Sometimes the image you want is trapped inside a video. How do you get a still picture from this video without ending up with something that’s a low-resolution mess? It’s always possible to capture a screenshot, but depending on the computer you’re using and the quality of your video, this might not cut it.
Read on to learn how to extract the picture you want from any video. There are more options than you might think.
How to Take Pictures From Video: Your Options
If you’re looking to capture a still image from a video, there are a few choices to choose from. Your approach will vary depending on whether you’re using a PC, Mac or Android phone.
Capture a Picture from a Video on PC
This section will run through the most common ways to get the image you want from a video on a Windows PC.
Snipping Tool
In Windows 10, the built-in Snipping Tool does a great job of cutting a still image from the video you’re watching.
- Open the start menu, search “Snipping Tool” and click the app
- Pause your video at the point you would like to capture a picture
- Click “new” in the Snipping Tool and drag the selection box over the still image you want
All done! Your picture will now save to a location of your choosing. In a future update of Windows 10, this Snipping Tool will be updated to a similar app called “Snip & Sketch”
Screenshot and Crop
At any time in Windows 10, you can hold down the Windows key + “print screen” to take a screenshot. If you then open this picture in the gallery app, you’ll be able to crop out the image you want from the still in your video.
Chrome
In Google Chrome, the Video Screenshot Extension allows you to quickly and easily get the picture you want from a video. Simply install the extension through Chrome and click the new button that appears on your video. This will extract a high-quality image and save it to a location of your choosing.
Save a Still Frame from a Video on Mac
Your options for saving the frame you want from a video are a little different on a Mac, but they’re just as simple.
Screenshot
Mac users also have access to a handy built-in screenshot feature that does a great job of saving a still frame from a video.
- Search the word “screenshot” in Spotlight and open the app
- Click and drag the crop box over the frame you want in the video
- Click “capture”
That’s it! Your frame can now be saved to a location of your choosing. Mac users can also press shift+control+5 to open this app at any time.
Extract a Frame With Safari
The Safari screenshot extension is a premium option for users to capture an image of the pages they’re visiting.
- Pause the video you want to capture a frame from
- Click the safari extension to save a screenshot that includes your frame
- Crop the captured image so it includes only the frame you want
You’re finished! Your frame is now saved and ready to go.
Android
If you need to save a photo from a video while using an Android phone, there are a few options available.
Android App
There are number of app options for saving a photo from a video. This app from the Play Store makes it quick and easy. Simply choose a video from your device that you’d like to save a photo from and in a few short taps, you’ll have the photo you need.
- Open the app and choose a video from your phone
- Decide whether you need a range of images or just one photo
- Tap save
You now have the photo you wanted grabbed right from your video!
Screen Capture
Android phones come with a built-in screen capture function that can be used to save a still image from a video. Hold down the power button and volume down button simultaneously to snap the frames you need. Use your phone’s image editor to crop out any unwanted elements from your screenshot.
Kapwing
What if the options above don’t quite cut it? There are several web-based solutions you can use to take photos from a video online. One great example is Kapwing. Kapwing is an online video converter that can change the file format of your video.
- Navigate to the Kapwing video converter
- Upload or paste a link to your video
- Pause the video on your chosen frames, choose “JPEG” and click download
After following these steps, the video convertor will extract and grab an image from your video to be saved in a location of your choosing.
Kapwing is just one example of online video converters like this. Feel free to search around and find an option that works for you. Kapwing happens to have an easy-to-use UI and simple controls, but other sites are available.
Video Copyright
It’s important to remember that the authors of videos and images online have copyrights to protect their intellectual property. While saving a picture from a video can be a super useful thing in many contexts, it’s important to only capture images from content you own yourself.
If the video doesn’t belong to you, you can always contact the author and request their permission to extract an image from their work. They may even surprise you by responding with additional resources. It’s better to be respectful and safe than sorry. Always check if you’re unsure.
Conclusion
Sometimes the right images are trapped in an online video. Hopefully, this article has made it clear that it’s refreshingly easy to get the content you need from videos online. Usually, a simple screen grab is enough to get the photo you need.
Remember that your options will vary depending on the system you’re using. Both Mac and Windows computers make it easy to capture images, but the approach is slightly different on each system. Always make sure you’re allowed to take images from the videos you’re using.
