VSCO X Review, Bringing Analog Film Presets to Digital Photographers

VSCO is a popular photo editing and social platform for photographers, and in this VSCO X review, I’ll explain why I’m a member. First debuting as VSCO Cam, Visual Supply Company created it to be a sort of “anti-Instagram.” Instead of focusing on how many followers and likes you get, VSCO instead celebrates the act of photography as an art form. And there is a special subscription called VSCO X, that gives you exclusive tools to use.

Inception

Roughly a year ago, the developers launched a subscription-based membership program called VSCO X. The program gives you access to all of VSCO’s editing tools, as well as its library of over 130 presets. Additionally, members can use special analog filters called Film X.

Film X is VSCO’s efforts to digitize and preserve classic analog film. The team built an imaging lab, hired a color scientist, bought film scanners, and even created a special imaging engine called SENS. The resulting tools carefully examine how film reacts to light, and helps photographers bring analog film back to life, with an iPhone.

Film X

Members get new film every month. Each preset is designed for a specific situation, although they can be used for anything. Whether you specialize in portraiture, landscapes, or even wedding photography, there is a preset for everyone. Some of the analog film filter presets that VSCO offers include:

Film control using Strength, Character, and Warmth.

• Kodak Portra 160


• Kodak Portra 400


• Fuji 160C


• Fuji Pro 400H


• Ilford HP5 Plus

Each of these films has a rich history, and VSCO filters brings that history back in a modern app. Thanks to VSCO’s imaging models, photographers can control how the film filters look by changing the Warmth and Character, as well as the strength of the preset. Members also get access to the full library of non-film presets available.

Exclusive Tools

In addition to film, VSCO X members can use exclusive tools for their art. Like the film presets, VSCO continually adds new tools, so you’ll get your money’s worth. The company recently introduced two tools for members: Recipes and Borders, as described below.

Using a Recipe

In the early days of VSCO, you could often find photos edited with the app that showed exactly which tools to use. You could load these into the app, apply the settings, then copy/paste the style onto your photographs. The Recipes tool essentially does the same thing, but you don’t have to keep a library of photos to copy/paste.

Another new tool is Borders. This is a tool that lets you add a colored (or monochrome) border to your images. This adds a unique flair that makes your photos stand out. It’s also great for photographers that still like to share on Instagram. If you’re a photographer that adds a white border to counteract Instagram’s square layout, you’ll love Borders.

Members also get access to lessons, where you can learn tips and tricks to improving your photography. From tutorials to creative exercises, VSCO’s lessons keep your artistic muscles flexed.

New Feature: Messages

This brings me to a new feature that VSCO is launching today: Messages. This brings a more social aspect to the platform that is meant to foster relationships and spark creative dialog between photographers. But it’s different than other platforms.

For starters, you can only message people who follow you. When a person follows you, it means they’re interested in your work, and is meant as a closer connection than messaging random people. To keep the platform safe, VSCO give you control over the experience. You can block and report people, leave conversations, and unfollow them.

New Messages feature

But if you do want to maintain the conversation, you can share more than just texts. Photos, DSCOs, journals, and profiles of creators can be shared with messages. However, you can’t share photos directly from your studio or camera roll. This should hopefully work towards preventing more unsavory content from being shared.

VSCO X members will get access to messages first, and it will slowly roll out to all VSCO users over the coming weeks. So how can you get access quickly?

VSCO X Membership

Tap the X to find the member area

After all of this talk about the benefits of VSCO X membership, here’s how to join.

1. First, download VSCO from the App Store if you don’t already have it, which is free.


2. Next, set up a VSCO account with an email and a password. In the app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap ‘Sign up to get started.’


3. In the Studio portion of the app, you’ll see a blocky X icon on the left. This is where you can sign up for VSCO X.

Membership costs US$20 per year, and you get a 7-day trial to explore all of the benefits. You’ll be charged with your App Store payment method, and the payment is charged at the beginning of membership (after the free trial). You can manage your subscription in the App Store settings. For more information, you can visit VSCO’s FAQ page.

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