Imagine you're a girl who grew up in the 70's and 80's, often captured in a Polaroid or on early Kodak film with all it's graininess and sepia-toned splendor.
Now imagine that girl at 34, with an unnatural love for her iPhone and her favorite application, Hipstamatic. That'd be me, kids. I can't get enough! Check out a few of my images here, and then try to control your envy until you read the rest of this post. Okay?
Why do I love this app? I'll tell you why! With a simple swipe of my finger, I'm able to mimic all the crappy photos I remember from childhood. Yeah, you heard me. While I'm a big fan of a beautiful photo taken with the most cutting-edge digital camera, there's something quaint and cool about the Hipstamatic that takes me back - without the unfortunate hair or clothing choices.
The app is pretty cheap - $2 or so, with optional "lenses" and "flashes" and "whatnot" for about a buck each. What you get in return is a rich history lesson encapsulated by this clever little device. Don't expect stunning quality - that's not the point. Expect really cool finishes on your pictures that showcase the rough edges of life a little bit better.
If you don't have an iPhone or iTouch, well, sorry about your bad luck. Maybe you should go see your nearest Apple expert as soon as possible. Just a thought.
Pros:
- It's suhhhweeeeeeeeet.
- You'll have neato pictures to share incessantly with your friends on Facebook. They'll maybe make fun of you. Don't you listen to them, you hear me??!
- Easy to use platform makes even the most tech-averse person a photog pro in minutes.
- It's relatively cheap, considering a real old-school camera would cost a mint now that it's considered "vintage". The next time I hear that word, I'm likely to poke myself in the eye.
Cons:
- Because the iPhone doesn't have a real flash, you can't get very good shots in dark places - this app is best for settings that are outdoors or in good light.
- Because all your non-Apple friends will be jealous, the pressure might be more than you can take.
