Hipstamatic For The iPhone: One Fun App
This is not a full-blown review, but if you've got a few bucks to spare (even just two) and like taking pictures with your iPhone as I do, then take a long look at Hipstamatic.
This slick little app recreates the plastic "toy" cameras of yesteryear, and does so in a fun and engaging way. It comes with three types of "film" (that only affect the picture's border), two flashes, and three lenses. You can mix and match these elements for varied looks. You simply swipe the elements to pick and choose. Tapping an element provides a brief description of it.
In addition to the included elements, there are "Hipstapacks" for purchase (99 cents each) that include additional lenses, film, and flash.
Pictures are stored in a Recent Prints section of the app, and from there can be uploaded to Facebook, Flickr or email. This app is for taking pictures only. Once taken, they're not editable within the app (e.g., you can't try a different lens on an existing print), nor can you import an existing picture to modify it. However, all pictures taken are also stored in the usual iPhone camera roll, so you can post-process and upload them via any other app you like.
In just the short time I've used it I can recommend this app. I love its simplicity, yet the mix and match style allows for many effects. If you always want to take a picture "cleanly", and then try out different styles, this is not the app for you. For me, however, I tend to know whether I want a photo in this style and it's not a problem for me.
Below are sample pics. The last four were taken of roughly the same scene so you can get a feel for the different lens effects. Keep in mind the pictures are somewhat compressed for purpose of this blog entry, and can be a higher quality if desired. Note that I'm using an iPhone 3GS, but "tap to focus" feature does not apply when this app is in use.
John S lens, Kodak film:
