Review: TrueHDR for iPhone

September 22, 2010 in Reviews by Bob Faulhaber

We all aspire to be better photographers, but most of us need all the help we can get. TrueHDR from Pictional gives us amateur photographers with a tool to help improve our photo taking skills. TrueHDR allows you to take full-resolution HDR prictures with your iPhone 4, 3GS or the iPod Touch 4G.

The recently released version adds several new features including a AutoCapture mode, SemiAuto mode, support for the iPod Touch 4G, along with easier access to Facebook, Twitter and email.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a technique that allows a greater range of luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. Normally, HDR images require capturing multiple standard photos of different exposure and merging them into an HDR image using photo processing software. TrueHDR simplifies the entire process and gives you the ability to create HDR images right on your iOS device.

When you start TrueHDR you are presented with the start-up screen which displays the various options for taking and creating your HDR photos, either using Auto, SemiAuto or Manual Capture or use existing photos in your camera roll.

TrueHDR’s Preferences options are limited to saving original pictures and the preferred HDR mode that you desire, either Standard or Enhanced.

I tested TrueHDR under varying condition, including lower light (sunset) and full daylight conditions. I found the app seemed to perform somewhat better with lower light conditions. Full daylight test photos seemed somewhat washed out as seen below. Since the app takes an under exposed and over exposed image before combining them into the final product, I think in full daylight conditions the difference between the original photos is minimal, hence causing the washed out look in the the HDR image.

Later that day I attempted to capture the Colorado sunset and feel that the results were somewhat better.

As you can see, the final image looks somewhat better.

Using the SemiAuto and Manual Capture modes gives you greater “tweaking” ability when creating HDR images, but all-in-all TrueHDR gives you a nice tool for creating HDR images and enhancing your photo taking skills, plus with the built-in social networking features provides an advantage over Apple’s new iOS built-in feature.

TrueHDR is available in the App Store for $1.99 and is a nice addition to your iPhone photo bag.