be found in the downloads support section of their website.

The mobile app is powerful and convenient for quick edits on the go. You can easily reframe your 360 shots by moving your phone around or swiping on the screen. The app has AI-powered editing tools that help you apply filters and create fun effects like Tiny Planets.

For more detailed control, the Insta360 Studio desktop software is the way to go. It gives you precise control over reframing, color correction, and exporting. After you’ve edited your photo, you can export it as a standard JPEG file to share anywhere, or even contribute to Google Street View.

The desktop software also provides more robust export options, important for professionals using a suite of professional vr cameras. While the Insta360 isn’t built for high-end vr live streaming like some dedicated vr cameras, its photo capabilities are top-notch for creating immersive content.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with a great camera, things can sometimes go wrong. If your photos are blurry, check your shutter speed. If it’s too slow in low light, the camera might need a tripod to stay steady.

Also, make sure both lenses are clean; a single fingerprint can ruin a shot. This is especially important when shooting in demanding environments like water sports or dusty locations. Sometimes you might notice a stitch line where the images from the two lenses meet, so try to keep your main subject in front of one of the lenses.

Editing and Sharing Your 360 Masterpiece

Capturing the photo is just the first part of creating stunning visuals. A little photo editing can take your 360° image from good to great. After that, you’ll want to share it so others can experience the scene you’ve captured.

Editing Your Photo

As I said, when you use a dedicated camera, you will also get access to its photo editing software. Companies like Insta360 offer free editing apps for both desktop and mobile. These apps and other photo editing tools let you do some amazing things.

You can fine-tune the colors and lighting to make the image pop. You can also reframe the 360 photo. This means you can pull countless traditional flat photos from your one spherical shot by pointing the “camera” wherever you want post-capture.

For more advanced work, you can use software like Adobe Photoshop. It has powerful tools to adjust stitching, remove unwanted objects, or perform advanced color correction. Learning some basic photo editing can dramatically improve your final output.

Where to Share Your Photos

Once your photo is ready, you need to share it on a platform that supports 360-degree media. If you just post it as a regular image, it will look like a strange, distorted panoramic image. This is the equirectangular file we discussed earlier.

Thankfully, many popular platforms have built-in 360 viewers. Facebook has supported 360 photos for years. When you upload one, it automatically becomes interactive, allowing for a great virtual reality-like experience.

Other great places to share include Google Street View, where your panoramic images can be added to Google Maps. Dedicated 360 hosting sites like Kuula or Veer also offer great communities and high-quality viewing experiences. These are excellent choices for professionals who want to showcase their work.

Conclusion

You now have a solid understanding of your options for creating a 360° photo. You can start small with a phone app to get a feel for it. Or you can jump right in with one of the dedicated 360 degree cameras for stunning results.

360 photography transforms how we capture and share our experiences. It pulls the viewer into the moment with you. Learning how to take 360 photos is a skill that opens up incredible new ways to be creative and tell stories. And dont forget, if you decide to purchase a dedicated 360 cam like an Insta360, you can also record high resolution videos on the same card as your stills, making it the closest thing to actually being back in your memory of a trip, where you can turn around to see the waves you hear crashing on the shore.

Whatever path you choose, the key is to get out there and start shooting. The more you practice with your camera, the better your immersive panoramic images will become. You will soon be capturing the whole world around you in a new and exciting way.

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