Comparison

Self vs LightMeter Express

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Self

This app allows you to control a photo booth kiosk from your phone to take and share self-portraits. Browse a curated archive of user-submitted images and contribute your own to an interactive art project.

Highlights
  • Control photo kiosk camera remotely
  • Capture and view photos instantly on phone
  • Share photos with friends
  • Contribute to the Self-Portrait Project archive
  • Browse photos by date, place, or keyword
Read full description

“It’s a photobooth where you snap your own photo” The Self-Portrait Project (SPP) is an interactive art, social change, and commerce project whose mission is to empower people in the creation and curation of their own images. SPP photo kiosks are located throughout New York City and at events nationwide. Locate one and control the kiosk camera using your phone and this app. Capture Once you’ve connected, snap pictures and see them instantly on your phone. Share Share photos with friends, and choose your favorites to contribute to the Self-Portrait Project. Browse Sift through thousands of photos in the SPP archive by date, place, or keyword. … Created in 2009, the Self-Portrait Project is a photo-based, interactive archive project that seeks to capture the zeitgeist of New York City and beyond. A SPP kiosk utilizes a two-way mirror with a camera set up behind it. Standing in front of the mirror, the participant uses her/his phone as the remote trigger. The participant chooses how and when to shoot her/himself. In the simple act of letting the model be photographer, the dynamic of the potential photo changes and therefore the final image. Giving someone who is accustomed to having their picture "taken" the opportunity to document their own likeness under their own terms produces images that address issues of vanity and insecurity, empowerment and self-awareness, superficiality and substance. As the photographer *and* model, you are wholly responsible for the images you create of yourself.

About

LightMeter Express

This tool transforms your iPhone into a professional light meter for photography. It offers accurate exposure readings with real-time calculations for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, supporting various camera settings and providing exposure compensation.

Highlights
  • Real-time light metering
  • Precise exposure calculations
  • Support for standard camera settings
  • Exposure value (EV) display
  • Spot metering (Pro feature)
  • Live histogram (Pro feature)
Read full description

LightMeter Express - Professional Camera Tool Transform your iPhone into a precision light meter for film and digital photography. Get accurate exposure readings with an intuitive interface designed for photographers who demand professional-grade metering capabilities. CORE FEATURES (FREE): • Real-time light metering using your device's camera • Precise aperture, shutter speed, and ISO calculations • Support for all standard camera settings • Clean, professional interface optimized for quick readings • Exposure value (EV) display with compensation controls • Camera settings reference for popular film and digital cameras • Works in any lighting condition your camera can see • Intuitive haptic feedback with "full-stop" detents for exposure drag gestures PERFECT FOR: • Film photographers seeking accurate meter readings • Digital photographers wanting precise exposure control • Studio and outdoor photography • Learning proper exposure techniques • Backup metering when your camera's meter fails PRO FEATURES (One-time $0.99 purchase): • **Spot Metering** - Professional spot metering with zoomed preview for precise exposure readings from specific areas of your scene. Drag to reposition, tap to meter. Works best on iPhones with telephoto lenses for maximum precision • Custom Step Increments - Choose between 1/3, 1/2, or full stop increments for all exposure parameters to match your camera and shooting style • Live Histogram - Real-time histogram display with RGB channel analysis for precise exposure evaluation and highlight/shadow monitoring • Preview Compensation - See exposure compensation effects directly in the camera preview to visualize over/under exposure before shooting • Custom Limits - Set personalized aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation limits to match your specific camera gear and preferences • Black & White Preview - Turn the camera preview into a grayscale image for helping with B&W photography The free version provides full light metering functionality suitable for most photography needs. Pro features add advanced customization and analysis tools for professional and enthusiast photographers. TECHNICAL NOTES: • Requires camera access to function as a light meter • All processing happens locally on your device • No internet connection required • Compatible with iPhone • Spot metering optimized for devices with multiple camera lenses PRIVACY: Light Meter respects your privacy. Camera data is processed locally and never stored or transmitted. No personal information is collected.

Screenshots

Self3 screens
LightMeter Express4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Self at none against LightMeter Express's 1. Self also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.6). LightMeter Express's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 6 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. LightMeter Express sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Self asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LightMeter Express holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Self's written reviews are positive against 88% of LightMeter Express's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Self ships an update every 6 weeks, LightMeter Express daily. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Self versus LightMeter Express: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSelfLightMeter Express
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (13 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB4 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSelf Portrait Project, LLCDigitaino LLC

Customer experience

Self

All ratings13 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

LightMeter Express

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

None

Self

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

LightMeter Express

One-time1
  • Light Meter Pro$2.99

Questions

Is Self free?
Self is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LightMeter Express free?
LightMeter Express is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Self or LightMeter Express?
LightMeter Express is rated higher. Self averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while LightMeter Express averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Self or LightMeter Express have ads?
Neither Self nor LightMeter Express shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Self or LightMeter Express?
Self ships an update every 6 weeks, and LightMeter Express daily. Most recently, Self was updated on October 6, 2026 and LightMeter Express on October 13, 2026.

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