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VSCO’s new camera app is a dream for photographers and enthusiasts who want to add a film-like, vintage analog look to their pictures. But some extra features in this new app make it stand out from other third-party camera apps.
VSCO’s Capture app, currently only available for iPhone users, offers a stunning collection of presets that align with the editing platform’s offering of effects in its native app. Let’s take a look at what the app can do, some sample pictures, and why Android users want to get in on the action.
All the pictures seen in this article were captured using VSCO Capture’s various presets.
Apple iPhone 16
Apple’s newest iPhone featuring a camera button, programmable action button, and artificial intelligence features.
VSCO Capture Is a New Analog Camera App
In July, VSCO, the photo and video editing service noted for its collection of filters, releasedCapture, afree camera appexclusively for iPhone users. Featuring more than 50 presets, Capture was designed for photographers looking for a camera that “moves with their creativity.”
What makes Capture stand out from third-party photo apps is that you can use these live presets as you use the app’s built-in camera, trying out different presets that suit your unique frame, saving you time in editing. The app also integrates and syncs well with VSCO’s native editing app: once you capture a picture in Capture, you can tweak the result onthe VSCO appusing an arsenal of photo editing tools and 200+ presets.
Presets that add analog-inspired and vintage, filmy looks to pictures that have garnered praise from users (and FOMO from non-users). The app is complete with manual controls that help you compose your photos better. Pictures you take on Capture can be stored in the Photos app or posted on your VSCO profile.
The Interface
VSCO’s Capture has a minimalist interface that you can see in any essential camera app. The app opens up to a scrollable presets bar, which houses a long line of presets, with a classic camera setup. When you point and shoot a picture, the image is saved to your VSCO library, where you can access it at any time.
Capture’s sidebar lets you adjust camera settings, including save options, image format, composition (grid and level options are available), and resolution. When you set your frame and tap on a preset to try, you can tap it again to adjust the intensity of the effect. Above the preset bar, you’ll find composition options (zoom and flip), under which “auto” and “manual” buttons with more settings are available.
The UI of Capture is intuitive, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. The switch between manual and automatic settings is seamless, as is the switch between presets.
The Presets
Capture’s presets are customizable and easy to use, given the scrollable bar that they sit in. This saves you time when switching presets, especially for subjects in motion. You have a few black-and-white presets that can give that old-timey, blurry effect, vintage presets that are the stars of the show, and elevate the details of pictures, and bright presets that are great for outdoor photography or dull shots that desperately need saturation.
Presets are color-coded, grouped, and named according to factors like saturation, contrast, aesthetic, and tones. These presets, also found in the VSCO editing app, are created by independent photographers and modeled after their photography styles. Once you get used to the presets, it’s easier to find the warmer and cooler presets, with most of the vintage, retro presets set to the left or center of the scrollable bar.
Photo effects like Bloom (adds a dreamy haze) and Halation (cinematic film effect) are suited for indoor and lifestyle photography, and can be controlled from the manual controls option. The change in my composition was instantaneous once either of these effects was enabled, particularly the exposure.
Overall, Capture’s presets are aesthetically pleasing, touch up your pictures with a filmy vibe, and most importantly, offer variety that comes in handy for those who loathe finding filters or effects in the photo editing process.
How to Use Capture for the Best Pictures
After using VSCO’s Capture for a week, I was able to capture some decent and even good (if I do say so myself, as someone who is never the one behind the camera) pictures. Working with an iPhone 12 meant I was starting with the short end of the stick, but Capture’s presets solved most of the problems I normally face with my camera: overexposure, undersaturation, and a lack of clarity for detailed shots (think sculptures and artwork).
How did I capture pictures that I was satisfied with? It was simple: I utilized Capture’s presets to their best potential, trying out the long scroll of presets until I found the best one for the shot. This took a lot of trial and error, of course, but it also meant I was able to pick out my favorite presets within a day. Manual controls, such as flash modes, exposure, zoom, ISO, and saturation, among others, are your best friends. Tweaking these according to my composition went a long way, as did the grid layout of the camera.
These settings resulted in brighter, more detailed images, saturated outdoor pictures, and a vintage look to select indoor settings that called for it. I found that shots of artwork, books, and cozy spaces came out better than on my normal front camera, thanks to the presets, which fixed small issues I never noticed in my pictures.
Outdoor shots looked much better than I anticipated, even if it was just a sky picture in my frame. While sunlit pictures were a bit more difficult to capture, cloudy images came out with the precision and effect I expected. Color tones on subjects like buildings and roads were much more balanced against cooler backdrops. A picture of a brick-colored building I took, for instance, made the brick-red tones pop out while keeping the blue tones of the sky prominent and clear.
Close-up shots of things like lamps and lights, for instance, were much more saturated (especially warmer colors like red) or reined in, depending on the preset I chose, and lacked the overexposure that comes with my normal shots. The zoom function didn’t take away from the intensity of the preset, but rather made the picture sharper and more focused.
Capture supports HEIC, JPEG, and RAW captures, so using RAW capture can help you get the highest quality, professional pictures. You can switch between the three with a simple tap above the app’s camera.
Should You Try Capture?
Whether you’re an amateur or expert photographer, or simply trying to shoot better pictures on your iPhone like I am, VSCO’s Capture is a must-try camera app. If you find your photo gallery filled with less-saturated, badly-lit, or overexposed images, Capture’s presets, controls, and effects can do your composition and pictures a huge favor, while saving you time in editing.
Its sync and integration with the VSCO photo editing app is also a good advantage for professionals who want to edit and capture stunning shots on the go. The app is also built specifically for your iPhone, which makes integration with your photo gallery smoother.
If you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-use, camera app to elevate your pictures (and you happen to own an iPhone), Capture is a solid addition to your photography folder.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
A version of Apple’s newest iPhone with a larger screen featuring a camera button, a programmable action button, and artificial intelligence features.
