Revitalize Your iPhone Photography Experience with These Vintage Camera Apps
Ain't no denying it, those iPhone camera pics are as dull as a wet dishrag, even when y'all tweak the composition, lighting, and settings to the max. They ain't no dull in a bad way, mind you, but Apple's post-processing algorithms have got em all looking the same, blooming colors here, boosting sharpness there, making even the most scenic shot feel mundane as hell. They ain't bad, mind you, holding their own against top-tier Android competition, yet still, they bore the eyes.
But fear not, my fellow shutterbug, help is on the way. I've been testing out this little app called Mood, and lemme tell ya, it's had me snapping pics left and right – even on my grueling commutes and strolls through the concrete jungle that is NYC. The developer, Alex Fox, hit me up a couple weeks back after spotting my review of the Fujifilm X100VI. Now, this app ain't rocket science. It does much the same as Fuji's modern shooters, allowing for photo simulations like 35mm film stock analogs, but instead of cooking up overused distortion and empty light artifacts, it gives your photos a genuine scrapbook aesthetic straight outta an old-school film camera.
I tell ya, springtime pics have never looked so lively, bursting with color, especially with the "Vista" filter that emphasized the trees below, or the "Apollo" one that pumped up the yellow in the budding leaves of those Magnolia flowers. Plus, you can compare the unaltered shot to Apple's usual post-processing, and sometimes the raw version even comes out on top.
Fox told me via email that, initially, he aimed for real film emulation, but found it too restrictive. Instead, many of the filters are inspired by today's popular ones, with a few fictional stocks like Vista enhancing in-frame greenery. You can adjust the grain, tone, and contrast with a couple simple sliders, making it a breeze even for us technophobes to get those authentic old-school vibes.
limitations? Sure, the app only captures up to 12 MP max resolution, but that ain't as bad as it seems, since most shots on newer iPhones are at 12 MP anyhow. You have to manually switch the iPhone camera to RAW Max settings to get higher resolution pics. Fox says he's looking into integrating 48 MP capture and even a portrait mode in the future. When you download the app, you get a 7-day free trial before having to cough up $15 for a lifetime pass or $2 a month. Not exactly pricey compared to other photo apps, but it's still a consideration if you're not planning on using it much save for the occasional funky shot.
Personally, I'm not a fan of apps that force me to do all the post-processing work myself after taking the pic, like VSCO or RetroCam. Still, Mood, or another faux-film app, is a better bet for immediate results. That said, sometimes fooling around with different filters on the same subject can be more fun than busting out the DSLR or fine-tuning a pro-level digital shooter. But then again, I've caught the vintage camera bug, and I've been diving into more apps offering a genuine film experience.
There are plenty of apps that attempt to recreate that old-school vibe. Take Huji, an early faux-disposable camera app available on iOS. It's so simple you don't even have options beyond the flash toggle, looking at the pinhole viewfinder, and snapping the shot. The app throws on a thick layer of grain and film distortion, as well as a fake timestamp at the bottom. While nostalgia might make you think all pics looked like that back in the day, it's still a little much, especially when shooting outdoors.
Alternatives to Mood
There are a bunch of copycats looking to imitate old disposables, but my personal favorite is Kamon. The app offers a range of different "rolls" that give your photos an Insta-worthy, old-school aesthetic. You can set it so that every photo has a frame as if it was printed on photo paper. I find it a little much for more than novelty pics, but the other options like 1998 Cam are too over-the-top, while FIMO gives a good balance, with cute faux-leather app UI, relatively clean output, and fun timestamps. You'll need to cough up for a subscription to access all the different film types, though.
The point is, several apps can transform your iPhone photography game. Mood may be one of the better ones I've tried so far, but I'd recommend giving several a spin and choosing the one that suits your style best. I'm not a professional shutterbug by any means, but if the idea is to have fun, skip the default iPhone camera app and get creative. And who knows, you might just end up enjoying the uncertainty of an old-school film camera. And hey, if you're feeling really adventurous, bust out the disposable Kodaks and catch that vintage vibe in the real world!
- In the future, one might consider integrating the Mood app into their photography workflow to achieve an old-school, film-liked aesthetic in their iPhone photos.
- Especially for users tired of the idiosyncrasies in Apple's post-processing algorithms, alternative photography apps like Mood, Huji, Kamon, 1998 Cam, and FIMO can provide more creative photo possibilities.
- While apps such as Mood and Huji are great starting points for those seeking a vintage photography experience on their iPhone, users who prefer a more authentic film camera experience may find alternatives like disposable Kodaks more satisfying.
- In the future, users might expect to see Mood offering higher resolution capture and even a portrait mode, making the app an even more compelling option for stylized iPhone photography.
