31 August 2015
Lens:
New York City Restaurant Lounge; Copyright © 2015 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved
Let me know what you think about my photograph. Click to enlarge.
Pens:
One of my favorite apps is Hipstamatic: the app that promises surprises with each image. Many in the challenge’s photo community have discovered its charm and boundless possibilities. Allan at Ohm Sweet Ohm (click here) experiments with this app and the results intrigue.
I particularly enjoy that images are dependent upon interchangeable lenses, flashes, and films. The number of combinations are seemingly endless. But it means that selection requires thought or it can be serendipitous. Lisa at Northwest Frame of Mind (click here) regularly has fun with the “shake” feature in Hipstamatic.
With its square format it recalls vintage-era sensibility where color was romantic and saturated. Maybe that’s why I instantly knew that a recent scene in New York City needed a Hipstamatic moment.
In the Lens section is that shot taken in a sweetly-decorated women’s lounge. It’s Victorian color range suited Hipstamatic’s retro style. Additionally, multi layers of the still life drew me into the image, especially my reflection that is almost too small to notice.
Truly, this app’s unknown quality likens it to the original Polaroid, which has been in my photographic tool kit for decades (SX-70). Maybe that’s why it’s popularity keeps growing. It has character that dares the photographer to not only experiment, but make singular and multiple choices that can be classic, sacred, or sassy. Possibilities abound.
Tip of the Week: Beside its lenses, films and flashes, Hipstamatic has more to offer. Here’s a description from its webpage: “Through a variety of offerings, including Hipstamatic, Oggl, IncrediBooth, and Snap Magazine, Hipstamatic encourages its community to tap into their inner artist and use photography as a gateway back to creativity.” Social media is a part of its packaging. and gives the photographer options to participate or not. Choices are the usual: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, and Tumblr. Visit the Apple store (click here) to read more about this app that never disappoints. The cost is $1.99 with each Hipsta package $.99. Click here to read more about Hipstamatic, whose analog character seems perfectly suited in our evergreen digital age.
View other entries for this week’s challenge:
https://angleandviews.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/seals-at-la-jolla-beach/
https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-editing-fun/
http://luciledegodoy.com/2015/08/31/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-editing-and-processing-2/
http://ohmsweetohm.me/2015/08/31/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-editing-and-processing-2/
https://pawcificpurrsea.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/magic-monday-mobile-photography-editing_processing/
https://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/snapshots-from-an-afternoon-by-the-sea/comment-page-1/
Note:
As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. My photographs for the mobile photography challenge are taken with an iPhone 6.
If you’d like to join this Mobile Photography Challenge, please click here for details and history of the challenge. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming challenges:
1st Monday: Nature.
2nd Monday: Macro.
3rd Monday: Black and White.
4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Panorama, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
Lens and Pens by Sally 
My latest camera gives me the option to choose a square format, and I’ve experimented a little with that primarily as a way to have a smaller RAW file size if I’m sure I won’t want to keep anything at the extremes of the normally rectangular frame. Mostly, though, even at the cost of larger file sizes, I keep the full frame so I have the option later on to crop however I want. It’s also sometimes the case that I discover details after the fact that I didn’t notice at the time I took a picture, and that might have gotten discarded if I’d chosen a square format.
Steve, that’s an interesting observation that makes good sense. Often we are unaware of subtleties and seemingly hidden pieces of a scene or subject. We are surprised when it becomes apparent. Certainly, the framing can be a factor. I appreciate your comment. Thanks.
Beautiful vintage effect, Sally. The app gives it such an atmospheric feel.
Nadine, thanks so much.
Its beautiful Sally, makes me feel strangely nostalgic! Your reflection is a bonus! 🙂 I have downloaded the app but have never used it.
Madhu, do play with Hipstamatic. You will find the combinations that fit your style or keep experimenting. Thanks for your comment and visit.
This is great… a mixture of elements that all seem to work together… didn’t notice you, the photographer until I looked at it enlarged… nice touch.
I appreciate your thoughtful comment and your visit. Thanks.
I love hipstamatic! Lots of fun to play with. 🙂
Indeed, lovely to hear from you.
I really like this image, Sally! Are we doing editing or nature for this week? I tried editing on Mextures, I didn’t like the result. 🙂
You can choose any genre in challenger’s choice for editing and processing week. Mexture is one I use, but as with all these apps and filters you must find the right one. I’m a purist, but using these apps reminds me of my darkroom days, the tinkering.
Thank you, Sally! I have quite a few apps, but I haven’t found one I like or works well… I like what you have done with apps. 🙂
Amy, it definitely takes experimentation. See you soon. Thanks.
I like the mirroring effect with you embedded in the shot–kind of a 360 feeling, watching you and seeing what you’re seeing at the same time. Okay, I’m getting dizzy now. 😉
Lori, I adore your response. Thanks so much.
Hi Sally. That it is a lovely shot with a vintage feel. It looks like an old photo found in an album! Lovely. I am still searching for the perfect photo app for the Samsung.
Patti, I was truly drawn to the scene. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
I love this shot; it is both fantasy and memory — record and impression. Wonderful!
Su, thanks so much.
I double-clicked it, I was mesmerised by the pastel tonalities and the romantic ambiance! Superb compositional elements,nice vintage feeling!One of your best dear Sally 🙂 xxx
Doda, I’m humbled by your thoughtful comment. Thanks so much.
I too love all these special apps….sure makes life fun.
Lovely to hear from you.
I love photos that have feelings!! Beautiful sally!
I appreciate your response, especially that you commented my photograph evokes feelings. Thank you so much.
you are so welcome! 🙂
It’s a fun nostalgic photo. Unfortunately Hipstamatic doesn’t exist for android phones – which is what I use.
Otto, I just learned that it was only available for the iPhone. Maybe someday…
Full of nostalgia.
Maria, I agree.
Sally, thanks so much for the mention today, it’s wonderful to hear you enjoy my Hipstamatic surprises each week. 🙂 Your nostalgic image is beautiful and I had fun finding your reflection tucked inside. I’ll be back soon with my entry for the week.
Lisa, my pleasure–as you know, I’m a fan of Hipstamatic, but did not know about the shake feature until I saw your images.
I haven’t seen much about the Hipstamatic lately, and I’m glad you showcased it this week. I like the vintage feel of your shot Sally, and especially enjoyed a peek of the photographer!
Elisa, lovely to hear from you. I appreciate your comment.
We love these multiple effect generators. In this photo it seems there could be more than one photo overlayed together, but it’s just the way the effects have emphazised certain areas, and while exploring these points of interest, your reflection is a fun surprise to find while figuring out this vintage scene. Ours (posting soon) aren’t quite so deep….mol.
Lovely to hear from you. Thanks so much.
Soft and floating images a photograph became a painting. Love it I appreciate the challenge to let my photos to be “out of focus” and move into the world of creativity Hiptamatic offers.
Happy Monday Challenge.
C
Carol, delighted that you enjoyed it. See you soon. Have fun with it. Thanks.
Definitely a nostalgic feel. I might have to check out this app. I have yet to pay for one — this might be the first! HA! 🙂
Linda, it’s worth the it. You can begin by using what comes with the initial cost of the app.
Love the nostalgic feel to this, just like a memory as someone has already commented!
Sue, thanks so much.
By the way what Hipstamatic do you use?
I vary what I use, discovering ones that suit this or that. I’m going to start keeping a record.
OK, so it’s a bit Heinz 57 Varieties?
It takes experimentation to find the ones that appeal to you. I realized that keeping a list of those that I want to use is beneficial. Also seeing what others use helps too.
Sally, your description of the possible effects one can get from this app are clearly seen in your photo. It is a sweet photo; admiring it feels like time travel. Very beautiful!
Lucile, thanks so much for thoughtful comment.
Lucile, I appreciate your comment. Thanks.
Sally, I love the retro feel of this, as mentioned above like a memory. Stellar.
janet
Janet, thanks for the smile across my morning.
Sally, this week’s entry is absolutely beautiful. The color palette is very pleasing and adds a subtle solemnity to the overall effect.
Thank you for your comment and link to my photo. It is a wonderful feeling to be a good example and I hope that in some way others can learn something new from what I am doing.
On a side note: I also love the old Polaroid SX-70 camera. You might take a look at the Polamatic app in iTunes. It is the official app of Polaroid and offers many interesting options.
Ω
Allan, my pleasure. Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Actually, I do have Polamatic.
I like how it feels like a memory.
That’s lovely–thanks so much.