TrueHDR – Appotography

TrueHDR Updated to 2.3

TrueHDR 2.3 for iPhone is now available in the App Store. The latest version of Pictional’s HDR camera brings to its users new post-processing features for more control over final images. Our previous review for TrueHDR is available here.

After taking the necessary shots in any mode (Auto, SemiAuto or Manual) or after loading from the device the required overexposed and underexposed photos, the software creates the HDR composite; you are then introduced to a set of editing tools which you can use to correct and balance several aspects influencing the look of HDR images. Adjustments are possible for warmth, contrast, saturation and brightness. For each of these parameters TrueHDR has a dedicated slider that can be set for the desired result.
TrueHDR iPhone Another new feature is the FX panel, which gives you access to seven presets to quickly change the style of your HDR images. Effects range from cross process to monochrome. All effects can be altered after applying them by switching to the editing tools panel.

Compared to other HDR apps for iPhone, TrueHDR is definitely faster, both in the capturing and in the processing stage. Moreover, TrueHDR performs better also on older devices. For beginners and for users that are looking for getting their HDR done without the hassle of going through long post-processing and unnerving rendering times, TrueHDR is a valid choice, as it is extremely easy to use and doesn’t require much tweaking. The new features add more options without taking away from the overall straightforward approach of Pictional’s app. Given the improvements of version 2.3, I update my rating for TrueHDR accordingly.

TruehDR iPhone — XPro (top) and Retro (bottom) effects.

TrueHDR is currently on sale in the App Store at the special price of $0.99/€0.79/£0.69.

Overall

Name: TrueHDR
Developer: Pictional LLC
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. iOS 4.1 or later.
Price: £1.19||$1.99||€1.59
Vote: 5/5

TrueHDR on Sale!

TrueHDR is on sale for a limited time. The HDR camera for iPhone by Pictional will be available from the App Store at the special price of $0.99/€0.79/£0.69, 50% off the regular price tag.
TrueHDR on sale
TrueHDR creates high dynamic range images on iPhone. HDR is a useful technique used by photographers when bad lighting conditions prevent them to take satisfactory photographs. In HDR, more pictures are merged together to create a composite in which both severely overexposed and underexposed areas appear well exposed. Pictional’s app is extremely easy to use and it features different capturing modes, Auto, SemiAuto and Manual, but it’s also capable of processing shots previously taken.

Do you want to know more about TrueHDR? You will find our full iPhone review here.

TrueHDR Review

What does true in TrueHDR mean? That other HDR on iPhone is fake? Not really. In the case of Pictional’s app, true may stand for straightforward or even hassle-free. TrueHDR is an extremely basic tool conceived simply to do what it says: creating well exposed images by merging shots taken with different settings.

Main Features

Full resolution available;
4 capturing modes;
In-app guide;
Send via email or share on Facebook and Twitter.

Appotography Opinion

TrueHDR has four different capturing modes to create your HDR images. One mode allows to load the overexposed and underexposed shots from your iPhone, while the other three entirely rely on the built-in camera.

Auto Capture takes overexposed and underexposed photos and does all the necessary calculations on its own. All you have to do to use the Auto mode is tapping on the shutter button while keeping your iPhone steady.

TrueHDR for iPhone by Pictional.

SemiAuto Capture asks you to indicate bright and dark areas of the scene you are about to photograph by placing two individual crosshair cursors around the screen before pressing the shutter button once. TrueHDR’s engine does all the rest.

In Manual Capture, you have to press the shutter button twice: first after defining a bright area in your scene, then after doing the same for a dark area.

In all modes, after the camera takes the necessary shots in rapid succession, you are presented with a thumbnail view in the lower part of your screen. You can tap on the Merge button to start the post processing or Clear to start over. After the engine is done with alignment and merging, you can save or share your image.

TrueHDR for iPhone by Pictional. — Underexposed and overexposed images taken in TrueHDR.

There are no actual differences in outcome using Auto, SemiAuto or Manual Capture: the quality of the final images remains the same. Auto Capture is the easiest to handle, especially without a tripod or other stable surfaces, while Manual Capture can be extremely hard to use if you are holding your device. TrueHDR is able to figure everything on its own, thus it’s unlikely you will need to resort to using SemiAuto and Manual in most instances.

How does it all compare to other HDR on iPhone, like Pro HDR or iCamera HDR? The most noticeable disadvantage of TrueHDR versus the other two apps is the total lack of control over the final image. Whereas in both Pro HDR and iCamera HDR you can set values as saturation, brightness, white balance and contrast (in iCamera HDR you can also choose a tone mapping engine, add special effects, and adjust many other parameters), in TrueHDR you can only save the HDR composite, without the possibility to retouch it in any way. This means you cannot disguise or minimize flaws, like presence of halo artifacts. Nevertheless, in my experience, TrueHDR proved to be much faster, both in shooting and in processing, than its rivals. Speed in itself perhaps cannot make up for the lack of options, but it shouldn’t be overlooked either, at least as far as precision and time consumption are concerned.

TrueHDR is currently available in the App Store at the special price of $0.99 (€0.79/£0.59).

Overall

Name: TrueHDR
Developer: Pictional LLC
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. iOS 4.1 or later.
Price: £1.19||$1.99||€1.59
Vote: 4/5