iPhone App Review: TiltShift Generator (version 1.00)

By Matt Burrows

I’ll admit it.  I look forward to each new Takayuki Fukatsu photo app like I look forward to each new album from Sigur Ros.  That is to say, I really look forward to both.  I’m fans of both artists (and they are both artists).  However, as with any new release, there is both a sense of excitement and concern.  Would it be something worthwhile or something forgotten after a short while? 

And though I am a fan, I am also an honest critic (as evidenced in the criticisms I discussed in my review of his OldCamera app).  What then of his newest release?  Would TiltShift Generator [AppStore Link] live up to my expectations as another Takayuki app that is not only easy to use, but different enough from the already flooded iPhone photo app market to make it stand out?   

TiltShift Generator Description (from App Store):
“The 5^th release from the ToyCamera series.  This software will allow you to create retro-miniature pictures.  By adjusting various paramerters, you can apply many ToyCamera effects to your photos.”

TiltShift Generator Features/Options:

• Import photos from Camera Roll or take photos directly from the app.
• Adjust saturation, brightness, and contrast of images.
• Add and adjust vignetting.
• Control the location and size of "sweet spot" (the sharp, focused area of the photo).

Impressions:
The user interface of Takayuki’s apps have always been well designed.  TiltShift Generator is no different, as the first thing I realized about TSG was how simple it is to use.  Once opened, you have the option to either begin taking photos or import an existing photo from the Camera Roll.

However, it’s here that a significant bug became obvious.  Any photo that has been manipulated in CameraBag cannot be imported into TSG (it appears for a second and then disappears).  I’m not sure what the extent of this issue is, but for users of CameraBag (and possibly other photo apps) this is a serious problem.

This issue aside, once a photo is taken or imported, you’re presented with various editing options, each of which I would like to briefly touch on.

(above) TSG screenshot.

Blur:
For me, this option is the heart of what makes TSG so impressive.  Using my fingers, I can not only move the sweet spot wherever I would like, but I can also increase or decrease its size.  Altering the size can also be done via a slider bar that pops up when “blur” is selected.  Suffice to say, the controls are both intuitive and effective.

A common use of real tilt-shift lenses is to create a shallow depth of field, and TSG successfully uses the blur to recreate this.  With this shallow depth of field, many photographers are able to create photos where subjects resemble miniatures.  For example, the following photo was taken from the top of a parking ramp using TSG:

(above) The first two cars on the side of the road take on a more "miniature" look.

However, though it’s amusing to take a few photos where objects seem like toy versions of themselves, I actually found the easy manipulation of the focus/blur to be the true genius of the app.  It reminded me of my Lensbaby (a lens that can be purchased for traditional cameras that allows users to manipulate the “sweet spot” of the photo).

As with my Lensbaby, I could suddenly take a photo of anything and, by applying TSG, make it seem different—make it seem impressive.

(above) An old truck on the side of the road.

(above) Lunch with my wife.

Color:
Besides controlling the blur position and size, users can also manipulate the saturation, brightness, and contrast of photos.  As with blur (and most of his apps), Takayuki successfully employs a slider for each setting.  Think a photo would look better in black and white, simply slide the saturation slider to the left. 

As somebody who performs limited editing on my iPhone photos, it was nice to have control over these settings from the app and not have to import the photo to Photogene and then back into TSG.

Vignetting:
I found this to be a nice addition to the options.  Though I normally refrain from adding vignettes to photos, the option proved quite useful in creating dream-like (or nightmare-like if you’re my wife) photos when significant blur and heavy vignetting were applied.  The control over vignetting will also prove useful for those wishing to create a more of an old camera feel in their photos.

Pros:

• With out a doubt, the power of this app is the control it allows over both size and position of the sweet spot.  As a result, users can make average photos great and great photos amazing.     
• As with any Takayuki app, the controls are very straightforward and easy to use. 
• TSG is an app that encourages experimentation.  Be it snapping photos from the tops of parking ramps to reexamining everyday subjects to taking that photo you’re just unsure about and importing it into the app, TSG can work wonders.  Simply put, it’s an enjoyable app to use.

Cons:

• It’s frustrating that photos edited with CameraBag cannot be imported into TSG.  I’m not sure if the problem is limited solely to CameraBag or extends to other photo apps.  Also, this may be specific to the 3GS, as a friend of mine with a 3G does not experience this problem.
• For those of us who own an iPhone 3GS, it's sad to discover that the app only supports 600 x 800 resolution.  Full resolution output is desperately needed in this app.
• It’s more of a wish (as the above concerns should be addressed first), but it would be great if users could select from different “blur types.”  Adding a few blur options (e.g. toy lens or pinhole) would make this app a must buy for any iPhone photographer.

Overall:
If TiltShift Generator were a music album, I’d describe it as a “must have.”  However, there are caveats.  The CameraBag error and failure to take advantage of full resolution ouput are things that need to be addressed quickly.  That said, I’m sure (based on his impressive track record) that Takayuki is already at work fixing these problems. 

And though these concerns are valid, TiltShift Generator is a great app—one of my favorites.  In fact, I’m often asked what my favorite iPhone photo apps are.  I’ll usually respond with my top four.  That list will now be expanded to five, as TiltShift Generator needs to be included.  

At its introductory price of £0.59/$0.99, TiltShift Generator is a steal.  And, in another week when the price increases to £1.79 ($2.99), it will still be well worth the money.

• Currently: 4 out of 5.

• When CameraBag and resolution errors are addressed: 5 out of 5.

-Matt Burrows

Editors Comments:  I have played with TiltShift Generator, but have not been able to replicate Matt's CameraBag issue, so this may be a limited problem, however like Matt I am disappointed with the output size of just 800 x 600. If/when Takayuki addresses the output issue, then TSG will give TiltShift a run for its money.

Also worth mentioning are the free online and Adobe AIR version of TiltShift Generator.

Comments

[Takayuki Fukatsu]

Dear Matt Burrows

Thanks for your review.
Could you tell me the detail of the Camera bag issue please? like save setting, image resolution etc.

Its never happens my environment, do you know someone who is in same situation?
Resolution is ongoing, please wait a while.

Thanks.

[TrevorML]

great review for a great app...

I have the same problem with a couple of images not importing into TSG but I was sure they were native iphone pics... I am at the moment investigating which pics they were

cheers T

[jangel]

thanks for review ... very good and informative ... I already bought it ...
good to hear about the resolution, thanks takayuki

[Will]

I'm having the same issues - great app, but generally full size photos don't work in TSG. For example, a photo processed with the b&w filter in camerabag doesn't work, as it is not cropped, However, the cropped helga version does work. It also doesn't work with normal unedited shots straight from the camera.

[TrevorML]

what Will is finding is pretty much what I can see from my pics as well

[Paul Miller]

If you need to output at full size, Photo fx 2.0's Depth of Field filter can do these limited depth of field effects too. It's just one of the dozens of filters in there, so it's easy to miss.

[rduatc]

I have not used TSG, but based on this review, even with a resolution improvement, I do not see this app "giving TiltShift a run for it's money". There are other apps that do run full resolution that I would like to see a comparison of. Those would be Vihgo, TiltShift, and FocalLab. I think TSG is playing catch up, and releasing an app that does not work at full resolution puts this app at the back of the pack, IMHO.

[ale di gangi]

beautiful review, really to the point.
I too don't seem to have this trouble with CameraBag-edited photos though :)

and the output size is definitely a thing to fix - then this app will be the perfect app!

[TrevorML]

what TSG has over TiltShift is an incredibly elegant and clean interface, and ease of use...

the only thing other that I would really like to see, than the resolution issue being fixed, is an oval selection option... the circle one just isn't right for a lot of shots...

[Salty]

Great review. The one question I have is about the auto load. Is this for applying the last effect or to load the next picture in your album?