You can now find two applications to download:

Classic Print - allows you to load existing photos and apply filters to create a retro style print.

Classic Cam - camera application that automatically applies a retro style to photos that you take.

You can find more information on Classic Print in the announcement thread here. This application can be installed from the extras repository.

Classic Cam has just been released and should be considered an early beta at present. It can be found in extras-devel and will only be promoted to testing once I've reassured myself that it is fairly stable. Make sure you install at least version 0.1-8. Earlier versions will not work correctly.

Some of Classic Cam's features:

• User interface styled like an old instamatic camera
• Flash can be set to auto, on or off
• Focus can be automatic or fixed to infinity
• Settings can be adjusted for different lenses, films and processing types.
• Each settings group can be saved as a preset
• Photos are "developed" in the background allowing further photos to be taken during the developing process
• Optionally, the "negatives" (unprocessed photos) are retained so if you don't like the processed output, you can use the original or use Classic Print to apply different settings

Classic Cam does not replace the standard camera application. The standard camera app is still automatically started when the shutter button is pressed or the lens cover is opened. To start Classic Cam, launch the application then open the lens cover to prevent the standard camera app from starting.

Please bear in mind that this is an early beta and you may find some issues. Problems I know of are:

• There is no minimise button. This was originally a design decision as the standard camera app also doesn't have this button but I think it ought to be there.
• Closing the application terminates the developing of any photos that are not yet complete. They are not processed in the background. They will continue to be processed the next time Classic Cam is started.

Have fun!

Original thread message:

I'm developing a camera app called "Classic Cam" which automatically processes the photos you take to give them that "retro" look with faded colours, print borders, etc, much like Hipstamatic on the iPhone.

The software development is going fine, I've managed to get the camera part all working with flash, autofocus, etc. The bit I am having a problem with is getting that authentic old photo look.

I've searched on Google and found some information on how to produce classic prints using photoshop and the like but I wonder if anybody on this forum has any bright ideas or suggestions. Also, if you have any suggestions for features you'd like to see in the app then please let me know.

I've implemented image processing filters for level shifting, vignette and applying a border and I'm using QtImageFilters for various convolution effects (sharpen, defocus, highlight, blur, etc.). Am I missing anything? Do you think it's a good idea to allow the user to edit the filters that will be applied or should I just provide presets?

I look forward to hearing your suggestions!