There are a ton of camera apps for the iPhone. Most apps replicate the functions of the built-in camera app or add in a few additional functions such as adjustments, special filters and so on.
The Hipstamatic app takes a much different approach, turning your fancy iphone into a retro toy camera. From the moment you launch the app to viewing your first 'print' you soon realize that this app is much different than other phone apps, and a hundred times more fun.
The interface of the app is quite interesting, mimicking the back of an actual camera. The display requires you to rotate your camera to landscape mode, and suddenly your iPhone is a toy camera, complete with viewfinder.
The entire iPhone display is made to look like the back of a camera, with a variety of virtual options for lens, film and flash. The app comes with several film and lens presets and additional options can be purchased.
Once you have taken a picture the app 'prints' your photo and saves it to your photo roll. The image itself becomes heavily altered, most taking on a heavy cyan cast with serious curve adjustment baked in. An old style frame is added to a square format, which I find is the most attractive feature, giving the images the signature artsy retro look.
After work I dropped into several places that I have frequented during my daily photo project. I must say it was tremendously fun. An entirely new perspective opens up, very much like getting a brand new camera or lens. Not bad for a $1.99 app.
The app is certainly not perfect. There is no focus ability, at least that I could find (the flower shot below was pure luck to get in focus). And the viewfinder is not full frame, making framing and visualization a trial and error process.
Lastly, I wish there was a way to make a 'hipstamatic' image from an existing image in my photo library. But in terms of 'fun for the dollar' you are hard pressed to find a more enjoyable iphone camera app on the market today.
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I think there's a way to change the framing settings in the camera. I think. Look at the settings maybe? I thought I stumbled upon it the other day. And great pics, I LOVE how they came out!
ReplyDeleteGood to know, I will be sure to play around with the settings. Thanks Ari.
ReplyDeleteLooks really neat :) I lack an iPhone for the time being, though just bought an iPod touch and now kinda wanna upgrade my phone and sell my BlackBerry and my iPod :P
ReplyDeleteThis happens every time I buy any device...I always want something even better the next week.
Thanks Jen. The Touch is a great introduction to the iPhone, for sure. The extras on the phone include a camera (video and still), GPS, and the phone/text capability of course. The kicker is it requires a data plan. Mine is $59 monthly which is a basic plan but isn't much more than most others. Well worth it to have connectivity everywhere.
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