Blux Camera

An entirely new way to create, capture and share stunning photographs.

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City life of Izumi Horaguchi

As a citizen of Sendai-city, Izumi Horaguchi took a lot of photos of the city and Tohoku (Northern Japan). This 40 year-old lady just became inspired to try her hand at iPhone photography one year ago since she started to use her iPhone 4S. She prefers to snap street, capture landscape and always use Night mode of Blux camera in the day time, because she thinks Night mode makes photos moody and fantastic. 

Onahama port, Iwaki city, Fukusima prefecture.This city was damaged from Tsunami once, but now, this port is quite calm and the sea is gentle. People are living in peace every day. (Night mode and Normal filter)

  Ogawara town from Mt. Funaoka. (Night mode and Normal filter)

  Sendai city in spring. (Night mode and Gotham filter)

  Kirigasaki, this beautiful little fishing port had damage from Tsunami. From this photo, Izumi Horaguchi said she wants to show the hope, the restoration of the beautiful Tohoku region. (Night mode and Normal filter)

  From her photos, like a diary to show the city life, I could even feel the bustling and peaceful life in the city. “ I want to catch the best moment, both human and Landscape” Izumi Horaguchi said.  

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★★★Celebrating Blux Camera Pro and Blux Lens is featured by Apple in many countries!★★★

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Your Own Macro Studio

Do you want to shoot great macro photos, but the results always look boring? Well, keep on reading. Do not expect that I will show you how to build a real studio, but read on.

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Hey guys, Blux Camera for iPad gets FREE NOW, DOWNLOAD IT NOW BEFORE THE PRICE GOES UP!!!

Hey guys, we make Blux Camera for iPad free now!! DOWNLOAD IT NOW BEFORE THE PRICE GOES UP!! 

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The latest version 1.0.4 of Blux Camera both for iPhone and iPad are available on App Store! Update now!

What's new in Blux Camera Pro V1.0.4?

1. View up to 24 photos per page in the in-app Photo Album

The Photo Album now allows you to delete selected, export selected, delete all, and export all.

If your device crashes or your battery runs out of energy while exporting, you will automatically be asked whether or not you would like to continue exporting your photos.

2. Streamlines and redesigns the interface for more comfortable use

3. Share photos directly to Instagram

4. Optimizes Blux Camera’s overall performance

Download Link (iPhone): http://itunes.apple.com/app/id544582845 

Download Link (iPad): http://itunes.apple.com/app/id573827039

Note: iPad version doesn't support to share photos to Instagram!

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Blux Basics: What Are Scene Modes???

Do you leave your camera on Auto out of fear that changing the settings might prove ruinous? Playing it safe with Auto Mode may actually prevent you from producing the truly spectacular images you are trying for. Some basic knowledge about scene modes and P.E.A.R. technology can help you use your lighting, environment, and subject to your advantage to help you capture the natural beauty of the moment. 

What is a Scene Mode?

Simply put, scene modes change the settings on your camera, such as sharpness, contrast, temperature, colour levels, etc. to make the pictures more beautiful. However, which scene mode you use normally depends on what you’re photographing. Logically, you'd probably want a different setting for photographing the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges of autumnal leaves than for photographing a baby's smooth, pale face. That's not to say that there is one right way to photograph any subject, but the scene modes are specifically designed for common subjects, weather conditions, etc. so they are a safe place to start.

Blux Camera's 14 Scene Modes:

1. Automatic (Auto) Mode is the camera's default scene mode. The camera will automatically display this icon upon start-up. 

2. Landscape Mode is custom-designed to make photos of scenery look more vivid. For more information, please refer to http://bluxcamera.tumblr.com/post/35120508900/youll-see-skies-of-blue-and-trees-of-green

3. Food Mode is a special feature unique to Blux Camera, which makes your food look more detailed and delicious. As its name would suggest, Food Mode is ideal for photographing any of a variety of food. For more information about Food Mode, please refer to http://bluxcamera.tumblr.com/post/38998461188/blux-tip-appetizing-food-photos

4. High Key Mode is another custom-designed scene mode only found in Blux Camera. This scene mode will give you a stylish, modern, and attractive image with minimal shadows and low contrast. High Key Mode is often used to photograph people, especially babies. For more information about High Key Mode, please refer to http://bluxcamera.tumblr.com/post/38717684796/blux-holiday-tip-7-heavenly-high-key

5. Macro Mode allows you to see every fine detail on close-up photos. Macro Mode is often used to take photos of insects, flowers, small toys, etc. when photographed close-up.

6. Night Mode is generally used at night or in low-light conditions. Like other camera apps, Blux Camera reduces the noise in night photos; however, unlike other camera apps, Blux Camera also adjusts the filters so they are usable at night. Generally, camera apps only create one version of each filter, which is designed for use on day photos. When applied to night photos, these filters are often too strong, completely masking the light in the photo. Blux Camera's Night Mode not only reduces noise, but also automatically adjusts the filters so they apply the perfect amount of effect to your night photos.

7. Whiteboard Mode is another scene mode only found in Blux Camera. It provides a high contrast, black and white image so your whiteboard notes are clearer and more legible than ever before! For more information about Whiteboard Mode, please refer to http://bluxcamera.tumblr.com/post/38666653253/blux-holiday-tip-6-whiteboard-portraits

8. Portrait Mode uses an algorithm to not only adjust colour levels, but also to cover blemishes, acne, wrinkles, and other flaws so you can look younger, healthier, and more beautiful. For more information about Portrait Mode, please refer to http://bluxcamera.tumblr.com/post/35042370968/blux-cameras-portrait-mode-an-inexpensive

9. HDR Mode enhances colour, reduces noise, lightens dark areas of the photo, and shows more detail by increasing local contrast. This scene mode is generally used for outdoor photos, and is ideal for rainy and cloudy days, when colours are muted and contrast is minimal. HDR is ideal for photographing autumnal leaves, cars, lanterns, or any other objects that you'd like to appear more vibrant. 

10. Backlit Mode is designed for situations where light is coming from behind your subject, causing your subject to appear dark and the background to appear 'blown out' or too bright. This scene mode is ideal for when your subject is positioned in front of a lamp, window, or other light source.

Any photographer, whether professional or amateur, recognizes the immense challenge that backlighting poses. Most other cameras and camera apps simply increase the brightness of the entire photo, which lightens the subjects but only further blows out the background. Only a handful of SLRs and the Blux Camera app decrease the brightness of the background and increase the brightness of the subject, resulting in a more balanced photo. 

11. Cloudy Mode is perfect for overcast days, when colours are muted, and contrast is low. For more information about Blux Camera's Cloudy Mode, please refer to http://bluxcamera.tumblr.com/post/35120145030/we-give-you-sunshine-on-a-cloudy-day

12. Sunny Mode is specially designed for noontime and bright lighting conditions, when images can appear overexposed and washed out. Blux Camera's Sunny Mode reduces brightness, while also increasing saturation and contrast, giving you a beautifully balanced image.

13. Rainy Mode compensates for the poor lighting conditions rainy days bring by increasing contrast and saturation. 

14. Snow Mode increases exposure without overexposing, and increases local contrast to show more detail. 

To Set the Scene Mode:

Option 1: On a traditional camera, there is often a dial on the top that displays the scene modes' symbols. On Blux Camera, the scene mode symbols can be found on the left half of the Effects Bar in the lower right-hand corner of the home screen.

For more information on setting the scene mode on the Effects Bar, please refer to the 'Using the Filter and Mode' tutorial in the Help Center: http://bluxtouch.com/camera/Tutorial.html# . 

Also, refer to 'How do I quickly change the scene mode?' in the Help Center: http://help.bluxtouch.com/customer/portal/articles/679249-how-do-i-quickly-change-the-scene-mode- . 

Option 2: Also, you can pull up the Filters and Modes Menu by swiping from right to left on the home screen. The scene mode symbols are contained in the inner wheel, while filters are contained in the outer wheel.

For more information on the Filters and Modes Menu, please refer to the 'Using the Filter and Mode' tutorial in the Help Center: http://bluxtouch.com/camera/Tutorial.html# .

Also, an article on the Filters and Modes Menu is available in the Help Center: http://help.bluxtouch.com/customer/portal/articles/679236-what-s-the-%22filters-modes-menu%22- .

Option 3: Blux Camera has P.E.A.R. Technology, a built-in photographic assistant. P.E.A.R. analyzes the environment, lighting, weather, and subject to recommend the appropriate scene mode or filter. So, if you're not sure which scene mode to use, just get a recommendation from P.E.A.R. Double tap on P.E.A.R. to get a scene mode or filter recommendation. Once P.E.A.R. gives a recommendation, tap on P.E.A.R.'s scene mode suggestion (i.e. "Try Whiteboard") to set the scene mode. 

For more information on how to use P.E.A.R., please refer to the 'Using the P.E.A.R.' tutorial in the Help Center: http://bluxtouch.com/camera/Tutorial.html# .

Also, refer to 'What's "P.E.A.R." and How Does it Work?' in the Help Center: http://help.bluxtouch.com/customer/portal/articles/679239-what-s-%22p-e-a-r-%22-and-how-does-it-work-

Final Adjustments:

After you set the scene mode, you can still zoom in and out and adjust the temperature on the Lens, located on the home screen:

You can also swipe right on the home screen to pull up saturation, contrast, brightness, and sharpness on the Photo Adjustment Menu. When you choose a scene mode, it will automatically adjust these settings for you. However, you may find that the levels are not exactly what you'd like, so tweak them in real time until they're perfect.

For more information on the Photo Adjustment Menu, please refer to the 'Using the Photo Adjustment' tutorial in the Help Center: http://bluxtouch.com/camera/Tutorial.html# . 

Also, refer to the 'What's the Photo Adjustment Menu' article in the Help Center: http://help.bluxtouch.com/customer/portal/articles/679237-what-s-the-%22photo-adjustment-menu%22-

Scene modes can also be combined with filters.

For more information on filters, please refer to http://bluxcamera.tumblr.com/post/38543462568/blux-holiday-tip-5-wise-men-and-women-use-blux .

Also, refer to the 'Using the Filter and Modes' tutorial in the Help Center: http://bluxtouch.com/camera/Tutorial.html# . 

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Leo Chen: One Teenager's Take On Beijing

Leo Chen, winner of Blux Camera's 'Glitter and Sparkle' Photo Contest, is just a regular a high school student from Beijing. He received his first camera while in middle school as a reward from his grandfather for receiving high marks, and was immediately hooked. While he enjoyed photographing with his camera, the iPhone later opened a whole new world of possibilities as he could bring it with him everywhere he went. 

Photography is another form of storytelling with fewer limitations for Leo. "To tell a story, you must both speak the same language. But photos tell a story without words, so everyone can understand." Leo loves to see others' photos, as he is able to see their life and perspective. Also, "you can travel without sending money or buying a plane ticket. You can see every place and time." 

For his winning image, Leo enlisted the help of one of his classmates. He painted her hand with gold fingernail polish, which he says she is still trying to wash off. Then, they wrapped her hand in Christmas lights to add a festive touch. While it took a few tries, Leo's persistence resulted in this beautiful photo. 

  Other images by Leo include:

Leo says of Blux Camera, "I was really excited to download Blux Camera. I hate editing photos. I need to study, I don't have the time to edit. Now I can take the exactly the photo I wanted without having to edit them later." 

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Blux Tip: Appetizing Food Photos

Quickly flip through a few Instagram profiles, and you’ll discover that people love to photograph their culinary masterpieces. However, you will also find that many people seem to be under the false impression that just because their cooking tastes good, it also looks beautiful in photos. It can be difficult to capture not only the vibrant colours and fine details, but also maintain good composition. Luckily, Blux Camera has built-in tools to help you compose amazing food photos that will truly stand out from the crowd. 

Blux Camera’s Food Mode is the perfect tool custom-designed to make you food look more delicious than ever. It uses a unique algorithm to make the colors more vivid, so your plate appears whiter, and the meat appears redder. To set your camera to Food Mode, click on the scene modes icon on the Effects Bar.

Food Mode is represented by a crossed fork and knife icon.

Now there are a few things that you as the photographer should keep in mind when composing the shot... 

1. Style- What’s your style? Do you like classic, old-fashioned place settings? Is the modern vibe more in-line with your taste? Before you even photograph, you need to consider what kind of photo you like. It’s worth spending some time on the internet or flipping through magazines just checking out food photos. Notice what you like or dislike; after all, this is all about your preference.

Classic place settings can be arranged in a number of different ways. Pull out Grandma’s old China, or the napkins Mom embroidered. If, like me, you have a lack of family heirlooms, consider a few well-placed items. Perhaps an inexpensive bowl with a vintage pattern around the edges or a lacy doily might do the trick.

Modern shots often (although not always) include more angles than you would find in a classic photo. Think square plates, chopsticks, etc. However, modern shots can still include round or curved plates or bowls, but they will often be simple, clean-looking, and interesting shapes, such as a long, narrow oval dish. The key to modern photos is to keep it simple, and let the food take center stage.

2. Message- One thing you’ll want to consider is why you are photographing the food. Are you taking the photo to show off to your friends what a great cook you’ve become? Is the food the main reason you are taking the photo, or is it a footnote?

3. Shapes- This is really something that you should always consider with photography. Before you pour the chocolate sauce over the piece of cake, consider how it will look. Do you want the lines to be parallel or perpendicular? Should you cut the cake into rectangular or triangular pieces? No one can really tell you which shapes to choose, as this is where your inner artist should be making the decisions. The only thing that we can tell you is that the devil is in the details. Just as you wouldn’t want a dirty, wadded napkin in the photo, you also won’t want all the pieces of watermelon except for one to be cut into squares (unless you’ve thought it through and planned how it will look).

4. Plates- There’s no doubt that plates are key to a good composition. Not only can they communicate your style and message, but they also set the tone of the photo. When in doubt, go for either white or glass. We chose a white plate, as they place the emphasis on the food. They will give a simple, clean platform to showcase your food.

However, the downside of white plates is that they can sometimes feel sterile and even trite. Consider a different solid color or colored glass, to add a fresh but simple feeling. If you do choose a colored plate, make sure that the colors go well together. You might want to consult the color wheel to find complementary colors, but also make sure that the plate will provide some contrast.

Patterned plates can also make for interesting photos, putting the food into context. My mother has some great bunny china that we use each Easter. Sure the rabbits are a bit quirky, but it really puts the food into context and brings out the Easter spirit. Maybe you have similar holiday china, or perhaps you have ethnic tableware that fits perfectly with your Pad Thai or Chicken Fesenjan; incorporating it can truly bring your meal to life. However, you once again will need to consider the color and shape. If the pattern is complex, combine it with a solid background and simple props. Keep in mind that you don’t want your photo to be crowded and complex, as it may become gaudy or confusing.

5. Background- Just as with the plates, consider the colors or patterns! White or black can easily be used to keep the attention on your food. On the other hand, you might consider placing vegetables, wine, or other props in the background slightly out of focus. Depending on the shape of the food in the foreground, you might even consider using a the tilt shift to blur the background.

6. Props- Props can add a little extra pizzazz to your photo. Consider using an interesting fork, carved salad tongs, a wooden bowl, a flower, wine, etc. to add context and interest. If you do use props, plan out where you want them to be located. It’s generally a good idea to position the food in the foreground to keep the viewer’s eye there. Hence, props are often incorporated as a means of adding a story to the food.

When choosing props, you will want to consider a few things:shape, color, and height. While we have already discussed shape and color at length, height is also an important element. When arranging the elements of the photo, consider how the objects will interact. How deep do you want the photo to be? How tall should the objects be?

7. Arranging the Food- The arrangement of the food ties in a lot of the same principles, including height, shape, and color. To add interest, you may want to pile the food into an interesting shape, adding height and making it more 3D. If the color is bland, consider adding a garnish or spice for added interest. A sprig of rosemary, a leaf of lettuce, or a few cilantro leaves can add that little something special. For foods with a few separate elements (such as nachos), consider how to arrange them in relation to each other, such as bringing one element slightly forward or placing it slightly higher. Food can also be used to create a pattern, cut into cartoon characters, or used to replicate a famous piece of art. Be creative, there are truly endless possibilities!

8. Lighting- Remember that lighting is very important to all photography. However, this does NOT mean that brighter is better. Often, natural, subtle lighting will actually bring out more detail in the photo (such as the texture on the plate).When you are planning the lighting, especially pay attention to the angle of the light source, as this will influence the shadows. 

9. Angle- Most food photography fits into 2 angle categories: from the top, and between 10 and 45 degrees from the table. Taking a photo from the top can allow you to see the complete food setting. For this, it may be more convenient to use a low table and maybe even stand on a chair. Be careful, however, that the light source is not above you, as it will create a huge shadow. If, on the other hand, you take the photo between 10 and 45 degrees from the table, it will give the impression that you are looking directly at the food, almost from a child’s view. For this angle, you will want to pay more attention to the shape and color of the sides of the dishes, as well as the height of the food.

10. Temperature- Especially if you are using a white tablecloth, plates, etc. makes sure that they appear white in the viewfinder. Sometimes you’ll notice that they get a bluish or reddish color. This is a hint that you might need to adjust the temperature. To make the temperature warmer (redder), slide 'Temp' up; to make it cooler (bluer), slide it down. 

11. Set the Focal Point (AF) and Exposure Point (AE)-  Since you’ll probably be photographing the food from relatively close up, make sure that you set the focal point (AF). This will bring the image into better focus, as well as determine where on the photo the viewer's eye will rest. To do this, just tap on the screen once. This determines what is in focus, and conversely, what is not. You may also want to set the exposure point (AE). You can do this by tapping the screen with 2 fingers instead of 1. The first finger to touch the screen sets the focal point, whereas the second sets the exposure point. 

Now you're ready to not only photograph your food, but to capture its full flavour and get your audience's mouths watering! So power up Blux Camera, and start sharing your culinary masterpieces. 

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Merry Christmas from the Blux Team!

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Blux Holiday Tip #7: Heavenly High Key

If you’re not lucky enough to live in a tropical paradise or a snowy winter wonderland, the holiday season can translate into indoor photography. This is especially true when you are photographing children, as they may be less than cooperative with bundling up to do an outdoor photo shoot for you. So what can you do when you’re trapped inside with a lack of interesting scenery? High Key mode is a great indoor photography option to give you very unique and interesting images.

The majority of people aren’t very familiar with High Key, and there’s a good reason for that: until now, High Key was an effect that required a studio with expensive lights and equipment that range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Blux Camera is actually the first camera app to make this scene mode available to everyone. High Key, simply put, is a style of photography that reduces shadows and narrows tonal range (so you mostly have whites and light greys). Even if you have not heard the term ‘High Key’, you have probably seen thousands of High Key photos of babies. The baby’s face looks pale and shadows are minimal, allowing the eyes to really stand out and the skin to appear smoother. This tutorial will show you how to use High Key not just on babies, but on models of all ages.

To turn High Key on tap on the scene mode icon in the Effects Bar on the bottom right-hand corner of the home screen:

Keep tapping the scene mode icon, located on the left half, until you see this icon:

To compose an ideal High Key shot, you will want to do a few things:

1. Dress your model in pale colours- White is generally the most ideal colour, which is the colour we selected for our lovely model, Becca. If your child is selected as the angel for the Christmas pageant, this makes an interesting and unique photography method, allowing you to incorporate the wings, white clothes, and other props. Pastel clothes, while not ideal, can be used when white clothes are unavailable.

2. Find a simple, solid background- As you’re seeking to reduce contrast, you’ll want to use a solid-coloured background, preferably white. One option is to use a bare, white wall. If you do not have a white wall, you can also hold up a white sheet, but be sure that you eliminate all creases and wrinkles! As we had neither option readily available, we photographed Becca laying on the bed. As it was laundry day, the sheets were in the washing machine, and the bed was completely white. Finding a background can be simple and inexpensive, just be creative!

3. Lighting- Lighting is the key to a good High Key photo! You will want to make sure that you use a lamp or light to light up your model’s face in order to reduce shadows. Ideally, you will use 2 soft lights (nothing too harsh), giving the face that baby-smooth look. You may need to play with the lighting a bit until you perfect the High Key look.

4. Move your model forward- High Key means bright lights, but those lights can cause shadows on the background. Luckily, the solution is quite simple: just move your model forward.

5. Try different angles- High Key gives you a unique opportunity to create truly unique images, and when combined with a unique angle they really stand out from the crowd. These images were taken as Becca was playing on the bed, with the photographer sitting slightly higher on the headboard. This keeps the focus on her face, while still keeping her wings in the frame. This angle allowed us to really showcase Becca’s happy, jovial nature and goofy facial expressions. While there is no ‘correct’ angle, choosing a different angle can often allow you to change the focus of the photo and create interest. 

Additionally, you can combine High Key with any of Blux Camera’s 13 filters for many more effects.

So when you’re stuck photographing indoors, turn Blux Camera to High Key mode and capture some really spectacular and creative photos to share your holiday memories! 

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Blux Holiday Tip #6: Whiteboard Portraits

If you have a child, it’s nearly certain that you’re going to be taking hundreds of portraits of them this holiday season. Whether it’s a photo of your son opening his presents or dressed as a shepherd for the Christmas pageant, the holiday season provides you plenty of opportunities to take your portrait photography to the next level. Whiteboard Mode allows you to seize that opportunity by creating dramatic, high-contrast black and white photos.

Don’t let Whiteboard Mode’s name fool you. Although Blux Camera’s Whiteboard Mode was designed so you can snap a quick photo of class or meeting notes, that’s not all it can be used for. In fact, Whiteboard is one of the more versatile modes, and has the ability to convert even the dullest photos into works of art.

To set your camera to Whiteboard, choose the whiteboard icon on the Effects Bar in the lower right-hand corner of the home screen.

Tap on the scene mode icon on the left half of the Effects Bar until the whiteboard icon appears.

  While Whiteboard is a black and white scene mode, it is slightly different from the Gotham filter. Simply put, Gotham is a traditional black and white. It will white, black, and every grey tone in between. Whiteboard, on the other hand, will appear as a much more dramatic black and white- you’ll see more whites and blacks, with fewer greys.

When used for portraits, Whiteboard creates stylish, modern images similar to photos in magazines. While your first urge may be to dress the model in a suit to get a GQ image, Whiteboard can often be used even in casual and semi-candid circumstances just to spice up the portrait. While many choose soft and subtle effects for portraits of children, we used Whiteboard to snap a portrait of our 3 year-old shepherd, Toby, to demonstrate the versatility of this mode.

Due to Whiteboard’s stark contrast, you will need to be sure that you use the lighting to your advantage. One way to do this is to make sure that the light is coming from the front, uniform across the face. Make sure that the light is bright enough to reduce shadows, but not bright enough to get rid of them entirely. The other, more dramatic lighting technique is to bring the light to the side of your model. This will light up half their face while casting a shadow over the other half.

Also, remember that Whiteboard will show textures more clearly than color photos do. Textures on clothing, walls (including chipping paint), etc. will all stand out. So look through the lens to see which elements are popping out, and be ready to adjust accordingly. 

Consider combining Whiteboard Mode with any of Blux Camera’s 13 filters for vintage, sepia and split-tone effects. 

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Blux Holiday Tip #5: Wise Men (And Women) Use Blux Filters

Amateur photographers often get in the habit of just leaving their camera on Auto, as it’s simpler and less confusing than fiddling with effects and functions. However, these photos often come out looking quite ordinary and unexciting. One very simple way to liven up your holiday photos is to simply add a filter. 

Traditionally, filters were made of glass or plastic, and were attached to the end of the camera’s lens. Blux Camera’s filters are similar to traditional coloured filters, which alter the relative brightness of colours and the colour balance. However, Blux Camera's filters also adjust the contrast in the original image.

Blux Camera has 13 custom-designed filters, including Toronto, Delhi, Moscow, Cairo, Sydney, Seattle, Gotham, Rio, Seoul, London, Kyoto, Milan, and Shanghai. To add a filter, simply tap on the right half of the Effects Bar.

Normal- For this Blux Holiday Tip, we photographed Anna, the most beautiful wise(person) of all. The original photo can be seen below:

Toronto- The Toronto filter is a pale, slightly more greenish cyan with green highlights and purple shadows.

Delhi- The Delhi filter is an extremely subtle, light brown with yellow highlights and red shadows. 

Moscow- The Moscow filter is blue with cyan highlights and blue shadows. 

Cairo- The Cairo filter is a light golden brown with yellow highlights and red shadows.

Sydney- The Sydney filter is a pale green with yellow highlights and purple shadows.

Seattle- The Seattle filter is a pale yellow, with yellow highlights and green shadows. 

Gotham- Gotham is a monochromatic, black and white filter.

Rio De Janeiro- The Rio De Janeiro filter is a pale brown, with yellow highlights and blue shadows. 

Seoul- The Seoul filter is a brighter yellow than the Seattle filter, with yellow highlights and green shadows. 

London- The London filter is cyan, with cyan highlights and purple shadows.

Kyoto- The Kyoto filter is golden, with yellow highlights and red shadows.

Milan- The Milan filter is a pale blue, with yellow highlights and blue shadows.

Shanghai- The Shanghai filter is a pale yellow, with yellow highlights and purple shadows. 

So if you're a beginner looking for a quick and easy way to add a little something different to your holiday photos, consider adding a filter. With 13 filters to choose from, you can always find the perfect filter for any occasion!

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Are You Giving an iPad this Christmas? Give 'Blux Camera for iPad' for Free!

'Blux Camera for iPad' is available for FREE in the App Store! Give your friends, family, and loved ones a gift that truly never stops giving, as you share photos and memories not just for the holiday season, but throughout the year to come. Hurry to download 'Blux Camera for iPad' before the price goes back up!

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Blux Camera Update: What's New in Blux Camera 1.0.3?

We are proud to announce that this update will make 4 major improvements, including: 

1. The Return of 8MP Resolution on iPhone 4S 

2. Snap Photos in Rapid Succession

-After photos are saved to the Photo Album, users can choose to delete, export, or share them. This both increases the app’s performance, and allows users to take photos more rapidly.

3. Increase in Overall Performance and Efficiency

4. New Environment Information Layout

-The redesigned Environment Information is clearer and more legible than ever. Tap the P.E.A.R. icon once to bring up Environment Information, and tap twice to refresh P.E.A.R.

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Blux Holiday Tip #4: Capturing the Sparkle

It’s no secret that Christmas is one of the holidays with the most bling. Glittery Christmas ornaments can actually be a bit challenging to photograph. Too much light can actually cause the glitter to reflect too much light, causing a bright reflection and a washed out feel. Too little light loses the luster of glitter. This Holiday Blux Tip will give you an entirely new way to photograph glittery objects, turning them into an almost impressionistic work of art.

For this Blux Tip, we have simply taken a very fine glitter, similar to eye shadow. However, these principles will generally work with any glittery object. 

Now, you probably have seen bokeh, even if you’ve not heard the term. Bokeh generally refers to those little balls of light in photos. People often shoot Christmas lights or car headlights, however, few people seem to know that a similar (and often more spectacular) effect can be achieved with a little glitter.

To get this effect, we set Blux Camera to HDR Mode, which makes colors more vibrant. Set the glitter in natural light (we set it on a desk near a window). It is crucial that you make sure that the glitter has enough light to sparkle, but not too much to where it will blow out. Now go in close. Swipe from left to right on the home screen; you’ll see four options: saturation, contrast, brightness, and sharpness. Increase saturation and contrast, but slightly decrease the brightness. Tap on the screen to focus. This may take a few tries; be prepared to move slightly forward or backwards if you’re unable to get a good focus. You should get an effect that resembles a watercolor painting, like this:

    This effect can work on a variety of objects, but Christmas ornaments, glittery stars, and sparkly ribbons make for prime targets. So power up your Blux Camera and start photographing! 

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Blux Holiday Tip #3: Spicing Up Your Holiday Photos with Blux Mode

It's a fact that despite all the glitter and glamour of the holiday season, there're also a lot things which are generally rather boring to photograph. Christmas stockings, in my opinion, have never been a particularly exciting subject. Sure, you can spice them up with a fireplace or a textured wall, but they rarely make for amazing photographs. 

It's at times like this when you're in a creative rut that you should turn Blux Mode on. Blux Mode is the photographic version of an iPod Shuffle; it randomly chooses a scene mode and filter combination for you. You can do this by holding your finger on the Effects Bar in the lower right-hand corner of the home screen. You'll see the words 'Blux Mode' appear where the scene mode and filter used to be listed. A scene mode and effect combination will automatically appear on your screen. If you don't like the combination, then tap on the words 'Blux Mode' to get a new combination. When you want to turn Blux Mode off, then hold your finger on the words 'Blux Mode' for a few seconds. 

The benefit of Blux Mode is that it will show you new combinations which you never would have considered, such as Snowy and Rio De Janeiro or HighKey and Sydney. This can go a long way to helping you find that perfect combination to spice up a dull photo of something like Christmas stockings. 

Here's our original photo in Auto Mode with No Filter:

Food Mode and the Cairo Filter:

Landscape and the Rio De Janeiro Filter: 

Whiteboard Mode and the London Filter:

HDR Mode and the Sydney Filter:

Landscape Mode and the Toronto Filter:

HighKey Mode and the Sydney Filter:

HDR Mode and the Seattle Filter:

Cloudy Mode and the Delhi Filter:

Rainy Mode and the Toronto Filter:

Cloudy Mode and the Seoul Filter:

Food Mode and the Moscow Filter:

Snowy Mode and the Rio De Janeiro Filter:

Cloudy Mode and the Seattle Filter:

These are just a few examples of the random combinations that Blux Mode can provide you with. In truth, Blux Mode can recommend thousands of combinations, so turn Blux Mode on and explore the possibilities! 

Now it's your turn! Tell us which combinations are your favorite! Either post them on our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/BluxCamera?ref= , or e-mail them to us at [email protected] (and feel free to include examples)! 

[bluxcamera]

"Blux Camera for iOS: Innovative UI and Filters Make for Must-Have App" by Kevin Purcell of 'Gotta Be Mobile'

The app store offers a ton of camera apps for iPhone and iPad, but Blux Camera easily competes with some of the best camera apps available, including Camera+ or Camera Awesome, as it lets users take both high quality artistic photos as well as popular photos with filters that people enjoy using with their cameras today.

What makes Blux Camera great? First, the interface intuitively offers simple camera functions on-screen all the time. Notice the screen shot below. Overlaid on top of the image the camera sees, the user gets light opaque camera controls. The camera shutter button used to actually take a picture always sits along the left. Two sliders control the zoom function and image White Balance setting. For photography newbies, White Balance helps correct colors, as whites often become blue or yellow in strange lighting situations.

At the bottom right the user will see settings for the Blux Camera filters. More on that later.

In the upper left corner, notice the little blue icon. This engages the P.E.A.R feature. Here’s how the developer describes PEAR:

P.E.A.R. technology stands for Photographic Environment Analysis and Recommendation.  It includes a photographic assistant to analyze your environment and advise you every step of the way towards absolutely stunning photos.

Tap it and it spins, a blue line slides over the image, and then the app starts to show information about the photographer’s place. It uses location services to geotag the photo. It also finds weather data, which might help the photographer make decisions about how to shoot an outdoor scene.

The interface doesn’t rotate when the user rotates their iPad or iPhone. This forces the user to keep it in the right direction, so the user doesn’t accidentally cover the camera lens with a finger.

There are more features than those listed above hidden just offscreen. Slide from the four edges to show more options and controls.

Swipe down on the main screen to show the above settings hexagon. Swipe left or right to rotate between the six sides. Two offer settings and the other four include tutorial videos, contact info for the developer, links to get other apps from the dev and a screen to recommend the app to others.

Be sure to turn on the Shake to Reset feature, the last one in the screen above. It’s on by default, but this lets the user shake the iPad or iPhone to reset all settings to the default.

Swipe from the left side and the user gets the picture settings seen above. The four sliders control, from left to right, the following:

Saturation – intensity of color

Contrast - intensity of the difference between dark and light

Brightness – makes image lighter or darker

Hue – moves along color spectrum from blue to red

Swipe from the right to left and get the filters and scene modes wheels. The user can also access the filters and scene modes from the button in the lower right corner of the main screen. Tap each circle on the wheel or tap the button in the lower right to see a live preview of the scene mode or filter. The filter names come from city names from around the world. See the samples below and more in the gallery at the end of the post.

The filters give the images a unique color and hue. I prefer these filters over those in apps like Instagram or Camera Awesome.

Along with the filters wheel the apps shows the scene modes with things like Rainy, Sunny, Macro, HDR and more.

Swipe up from the bottom to show pictures already taken with Blux Camera. It will soon use iCloud to sync settings and pictures. See the option in the Settings box. Find an image and then share it using Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr or Picasa by tapping the paper airplane button, or delete them with the trashcan. The sharing screen also lets the user tag the location and send it via email. A box lets the user give the photo a description.

A tiny icon in the upper left lets the user choose between the front and back camera. It also offers two other focus features. One simulates a horizontal tilt-shift feature. That’s the kind of advanced lens that makes people and cars taken from high above look like toys. For those who saw the movieThe Social Network, the film makers shot the crew scene using a tilt-shift lens.

The second focus settings simulates a narrow depth of field where the main subject stays in focus but the background gets blurred out, like the image above of my son. The tilt-shift and depth-of-field tools are tricky to customize so check out the tutorial to learn to use them.

Blux Camera does so much and it does it elegantly. This one earned a spot on my iPhone and iPad home screen, replacing Camera+ as the best camera app on iOS. Get it for just $.99 for the iPhoneand for the iPad. No, it’s not a universal app, but $2 for both apps doesn’t seem outrageous. Each app is worth that much alone.

In the gallery of images below, you’ll find a number of samples of shots taken with the app as well as screenshots.

                                                                                                   The Original Text can be found at: http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/12/11/blux-camera-for-iphone-and-ipad-is-awesome/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gottabemobile+%28GottaBeMobile%29