Review: Hipstamatic Camera for the iPhone (updated)

You can now print your Hipstamatic photos in different sizes and get them mailed to you through the HipstamartBy Gadjo C. Sevilla

It is seldom that we find one iPhone app that gives us so much pleasure to use. As photograhy buffs, we've run the gamut of iPhone camera apps which enhance the device's convenient but often limited built-in camera. We've had our turn with Lomography type cameras as well as special effects apps that alter and enhance photos but many of those feel like cheap gimmicks. When we discovered Hipstamatic App, this all changed and now its been updated with a host of awesome features.

What's New In Version 160

New Features
+ Stacks (organize your prints in 9 image groups)
+ Batch upload Stacks of prints to Facebook, Flickr, or Email
+ Option to not tag images with lens/flash/film when uploading Facebook or Flickr
+ Option to choose the album to upload to in Facebook
+ Upload images to Facebook and Flickr in the background (iOS 4 only)

Optimizations
+ User Interface optimized for iPhone 4's Retina Display
+ Faster startup time and fast app switching (iOS 4 only)
+ Faster flipping from camera front to back (iOS 4 only)
+ Prints will continue to process in the background when you quit Hipstamatic (iOS 4 only)
+ Better scrolling performance in Recent Prints (iOS 4 only)
+ Hipstamatic is more battery-efficient

Bug Fixes
+ Black and White films now work properly (blue streak bug fixed)
+ Fixed an iOS 4 bug that prevented people from entering contests
+ The hardware flash on iPhone 4 now works properly with Hipstamatic (and is synced to when you turn the Hipstamatic flash on)
+ Shake to Randomize is now more random
+ Other miscellaneous user interface tweaks and bug fixes

Hipstamatic takes the fun of shooting analog cameras (namely having to choose from different lenses, film and flash effects) and puts them at the disposal of iPhone users. The variety of lenses, film and flash alters the whole look of your photos and leads to some very interesting results.

The app comes with a good selection of lenses, flashes and film-types which when they are mixed and matched render a variety of interesting photo effects, moods and textures. it also does a great job of giving users a feel for what analog photography was like and it extends the iPhone's picture-taking capabilities.

Hipstamatic User Interface Demo from Synthetic on Vimeo.

Shooting from the hip: Hipstamatic captures life in train station

Aside from the cleverly designed interface that makes use of the iPhones shape, its multi-touch gestures and the in-app purchase functionality (you can buy lenses and film for $1.00 each from within the app), Hipstamatic has created an enduring and fun application.

Useful for impromptu street photography, great for snapping virtual polaroids of friends and capable of capturing some really interesting and artsy photos, Hipstamatic is a keeper for iPhone toting photography buffs who miss the nuances, subtleties and inconveniences of analog photography.

Rating 4.5 out of 5