How to Add Labels to IPhone Photos

The phenomenal camera on the iPhone has set a new standard for mobile phone photography. Though it is only a modest 5 megapixels, the iPhone's camera turns out beautiful indoor and outdoor photos which are easy to share via MMS messaging, email, or social networking apps. Likewise, app developers have also had a hey-day creating amazing apps that utilize the photography capabilities of iPhone and have add a whole new level of fun, creativity, and productivity to mobile photography.


One such app development firm is Stepcase, the creators of the addictive camera app Labebox. Labelbox (free in the App store) allows you to add various types of labels and text to any photo, adding a customized touch to all your photos. If you enjoy crafts, jazzing up your photography or just having fun with your photos, I am going to show you how to get the most out of your iPhone camera with Labelbox.


Get the Shot You Want

With Labelbox you can add a label to an existing photo in your camera roll or photo library or you can snap a shot from within the app itself. If you have already taken a photo with the camera simply download Labelbox to your phone and launch it from the Home Screen. You may be met initially with some informational windows. Just tap the X in the corner to move on. At the "How To Use Screen" tap the triangle at the bottom to begin.


You will then be met with a sample of the available labels and some icons across the bottom of the screen. From left to right they are: a Camera (for choosing a photo to edit or taking a photo within the app), the Save icon (with a downward pointing arrow to save your labeled photo when finished), an Upload icon (with an upward pointing arrow) for sharing photos on Stepcase's Steply social network, Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr; and finally an S which, strangely, does the same function as the Upload icon.


Begin with the shot you want to edit. Tap the camera icon and you will be given the option to either choose a photo from your library or to take a picture. Tap either button and then get the photo you want.


Choose a Label

Scroll the labels side to side to see all the label options and choose the one that's best for your photo. There are also some labels that are locked because they must be purchased. But there are still some fantastic labels that come free with the app.


Tap the label you want to use and you will be taken to a full screen view of your photo. This part can be tricky. As with a regular actual label dispenser, set your finger down on the screen on a point on the photo where you'd like the label to begin. Then, without picking up your finger, slide it in the direction you want the label to go and slide it to the appropriate length. Do not lift your finger until the label is as long as you would like it.


Now if you make a mistake, gently shake your iPhone and Labelbox will give you the option to clear what you have done and you can start over. Once you have made the label the keyboard will appear and you can begin typing your text.

You can also do multiple labels on the same photo. And you can do different types of labels on the same photo. To choose a different type of label (to add to the label you created first), just tap the triangle at the bottom of the screen and the label selector will appear. Choose the second label you want and repeat the above steps.


Now What?


Share Online

To share your newly-labeled photo with your friends online, select the S icon (below the label choices) and choose if you would like to share via Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr (note: you are not limited to just one of these social networks). Enter your username and password (you only have to enter this information the first time) and then begin sharing your labeled photos.


Share Prints or Create a Scrapbook

You are not limited to just digital sharing of your photos. Many retailers now offer development of digital photos. After creating your photos, save them to your computer (by syncing your iPhone) or email them to yourself from your phone. Once they are on your computer you can save the photos to a portable flash drive or a CD/DVD disk (optical drive required). Take the flash drive or disk to your local retailer (CVS, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart are a few retailers who develop digital photos) and speak with a clerk there for information on how to get prints of your digital photos. After you have them developed, give them away, frame them, or create a scrapbook with your own customized labels!


Photographers, hobbyists, scrapbookers, and thoughtful gift-givers can all benefit from an easy affordable way to add creative custom labels to their photos. Labelbox and the iPhone make this a simple task with great results. Good luck!