Obscura 3 ⇥ petapixel.com

Jaron Schneider, PetaPixel:

Obscura originally launched in 2015 and Obscura 2 came out in 2018 which was downloaded more than a million times.

The app’s third iteration is focused on adding more powerful features while also making them more pleasant to use. The app’s creator Ben McCarthy says it offers a wide range of camera features but squeezes them into a well-designed, simple control system that he says anyone can master through a balance of aesthetics, ergonomics, and intuitiveness. All the camera controls can be reached with one thumb, and gestures and haptics combine to create a tactile experience that allows photographers to stay focused on their subjects.

I have been playing with Obscura 3 for a few weeks now and it is a solid update. There are some exciting UI design details that make one-handed winter shooting a breeze, with plenty of pay-off if you choose to explore a little further. I also love the new app icons; my choice is a metallic copper-coloured version that tastefully recreates mid-2000s interface design hedonism. Obscura 3 is just ten bucks — a retro flat rate purchase in a time of subscriptions.