We love our photo filter apps, especially the ones that deliver the look and quality of classic film stock. These filters will never replicate the rich tonality and texture of film, but given the cost and hassles of using it, the average person probably feels they’re not missing much.
Deepak Mantena believes we’re missing out. The creator of digital studio Stay Kids has developed an iOS photo app called Base that lets you pick from 14 different film styles before you start making pictures.
Photo: Stay Kids
Base debuted today in the iTunes store for 99 cents for iPhone and iPod touch.
Mantena, whose Portland-based company has created iOS apps for games, photography and even a tip calculator, loves photography and recently returned to using film cameras. He is amazed by the iPhone camera but misses the look of certain films.
More and more, app builders and software companies that specialize in photography are trying to bring the unique qualities of classic camera films to their products. Fujifilm has built its X-series cameras with settings for some of their historically popular films, like Velvia, remembered for an intense saturation of colors.
“I actually shot on and developed a ton of different film stocks and read photo books to make Base,” Mantena told Cult of Mac. “I really (missed) those tonal characteristics. It’s not yet another filter app. It’s where you start your camera workflow. ”
Each film also has an expired version. Photographers love the unique color shifts that takes place past a roll’s expiration date. The more you use Base, the greater the shifts you will see in the expired setting of each film.
Once you’ve made a picture, return to your normal workflow and pick your favorite editing app or social media platform for sharing..
