Best App for iPhone HDR - TruHDR Camera

   Simply put, the best app I have found for doing HDR on the iPhone is TrueHDR from Pictional. I know what you are going to say... why would I pay for an HDR app when the native iPhone Camera does HDR on its' own? Two reasons: Control and Results. The native iPhone camera does HDR automatically and tries to make the most seamless blend possible. From what I have found it uses only two frames in rapid succession (although I could be wrong, maybe it does three) but however many it shoots, the iPhone control the blending and the result and does it all on autopilot. For realistic HDR that you won't even notice ever, it's pretty nice.

    So why is TrueHDR better? You take control. You can go completely manual for your three captures, or do an auto capture series, but once the captures are done you get to adjust things, and even have the ability to save multiple versions of the same image set. And more control gives better results.

    Here's an example of the difference:

Native iPhone 5s Camera HDR shot

 

Same shot using TrueHDR

    Once the shots are done in TrueHDR you have the to adjust saturation, brightness, warmth and overall image tone. Having control lets you pick the settings you like. If you've seen my work, I tend to like more saturated colors. 

   If you follow me on FB to G+ and see shots I have posted from out to sea on the aircraft carrier, most of them were taken using the TrueHDR app, it's my go-to camera app for shooting sunsets with the iPhone. 

  Really, about the only case I can think of for using the native app is when trying to get HDR shots with people. TrueHDR pauses for a moment between frames, the native app shoots the brackets so fast there is almost no discernible break, so ghosting seems to be much less of a factor on the native app, but is pretty obvious when trying to shoot people with TrueHDR. 

   Although, ghosting can sometimes give interesting results depending on your subject. 

    You may have to enlarge that image to see it, but there was only one plane taking off in this image. That should also give you an idea of the interval between bracket shots. Guess by the third frame it was lost in the clouds. 

   Anyway, been meaning to post something about this app for a while, since I use it so much. If you are at all interested in shooting HDR, landscapes, sunsets, etc with your phone, it's well worth the 2.99 price to have it handy.