Save a frame as a photo

You can save a moment from a video as a PNG photo at its original resolution. For example, use it as a thumbnail, poster, or image to share.

1. In preview, go to a moment near the one you want to save.
2. Below Scenes in the panel, click Save the frame as a photo beside the Frame heading or press P. The video pauses and frame selection opens.
3. The panel says “Choose the frame to save” and shows the frame’s timecode (for example, 0:00:05:12), the hint “← → frame · ⇧← ⇧→ second” below, and Save / Cancel buttons.
4. Find the right frame:
   • ← / → moves back / forward one frame.
   • Shift + ← / → moves back / forward one second.
   • Hold a key to repeat the step.
   • ↑ / ↓ and page keys don’t work during this step.
5. Click Save (or press Enter (↩) to do the same thing).
6. The macOS Save window opens. The filename is ready, and the window opens in the last folder you saved to. Change the name or location if you like, then click Save.
7. A “{dosya adı} saved” notification appears. Use Show in Finder to go to the file.

Note: While selecting a frame, arrow keys move by frame; Shift + arrow moves by second. This is the opposite of how they work on the timeline.

If you cancel in the Save window, nothing is saved and frame selection stays open; choose another frame and try again.

To exit frame selection, click Cancel or press Esc. Frame selection also closes if the video starts playing again, you go to another clip, or close preview.

Saved frame

• The frame is taken from the original file, at full resolution, as a PNG. The preview copy isn’t used.
• Its orientation is corrected. Log and HDR clips are converted to Rec.709.
• Your LUT isn’t applied to the frame.
• The suggested filename combines the clip’s original filename (without the extension) and timecode; the name you gave the clip isn’t used, for example, IMG_4195_0-00-05-12.png. The timecode is measured from the beginning of the clip.
• If you choose an existing filename, macOS asks whether to “replace?”. If you say yes, the new frame replaces the old file.
• You can’t save a frame from BRAW or R3D clips.

If you can’t save it

Message	What to do
“The frame is being taken from the original file, which can’t be reached. Check that the disk is connected.”	The clip is on an external disk that isn’t connected. Connect the disk and try again.
“The file can’t be found; it may have been moved or deleted.”	The clip is on your Mac’s disk, but the file isn’t where it should be. If you moved it, use Find the videos in notifications to show its new location. If you don’t need the file anymore, Remove from Library (see Section 17).
“The frame couldn’t be saved. Check that the folder is writable and try again.”	Check that you can write to the folder you chose.