Hipstamatic, my likes, dislikes and why I don't use it!
Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 11:03AM | Glyn Evans Following the hype surrounding the release of the latest version of Hipstamatic, Hipstamatic 170, and all the mixed feedback from you the readers of the iPhoneography blog, I have decided to post my likes, dislikes and why I don't use Hipstamatic.
First what do I like about Hipstamatic?
- I like the way it brings that analogue experience to digital photography, and by this I mean, you decide how the final photograph will look by choosing the right film and lens combination, just like shooting with a real camera.
- In the latest release, Hipstamatic 170, I like the fact you can get your photos printed and shipped to you, and at what I think is a reasonable price.
- I love the black and white film effects, and the square format, but anyone who has been following this blog long enough, will already know this.
So that's what I like about Hipstamatic, but what don't I like about it?
- It can make everyones photos look the same, all yellowy green, unless your using the black and white films that is, in which case they will still look the same, as there are only 2 black and white films to choose from.
- It can be slow to use, having to switch between the front and back of the camera to change films and lens. Whilst this adds to the analogue experience, it can be frustrating to use and cause delays between shots.
- It's slow to process the prints, especially if the print setting is set to high, and again this slows down the shooting process, as you have to wait, what can seem to be like a lifetime, before you can see the photo you've just taken.
- I, like many of you, don't like the fact that you can't load photos from the camera roll and use Hipstamatics film effects and square formats. I know the developers released SwankoLab to address this, but the two apps, their formats and effects are totally different.
So why don't I use Hipstamatic?
Well my biggest complaint, and the reason I don't use Hipstamatic, is the fact that there is no option to save the original none Hipstamatic image, which means there is no raw image to use later with any of my other photo apps; so if I've taken a photo and later want to process it through another app, I can't, as all I have is the Hipstamatic version, good or bad.
So that's my likes, dislikes and the reason why I don't use Hipstamatic, which many of you will agree with, whilst many of you won't, but Hipstamatic is a bit like Marmite, you either love it or hate it.
Hipstamatic in Discussion
Reader Comments (36)
I use Chrome so this auto translates for me (just have google translate do it if you use firefox) but you could always give this a go and see what you think:
http://fotogriphone.altervista.org/2010/06/16/minitutorial-hipstamatizzare-una-foto/
I dig hipstamatic mostly for the black and white but I feel your pain on no camera roll import or save original photo.
I totally agree with you. Hipsta was the first app I used, but soon I got bored and don't use it anymore. All photos are quite the same and it's kind of hard to create someting really personnal.
I've always loved hipstamatic effects and gotten giddy in anticipation for updates. I've never had any real complaints about it until now. On my 3G I rarely can take more than 2 photos in high res before the damn thing crashes - and even as low res, after a few photos it slows to a crawl. It feels that the updates are now geared to the 4g rather than older models, and that bugs me because I can no longer rely on getting -that- shot for fear of a likely crash.
Hipstamatic is great and fun to use but indeed same complaint for me: no raw image which means sorry but no thanks Hipstamatic...
I totally agree with you ...
I love Hipstamatic but I've become quite selective about when I use it. I'm always looking for different or unusual subjects - things that I hope are not too common amongst the Hipstamatic world.
I know it's slow to process, but I quite like the challenge that brings - you basically get one shot at anything that is moving. It's quite rewarding if that one shot turns out great.
On my 3GS it is a bettery hog. If I am out and about and expect to use it a lot I always take my charger with me.
Hipstamatic, my likes, dislikes and why I USE it!
well Glyn, what should I add ?
YOU SAID EVERYTHING and I AGREE WHIT EVERYTHING YOU SAID !
but…… for the same reasons, the same "likes & dislikes" my conclusion goes to "WHAT A GREAT APP !"
regards Jean-Joseph
PS about RAW files (I feel the same frustration) the solution is to double shoot whenever it is possible (static subject… ) :(
No raw image saved, can't load from camera roll, and slo.......w.
Three reasons for me to avoid hipstamatic.
Agree with Glyn.
Agree with all the basic points, but I still find worth in it. I addressed these issues in my review on the iTunes App store, and giving it a 3*
Totally agree with all your points, Glyn. I bought Hipstamatic a long time ago but it soon got deleted when I discovered I was unable to import photos in, instead having to use the app to take the photos. I also find that photos look very samey and when looking through various Flickr photo groups it's so easy to spot the Hipstamatic photos by the thumbnails alone.
I broadly agree with this and never use Hipstamatic for exactly the same reasons.
In fact, I don't use any camera app other than the iPhone's built-in Camera, preferring to shoot rapidly and for optimum quality originals, saving the application of filters and other processes for post editing.
Hipstamatic makes no provision for post editing and is therefore useless.
I'm with you. I like Hipstamatic quite a lot. But I have the feeling that it's been limiting me and making my pics with more a Hipstamatic identity than my owm. Also the slow factor is a bummer.
I love the square format. So my choise has been lately to use "1x1 camera" to make "raws", as you said, and treat it with "pictureshow" afterwards.
Cheers!
On the fence:
I totally agree with the Hipsta's problems: neither being able to have an original shot nor able to import a shot; slow recovery for the next shot.
I'll add another: "multitasking" doesn't really work per se. If you take a shot, then switch apps in the middle of processing, you risk losing your shot. I wish I could switch out quickly to another camera app.
I originally come from the side that disliked Hipstamatic from the beginning, but like any decent photographer, I needed to be aware of its abilities, (like any other app). So instead of deleting it or not using it, I need to know when to use it for a certain moment or scene.
I'd encourage people to not give up on it, but experiment and add more to your photo app arsenal.
Cheers all
Len
Let's just say I agree but I also use vintB&W which doesn't save or import raw files. I think the easiest solution is for them to make swankolab formulas for hipstamatic lenses and films. In my opinion swankolab is the better app but they in way kicked it to the curb. The print store should have been a swankolab option not hipstamatic but that's there cash cow I guess. This really upsets me because imagine being able to import any photo into swank then send for prints they would get more $$$ because the photos can be stored on your camera roll instead of the hipstamatic roll which I delete prints off there on a regular basis.
I like the JohnS lens and squar films (blanko BlacKeys SG) I HATE that you can't import from Camera Roll. I get the idea though. I really like Swankolab. It would be so cool if they spent more credit to that app. Why not be able to apply the supergrain film to a landscape photo ? I don't get it... If they let us apply formula's to get these that would be so great! They would sell less Hipstamatic hough, but more SwankoLab.
I still use Hipstamatic, though I use it more for family-shots.
couldnt agree more. it's a rarely used app in my bag these days.
I'm still having fun with Hipstamatic partly because of all those restrictions. I personally stick with the out-of-the-box setting though.
I know it's a one-shot deal and I know it takes about a week to develop and I know the developers seem to be asleep... but maybe it's that square CD box shape. It's a compelling challenge to get something shareable from it.
Like a racing driver at a GoKart track you just have to take it for a spin! :-)
I like hipsta but understand it's limits. I know I have lost some great shots because of it but I've also got some good ones. I just approach it like I do when I shoot with film. The new lens is okay but I'm not a fan of the new film and I wish I had control of what border I could use. I'm curious to see what they will do with the swanko update.
hipstamatic philosophy | pass it or do it... take a smile on it
Glyn, pretty much a perfect summary of why I rarely use it either. I understand its philosophy and purpose, but the 'all-or-nothing' nature of said philosophy isn't really the way I prefer to use my iPhone camera. It ends up being too much of a mental burden having to select film & lens types at the point of capture. If they would add the ability to process images from the camera roll, my Hipstamatic useage would increase dramatically. But I'll be very surprised if they ever do, since it's not really what the developers want the Hipsta "experience" to be.