Shoot HDR for free with HDR Foto

To coincide with this months "Through the Lens of an iPhone Photo Challenge", I decided to take a look at HDR Foto which is currently available in the App Store for FREE.

Just like all the other HDR camera replacement apps, HDR Foto is simple and easy to use. In addition to shooting HDR, the app also supports taking non HDR photos, and even has an option to load photos to use with the built in editor (more on the editor later).

If you use the HDR camera feature, then just as with other apps in the category, you simply place one of the squares on a light area and the other square on a dark area of the frame, and then tap the camera icon to take the photo. Having taken the photo, you are presented with the 2 shots (light and dark), with the options to save and continue shooting (this option is used if you want to create your HDR later), or continue and create the HDR photo. Selecting continue, creates your HDR photo and then presents you with the following various options via the editor before saving.

The apps photo editor gives you the options to adjust the photos brightness, contrast, saturation, detail (sharpness), temperature and tint. It also offers the option to rotate the photo left or right, which is useful for when the app gets the orientation wrong, which it does at times, or flip it, if you want to. In addition to these useful features, HDR Foto also has 11 pre-defined filter effects, and 11 frame effects, which lets you add that extra something to your image, and enhance the final photo, before saving or sharing via Twitter, Facebook or email.

Thoughts on HDR Foto

HDR Foto is quite a good app, that offers a wide range of tweaks and nice effects, and is quick to take and process the results, however it is let down by a poor resolution of 1518x2034 pixels.

If you don't already own a HDR camera replacement app, then for FREE, this one is OK'ish, but as a paid for app, I would recommend spending your money on one of the more established and better known HDR apps, like Pro HDR.

App Store Link: HDR Foto; Sale Price: FREE

Comments

[Fredrik Nilsson]

Unless my memory play tricks on me, you can adjust the final resolution and/or quality of the image. The app won't produce 5MPX images, but I believe the resolution given in the review is for the default setting.

[Glyn Evans]

@Fredrik, you are correct, and I've missed an option with in the app. The max resolution is 1518x2034, which is still not full-res, but is better than the resolution in my review. I will update the review to reflect this correction.

[Josh Hofer]

Even at the free price point, I'm not sure I want to support a developer that obviously rips nearly every UI element from Camera+ or ProCamera.

Seriously, that's embarrassing. Look at their other app, HDR Artist. Not only does their icon use a photo of Dominic Monaghan (from Lost), but the front of their app is nearly a perfect copy of Camera+.

It's one thing to seek inspiration from other apps, but this is a whole different ballpark.

[Mr Tmney]

Glyn,

Check out Photo Effect Studio (also currently FREE) it is the same app minus the HDR function & plus maybe 5x the filter effects (same ones in HDR Foto & even more), Plus light leaks & textures. All the other features & functions of HDR Foto are included in Photo Effect Studio.

They are created by the same company but sold or listed in the app store by separate developers. Even their Mac desktop apps are done that way too... Odd but true.

Either way I really love the filter effects & the borders. Some are truly awesome & not found in other apps.

http://itunes.apple.com/app/photo-effect-studio/id440159265


@ Josh Hofer nobody is ripping off Camera+ etc, it's basically the similar layout as many other apps. So what, who cares & get over it. Really, how many ways can one create a UI or layout for a photo editing app before they all resemble each other.

If that was the case, then hate Ford & Chevy for copying Chrysler etc etc.... A app is an app & a car is a car. You either buy & use it or you don't, nobody cares.

[Miege]

It sure looks freakishly similar to Camera+ in terms of UI...especially the font.

[Miege]

As a rule of thumb, always be wary with some apps made by the Chinese.
There is a high probability of ripoff; like HDR Foto's high probability of ripping off Camera+, HDR Artist's high probability of ripping off Dynamic Light, The Blocks Cometh ripping off well, the current and original The Blocks Cometh, Tiny Skater ripping off Tiny Hawk etc.

There's even Apple Store rip-offs in China just so you know... :-D

[Mr Tmney]

LOL *bites tongue.
No this app is not a rip off of Camera+ the filter effects are not the same at all & just an FYI... There were a million photography apps before Camera+ & many are still better than Camera+