This entry is dedicated to my new found creative expression.
It will show you some of the better iPhone Photography apps
I have found and what they can do.
It will show you some of the better iPhone Photography apps
I have found and what they can do.
I have been an iPhone user since Feb 2008. I had an original model and I unlocked/jailbroke it to remain on T-Mobile. Because of this relationship, I missed out on a lot of the upgrades because I'd have to wait for the new jailbreak, which sometimes did not include some of the native iPhone features. So, I missed 3G and 3GS upgrades and was jealous of my friends who could do more with their phones; however, I enjoyed being on T-Mobile for the price, even if it was bit slow (Edge network only).
Then in 2010, with all the hype about the new iPhone 4, I really wanted to upgrade. My husband ended his T-Mobile relationship early by jumping to Sprint so he could have the first 4G compatible HTC EVO phone (he's an Android nut for its open-source, endless hacking opportunities design). This meant I would finally make the leap to AT&T, much to my own reluctance. Yet, many people told me they did not encounter the #ATTFail so many spoke of. I wanted the new phone...so network or not, I was moving.
I got my new iPhone 4 on 24-Jun-2010, the day they were released (purchased at Best Buy presale...much less hassle than the Apple or AT&T stores). Since then, it's like I have had a brand new phone in almost all ways: 5MP camera with zoom/flash/front-side camera, 720i HD video recording, iOS4, 3G speeds, etc.
And here is where my new obsession was born. I love, and I mean LOVE, taking photos on my iPhone 4, then manipulating them with a slew of purchased apps from the App Store. I seem to rarely want to take photos with my actual compact camera (Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 with 9MP, HD recording, and 12x optical zoom). It's so much more convenient to just take photos on the phone, and then "play with them" until I like them.
See the apps after the break --->
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Here are the apps I have at this moment.
Some I had before I upgraded, but many I purchased after getting the iPhone 4.
(And for each one listed, there are TONS more in the app store to choose from)
Here are the apps I have at this moment.
Some I had before I upgraded, but many I purchased after getting the iPhone 4.
(And for each one listed, there are TONS more in the app store to choose from)
List & Rating (1-5):
NightCamera - Rated 3
This used to be my favorite app for taking photos before I got the new iPhone because it took advantage of correcting some of the original iPhone's camera limitations.
Hipstamatic is a FUN app, It lets you change the lens, flash, and film. The variations available in photos are pretty extensive. You do have to pay for the options, but once you have them all, it's playtime. The hardest part of using Hipstamatic for me is remembering which option I liked most so I end up using similar options more often on-the-fly.
- NightCamera - 3
- Hipstamtic - 4
- Toy Camera - 2
- Incredibooth - 4
- Qik Video Plus - Cannot Rate *haven't used it much, but not very intuitive IMO*
- See This! - 3
- StopMotion - Cannot Rate *haven't used it much*
- PS Express - 5
- Plastic Bullet - 5
- PictureShow - 5
- Best Camera - 4
- TiltShiftGen - 3
- LOLcatMaker - 4
- Diptic - 4
- iMovie - Cannot Rate *haven't used it much*
- ColorSplash - 3
- ScibbleLite - 2
- ToonPaint - 2
NightCamera - Rated 3
This used to be my favorite app for taking photos before I got the new iPhone because it took advantage of correcting some of the original iPhone's camera limitations.
- Some things I still like from this app:
- Timer
- Full touch screen photo activation
- Auto sensing so no photo will be taken until focused
- High resolution
- Allows photos to be taken in B/W or Sepia, etc.
- Things that make this app irrelevant now:
- iPhone can auto focus now
- Can alter the photos later so don't really need photo options
- Photos are high res now anyways
Hipstamatic is a FUN app, It lets you change the lens, flash, and film. The variations available in photos are pretty extensive. You do have to pay for the options, but once you have them all, it's playtime. The hardest part of using Hipstamatic for me is remembering which option I liked most so I end up using similar options more often on-the-fly.
Example: Using Lucifer IV lens, BlackKeys B/W film, & standard flash
Lil Es taking a spin on their skateboards
Incredibooth - Rated 4
This a nostalgic app. It creates "Photo Booth" style photos. You must have the iPhone 4 to use this app because it utilizes the front-side camera. It takes four photos and then creates the sleeve for you. The pics are always in B/W. The only downside to this app is the front-side camera has less resolution than the backside one and you can't utilize flash either. But, it's all for fun, so who cares, right?
This a nostalgic app. It creates "Photo Booth" style photos. You must have the iPhone 4 to use this app because it utilizes the front-side camera. It takes four photos and then creates the sleeve for you. The pics are always in B/W. The only downside to this app is the front-side camera has less resolution than the backside one and you can't utilize flash either. But, it's all for fun, so who cares, right?
Example:
Obviously a silly example used for example only. Lil E hamming it up for you. =)
Obviously a silly example used for example only. Lil E hamming it up for you. =)See This! - Rated 3
This is an interesting app that uses the iPhone's video camera to "survey" a large area, then creates stills to make an innovative photo. It's like creating a layered panoramic view. I like its potential. For example, say you're at the Grand Canyon and you want to take a photo capturing the vastness of it. This will let you move across the environment and create a large photo. It has options for how the photos are displayed from simple layering to artsier squares. I created an example right now from my kitchen table showing the family room across to the dining room. I am sure if I spend more time using the app, I'll figure out the best speeds and ways to capture the area more accurately.
I am a huge LOLcat consumer in the sense that I love cats and am guilty of LOLspeaking in my real life. You can create LOLcat pictures on the icanhazcheeseburger or LOLcat websites, but here's an app that will allow you to LOLcat ANYTHING. The pay option gives you multiple font options. Sometimes I have to use PS Express to rotate the pics afterwards, but this is just fun.
This is an interesting app that uses the iPhone's video camera to "survey" a large area, then creates stills to make an innovative photo. It's like creating a layered panoramic view. I like its potential. For example, say you're at the Grand Canyon and you want to take a photo capturing the vastness of it. This will let you move across the environment and create a large photo. It has options for how the photos are displayed from simple layering to artsier squares. I created an example right now from my kitchen table showing the family room across to the dining room. I am sure if I spend more time using the app, I'll figure out the best speeds and ways to capture the area more accurately.
Example:
Taken spanning from my family room, to kitchen table, to dining room
LOLcatMaker - Rated 4Taken spanning from my family room, to kitchen table, to dining roomPS Express - Rated 5
Why is this rated a 5? Well, it's an on-the-go mini-Photoshop from the people who make Photoshop. It's best for cropping, rotating, and basic editing features. It also includes photo manipulations such as softening, themes, and puts borders on pics if you want it. It is one of THE photo tools I use the most. I sometimes have to use this one first before I start using other photo manipulation apps. It's definitely a must have.
Plastic Bullet - Rated 5
Plastic Bullet is an app that takes a photo and gives you "canned" variations of it. However, there are SOOOOO many variations. You just keep refreshing until you find the one you like. It's my fastest "yes, I took an amazing photo...look" app.
Why is this rated a 5? Well, it's an on-the-go mini-Photoshop from the people who make Photoshop. It's best for cropping, rotating, and basic editing features. It also includes photo manipulations such as softening, themes, and puts borders on pics if you want it. It is one of THE photo tools I use the most. I sometimes have to use this one first before I start using other photo manipulation apps. It's definitely a must have.
Plastic Bullet - Rated 5
Plastic Bullet is an app that takes a photo and gives you "canned" variations of it. However, there are SOOOOO many variations. You just keep refreshing until you find the one you like. It's my fastest "yes, I took an amazing photo...look" app.
Example:
My sister and I in line for "It's a Small World" at Disneyland
My sister and I in line for "It's a Small World" at DisneylandPictureShow - Rated 5
Same people who make StopMotion (haven't used it yet, but you can create stop-action movies/pictorials with it) make PictureShow. This app has become one of my favorites in a very short time.
Why? Well, it gives options such as:
Same people who make StopMotion (haven't used it yet, but you can create stop-action movies/pictorials with it) make PictureShow. This app has become one of my favorites in a very short time.
Why? Well, it gives options such as:
- Frames - with or without date or name displayed
- 24 photo variations
- Additional changes to color, vignette, lighting, or noise
- You can add/alter text (change font, size, position, & color) to the photo so it's great to be able to display where you're at or identify the photo subjects
Examples:
A B/W photo manipulated using multi-exposure photo treatment,
with red coloring, and additional vignette w/o a frame or text
Another B/W photo manipulated with white finder framing & name displayed.
I unfortunately don't remember the photo option used on this one.
A B/W photo manipulated using multi-exposure photo treatment, with red coloring, and additional vignette w/o a frame or text
Another B/W photo manipulated with white finder framing & name displayed.I unfortunately don't remember the photo option used on this one.
Diptic - Rated 4
This app allows you to make collages out of your photos and perform minor edits on each portion of the collage. It has 19 collage configurations to choose from. I give it a 4 and not a 5 because the pictures do have to be a certain size to look best. It doesn't allow a lot of "size alterations" once in its proper section. I'm adding two examples in different configurations. I did make both B/W, but you don't have to. Also, on one I did run it through PictureShow after using Diptic to get a name added to the pic.
This app allows you to make collages out of your photos and perform minor edits on each portion of the collage. It has 19 collage configurations to choose from. I give it a 4 and not a 5 because the pictures do have to be a certain size to look best. It doesn't allow a lot of "size alterations" once in its proper section. I'm adding two examples in different configurations. I did make both B/W, but you don't have to. Also, on one I did run it through PictureShow after using Diptic to get a name added to the pic.
Examples:
This is our faux "Rock Band" album cover inspired by Dali whom we'd just seen his exhibit.
Used both Diptic and PictureShow (to add the name)
The kittehs don't want their picture taken it seems. =)
This is our faux "Rock Band" album cover inspired by Dali whom we'd just seen his exhibit.Used both Diptic and PictureShow (to add the name)
The kittehs don't want their picture taken it seems. =)Plastic Bullet + PictureShow
Here are some examples where I used Plastic Bullet first, then followed it up with PictureShow.
Here are some examples where I used Plastic Bullet first, then followed it up with PictureShow.
Examples:
Used Plastic Bullet to change the coloring slightly, then added a frame,
retro exposure, and lighting to the photo in PictureShow.
(She doesn't even look real anymore does she?)
Used Plastic Bullet to change the coloring, then added a frame,
special lighting, and vignette options to the photo in PictureShow.
(I think this Hello Kitty is so reminiscent of me in real life...serious)
Used Plastic Bullet to change the coloring slightly, then added a frame, retro exposure, and lighting to the photo in PictureShow.
(She doesn't even look real anymore does she?)
Used Plastic Bullet to change the coloring, then added a frame, special lighting, and vignette options to the photo in PictureShow.
(I think this Hello Kitty is so reminiscent of me in real life...serious)
I am a huge LOLcat consumer in the sense that I love cats and am guilty of LOLspeaking in my real life. You can create LOLcat pictures on the icanhazcheeseburger or LOLcat websites, but here's an app that will allow you to LOLcat ANYTHING. The pay option gives you multiple font options. Sometimes I have to use PS Express to rotate the pics afterwards, but this is just fun.
Example:
Based on Office Space's Milton character.
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Based on Office Space's Milton character. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So those are mah apps and my recommendations. I am sure I will keep finding new cool ones to add to my inventory.
I am thinking of trying to post more pics onto my blog (besides the flickr widget on the right side of the blog) that I like because this is a fun hobby for me. The hubs is looking into an GUI that will auto add pics I post to my flickr account as standalone blog entries. Maybe I'll use that. I really don't want to open a Tumblr profile if I don't have to.
What are your favorite photo apps? I'd love recommendations. I don't mind paying for awesome ones either.
I am thinking of trying to post more pics onto my blog (besides the flickr widget on the right side of the blog) that I like because this is a fun hobby for me. The hubs is looking into an GUI that will auto add pics I post to my flickr account as standalone blog entries. Maybe I'll use that. I really don't want to open a Tumblr profile if I don't have to.
What are your favorite photo apps? I'd love recommendations. I don't mind paying for awesome ones either.
Superb find and explanation, just what I was looking for since I'm doing a paper on mobile tech for school.
Just discovered this blog thru Google, what a way to brighten up my month!
Wow tons of legitimate information mind if I quote you but of course direct credit to you? Thanks
been debating about diptic for a while now. googled some more and found your blog. might as well go for it.
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