Screen Capture
What screen capture means, the different capture methods, and how to choose the right one.
Screen capture is the general term for recording the contents of a display. The output is either a still image, called a screenshot, or a video recording. The capture source can be an entire display, a single window or a rectangular area.
On macOS, built-in capture uses Shift+Command+3, Shift+Command+4 and the Shift+Command+5 toolbar. Third-party apps use system frameworks such as ScreenCaptureKit and need the screen recording permission under Privacy and Security in System Settings; the exact label varies by macOS version. Content protected by DRM, and windows from apps that block capture, typically appear black or are left out.
Types of screen capture
- Full screen: one display, including the menu bar and Dock.
- Window: one app window, with or without its shadow.
- Area: a rectangle you draw or a saved region with fixed size.
- Scrolling or full page: content taller than the screen, captured by scrolling or by the browser.
- Timed or automated: captures after a delay, at an interval, or on a click.
Where screen capture is used
Support teams attach captures to tickets. Writers build step-by-step guides. QA records bugs and layout checks. Students and researchers keep visual notes of material they are allowed to save. Product teams collect app store images and release notes.
Screen capture vs screen recording
A screenshot freezes one moment and produces a small, searchable, printable file. A recording keeps motion and timing but is larger, harder to skim and cannot go into a PDF. A sequence of screenshots taken at a fixed interval sits between the two: each frame is a still image, and the set can be exported as a video.
Common mistakes with screen capture
- Capturing the whole screen when one window was needed.
- Leaving notifications, other tabs or personal data in the frame.
- Forgetting the screen recording permission, which produces blank or wallpaper-only captures.
- Expecting protected video or DRM content to capture.
Taking the same screenshots again and again?
Temposhot captures from Screens, Windows or a Custom Area in Auto Capture, and saves the target before each click in Action Capture. See capture sources.
Common questions
Why are my screen captures black?
The app usually lacks the screen recording permission, or the content is protected and blocks capture.
What format do screen captures use?
macOS saves PNG by default. Temposhot exports PNG, JPG, PDF, MP4, GIF or WebP.
Sources
- Take a screenshot on your Mac (Apple Support)
- ScreenCaptureKit (Apple Developer)
- Screenshot on Wikipedia
Related resources
- macOS permissions: grant screen recording access.
- Capture sources: screens, windows and custom areas.
- Common issues: blank captures and other fixes.
Taking the same screenshots again and again?
Temposhot captures a screen, window or area on a timer and exports the set as a PDF, images, ZIP or MP4. The free browser tools fix single images.
Related resources
Related terms
- Window CaptureWhat window capture is, how it differs from full-screen and region capture, and when to use it.
- Area ScreenshotWhat an area screenshot is, how to select a custom region, and when to use one instead of full-screen capture.
- Screenshot AutomationWhat screenshot automation is, how it differs from manual capture and screen recording, and where teams use it.
- Screen TimelapseWhat a screen timelapse is, how it differs from screen recording, and where teams use it.
- Batch ScreenshotWhat batch screenshots are, how they differ from single captures, and where teams use them.
- Full-Page ScreenshotWhat a full-page screenshot is, how it differs from viewport and scrolling captures, and when to use one.
- Viewport ScreenshotWhat a viewport screenshot is, how it differs from full-page capture, and when it's the right choice.