If you're a fan of the old school, surprisingly fun and quirky photos you can get with cheap plastic cameras then you might already know about Hipstamatic. Maybe you've already downloaded the Hipstamatic app but you're looking for a quick way to learn the basics? This post is for you! 

Released in 2010, it has remained at the top of photography app charts ever since. With several built-in lenses, types of flash, and different films, there are literally hundreds of combinations that can be achieved. But what is really exciting about Hipstamatic is that each photo is unique, a little bit off-beat, and definitely quirky. Using the Hipstamatic app feels a little bit like photo roulette, you never know exactly what you're going to get, and the hope of something stunningly fantastic keeps iPhoneographers coming back to this app time and time again. What's even better is that you can shake your phone to randomize the lens / film / flash combo or you can select the combination yourself based on the photo you want to take. 

Let's take a quick look at the interface so you can get to know your way around the app: 

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="457" height="269"  alt="Hipstamatic Interface" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/hipstamatic1.png"  ]
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<h4>Let's start with the shake-it-up method:</h4>

1. Open up the Hipstamatic app, and give your phone a good shake to generate your combination of lens, film, and flash. 

2. If you're using an iPhone 4, or you would like to use the Hipstamatic flash (it's not a real flash per se, but rather a simulated flash), slide the flash switch to the left. You'll see the Flash Ready light up in green when ready. 

3. Compose your photo in the viewfinder. Another quirk that comes along with the Hipstamatic app is the viewfinder is a little bit smaller than what you actually get in the resulting photo - all works towards the photo roulette factor! 

4. Tap the shutter button when you want to take your photo, and wait for it to develop. A green light will appear next to the View Prints button in the bottom left corner of the interface. 

5. To check out your prints, tap the View Prints button and you'll be taken straight into the photo gallery that looks a little something like this: 

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="457" height="305"  alt="Hipstamatic Photo Album" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/hipstamatic3.png"  ]
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To see check out the photo in more detail and to see the lens, flash, and film used for that shot just tap on the image and it will open up in a new window: 

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="457" height="305"  alt="Hipstamatic Photo Details" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/hipstamatic4.png"  ]
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One of the best ways to take your creativity to the next level within Hipstamatic is to select your own combination of lens, film, and flash. Once you get to know what you like, its great fun to start experimenting with app to get different results based on your shooting situation. 

Now, keeping in mind that the lenses, film, and flash we’re talking about here are wholly imaginary, they are filters and actions applied in the app processing to affect your photos. Here’s a little bit more info on the actions: 
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<ul>
<li>Lenses essentially add a filter effect to your photo</li>
<li>Some films add a border or frame to your photo while others add a filter effect</li>
<li>Flash typically applies a burst of light or an overall color tone to your image</li>
</ul>
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You can read more about the effects achieved from the lenses, film, and flashes in the Hipstamart, which is the in-app shop where you can expand your Hipstamatic “camera bag”. 

Let’s get familiar with the front of the Hipstamatic camera: 

[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="457" height="269"  alt="Hipstamatic Front of Camera" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Hipstamatic2.png"  ]
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<h4>To select your lens, flash and film simply:</h4> 

1.	Switch to the front of the Hipstamatic camera by  using the curved arrow in the bottom right hand corner of the interface. 

2.	To choose your lens, swipe across your screen horizontally. Tap the lens to read more information on that particular lens (through the Hipstamart). 

3.	To choose your film, tap the small film icon. Flick vertically to scroll through the film options. Again, tap the film to view more information on that particular film.

4.	Finally to choose your flash, tap the flash icon and swipe horizontally through the available options. As above, tap the flash for more info. 

As you scroll through the lenses, film, and flash options you’ll notice that the stuff that’s already yours has a little sticker that says “mine”. You can purchase the other bits of “kit” to add to your Hipstamatic camera bag; if you see something you’d like to buy just tap on it and you’ll be taken through to the Hipstamart. 

That concludes Part 1 of the Hipstamatic How-To Guides. Check back in a few days for Part 2, where we’ll show you how to share your photos, order prints, create stacks and boost your creativity even further!! 



