A computer-implemented method for controlling a visual media capture system, the visual media capture system comprising: one or more processors; a touch screen; a camera; a visual media application configured to receive haptic signals from the touch screen, and to control the camera based on the haptic signals, and to capture visual media using the camera; and a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors configured to, when executing the instructions, to perform the following method steps: processing haptic contact signals from the touch screen; beginning video capture on expiration of a preset press threshold duration after receiving the haptic contact signal; and if a haptic contact release is observed before the press threshold is expired, capturing and displaying a photo; and if a haptic contact release signal is observed before a minimum video length has been reached, ending video capture and capturing and displaying a photo, or otherwise upon receiving a haptic contact release signal from the display before a predetermined maximum video duration is reached, ending video capture and displaying the video; or otherwise, if a haptic contact release signal is not received before the predetermined maximum video duration, ending video capture at the maximum video duration, and displaying the video. one or more processors; a touch screen; a camera; a visual media application configured to receive haptic signals from the touch screen, and to control the camera based on the haptic signals, and to capture visual media using the camera; and a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors configured to, when executing the instructions, to perform the following method steps: processing haptic contact signals from the touch screen; beginning video capture on expiration of a preset press threshold duration after receiving the haptic contact signal; and if a haptic contact release is observed before the press threshold is expired, capturing and displaying a photo; and if a haptic contact release signal is observed before a minimum video length has been reached, ending video capture and capturing and displaying a photo, or otherwise upon receiving a haptic contact release signal from the display before a predetermined maximum video duration is reached, ending video capture and displaying the video; or otherwise, if a haptic contact release signal is not received before the predetermined maximum video duration, ending video capture at the maximum video duration, and displaying the video. processing haptic contact signals from the touch screen; beginning video capture on expiration of a preset press threshold duration after receiving the haptic contact signal; and if a haptic contact release is observed before the press threshold is expired, capturing and displaying a photo; and if a haptic contact release signal is observed before a minimum video length has been reached, ending video capture and capturing and displaying a photo, or otherwise upon receiving a haptic contact release signal from the display before a predetermined maximum video duration is reached, ending video capture and displaying the video; or otherwise, if a haptic contact release signal is not received before the predetermined maximum video duration, ending video capture at the maximum video duration, and displaying the video.