Popular Camera App Halide Releases Its Long-Exposure App For Free
By Mikelle Leow, 19 Jul 2023
Image via Spectre
To take a long-exposure photo, you’ll usually need a moving subject, a steady base, and some patience. Suffice it to say, it’s not a technique that the masses often play around with.
However, thanks to artificial intelligence, you can now reap the rewards of long-exposure photography without agonizing over the process. According to PetaPixel, Halide—a popular app that makes the most out of the iPhone camera—has now made Spectre, its long-exposure counterpart, available for free.
Image via Spectre
Users can now enjoy version 1.5 without having to fork out anything—not money, and not even a tripod.
Spectre, which was crowned Apple’s Best App of 2019, harnesses the tech giant’s Neural Engine Processor to take long-exposure shots—with AI-powered stabilization—for up to three seconds.
The effect can be easily achieved by tapping the app’s shutter button, and keeping your phone still as the AI produces hundreds of images from the same scene and stitches them together. A stabilizer option enables those with shakier hands to manage a quality snap.
The entire result is then saved as a Live Photo for users to watch the frame unfold.
With an AI boost, anyone can capture light trails and the time-lapse of splashing water, and even erase crowds.
Images via Spectre
Accordingly, the Spectre team says it is releasing the app’s base features at no cost to encourage more interest in the realm of long exposures.
Fret not if you’ve already purchased Spectre, as all existing users will now be upgraded to the Pro version, where they’ll be able to take 15- and 30-second exposure shots, and enjoy other perks. For first-time downloaders, though, an immediate upgrade to the Pro tier will set you back a one-time fee of US$4.99.
To download the free version of Spectre, head here.