Can You Buy Pictures in Breath of the Wild? The Complete Photography Guide
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The short answer is yes, you can effectively buy pictures in Breath of the Wild, though not in the traditional sense from a storefront. You can purchase photos from Symin at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, but only after completing specific criteria. This article will dive deep into the details of acquiring pictures in Breath of the Wild, explaining how Symin’s service works and providing answers to frequently asked questions about the game’s photo mechanics.
How to “Buy” Pictures From Symin
Symin is a researcher at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab and Robbie’s assistant. He plays a crucial role in filling out the Hyrule Compendium. The Compendium is essentially a photographic encyclopedia of all the creatures, monsters, weapons, materials, and treasures in Hyrule.
You initially fill the Compendium by taking pictures yourself using the Sheikah Slate’s Camera rune. However, if you accidentally deleted a picture, don’t want to wait for an opportunity to photograph a rare creature, or simply missed a photograph, Symin allows you to buy those entries for a small fee.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Unlock the Service: You need to have completed the “Locked Mementos” quest, given by Impa in Kakariko Village. This unlocks the Camera rune for your Sheikah Slate.
- Speak to Symin: Once the Camera is unlocked, speak to Symin at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. He’ll explain that he can “sell” you pictures for your Hyrule Compendium.
- Cost: Each picture costs 100 rupees.
- Availability: The pictures Symin sells are based on what you haven’t yet photographed, or what you’ve previously photographed but have deleted from the Compendium. He will also sell pictures of items that are difficult to obtain or are missable.
- Selection: Symin does not have every photo available immediately. His inventory of photos for sale progresses as you defeat more Divine Beasts. The more Divine Beasts you complete, the more photos he will sell. This encourages exploration and progression in the game.
Buying pictures from Symin is a convenient way to complete your Hyrule Compendium, especially for enemies that are difficult to find or have a limited spawn, or if you’ve accidentally deleted an important entry.
Maximizing Your Photography Experience
While Symin offers a workaround, proactively taking pictures yourself is far more rewarding and cost-effective. Here are some tips for becoming a proficient Hyrulean photographer:
- Carry food to distract wildlife: food items like apples, mushrooms, and meat will keep animals distracted so that you can take a picture of them before they run away.
- Keep your distance: some wildlife creatures like horses are especially skittish, and getting too close to them before they warm up to you will cause them to run away.
- Always be Prepared: Keep your camera rune equipped and be ready to snap a picture at any moment. Rare creatures and unique items might only appear once.
- Prioritize Rare Enemies: Enemies like Lynels, Guardians, and rare elemental variants should be photographed as soon as you encounter them.
- Pay Attention to Variants: Many creatures and monsters have elemental variants (e.g., Ice Lizalfos, Fire Keese). Ensure you capture photos of each unique variant.
- Experiment with Poses: Take multiple pictures of the same subject from different angles. You can always choose the best one later.
- Upgrade the Sheikah Slate: Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab can upgrade the Sheikah Slate, including the camera rune, which will allow you to zoom in further, allowing for higher quality photographs.
- Use Stealth: When photographing enemies, use stealth techniques to get closer without alerting them.
- Photograph Weapons: Don’t forget to photograph different weapons you find. This is important for the Hyrule Compendium completion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Photography in Breath of the Wild
1. How do I unlock the Camera rune in Breath of the Wild?
You unlock the Camera rune by completing the “Locked Mementos” quest, which is given by Impa in Kakariko Village. This quest involves going to the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab and speaking to Purah. She will ask you to light the furnace outside.
2. Can I delete pictures from the Hyrule Compendium?
Yes, you can delete pictures from the Hyrule Compendium. This is useful if you want to replace a low-quality photo with a better one, or if you accidentally added the wrong picture. Press the minus button on the controller to view the contents of the Sheikah Slate, then press “Y” to enter your compendium and scroll through pictures, and then press “A” to replace the picture.
3. What happens if I delete a Compendium entry?
If you delete a Compendium entry, the entry becomes blank again. You can then either take a new picture yourself or buy a picture of that item from Symin at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.
4. How many pictures can the Hyrule Compendium hold?
The Hyrule Compendium can hold a total of 385 entries.
5. Can I use pictures from the Compendium to track enemies?
Yes, you can! After upgrading your Sheikah Slate at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, you can use the Compendium entries to track specific enemies and items using the Sheikah Sensor. This is incredibly useful for farming materials and locating rare enemies.
6. Is it necessary to complete the Hyrule Compendium?
Completing the Hyrule Compendium isn’t strictly necessary to beat the game. However, it’s a significant completionist goal and unlocks valuable tracking abilities when you complete the side quest “Sunshroom Sensing”.
7. What kind of pictures can I take?
You can take pictures of almost anything in the game, including enemies, creatures, weapons, materials, treasures, and even landscapes. However, only pictures of items that exist in the Hyrule Compendium are useful for completing it.
8. Can I take selfies in Breath of the Wild?
Unfortunately, Breath of the Wild does not have a built-in selfie function. However, players have found creative ways to simulate selfies by using the environment and careful camera angles.
9. How do I take better pictures in Breath of the Wild?
To take better pictures, focus on good lighting, composition, and angles. Use the Sheikah Slate’s zoom function to get closer to your subject and frame the shot effectively. Ensure the subject is in focus and clearly visible.
10. What are some of the hardest pictures to get for the Hyrule Compendium?
Some of the hardest pictures to get include rare enemies like Golden Lynels (found only in Master Mode), certain Guardian variants, and specific weapons that are only available in limited locations.
11. Can I sell pictures I take in Breath of the Wild?
No, you cannot sell the pictures you take in Breath of the Wild for rupees. The main purpose of taking pictures is to fill out the Hyrule Compendium and use them for tracking.
12. Does the weather affect the quality of pictures?
Weather can impact the visibility and clarity of your pictures. For example, taking pictures during a thunderstorm might result in blurry images. Clear weather generally produces the best results.
13. How do I upgrade the Sheikah Slate?
You upgrade the Sheikah Slate by completing quests for Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. Specifically, you need to provide her with Ancient materials found in shrines and near Guardians.
14. What happens if I take a picture of something that’s not in the Compendium?
If you take a picture of something that’s not included in the Hyrule Compendium, it will simply be saved to your Sheikah Slate’s album, but it won’t contribute to filling out the Compendium.
15. Is there a limit to the number of photos I can store on the Sheikah Slate?
Yes, there is a limit. The Sheikah Slate can store up to 48 regular photos and 385 Compendium photos. Once you reach the limit, you’ll need to delete old photos to make room for new ones.
Ultimately, the photography aspect of Breath of the Wild adds a significant layer of depth and exploration to the game. Whether you choose to meticulously document every creature and item yourself or rely on Symin’s services, completing the Hyrule Compendium offers a rewarding experience and enhances your journey through Hyrule.