How To Take A Picture In Breath Of The Wild
Exploring the vast landscapes of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers countless breathtaking views and memorable moments. While players spend much of their time battling monsters and solving puzzles, capturing these visual memories is a key part of the journey. The game includes a dedicated photography mechanic that allows you to document your adventure and fill out your encyclopedia.
Unlocking the Camera Rune at Hateno Lab
Before you can begin taking photos, you must unlock the specific tool required for the job. Players need to travel to the eastern region of Hyrule and visit the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to speak with the researcher Purah. She will offer a quest that requires you to carry a blue flame from an ancient furnace back to the laboratory beacon.
Once the lab's power is fully restored, Purah will repair your multi-functional device and grant you access to the missing Camera Rune. This powerful tool acts as a fully operational camera that integrates seamlessly into your exploration routine. Acquiring it early in your travels will greatly expand how you interact with the surrounding environment.
Mastering the Basics of Photography
To use the camera, select it from your list of active runes and activate it to enter a first-person perspective view. You can then use the regular control sticks to adjust your frame, zoom in on distant objects, or zoom out for wider angles. Pressing the designated capture button will instantly snap the image and save it directly to your album.
The photography system also includes a fun self-portrait option that lets Link pose for the camera. By pressing the correct button while in viewfinder mode, the perspective shifts to show Link interacting with his weapons or showing off different expressions. This allows you to create highly personalized snapshots against the backdrop of Hyrule's most famous landmarks.
Completing the Comprehensive Hyrule Compendium
Taking pictures serves a much greater purpose than merely filling up your personal image gallery. The game features an extensive database called the Hyrule Compendium, which categorizes creatures, monsters, equipment, materials, and treasure. Snap a clear photo of an unidentified item to automatically log it into this massive encyclopedia.
A successful identification is indicated by a colored target box appearing over the subject in your viewfinder before you press the button. Logging these items provides valuable lore descriptions and tracking information that assists you during future crafting sessions. If you are missing a rare item, you can even purchase default entries later from assistants at the research laboratory.
Utilizing Photos for Enhanced Exploration
The pictures you collect can eventually be paired with an upgraded tracking feature on your device. By selecting a logged item from your compendium, you can set your sensor to beep whenever you get close to that specific object in the wild. This makes finding rare plants, hidden chests, and powerful weapons much more efficient.
Many distinct side quests throughout the world also rely heavily on your photography skills to prove your discoveries to various characters. Villagers frequently ask to see visual proof of mythical creatures, distant ruins, or specific enemy types before giving you rewards. Keeping your camera ready ensures you can easily complete these requests without needing to backtrack across the map.