Photogene for iPad has long been one of the best options for professional photographers looking for a robust iPad photo editor. It has features generally limited to desktop programs like Photoshop and Aperture, including the ability to add metadata and sophisticated tools. Intuitive controls make Photogene special for all users. They allow amateurs to use pro tools without any learning curve. Now, along with sister app Photogene2 for iPhone, a massive update has been released.
The news developers are promoting for version 4.5 is that they have teamed with tap2print to offer an order-by-mail option. Handy for sure, the real treats come in the form of new features for regular and professional users.
For the experts IPTC editing is not new, but the update includes batch IPTC paste. You can now also add star ratings to the metadata.
For all users there are new sharing options. The best is device-to-device transferring, but Evernote, Dropbox and Tumblr have been incorporated, too. iOS 5, FTP and Dropbox transfers retain full file size, and the app adds date stamp to exports.
On the editing end, the new clarity slider is a nice tweak, and the odd requirement for enabling location services when making collages has been removed. The new clone tool is refined. A treat for me, the pencil filter is back.
One thing is apparent if you look at the already glowing user feedback of previous updates: Omer Shoor takes user feedback seriously. Photogene won’t replace a desktop editor for experts, but it’s a pro mobile must. For the rest of us who want to toy with anything from advanced darkroom effects to fun filters, no other iPad photo editor does so much so well and so easily.
