How to Take a Picture on Skype
By Morgan O'Connor
Skype's most obvious function is the capability to chat via text with other users. It can, however, do a lot more. For example, you can call phones or other users through Skype, send SMS messages to cell phones and engage in video chat with other users. During your video call, you can take a picture of your chatting buddy. Alternatively, you can use Skype to take pictures of yourself. This lets you create new profile pictures while avoiding the obvious down-the-arm look that comes from taking your own picture with a digital camera.
Taking a Friend's Picture
Step 1
Initiate a video call with your friend. Make sure he accepts with video; you cannot take a picture of him if you cannot see him, even if he can see you.
Step 2
Hover your mouse anywhere in the section of your Skype screen where you can see your friend. If you have not moved your mouse recently, do so. This brings up a list of options along the top of the video area. If you can already see these options, which disappear after a period of inactivity with your mouse, you do not need to move the mouse.
Step 3
Click on the "Snapshot" option at the top of the screen. This is the first of the options there, followed by "Full Screen," "Zoom In" and "Pop-out." This takes a picture of your buddy.
Taking Your Own Picture
Step 1
Click the "Tools" menu at the top of the Skype screen, then click "Options" from the list that appears. This opens a new window.
Step 2
Click "Video Options" under the "General" tab that appears on the left side of the new window. This should display a picture of yourself.
Step 3
Click the "Take a Video Snapshot" button immediately below your picture. This opens a window with a larger live picture of you. Click the "Take a Snapshot" button at the bottom of this window. This takes your picture.
Step 4
Adjust the size of the picture with the controls in the lower-left corner of the picture's window. Click and drag the selected area until it displays the exact portion of the picture you wish to save. Click "Save Snapshot" to crop the picture and save it.
References
Writer Bio
Morgan O'Connor has been writing professionally since 2005. Her experience includes articles on various aspects of the health-insurance industry for health-care newsletters distributed to hospitals as well as articles on both international and domestic travel.