App Update: SwankoLab

Finally after 6 months SwankoLab gets a much needed update, which also includes support for the iPhone 4.

So what's new?

• New Chemical ‘Rasputin’ (for Stu’s Catalog subscribers)
• Support for Retina Display on iPhone 4 and iPod touch (4th generation)
• Background processing for developing prints (iOS 4 only)
• Prints can now be shared directly to Facebook from within the app
• EXIF metadata is now saved to prints recording the chemicals used (iOS 4.1 only)

Bug Fixes

• Fixes the Black & White (+ Blue) effect bug
• Other iOS 4 bug fixes

App Store Link: SwankoLab; Price: £1.19/$1.99/€1.59

Editors comments: I have to say stopped using SwankoLab a long time ago due to the apps slow processing times, but this update combined with the iPhone 4's performance improvements, make this app much more enjoyable to use.

Update on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 6:02PM by Glyn Evans

Looking for a SwankoLab formulas? Then check out the SwankoLab tips, tricks and formulas over in the forum.

Comments

[Charles]

"...make this app much more enjoyable to use."
Perhaps.

The days (literally) of a gee whiz factor for photo manipulation apps have gone bye. Swanko I think sat on their chemicals too long. It really is hard to find the time (and interest) to give each app a thorough trial. They have to jump up head and shoulders above what's available and I don't see that in your (or anyone's) review.

[loungy]

The new Chemical is great! Here we have an example of how an effect/filter can have a 'personality' unlike plenty of other photo apps that ditch an ugly, quickly-put together filter on your photo and makes it looks like crap afterwards.

Don't like the new icon so much though. And because my phone is jailbroken I haven't updated to iOS 4.1 so there's no Meta-tag saving for jailbreakers (that's where I start wondering if the 4.1 update is actually necessary for this feature!)

[Darrel]

Does it support full res output for iPhone 4 users?

[Nigel Reyes]

The interface in this app is just great. And the results can turn the most mundane photo into a work of art. I have a number of other apps I use to achieve a desired "look" on a particular subject, but when it comes down to pure fun and interaction and experimenting with the unknown, there simply isn't anything else like Swankolab. I really hope people understand the concept and that the app gains in popularity so that that the app continues to be developed (no pun intended!) even more regularly. In many ways, it is more groundbreaking than all the other apps which promise precise sliders and presets, but end up delivering "seen it before" results. Swankolab, in this respect, is simply the superior product!

[Benjamin]

Yeah I don't really like this app to be honest.

[MBD]

When I first used SwankoLab I was completely underwhelmed by it; I really just didn't "get it" and after many rubbish mixed of chemicals I got bored and stopped using it.

HOWEVER, last week I started looking around online for other people's chemical mixes and have found some amazing things. It's also started to give me an idea on what each of the chemicals does to a photo and in what order they should generally be used (using the same chemicals in different orders produces different outcomes!)

While SwankoLab isn't something I use as regularly as other apps I still really enjoy 'playing* with it to see what's achievable and the new Rasputin chemical's a nice extra.

[Dustin Tash]

Swankolab can do some amazing things, it still does what I think is probably the best b/w of any app outside of Vint B/w. And I am a big fan of the fresh baked donuts formula and Grumpelstiltskin.

[MBD]

Dustin, if you like that type of effect I recommend:

'Brown Bear' - Vinny's BL94 > Vinny's BL94 > Noir Fixer > Grizzle Fix

'Gotham' - Vinny's BL94 > Vinny's BL94 > Flamoz Fixer > Zero

[Nrg]

Maybe we can post "presets" formulas or links to online resources? If that's okay with the 'blogmaster'?!

[Glyn Evans]

@Ngr, I have updated the post with a link to the SwankoLab tips, tricks and formulas that are over in the forum.

[Len]

@Darrel

Yes, saves in full resolution.