SHOTON APP Quick Start Guide
Welcome to SHOTON APP! This guide will help you transform your digital photos with beautiful film simulations and professional camera watermarks in just a few clicks. Everything happens directly in your browser - your photos never leave your device.
What Can SHOTON APP Do?
SHOTON APP is a free, browser-based tool that lets you:
- Apply film simulation presets inspired by legendary film stocks
- Add professional camera watermarks showing your gear and settings
- Make basic adjustments to exposure, contrast, saturation, and temperature
- Edit EXIF metadata to customize your camera information
- Export high-quality images with your creative touch
Best of all, it's completely privacy-focused - all processing happens locally on your device. No uploads, no servers, no tracking.
How to Use SHOTON APP: 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Upload Your Photo
Drag and drop your photo onto the upload area, or click to browse and select a file. SHOTON APP supports:
- JPG/JPEG files
- PNG files
- HEIC files (from iPhones)
The app automatically reads your photo's EXIF data (camera model, lens, settings) to populate the watermark information.
Step 2: Apply Film Presets & Adjustments (Optional)
Transform your photo with our carefully crafted film simulation presets:
- Click "Film Preset" button
- Choose from 8 professional presets (see table below)
- Preview the look in real-time
- Click "Apply" to lock in your choice
Want to fine-tune your image? Click "Adjustments" to modify:
- Exposure - Brighten or darken your image
- Contrast - Add punch or create a softer look
- Saturation - Boost or mute color intensity
- Temperature - Shift between cool and warm tones
Step 3: Customize & Export
- Edit EXIF data (optional): Click "Edit EXIF" to customize camera model, lens, or settings displayed in the watermark
- Position watermark: Drag it to your preferred corner
- Export: Click "Export Image" to download your finished photo
That's it! Your beautifully edited photo with a professional watermark is ready to share.
Film Simulation Preset Guide
Our film presets are inspired by legendary analog film stocks and modern color grading styles. Here's a comprehensive mapping to help you choose the right look:
| SHOTON Preset | Inspired By | Best For | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Vintage | Kodak Portra 400 | Portraits, weddings, lifestyle | Warm skin tones, soft shadows, organic film grain. Perfect for people photography. |
| Vibrant Summer | Fuji Superia 400 | Everyday photography, travel | Punchy colors, enhanced reds and blues, warm bias. Great for vibrant outdoor scenes. |
| Classic Negative | Fujifilm Classic Neg. | Street, documentary, editorial | Muted colors, cool shadows, warm highlights, reduced contrast. Modern film aesthetic. |
| Cool Chrome | Fuji Provia (cross-processed) | Fashion, commercial, creative | Cool shadows with magenta highlights, boosted saturation. Distinctive cross-process look. |
| Faded Film | VSCO Cam presets | Lifestyle, social media | Lifted blacks (matte finish), soft contrast, slight desaturation. Instagram-ready aesthetic. |
| Teal & Orange | Hollywood blockbusters | Cinematic, dramatic | Teal shadows, orange skin tones. The signature Hollywood color grade. |
| Moody Dark | Instagram/TikTok aesthetic | Moody portraits, urban photography | Crushed blacks, cool tones, high contrast. Perfect for dramatic, cinematic social media content. |
| Golden Hour | Sunset/sunrise light | Travel, lifestyle, landscapes | Warm glowing highlights, soft shadows, enhanced oranges. Captures that magic hour feeling anytime. |
Real Film Stock Equivalents
If you're familiar with classic film stocks, here's how SHOTON presets compare:
Kodak Film Stocks:
- Portra 400/800 → Warm Vintage
- Gold 200 → Vibrant Summer
- Ektar 100 → Vibrant Summer (for ultra-vivid colors)
Fujifilm Film Stocks:
- Pro 400H → Faded Film or Warm Vintage (softer version)
- Superia Premium 400 → Vibrant Summer
- Superia X-TRA 400 → Vibrant Summer (punchier colors)
- Classic Chrome simulation → Classic Negative
- Velvia 50/100 → None (coming soon! Ultra-saturated landscape film)
- Provia 100F → None (neutral, true-to-life colors)
Fujifilm Digital Simulations:
- Classic Chrome → Classic Negative
- Classic Neg. → Classic Negative
- Eterna → Faded Film
- Astia → Warm Vintage
Tips for Best Results
1. Match Preset to Subject
- Portraits & People - Warm Vintage (flattering skin tones) or Golden Hour (glowing warmth)
- Landscapes & Nature - Vibrant Summer (punchy colors) or Golden Hour (sunset vibes)
- Street Photography - Classic Negative (documentary feel) or Moody Dark (urban drama)
- Fashion & Creative - Cool Chrome or Teal & Orange
- Lifestyle & Instagram - Faded Film (trendy matte look) or Golden Hour (warm aesthetic)
- Moody & Cinematic - Moody Dark (dramatic shadows & cool tones)
2. Start with Good Exposure
Film presets enhance your photos - they can't fix bad exposure. Make sure your original photo is properly exposed before applying presets.
3. Fine-Tune with Adjustments
After applying a preset, use the Adjustments panel to dial in the perfect look. Try:
- Reducing saturation if colors feel too intense
- Adding contrast for more dramatic looks
- Adjusting temperature to shift the mood
4. Watermark Placement
Position your watermark where it:
- Doesn't cover important subjects
- Maintains visual balance
- Follows the rule of thirds (bottom corners usually work best)
5. Edit EXIF for Accuracy
If your photo was edited before uploading, the EXIF data might not reflect the actual camera used. Click "Edit EXIF" to:
- Add your film camera name
- Include lens information
- Display manual settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
Understanding Film Grain
Unlike digital filters that simply darken images, our film presets include authentic film grain simulation. Film grain adds organic texture that makes digital photos feel less clinical and more artistic.
Each preset has carefully calibrated grain:
- Subtle grain (Cool Chrome, Teal & Orange) - Professional, clean look
- Medium grain (Warm Vintage, Classic Negative) - Authentic film character
- Prominent grain (Faded Film, Vibrant Summer) - Bold, artistic texture
Common Questions
Can I remove the watermark?
The watermark is optional! Export your photo without applying the watermark, or toggle it off before exporting.
Does SHOTON APP work on mobile?
Yes! SHOTON APP is fully responsive and works on smartphones and tablets. Simply open it in your mobile browser.
Can I use these presets commercially?
Absolutely. You own the rights to your edited photos and can use them for personal or commercial purposes.
Are my photos uploaded to a server?
No! Everything processes locally in your browser. Your photos never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy.
Can I save my custom adjustments?
Currently, adjustments are session-based. We recommend noting your favorite settings or exporting reference images.
What's Next?
Now that you know how to use SHOTON APP, experiment with different presets to find your signature style. Remember:
- Film simulation is about creative expression, not replicating film perfectly
- Different presets work better in different lighting conditions
- Your personal taste matters more than "correct" usage
- Consistency across a series of photos creates a professional portfolio
Ready to explore more? Check out our other guides:
- What is Film Simulation? - Deep dive into film aesthetics
- Understanding EXIF Data - Learn about photo metadata
- Shot On Watermark Trend - Why photographers love camera watermarks
Need Help?
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you:
- Check our FAQ page for common questions
- Review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
Ready to transform your photos? Start using SHOTON APP → - completely free, no signup required!