cheese

cheese [OPTION]…

-h, --help
    Show help options

--help-all
    Show all help options

--help-gtk
    Show GTK options

--version
    Show release version

-f, --fullscreen
    Start in fullscreen mode

-e, --effect=EFFECT
    Start with specified effect (e.g., cheese, stars)

Cheese is a lightweight, user-friendly webcam application integrated into the GNOME desktop environment. Designed as a virtual photo booth, it enables users to capture photos and videos directly from their webcam with real-time previews and entertaining effects.

Core features include:
• Live preview with adjustable resolution and device selection.
• Recording photos (single or burst mode) and videos.
• Over 20 visual effects like Cheese, Stars, Twirl, Ripples, and Shaky.
• Audio effects and funny sounds for videos.
• Countdown timer, fullscreen mode, and flash toggle.
• Saved media organized in ~/Video and ~/Pictures.

Powered by GStreamer multimedia framework, Cheese handles various webcam formats via Video4Linux (V4L2). It's perfect for quick selfies, video messages, or fun booth experiences at events. The intuitive interface requires no configuration for basic use, though advanced users can tweak via GStreamer pipelines.

Launch via menu or terminal; ensure webcam permissions (handled by PipeWire/PulseAudio in modern distros). Ideal for desktops, not servers.

GUI app; requires webcam & permissions. Limited CLI control; effects list via app. May need PipeWire or PulseAudio for audio.

Common effects: cheese, stars, twirl, ripples, hulk, edge. Run app to browse/full list.

Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install cheese. Fedora: sudo dnf install cheese.

Originated in 2008 as David Ostergaard's Google Summer of Code project for GNOME. Evolved with GStreamer integration; actively maintained in GNOME 40+. Widely used in Ubuntu/GNOME distros.

guvcview(1), fswebcam(1), v4l2-ctl(1), gst-launch-1.0(1)