Tethered Photography Tutorial: Live Viewing and Printing Your Photo Right Away

Tethered photography is a technique where you connect your camera to a computer to view and control your camera settings in real time. It's a great way to ensure that you get the perfect shot.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through setting up tethered photography, things you may need, and how to use different softwares to capture amazing photos. We’ll also show you how to print these amazing photos directly from your mobile phone or home printer.

So, grab your camera and computer, and let's get started.

How to Connect Camera to Computer for Live Viewing?

Photo by Dny3d on shutterstock

Connecting your camera to a computer for live viewing may seem like a complicated process, but it's actually quite simple.

By learning to do so, you can take advantage of a range of benefits it offers.

Photo by Kapinon.stuio on shutterstock

Benefits of Doing So

1. Immediate feedback: With live viewing, you can see the images on a larger screen right after capturing them, allowing you to review and make adjustments on the fly.
2. Remote access: Tethered photography allows you to take photos and control your camera settings remotely from your computer. This gives you the flexibility and convenience to shoot in unique and challenging angles.
3. Better collaboration: If you're working with a team, live viewing lets everyone see the shots and collaborate on the creative process.
4. Instant editing: With the photos displayed on your computer, you can start editing them immediately, saving time and streamlining your workflow.
5. Easy backup: Tethering to a computer means that your images are backed up in real time, reducing the risk of losing your photos due to camera or memory card failure.

Things You May Need

• Tether tools cable: A tether tools cable is designed specifically for tethered photography and is often more reliable than a generic cable.

Photo by Laura Boccola on unsplash

However, if you don't have one, you can use a hard drive cable or a generic USB cable as an alternative.

• Software: To use tethered photography, you'll need software that supports this feature. Popular options include Lightroom, Capture One, and Canon EOS Utility.
• Computer: You'll need a computer to connect your camera for tethered photography. Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the software you use.
• Camera: Obviously, you'll need a camera that supports tethered photography. Most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have this feature, but check your camera's manual to confirm.

Photo by Metamorworks on shutterstock

Tips

• Consider the tether cable's length. If it's too long, it can be a trip hazard; if it's too short, it can limit your mobility. Generally, less than 3 meters is recommended.
• Other than meeting the requirements to run the software, ensure your computer has a large screen. This can help you view the photos better.
• Get a JerkStopper; it helps to secure your tether cable to your camera and prevent accidental disconnection or damage to the USB port in the case of an impact.

Tether Tutorial

Step1: Tether Camera to Computer

• Connect your camera to your computer using a tether cable
• Make sure both are turned on.

• Once everything is well connected, you can start your lightroom application.

Step2: Tether to Lightroom

• Open Lightroom and go to the "File" menu, then select "Tethered Capture" and "Start Tethered Capture."

• In the "Tethered Capture Settings" dialog box, you can customize settings such as session name, template name, where to save the project, etc.
• Leave the "Disable Auto Advance box" unchecked so that photos appear on your screen when taken.
• Click "OK" to save your settings and start capturing images.

• As you capture images, they will be displayed in the "Tethered Capture" window in Lightroom.

• You can adjust your settings and edit the images as needed from the edit panel on the right, and they will be saved to the designated folder on your computer.

Image credit: youtube.com

• When you're finished shooting, go to the "File" menu and select "Tethered Capture" and "Stop Tethered Capture" to end the session.

Step3: Tether to Capture One

• Open Capture One on your computer.
• Once the camera is connected, Capture One will immediately launch the previous session.

• Camera information, such as the camera model, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, will appear on the middle left panel of the interface.
• You can select specific settings to edit your photos and take new ones by clicking the snap button on the same panel.

• The "Live View" option is useful when taking photos of products or flatways or when the camera is inaccessible. You can find this option on the same panel.

• More camera settings are available on the bottom left of the interface, such as the focus mode, white balance, and image format.

• You can create presets, such as filters, to apply to your photos to show clients what the final product would look like.

Step4: Tether to OEM Software

• Plug in your camera to your computer using a tether cable.
• Turn on the camera and launch the OEM software. The utility should automatically detect the camera and start the application.
• From the options available, look for "Remote Shooting" and click on it.

• This will bring up a panel with useful information, including camera settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. You can change these settings as needed.

Image credit: youtube.com

• The shutter bottom is on the top row. Pressing it will take a photo.

However, note that you won't be able to see multiple images at once, which can slow down your workflow.

How to Print Photos in Lightroom?

• Open Lightroom and select the photo you want to print.

• Crop the photo if necessary. Use the crop tool on the right panel for this.

• Once you are done, go to "File" and select "Plug-in Extras," then choose "Canon Print Studio Pro."

• In the "Canon Print Studio Pro" window, select your desired print settings, such as paper size, print quality, and printer to be used.

• Choose your desired layout options, such as borderless printing or adding a border.

• Click "Print" and choose the number of copies you want to print from the window that pops out.

Image credit: youtube.com

• Once you are done, click "Print" again to start printing your photo.

Bonus: How to Install Printer on Your Phone or Other Devices

• Make sure you connect your phone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Download and install the HP Smart app on your phone or other devices.
• Open your HP Smart app, then tap on "Print Photos."

• Choose the folder from which you want to print your photo.

• Select the photo you want to print and tap on "Print."
• Here, you will have several editing options. You can adjust the size, orientation, and layout of the photo, make color adjustments, and add filters.

• Once you're done editing, tap the printer icon to send the photo to the printer.

Image credit: youtube.com

• Finally, tap "Print" to send the photo to the printer.
• Wait for the printer to finish printing, then remove the printed photo from the printer.

Conclusion

Tethered photography can greatly enhance your photography experience by providing you with real-time viewing and printing options.

By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily set up your tethering system and start exploring the many benefits of tethered photography.

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