How to use photo mode in Baldur’s Gate 3

As you build your character and dream squad to venture around Faerûn in Baldur's Gate 3, there will be many iconic moments you don't want to forget. Using photo mode to capture them is a great way to ensure you can look back on your adventures. Since photo mode wasn't always part of Baldur's Gate 3 and was only introduced with the final major update, Patch 8, there's a decent chance you're not familiar with this feature. It's a fun way to capture some memories of your journey and absolutely a tool worth knowing about, so here's how to use photo mode in Baldur's Gate 3. Table of contents How to use photo mode in BG3 PC photo mode controls in BG3 Console photo mode controls in BG3 Is photo mode always available in BG3? How to find photo mode screenshots in BG3 How to use photo mode in BG3 Screenshot by Destructoid You can open and use photo mode at any point during your BG3 playthroughs. The exact controls for accessing it vary by platform, but it's fairly simple and accessible regardless of where you play. On PC: Press the F9 key to open photo mode. On console: Press R3+L3 / R1+L1 to open photo mode. Once you have photo mode open, you can freely use a wide variety of functions to get the exact shot you want. Photo mode has plenty of poses and key camera features like death of field, focus, exposure, frames, stickers, and more to ensure you can truly customize your shots. To make the most of photo mode, you need to know the exact camera controls for your platform. PC photo mode controls in BG3 Control Effect W/A/S/D Move the camera around. Q/E Rotate the camera. Z/X Raise and lower the camera. P Show or hide the photo mode UI. Space Take a photo. Console photo mode controls in BG3 Control Effect Left Stick Move the camera around. Right Stick Rotate the camera. R1/L1 / RB/LB Tilt the camera. L2/LT / R2/RT Raise or lower the camera. L2 / LT Show or hide the photo mode UI. R2 / RT Take a photo. Is photo mode always available in BG3? Photo mode can be used while exploring, during dialogue scenes, combat, and cinematic scenes in BG3. It's always an available feature, but the level of customization you have with it varies depending on when you're trying to use it. Dialogue scenes, for example, don't have as many options available as the free shots you take while adventuring. If you want the means to fully customize your shot, it's best to do so while you're not in dialogue, combat, or a cinematic moment. Screenshot by Destructoid How to find photo mode screenshots in BG3 The process for accessing your screenshots looks slightly different depending on which platform you're playing BG3 on. Here's where to find your photos across all platforms. On PC: Screenshots can be found in C:\Users[username]\Documents\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\Screenshots. On Mac: Screenshots can be found in ~/Pictures/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/Screenshots. On console: Screenshots can be found in the PlayStation and Xbox media galleries. The post How to use photo mode in Baldur’s Gate 3 appeared first on Destructoid.

Apr 15, 2025 - 14:31
 0
How to use photo mode in Baldur’s Gate 3

Tav, Astarion, Karlach, and Shadowheart walking with a burning tree behind them in BG3

As you build your character and dream squad to venture around Faerûn in Baldur's Gate 3, there will be many iconic moments you don't want to forget. Using photo mode to capture them is a great way to ensure you can look back on your adventures.

Since photo mode wasn't always part of Baldur's Gate 3 and was only introduced with the final major update, Patch 8, there's a decent chance you're not familiar with this feature. It's a fun way to capture some memories of your journey and absolutely a tool worth knowing about, so here's how to use photo mode in Baldur's Gate 3.

How to use photo mode in BG3

Wyll, Karlach, Lae'zel, and Shadowheart posing with photo mode in BG3.
Screenshot by Destructoid

You can open and use photo mode at any point during your BG3 playthroughs. The exact controls for accessing it vary by platform, but it's fairly simple and accessible regardless of where you play.

  • On PC: Press the F9 key to open photo mode.
  • On console: Press R3+L3 / R1+L1 to open photo mode.

Once you have photo mode open, you can freely use a wide variety of functions to get the exact shot you want. Photo mode has plenty of poses and key camera features like death of field, focus, exposure, frames, stickers, and more to ensure you can truly customize your shots.

To make the most of photo mode, you need to know the exact camera controls for your platform.

PC photo mode controls in BG3

ControlEffect
W/A/S/DMove the camera around.
Q/ERotate the camera.
Z/XRaise and lower the camera.
PShow or hide the photo mode UI.
SpaceTake a photo.

Console photo mode controls in BG3

ControlEffect
Left StickMove the camera around.
Right StickRotate the camera.
R1/L1 / RB/LBTilt the camera.
L2/LT / R2/RTRaise or lower the camera.
L2 / LTShow or hide the photo mode UI.
R2 / RTTake a photo.

Is photo mode always available in BG3?

Photo mode can be used while exploring, during dialogue scenes, combat, and cinematic scenes in BG3. It's always an available feature, but the level of customization you have with it varies depending on when you're trying to use it.

Dialogue scenes, for example, don't have as many options available as the free shots you take while adventuring. If you want the means to fully customize your shot, it's best to do so while you're not in dialogue, combat, or a cinematic moment.

A Dragonborn character taking a selfie with a crown on in BG3
Screenshot by Destructoid

How to find photo mode screenshots in BG3

The process for accessing your screenshots looks slightly different depending on which platform you're playing BG3 on. Here's where to find your photos across all platforms.

  • On PC: Screenshots can be found in C:\Users[username]\Documents\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\Screenshots.
  • On Mac: Screenshots can be found in ~/Pictures/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/Screenshots.
  • On console: Screenshots can be found in the PlayStation and Xbox media galleries.

The post How to use photo mode in Baldur’s Gate 3 appeared first on Destructoid.