Learn how to build a web server with the ESP32-CAM board that allows you to send a command to take a photo and visualize the latest captured photo in your browser saved in SPIFFS. We also added the option to rotate the image if necessary.
We have other ESP32-CAM projects in our blog that you might like. In fact you can take this project further, by adding a PIR sensor to take a photo when motion is detected, a physical pushbutton to take a photo, or also include video streaming capabilities in another URL path.
Other ESP32-CAM projects and tutorials:
- ESP32-CAM PIR Motion Detector with Photo Capture (saves to microSD card)
- ESP32-CAM Video Streaming and Face Recognition with Arduino IDE
- ESP32-CAM Video Streaming Web Server (Home Assistant, Node-RED, etc…)
- ESP32-CAM Take Photo and Save to MicroSD Card
- ESP32-CAM Troubleshooting Guide
Parts Required
To follow this project, you need the following parts:
- ESP32-CAM with OV2640 (read board overview) – read Best ESP32-CAM Dev Boards
- Female-to-female jumper wires
- FTDI programmer
- 5V power supply or power bank
Project Overview
The following image shows the web server we’ll build in this tutorial.
When you access the web server, you’ll see three buttons:
- ROTATE: depending on your ESP32-CAM orientation, you might need to rotate the photo;
- CAPTURE PHOTO: when you click this button, the ESP32-CAM takes a new photo and saves it in the ESP32 SPIFFS. Please wait at least 5 seconds before refreshing the web page to ensure the ESP32-CAM takes and stores the photo;
- REFRESH PAGE: when you click this button, the web page refreshes and it’s updated with the latest photo.
Note: as mentioned previously the latest photo captured is stored in the ESP32 SPIFFS, so even if you restart your board, you can always access the last saved photo.
Installing the ESP32 add-on
We’ll program the ESP32 board using Arduino IDE. So, you need the Arduino IDE installed as well as the ESP32 add-on:
Installing Libraries
To build the web server, we’ll use the ESPAsyncWebServer library. This library also requires the AsyncTCP Library to work properly. Follow the next steps to install those libraries.
Installing the ESPAsyncWebServer library
Follow the next steps to install the ESPAsyncWebServer library:
- Click here to download the ESPAsyncWebServer library. You should have a .zip folder in your Downloads folder
- Unzip the .zip folder and you should get ESPAsyncWebServer-master folder
- Rename your folder from
ESPAsyncWebServer-masterto ESPAsyncWebServer - Move the ESPAsyncWebServer folder to your Arduino IDE installation libraries folder
Alternatively, after downloading the library, you can go to Sketch > Include Library > Add .ZIP library… and select the library you’ve just downloaded.
Installing the Async TCP Library for ESP32
The ESPAsyncWebServer library requires the AsyncTCP library to work. Follow the next steps to install that library:
- Click here to download the AsyncTCP library. You should have a .zip folder in your Downloads folder
- Unzip the .zip folder and you should get AsyncTCP-master folder
- Rename your folder from
AsyncTCP-masterto AsyncTCP - Move the AsyncTCP folder to your Arduino IDE installation libraries folder
- Finally, re-open your Arduino IDE
Alternatively, after downloading the library, you can go to Sketch > Include Library > Add .ZIP library… and select the library you’ve just downloaded.
ESP32-CAM Take and Display Photo Web Server Sketch
Copy the following code to your Arduino IDE. This code builds a web server that allows you to take a photo with your ESP32-CAM and display the last photo taken. Depending on the orientation of your ESP32-CAM, you may want to rotate the picture, so we also included that feature.
/*********
Gnd_To_Vcc
IMPORTANT!!!
- Select Board "AI Thinker ESP32-CAM"
- GPIO 0 must be connected to GND to upload a sketch
- After connecting GPIO 0 to GND, press the ESP32-CAM on-board RESET button to put your board in flashing mode
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.
*********/
#include "WiFi.h"
#include "esp_camera.h"
#include "esp_timer.h"
#include "img_converters.h"
#include "Arduino.h"
#include "soc/soc.h" // Disable brownour problems
#include "soc/rtc_cntl_reg.h" // Disable brownour problems
#include "driver/rtc_io.h"
#include <ESPAsyncWebServer.h>
#include <StringArray.h>
#include <SPIFFS.h>
#include <FS.h>
// Replace with your network credentials
const char* ssid = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_SSID";
const char* password = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_PASSWORD";
// Create AsyncWebServer object on port 80
AsyncWebServer server(80);
boolean takeNewPhoto = false;
// Photo File Name to save in SPIFFS
#define FILE_PHOTO "/photo.jpg"
// OV2640 camera module pins (CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER)
#define PWDN_GPIO_NUM 32
#define RESET_GPIO_NUM -1
#define XCLK_GPIO_NUM 0
#define SIOD_GPIO_NUM 26
#define SIOC_GPIO_NUM 27
#define Y9_GPIO_NUM 35
#define Y8_GPIO_NUM 34
#define Y7_GPIO_NUM 39
#define Y6_GPIO_NUM 36
#define Y5_GPIO_NUM 21
#define Y4_GPIO_NUM 19
#define Y3_GPIO_NUM 18
#define Y2_GPIO_NUM 5
#define VSYNC_GPIO_NUM 25
#define HREF_GPIO_NUM 23
#define PCLK_GPIO_NUM 22
const char index_html[] PROGMEM = R"rawliteral(
<!DOCTYPE HTML><html>
<head>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<style>
body { text-align:center; }
.vert { margin-bottom: 10%; }
.hori{ margin-bottom: 0%; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div id="container">
<h2>ESP32-CAM Last Photo</h2>
<p>It might take more than 5 seconds to capture a photo.</p>
<p>
<button onclick="rotatePhoto();">ROTATE</button>
<button onclick="capturePhoto()">CAPTURE PHOTO</button>
<button onclick="location.reload();">REFRESH PAGE</button>
</p>
</div>
<div><img src="saved-photo" id="photo" width="70%"></div>
</body>
<script>
var deg = 0;
function capturePhoto() {
var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
xhr.open('GET', "/capture", true);
xhr.send();
}
function rotatePhoto() {
var img = document.getElementById("photo");
deg += 90;
if(isOdd(deg/90)){ document.getElementById("container").className = "vert"; }
else{ document.getElementById("container").className = "hori"; }
img.style.transform = "rotate(" + deg + "deg)";
}
function isOdd(n) { return Math.abs(n % 2) == 1; }
</script>
</html>)rawliteral";
void setup() {
// Serial port for debugging purposes
Serial.begin(115200);
// Connect to Wi-Fi
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
delay(1000);
Serial.println("Connecting to WiFi...");
}
if (!SPIFFS.begin(true)) {
Serial.println("An Error has occurred while mounting SPIFFS");
ESP.restart();
}
else {
delay(500);
Serial.println("SPIFFS mounted successfully");
}
// Print ESP32 Local IP Address
Serial.print("IP Address: http://");
Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
// Turn-off the 'brownout detector'
WRITE_PERI_REG(RTC_CNTL_BROWN_OUT_REG, 0);
// OV2640 camera module
camera_config_t config;
config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_d7 = Y9_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_sscb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_sscb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM;
config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM;
config.xclk_freq_hz = 20000000;
config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG;
if (psramFound()) {
config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_UXGA;
config.jpeg_quality = 10;
config.fb_count = 2;
} else {
config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_SVGA;
config.jpeg_quality = 12;
config.fb_count = 1;
}
// Camera init
esp_err_t err = esp_camera_init(&config);
if (err != ESP_OK) {
Serial.printf("Camera init failed with error 0x%x", err);
ESP.restart();
}
// Route for root / web page
server.on("/", HTTP_GET, [](AsyncWebServerRequest * request) {
request->send_P(200, "text/html", index_html);
});
server.on("/capture", HTTP_GET, [](AsyncWebServerRequest * request) {
takeNewPhoto = true;
request->send_P(200, "text/plain", "Taking Photo");
});
server.on("/saved-photo", HTTP_GET, [](AsyncWebServerRequest * request) {
request->send(SPIFFS, FILE_PHOTO, "image/jpg", false);
});
// Start server
server.begin();
}
void loop() {
if (takeNewPhoto) {
capturePhotoSaveSpiffs();
takeNewPhoto = false;
}
delay(1);
}
// Check if photo capture was successful
bool checkPhoto( fs::FS &fs ) {
File f_pic = fs.open( FILE_PHOTO );
unsigned int pic_sz = f_pic.size();
return ( pic_sz > 100 );
}
// Capture Photo and Save it to SPIFFS
void capturePhotoSaveSpiffs( void ) {
camera_fb_t * fb = NULL; // pointer
bool ok = 0; // Boolean indicating if the picture has been taken correctly
do {
// Take a photo with the camera
Serial.println("Taking a photo...");
fb = esp_camera_fb_get();
if (!fb) {
Serial.println("Camera capture failed");
return;
}
// Photo file name
Serial.printf("Picture file name: %s\n", FILE_PHOTO);
File file = SPIFFS.open(FILE_PHOTO, FILE_WRITE);
// Insert the data in the photo file
if (!file) {
Serial.println("Failed to open file in writing mode");
}
else {
file.write(fb->buf, fb->len); // payload (image), payload length
Serial.print("The picture has been saved in ");
Serial.print(FILE_PHOTO);
Serial.print(" - Size: ");
Serial.print(file.size());
Serial.println(" bytes");
}
// Close the file
file.close();
esp_camera_fb_return(fb);
// check if file has been correctly saved in SPIFFS
ok = checkPhoto(SPIFFS);
} while ( !ok );
}
How the Code Works
First, include the required libraries to work with the camera, to build the web server and to use SPIFFS.
#include "WiFi.h"
#include "esp_camera.h"
#include "esp_timer.h"
#include "img_converters.h"
#include "Arduino.h"
#include "soc/soc.h" // Disable brownout problems
#include "soc/rtc_cntl_reg.h" // Disable brownout problems
#include "driver/rtc_io.h"
#include <ESPAsyncWebServer.h>
#include <StringArray.h>
#include <SPIFFS.h>
#include <FS.h>
Next, write your network credentials in the following variables, so that the ESP32-CAM can connect to your local network.
const char* ssid = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_SSID";
const char* password = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_PASSWORD";
Create an AsyncWebServer object on port 80.
AsyncWebServer server(80);
The takeNewPhoto boolean variable indicates when it’s time to take a new photo.
boolean takeNewPhoto = false;
Then, define the path and name of the photo to be saved in SPIFFS.
#define FILE_PHOTO "/photo.jpg"
Next, define the camera pins for the ESP32-CAM AI THINKER module.
#define PWDN_GPIO_NUM 32
#define RESET_GPIO_NUM -1
#define XCLK_GPIO_NUM 0
#define SIOD_GPIO_NUM 26
#define SIOC_GPIO_NUM 27
#define Y9_GPIO_NUM 35
#define Y8_GPIO_NUM 34
#define Y7_GPIO_NUM 39
#define Y6_GPIO_NUM 36
#define Y5_GPIO_NUM 21
#define Y4_GPIO_NUM 19
#define Y3_GPIO_NUM 18
#define Y2_GPIO_NUM 5
#define VSYNC_GPIO_NUM 25
#define HREF_GPIO_NUM 23
#define PCLK_GPIO_NUM 22
Building the Web Page
Next, we have the HTML to build the web page:
const char index_html[] PROGMEM = R"rawliteral(
<!DOCTYPE HTML><html>
<head>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<style>
body { text-align:center; }
.vert { margin-bottom: 10%; }
.hori{ margin-bottom: 0%; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div id="container">
<h2>ESP32-CAM Last Photo</h2>
<p>It might take more than 5 seconds to capture a photo.</p>
<p>
<button onclick="rotatePhoto();">ROTATE</button>
<button onclick="capturePhoto()">CAPTURE PHOTO</button>
<button onclick="location.reload();">REFRESH PAGE</button>
</p>
</div>
<div><img src="saved-photo" id="photo" width="70%"></div>
</body>
<script>
var deg = 0;
function capturePhoto() {
var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
xhr.open('GET', "/capture", true);
xhr.send();
}
function rotatePhoto() {
var img = document.getElementById("photo");
deg += 90;
if(isOdd(deg/90)){ document.getElementById("container").className = "vert"; }
else{ document.getElementById("container").className = "hori"; }
img.style.transform = "rotate(" + deg + "deg)";
}
function isOdd(n) { return Math.abs(n % 2) == 1; }
</script>
</html>)rawliteral";
We won’t go into much detail on how this HTML works. We’ll just take a quick overview.
Basically, create three buttons: ROTATE; CAPTURE PHOTO and REFRESH PAGE. Each photo calls a different JavaScript function: rotatePhoto(), capturePhoto() and reload().
<button onclick="rotatePhoto();">ROTATE</button>
<button onclick="capturePhoto()">CAPTURE PHOTO</button>
<button onclick="location.reload();">REFRESH PAGE</button>
The capturePhoto() function sends a request on the /capture URL to the ESP32, so it takes a new photo.
function capturePhoto() {
var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
xhr.open('GET', "/capture", true);
xhr.send();
}
The rotatePhoto() function rotates the photo.
function rotatePhoto() {
var img = document.getElementById("photo");
deg += 90;
if(isOdd(deg/90)){ document.getElementById("container").className = "vert"; }
else{ document.getElementById("container").className = "hori"; }
img.style.transform = "rotate(" + deg + "deg)";
}
function isOdd(n) { return Math.abs(n % 2) == 1; }
We’re not sure what’s the “best” way to rotate a photo with JavaScript. This method works perfectly, but there may be better ways to do this. If you have any suggestion please share with us.
Finally, the following section displays the photo.
<div><img src="saved-photo" id="photo" width="70%"></div>
When, you click the REFRESH button, it will load the latest image.
setup()
In the setup(), initialize a Serial communication:
Serial.begin(115200);
Connect the ESP32-CAM to your local network:
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
delay(1000);
Serial.println("Connecting to WiFi...");
}
Initialize SPIFFS:
if (!SPIFFS.begin(true)) {
Serial.println("An Error has occurred while mounting SPIFFS");
ESP.restart();
}
else {
delay(500);
Serial.println("SPIFFS mounted successfully");
}
Print the ESP32-CAM local IP address:
Serial.print("IP Address: http://");
Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
The lines that follow, configure and initialize the camera with the right settings.
Handle the Web Server
Next, we need to handle what happens when the ESP32-CAM receives a request on a URL.
When the ESP32-CAM receives a request on the root / URL, we send the HTML text to build the web page.
server.on("/", HTTP_GET, [](AsyncWebServerRequest * request) {
request->send_P(200, "text/html", index_html);
});
When we press the “CAPTURE” button on the web server, we send a request to the ESP32 /capture URL. When that happens, we set the takeNewPhoto variable to true, so that we know it is time to take a new photo.
server.on("/capture", HTTP_GET, [](AsyncWebServerRequest * request) {
takeNewPhoto = true;
request->send_P(200, "text/plain", "Taking Photo");
});
In case there’s a request on the /saved-photo URL, send the photo saved in SPIFFS to a connected client:
server.on("/saved-photo", HTTP_GET, [](AsyncWebServerRequest * request) {
request->send(SPIFFS, FILE_PHOTO, "image/jpg", false);
});
Finally, start the web server.
server.begin();
loop()
In the loop(), if the takeNewPhoto variable is True, we call the capturePhotoSaveSpiffs() to take a new photo and save it to SPIFFS. Then, set the takeNewPhoto variable to false.
void loop() {
if (takeNewPhoto) {
capturePhotoSaveSpiffs();
takeNewPhoto = false;
}
delay(1);
}
Take a Photo
There are two other functions in the sketch: checkPhoto() and capturePhotoSaveSpiffs().
The checkPhoto() function checks if the photo was successfully saved to SPIFFS.
bool checkPhoto( fs::FS &fs ) {
File f_pic = fs.open( FILE_PHOTO );
unsigned int pic_sz = f_pic.size();
return ( pic_sz > 100 );
}
The capturePhotoSaveSpiffs() function takes a photo and saves it to SPIFFS.
void capturePhotoSaveSpiffs( void ) {
camera_fb_t * fb = NULL; // pointer
bool ok = 0; // Boolean indicating if the picture has been taken correctly
do {
// Take a photo with the camera
Serial.println("Taking a photo...");
fb = esp_camera_fb_get();
if (!fb) {
Serial.println("Camera capture failed");
return;
}
// Photo file name
Serial.printf("Picture file name: %s\n", FILE_PHOTO);
File file = SPIFFS.open(FILE_PHOTO, FILE_WRITE);
// Insert the data in the photo file
if (!file) {
Serial.println("Failed to open file in writing mode");
}
else {
file.write(fb->buf, fb->len); // payload (image), payload length
Serial.print("The picture has been saved in ");
Serial.print(FILE_PHOTO);
Serial.print(" - Size: ");
Serial.print(file.size());
Serial.println(" bytes");
}
// Close the file
file.close();
esp_camera_fb_return(fb);
// check if file has been correctly saved in SPIFFS
ok = checkPhoto(SPIFFS);
} while ( !ok );
}
This function was based on this sketch by dualvim.
ESP32-CAM Upload Code
To upload code to the ESP32-CAM board, connect it to your computer using an FTDI programmer. Follow the next schematic diagram:
Important: GPIO 0 needs to be connected to GND so that you’re able to upload code.
Many FTDI programmers have a jumper that allows you to select 3.3V or 5V. Make sure the jumper is in the right place to select 5V.
| ESP32-CAM | FTDI Programmer |
| GND | GND |
| 5V | VCC (5V) |
| U0R | TX |
| U0T | RX |
| GPIO 0 | GND |
To upload the code, follow the next steps:
1) Go to Tools > Board and select AI-Thinker ESP32-CAM.
2) Go to Tools > Port and select the COM port the ESP32 is connected to.
3) Then, click the upload button to upload the code.
4) When you start to see these dots on the debugging window as shown below, press the ESP32-CAM on-board RST button.
After a few seconds, the code should be successfully uploaded to your board.
Demonstration
Open your browser and type the ESP32-CAM IP Address. Then, click the “CAPTURE PHOTO” to take a new photo and wait a few seconds for the photo to be saved in SPIFFS.
Then, if you press the “REFRESH PAGE” button, the page will update with the latest saved photo. If you need to adjust the image orientation, you can always use the “ROTATE” button to do it so.
In your Arduino IDE Serial Monitor window, you should see similar messages:
Troublehsooting
If you’re getting any of the following errors, read our ESP32-CAM Troubleshooting Guide: Most Common Problems Fixed
- Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header
- Camera init failed with error 0x20001 or similar
- Brownout detector or Guru meditation error
- Sketch too big error – Wrong partition scheme selected
- Board at COMX is not available – COM Port Not Selected
- Psram error: GPIO isr service is not installed
- Weak Wi-Fi Signal
- No IP Address in Arduino IDE Serial Monitor
- Can’t open web server
- The image lags/shows lots of latency
Wrapping Up
We hope you’ve found this example useful. We’ve tried to keep it as simple as possible so it is easy for you to modify and include it in your own projects. You can combine this example with the ESP32-CAM PIR Motion Detector with Photo Capture to capture and display a new photo when motion is detected.
If there is any project you’d like to see with the ESP32-CAM or if you’d like to share your project with us, write a comment below.
Thank you for reading.
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