Instagram and Hipstamatic

Instagram on iPhone has kind of taken over my photography.  It is (as the title suggests) instant- you shoot, compose, filter and publish for hundreds to see, in a matter of seconds and I am totally addicted. (My username is Socobloke also).  Which brings me on to 'Hipstamatic'.

This App (iPhone only I think) is based on a toy camera that allowed you to change lenses to produce different effects.  The App loads to show you a very retro looking camera which allows you to swap the type of lens used, each one giving you a different and sometimes random effect on your images. You can also select various film types which mimic films from yesteryear.







 

This is a great App which allows me to recreate techniques that you would traditionally spend hours in a smelly darkroom trying to reproduce (There is a bit of me that misses those days though). The App 'Swankolab' reproduces these happy times, apart from the smells!in an amusing but creative way.

I find using the 'Hipstamatic'  App fun but at the same time frustrating as it takes an age (a few seconds!) to 'process' an image and during this time you are unable to see the results.  The fact that this annoys me is an indication of how impatient I have become in this digital age!

Hipstamatic, unlike some other apps, only allows you to use images captured in the App rather than load previously captured or imported images. This does frustrate me, however it does focus your eye and slows you down enough to take more care over your composition etc.

I have heard several photographers rubbish camera phones and the fact that they feel it creates a false feeling that anyone can take good pictures, this is contrary to what I have experienced.  The more I use my iPhone, and see the images of other photographers I realise that far from making it easier, it actually focuses your eye as you strive to produce nice images using the limited optics of camera phones and compacts.  If you check out some of the images on Instagram you can see this is the case, and it does allow those who appreciate good images to see them and interact with the photographer and learn from them.  One guy in particular who promotes and offers great advice to people discovering photography is Josh Johnson (user- joshjohnson)








 





 I find myself using my iPhone camera on a daily basis but obviously it is no match for a DSLR, however its fun, engaging, and instant.







 By Scott Johnston