You can now access Photo Mode in Borderlands 4, a feature many players expected after the game launched in September 2025. The latest update adds tools that let you frame and capture scenes during both solo play and co-op sessions.
You last saw an update in mid-January that focused on balance changes for Harlowe and Amon and adjusted boss loot odds to favor Legendary drops. This newer patch delivers broader improvements across the game, with Photo Mode standing out as one of several notable additions.
Borderlands 4 Gets Photo Mode
You can now frame custom shots across Kairos with Photo Mode, added in the January 29 update. You access it during normal gameplay, except during cutscenes. The tool works in solo play and online co-op, but split-screen does not support it.
When you play solo, activating Photo Mode pauses the action. In online multiplayer, the world continues to move, which affects timing and positioning. This difference pushes you to plan shots more carefully when other players remain active.
You control a wide set of camera and visual tools designed for precise composition. The mode focuses on flexibility rather than presets, letting you shape each image to your preference.
Key controls you can adjust include:
- Camera rotation and field of view
- Depth of field for foreground and background focus
- Brightness, contrast, saturation, and gain
- Filters and vignette effects
You also decide what elements appear in the frame. The system lets you toggle visibility for characters, NPCs, summons, and damage numbers. This control helps you capture clean environmental shots or chaotic combat scenes.
The lighting does not lock to real-time conditions. You can shift the time of day to change shadows and color tone. Optional logos and letterboxing tools help you finish images for sharing or archiving.
| Feature Area | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Camera Tools | Adjust framing and perspective |
| Visual Settings | Fine-tune color and exposure |
| Scene Controls | Manage objects and HUD elements |
How to Use Borderlands 4's Photo Mode
You can open Photo Mode directly from the pause menu during gameplay. Select the option, and the game freezes the action while you adjust the camera and visual settings. You stay in full control until you exit or capture an image.
Once active, you can move the camera freely around the scene. This lets you frame combat moments, character poses, or environmental details without pressure from enemies or timers. You can rotate, zoom, and reposition the camera to suit the shot you want.
Photo Mode includes visual controls that help you refine the image. You can adjust depth of field, field of view, brightness, contrast, and filters. These tools allow precise changes rather than preset-only effects, which helps maintain the game’s visual style.
Common settings you may want to adjust include:
- Camera distance and angle
- Depth of field intensity
- Exposure and brightness
- Color filters and saturation
- Character visibility and poses
After you finish adjusting the scene, you capture the image using your platform’s native screenshot tools. Photo Mode does not replace system capture features, so you rely on standard inputs.
| Platform | Screenshot Method |
|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | F12, Print Screen, Snipping Tool, or third-party apps |
| PlayStation 5 | Share button |
| Xbox Series X/S | Capture button |
Your screenshots save to the same folders or galleries you already use for other games. On PC, this may vary depending on whether you use Steam, Windows tools, or external software. Consoles store images in their respective media galleries.
You can use Photo Mode in both single-player and multiplayer sessions. In multiplayer, the game pauses locally for you while the session continues for others. This makes timing important if you want to capture coordinated moments.
Photo Mode works best when you experiment with small adjustments. Subtle camera shifts and minor lighting changes often produce cleaner results than extreme settings. You can exit and re-enter the mode at any time to try different angles without penalties.
The feature supports both action-heavy scenes and quiet environments. Whether you capture combat effects, character designs, or landscapes, the tools remain consistent and easy to access throughout your play session.
