This photo editing app with manual controls is a joy to use

We've written about the popular camera app Obscura before, but recently Obscura 4 came out, and has received a whole host of new updates over the years. So with this in mind, it's about time we revisit this underrated camera app.

Developed by Ben McCarthy, Obscura 4 brings you a whole host of real-time camera tools and photo editing tools, but it's the design of the app that I enjoy the most. Sort of like using a manual camera, there's an old-school mode dial that allows you to change the intensity of different effects in real-time, whereas in rival apps you'd find simple sliders.

First and foremost, the design of Obscura 4 and its functions look great, with a minimal and clean aesthetic, as well as gorgeous-looking fonts. But it's also a real ergonomic pleasure to use gestures in slightly different ways to get the desired effects on your final photos. It makes me feel connected to the photo somehow, like I'm playing more of a role than simply tweaking an exposure dial. 

A camera alternative and photo editing suite in one

Although it's the mode dial that sets Obscura apart from some similar rivals, there are all kinds of features here that make it a solid photo editing go-to and even a top camera alternative. 

It's free to download and you'll get a stripped-back version for free, but it's very basic. So if you're on the hunt for a camera and photo app alternative, I'd recommend taking Obscura Ultra for a spin. That's Obscura's premium version that you can try with a 7-day free trial. Obscura Ultra unlocks the full suite of features, and costs only $9.99/£9.99 a year – one of the cheapest subscriptions out there. 

With Obscura Ultra you'll get all the essential tools you'd expect from a photo editing app here, like control over exposure, focus, white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and flash. 

But it's the camera app alternatives that make it a must-have for me, including RAW and ProRAW capture for more detailed editing options (although you do also get this in the standard Apple camera these days), a portrait mode with adjustable bokeh controls and video capture with a range of real-time adjustments. You can also view small but useful basics, like a grid, a spirit level, a histogram, focus peaking, a focus loupe, and exposure clipping highlights to see every detail of what you’re shooting as you do it. 

If you're looking for a sleek and functional camera alternative and photo editing app rolled into one, give Obscura 4 a go.

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