Photography

Google keeps promise, updates Snapseed with iOS 6 and iPhone 5 support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 20, 2017

When Google announced last month it was acquiring Nik Software, the brains behind Snapseed, a popular Photoshop alternative on the iOS platform, Senior Vice President of Engineering Vic Gundotra made a promise on Google+ that "we’re going to continue offering and improving Nik’s high-end tools and plug-ins". The search giant has kept its word as it pushed an update to Snapseed for the iPhone and iPad on the App Store, bringing long-awaited iOS 6 and iPhone 5 compatibility...

Apple responds to ‘purple haze’ iPhone 5 camera complaints

Cody Lee ∙ October 7, 2012

In addition to the back panel scratching and light leak complaints, early iPhone 5 purchasers have spotted another flaw in Apple's latest handset: a purple haze or halo is appearing in some photos taken with its rear camera.

Over the past few weeks, users have been reporting that when the iPhone 5's iSight camera is pointed at or near a bright light source, a purple flare appears in the photo. And this weekend, Apple responded to the issue...

Camera Awesome hits iPad, Camera+ gains iPhone 5 low-light boost mode

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Taptaptap's Camera+ and SmugMug's Camera Awesome are like the two most important photography and image editing apps in my arsenal. Both have been refreshed this morning, but don't let a minor version update fool you as each app enables major enhancements that add help add flair to iPhone photography.

Following in the footsteps of Taptaptap, SmugMug's Camera Awesome has been updated with native iPad support. At the same time, Taptaptap (which recently released CAmera+ for iPad and gave the iPhone version iCloud sync and other new features) has updated Camera+ for iPhone with the cool low-light boost mode Apple debuted on the iPhone 5...

Devs can use the iPhone 5’s low-light boost mode in their own apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 1, 2012

The iPhone 5's iSight camera on the back features the same eight-megapixel sensor as its predecessor, the iPhone 4S, only thinner and with sapphire lens cover. In addition, the module has been improved for better low-light performance, yielding major quality improvements when snapping up your photos under artificial light or in low-light situations. And now, developer can optionally tap the iPhone 5's low-light camera mode in their own apps, which bodes well for dozens upon dozens of photography apps in the App Store...

Camera+ for iPad is here: layers, brushes, straightening, Flickr and Facebook importing

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 22, 2018

The software isn't just blown up to the iPad's 9.7-inch canvas, it also comes with new features specific to the iPad version only. Combined with freshly updated Camera+ for iPhone, you can now seamlessly sync your Lightbox between your iPhones and iPads via iCloud. iPad-specific features include new advanced filters, the straightening feature (finally!), brush on effects, layered effects (mix “So Emo” with “Tailfins”) and the ability to import your images from Flickr and Facebook...

Camera+ updated with iCloud sync, Facebook single sign-on, taller iPhone 5 interface

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Taptaptap's Camera+ sold over nine million copies since its inception in June of 2010 and it's remained my favorite go-to photography app ever since. A major new version just hit the App Store this morning, bringing several new features.

Most notably, version 3.5 enables iCloud sync and Facebook sharing with single sign-on. The former lets you automatically sync your Lightbox between devices and the latter simplifies Facebook authorization.

And best of all, the team confirms that Camera+ for iPad is around the corner. Count us excited!

How to get live filters back in Instagram on the iPhone 5

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 8, 2016

Intstagram pulled a Skitch with yesterday's update in that the company has removed live filters from the iPhone 5. As Instagram fans could tell you, the live previewing feature is pretty popular because it lets you quickly apply Instagram's trademark photo filters right before hitting the shutter button, so you can see what the photo being taken would look like with the desired effect.

Though Instagram confirmed that live filters will be phased out from both the iOS and Android apps, developers left a stealthy workaround in place to re-enable live previewing on the iPhone 5...

Instagram updated for the iPhone 5 and iOS 6

Sébastien Page ∙ September 25, 2012

Instagram has finally been updated for iOS 6, and more importantly, the app has been updated to take advantage of the 4 inches of screen real estate the iPhone 5 has to offer.

Besides the few bug fixes that you might not even notice, the big changes come to the photo uploader and filters. iPhone 5 users will appreciate that the filters don't overlap on the photo anymore, leaving you plenty of space to see what your photo will actually look like...

The iPhone 5 camera’s low-light ability is pretty amazing

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 21, 2012

At first glance, it may appear that your photos look the same when taken with either the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 4S. It may even lead you to believe that there is no difference at all between the two cameras.

But try taking a photo in a low-light situation, and one thing becomes readily apparent; the iPhone 5 is far superior when it comes to snapping photos in low-light. Take a look inside, as we compare the iPhone 4S with the iPhone 5's low-light photo taking capabilities...

Turn your iPhone photos into real ones with the Impossible Instant Lab

Cody Lee ∙ September 10, 2012

Imagine being able to take a picture on your iPhone, and then quickly turn it into a Polaroid picture without having to connect the handset to a printer. Now stop imagining. Such a product exists. Well, sort of.

Introducing the new Impossible Instant Lab, a new Kickstarter project. It's essentially a printer that can grab pictures from an iPhone and then quickly turn them into real photos. You have to see it to believe it...

Facebook completes Instagram deal, reaffirms commitment to mobile app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 7, 2016

Social networking giant announced intentions to acquire Facebook for a staggering $1 billion back in April, pending customary regulatory approval. Following its careful and thorough review, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cleared the way for the transaction last month.

The deal was subsequently valued at around $747.1 million, $300 million in cash and 22,999,412 shares of Facebook common stock. As the deal is now closed, the Instagram team will relocate to the Facebook offices. Don't worry, they will continue to develop and enhance the Instagram app we've all grown to love...

CamTime adds a simple timer to the Camera app

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 25, 2013

I've always found it rather peculiar that there is no native timer built into iOS' stock Camera app, but leave it to the jailbreak community to come through with a solution.

CamTime is a simple jailbreak tweak that places a timer directly to the left of the shutter button. It's not the prettiest tweak in the world, but it can get the job done in a pinch.