Cinemagr.am - Create Stunning Cinemagraphs on Your iPhone

A Notable App Worth the Price: Cinemagram Review

At MakeUseOf, we generally prioritize showcasing free resources. However, from time to time, an application emerges that, despite a small cost – in this case, $1.99 – is exceptional enough to warrant a detailed and candid review.

It’s particularly unusual to encounter two such apps in quick succession. Yesterday, a review of Clear, a paid list-making application designed to streamline task management, was published.

Introducing Cinemagram

Today, our attention turns to Cinemagram ($1.99), an incredibly user-friendly tool for crafting cinemagraphs directly on your iPhone with remarkable speed.

The app allows for the creation of captivating visual content with minimal effort.

Users can quickly transform ordinary photos and videos into mesmerizing cinemagraphs.

Prepare your vintage, frameless eyewear!

Cinemagraphs are essentially still photographs with subtle, looping motion. This creates a unique and engaging visual experience.

The simplicity of Cinemagram is its greatest strength. The interface is intuitive, making it accessible to users of all technical skill levels.

Creating a cinemagraph involves selecting a video clip, defining the area of motion, and adjusting the loop settings.

The app provides a range of editing options, allowing for fine-tuning of the final product.

These options include speed control, loop direction, and masking tools.

The resulting cinemagraphs can then be easily shared across various social media platforms.

Cinemagram offers a compelling way to add a touch of artistry and dynamism to your visual storytelling.

Cinemagraphs Explained

A cinemagraph represents a unique blend of static photography and video, distinguished by the animation of only a specific segment within the image. Common instances involve elements like a gently waving tree, liquid pouring, or a flickering candle flame. If the concept remains unclear, consider the cinemagraph example created using the application discussed below.

Understanding the Creation Process

Previously, creating these hybrid visuals required software like Photoshop CS5, a potentially costly investment for many users. While not overly complex, the process demands significant time, dedication, and patience to achieve optimal results.

Although the final output from Photoshop might exhibit a higher degree of polish compared to Cinemagram, the latter offers a considerably simpler method for transforming everyday scenes into animated stills.

Cinemagram: An Accessible Alternative

Early versions of Cinemagram encountered some challenges, including minor bugs, privacy considerations, and sharing limitations. However, the developers have actively responded to user input.

They’ve implemented improvements – the app is now at version 1.2 – and are committed to a rapid update schedule, aiming for releases approximately every seven to ten days.

"Your feedback has been carefully read and appreciated. This update addresses many of the issues you’ve highlighted. We are working diligently, and you can anticipate updates every 7-10 days."

A Positive Trajectory

This demonstrates a positive beginning for a team dedicated to developing a highly promising application!

Creating Cinemagraphs with Ease

The creation process is remarkably straightforward, although optimal results aren't guaranteed for every subject captured with an iPhone. Initiate the process by tapping Capture, which will display the standard viewfinder alongside a Record button.

Upon pressing Record, focus on identifying the specific area within the scene that you intend to animate. Maintaining a stable camera position is crucial during recording. While a tripod adapter is recommended for maximum stability, it isn’t essential, and acceptable results can still be achieved without one.

Following the recording of your scene, you’ll be directed to the video editor. Here, you can adjust the video length to the desired duration and preview your work using the play button.

Once you’ve refined the “loop” to your satisfaction, select Save to access the mask editor. The mask determines which portions of the image will exhibit motion; the video will play only within the masked areas.

After achieving the desired masking effect, tap Next. You can then select a style from the Colorize menu, if desired, and proceed by tapping Next again.

A preview will then be displayed, offering the option to reverse the video. Reversing can create the illusion of continuous movement.

This reversal technique is particularly effective for elements like flames or swaying trees. However, applying it to scenes involving moving objects, such as a passing car, may appear unnatural; therefore, disabling this feature is advised in such cases.

The Delete button provides an option to discard the video if the chosen scene proves unsuitable.

Selecting Done finalizes the cinemagraph creation. You will then be prompted to enter a title, author name, and choose whether to publish it on Cinemagram or share it via Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook.

Sharing and Discovering Cinemagraphs

The purpose of crafting compelling cinemagraphs is diminished if they cannot be readily shared. Cinemagram addresses this with two primary tabs located at the bottom of the interface: Popular and Latest. These sections provide users with a continuous stream of content created by others.

Within these tabs, users can interact with discovered cinemagraphs by “liking” them, sending them via email, or distributing them across various social media platforms. A reporting mechanism is also included for flagging inappropriate content, though such instances are reportedly infrequent.

All of a user’s personally created content is centralized within the Album tab. This tab serves as an aggregator for both private and publicly shared cinemagraphs.

The Settings menu allows for customization of a default display name and email address. Furthermore, connections to Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter can be established for streamlined sharing options.

Future Enhancements for Cinemagram

As a relatively new application, Cinemagram possesses significant untapped potential. A highly desirable feature addition would be the implementation of user following functionality.

While this would necessitate user account registration, integration with existing social networks like Facebook or Twitter could provide a convenient and accessible solution for connecting with friends and colleagues.

Currently, the app lacks a system for tracking the performance of individual creations. The ability to monitor metrics such as likes, shares, and overall ranking would be a valuable addition.

Within the Album tab, it would be beneficial to see data indicating the level of engagement with each cinemagraph.

Download: Cinemagram for iPhone @ App Store [No Longer Available]

Visit: Cinemagr.am [No Longer Available]

Final Thoughts

Beyond several typical improvements, alongside the resolution of identified bugs and the implementation of a few previously absent features, it's difficult to envision further enhancements for this application.

The underlying idea is exceptionally strong, and the process of generating a cinemagraph is remarkably straightforward and uncomplicated. Considering the price point of $1.99, it represents excellent value for individuals who frequently utilize their smartphones for photography, videography, or engagement with photo editing applications such as Instagram or Hipstamatic – both also priced at $1.99.

Your Feedback is Valued

Have you had the opportunity to experiment with Cinemagram? What are your impressions? Are there any additional functionalities that would significantly enhance your user experience?

Please share your insights and suggestions in the comments section below.

The app’s core functionality is robust and user-friendly.

For a nominal fee, users gain access to a powerful creative tool.

We encourage users to contribute their ideas for future development.

Consider this application a must-have for mobile photography enthusiasts.

The simplicity of cinemagraph creation is a key strength.

Ongoing bug fixes and feature additions will continue to refine the experience.