The Velop Manual

VELOP: THE MANUAL (BUILD 2.2 CALIBRATION)

THE SOUL OF THE PROCESS

Welcome to Velop. If you’re reading this, you’re among the few who actually consult manuals for their photographic equipment. Congratulations - you’re our kind of photographer.

Velop was born from a singular obsession: bringing the tactile, magical experience of the Analog Darkroom to the iPhone. We wanted to capture that breath-holding moment when an image slowly emerges from a clear sheet of paper submerged in the developer tray. This manual will guide you through the screens, buttons, and philosophical choices you’ll make as a photographer using Velop.

The Velop experience is organized into three primary stages: The Camera, The Darkroom, and The Gallery.

I. THE CAMERA SCREEN

The Camera is your creative tool. This is where you make every decision before the shutter clicks. It consists of three primary interaction areas:

1. The Settings Button (Upper Left)

Tapping the Gear icon opens Settings. Here, you make your basic settings choices for the app:

A. Camera Settings:

Film Type: Toggle between dedicated Black & White or Color emulsions.

Film Speed (ISO): Mimic standard film grains from ISO 64 (fine detail) up to ISO 3200 (heavy, atmospheric grain). The higher the speed, the more texture your Velop will have. Note: Choosing higher ISO settings DOES NOT impact the exposure settings.

Standard Photo Format: Choose how your Standard Photo (or "negative") is saved. On Pro-class iPhones, Apple ProRAW offers maximum editing power; HEIF (high bitrate), Full JPEG, or 50% JPEG help you manage storage and compatibility.

Unlimited Velops: Unlock the ability to take and develop an infinite number of images.

B. Darkroom Settings:

Red Light Conditions: Toggle the "Safe Light" simulation. This allows you to watch your photograph develop under the classic crimson glow of a physical darkroom.

File Management: Select which files are saved to your Apple Camera Roll (Standard Photo, Velop Video, and Velop Photo).

Development Time: Choose your development speed on a 2–30 second spectrum. The default “sweet spot” is 6 seconds.

C. Gallery Settings:

Customize your Velop Watermark Color or upgrade to Pro Level to remove the Velop watermark entirely.

2. The Lens Button (Upper Right)

Velop utilizes the elite optics of the iPhone 17 Pro:

Front Facing: For self-portraits.

24mm: The wide-angle storyteller.

48mm (The Human Eye): Our recommended lens (1x optical).

100mm: The telephoto, perfect for intimate portraits.

3. The Control Bar (The Bottom Grid)

Black & White Mode:

Sepia: A warm, copper-brownish tint.

Plat (Platinum): A cool-toned, archival monochrome.

Contrast Levels: Five filters, ranging from Level 1 (Washed) to Level 5 (Noir). Level 3 is neutral.

Color Mode:

Base vs. Filter: Use "Base" (the circle on the far left of the eras) for a neutral, clean color profile.

The Eras: Choose from five personas: 50s (Fade), 60s (Cool), 70s (Instant), 80s (Neon), and 90s (Fly).

Intensity (The Era Juice): With a decade Era selected, choose your chemical strength:

- Soft (40%): A subtle wash that preserves natural skin tones.

- Base (100%): The standard, true-to-era chemical mix.

- Pop (140%): The "Concentrate." An over-developed, high-saturation signature look.

II. THE DARKROOM SCREEN

Once you depress the Shutter Release Button, the chemistry begins. You will automatically shift to the Darkroom.

This is the heart of the Velop experience. There are no buttons to press; your only job is to watch, wait, and marvel. Velop is performing complex processing to save three distinct files:

The Standard Photo: An untouched, baseline photograph (your "negative").

The Velop Video: A high-fidelity recording of the darkroom development process.

The Velop Photo: The final developed photograph with all your chosen Eras and intensity settings applied.

Patience is a Feature: High-resolution file processing takes time. Use this moment to slow down and appreciate the image emerging.

III. THE GALLERY

The Gallery is your exhibition space.

The Comparison: View your Standard Photo next to your Velop Photo to see how your laboratory choices transformed the image.

The Archive: Re-watch your Velop Video or jump to your Apple Camera Roll to share.

Laboratory Synchronization: Only the file types you have selected to 'Save' in Settings will appear here.

IV. CLEAN CAPTURE

For moments requiring neutral accuracy, select the 'Base' icon in the Era selection tray (the circle on the far left). This returns the laboratory to Color Base, providing a high-fidelity, professional-grade processing foundation without decade-specific chemistry.

If a decade Era is active, selecting "Base" in the intensity buttons will apply the full 100% strength of that era. To remove the filter entirely, navigate back to the primary "Base" Era in the decade tray.