3D programs are nothing new – we’ve seen the likes of them before, (Google Virtual Tours for example) but now a social media powerhouse is delivering the first 3D photo option. Facebook is rolling out a new feature that will bring your cute dog photos, adorable kid pictures, and scenic shots to life by making them 3D on Facebook and in Virtual Reality. There is no need for a fancy, expensive camera to make this possible. Simply use Portrait mode on your iPhone when snapping your photo, upload it to Facebook, and choose the option to share it as a 3D photo. (Please note: This will not turn out correctly if you choose to upload a photo that was not taken in Portrait mode.) When you click in the ‘What’s on your mind?’ status update box, scroll down until you see the 3D Photos option, which has a small square outline around what appears to be a person’s upper body in a 3D manner. If you do not see this option in your drop down menu, there are a few easy steps you can take to make the option appear.
How to Install Facebook 3D
It is not publicly available for all Facebook users, though it will be soon. To enable the feature, search for the Facebook 360 official Facebook account. Simply ‘Like’ the Facebook 360 page and then close it completely. You will need to force-close the app in order to allow it to update your options. Now, when you open the Facebook app, the 3D photo feature should be available in the Status Update section.
Please note: This process is fully dependent on your phone having the most up-to-date operating system installed, as well as the latest Facebook app updates.
Tips for Making Your 3D Photos Look Best
There is definitely technique involved in making your photos look great. We have compiled a list of pointers to help you ensure that your photos don’t turn out all wonky.
- Incorporate Contrasting Colors – Switch up your colors. Taking the few extra moments to consider the color of your background and your subject can make a huge impact on the outcome of your photo. If you or your subject are wearing a shirt that has a similar color scheme to your background, it will be harder for the app to differentiate the two, and therefore make the results a little less than desirable.
- Apply Texture – The depth sensors of this feature can be flawed in some aspects. If the background has soft edges, is shiny or glossy, or is one mute color, the main subject of the image may not have a successful 3D appearance. One major complaint is that selfies of people wearing glasses, or photos in the mirror with a flash, do not come out clearly. The reason being that the app cannot determine proper edges or background.
- Add Dimension – Multiple layers of depth and dimension allow for the photos to pop and give the 3D effect a bit more than a photo with a solid background. For example, shoot an image with an item closer to the camera and then another further away – this adds more volume and depth to the image and really helps bring it to life.
The new Facebook 3D Photo feature should begin to roll out in the coming weeks to all users. When it becomes an automatic feature on Facebook, we will have a new way to see the day-to-day lives of our friends and loved ones, making images truly come to life and give a sense of being right where the photo was captured.
We’d Love to Hear About Your Experience
Have you used the 3D Photo feature yet? If so, drop us a comment and let us know what you think! As always, check back regularly for more updates about everything digital media and marketing related!