Do you feel that 360° cameras are difficult to master, or maybe you already have one but want to know how to best utilize it and make your shoots smoother?

Once you get the hang of it, THETA 360° shooting is a snap!

We will show you some useful THETA shooting techniques!

THETA X HDR

Shooting via the THETA app on a smartphone using a stand.

Photo by Sam Rohn

Shooting with just THETA by itself

(1) Hold THETA in your hand and shoot

The easiest way to take a picture with THETA is to simply press the shutter button on THETA.

THETA X

With one click, you can easily capture the entire 360° space around you.

(2) Self-timer + Selfie Stick

If you don’t want your fingers in the frame while holding THETA in your hand, we recommend attaching THETA to a selfie stick or tripod and shooting with the self-timer mode.

THETA Z1 and SC2 have a dedicated self-timer button right on the body, but other models can also activate the self-timer by pressing and holding the Wifi button and power button simultaneously.

Click here to learn how to set the self-timer mode.

RICOH THETA Stick TM-3

The newly released RICOH THETA X comes with an easy way to set the self-timer delay right on the touch screen.

THETA X touch screen

You can expand the range of your THETA shooting by using a selfie stick and self-timer.

Refer to this article for detailed instructions on how to shoot using a selfie stick.

(3) Self-timer + Stand/Tripod

A camera stand or tripod is recommended when you want THETA to be stable while taking beautiful shots of indoor spaces or scenery. Just quickly hide during the self-timer delay so you can capture a perfect 360° image without yourself in the frame.

RICOH THETA Stand TD-2

When shooting indoors, set the stand about mid-height to capture a balanced 360° view of the space.

THETA Z1 HDR

Shooting with THETA Z1 with a 10 second self-timer while hiding in a bathroom out of frame.

Shooting with a smartphone

If you want to remotely shoot at your own pace, place THETA on a stand or tripod, connect your smartphone to THETA via Wifi, and then use THETA’s basic app to take a photo.

Taken from the THETA smartphone app

Shooting with a Bluetooth remote control

THETA X, as well as THETA V, Z1, and SC2 with the latest firmware update, also support a Bluetooth remote control.

The Bluetooth remote control allows you to take pictures remotely without having to connect your smartphone to THETA via Wifi.

THETA X and Remote Control TR-1

The latest model in particular, THETA X, can easily turn Bluetooth on and off and connect to Bluetooth devices via a menu on the unit’s touch screen.

Click here for detailed instructions on how to use THETA V, Z1, and SC2 with Bluetooth remote control!

Shooting 360° images without yourself in the photos with the Time Shift function

The Time Shift function on THETA X and SC2 for business utilizes the 360° camera mechanism to take pictures with each lens individually with a delay in between each shot, making it possible to easily capture a 360° image without the photographer in the frame.

THETA X allows for quick and easy switching between Time-Shift settings and other settings right on the touch screen.

Check this video for detailed shooting instructions.

If you are using THETA Z1 or V, install the ‘Time Shift Shooting’ plug-in.

Click here to learn how to use the Time Shift plug-in for THETA Z1 and V.

Shooting from fun angles

We recommend using a selfie stick to take photos from various angles with friends or family to capture fun 360° memories!

THETA Z1 Handheld HDR

Self-timer shot using THETA Z1 on a selfie stick, RICOH THETA Stick TM-3

Click here for more ways to capture a fun 360 world!