Paper Exposer Remote


Modern light control for your analog enlarger

With Paper Exposer Remote, you can connect a Hue RGB lamp or a second iOS device to your smartphone or tablet and take full control of color and exposure time in your darkroom. Whether replacing your enlarger’s lamp with a smart light or using a screen as a light source, the app gives you precise, repeatable control – all wirelessly.

No complicated setup. No custom hardware. Just smart tools designed to support your analog workflow.

Built for darkroom creators who want flexibility and control.

Getting Started


Important setup tips before you start

  • Disable notifications and auto-lock to prevent interruptions.

  • Turn off Night Shift and True Tone (if available) for color consistency.

  • Turn on red Color Filter to ensure only black and red system UI elements.

Automatic Brightness Management

Paper Exposer Remote includes a smart brightness control system designed to optimize screen illumination for darkroom use while maintaining user comfort and device safety:

  • Default Brightness Preset:

    Upon first launch, the app sets the screen brightness to 60%, providing a reliable starting point for most exposures.

  • Session Persistence:

    User-defined brightness settings are automatically saved and restored across sessions, allowing for a consistent workflow without reconfiguration.

Exposure Modes and Timing

Paper Exposer Remote offers four distinct exposure modes, giving you complete creative control over your darkroom printing process:

Sequential Mode

  • Green and blue light phases are exposed one after another

  • Ideal for classic split-grade printing

  • The green phase completes fully before the blue phase begins

  • Total exposure time = Green time + Blue time (+ Pause, if enabled)

Simultaneous Mode

  • Green and blue light phases are exposed together

  • Designed for efficient, balanced exposures

  • Both colors run in parallel

Interval Mode

  • Introduces a pause between exposure phases

  • Useful for advanced or experimental techniques

  • Pause can be automatic or triggered manually

Continuous Mode

  • Runs exposure phases back-to-back without pauses

  • Best for straightforward printing workflows

  • Maximizes efficiency for basic exposures

Time Management and Process Status

Set your desired total exposure time and let the app take care of the details. Paper Exposer Remote automatically distributes timing across all exposure phases and pause intervals to streamline your workflow.

  • Set a total exposure time, and the app calculates:

    • Phase durations (green and blue)

    • Simultaneous exposure time (if applicable)

    • Pause durations

    • Total process time

  • During exposure, the app provides:

    • A real-time countdown timer

    • A clear status display showing:

      • Current phase (green, blue, pause)

      • Time remaining in current phase

      • Total exposure time

      • Pause state (if active)

Hue Bluetooth Device Pairing

Pair your Philips Hue Bluetooth lamp with the Paper Exposer Remote app for wireless exposure control.

Pairing Instructions

  1. Open the app and select Bluetooth Connection

  2. The app will automatically begin scanning for nearby Hue lamps

  3. Once your lamp appears, tap the SEL button next to it

  4. Follow the on-screen pairing steps:

    • Turn off the lamp

    • Wait 10 seconds

    • Turn it back on

  5. Once connected, enter a custom name for your lamp

  6. Tap SAVE to complete the pairing

Lamp must be powered on and within Bluetooth range to appear in the scan.

Restart the lamp if it doesn’t show up in the device list.

iOS Device Connection

You can connect two iOS devices running Paper Exposer Remote to control the exposure process remotely. One device acts as the controller, the other as the light source (Paper Exposer device).

Pairing Instructions

  1. Open the app and select iOS Device

  2. The app will automatically begin scanning for nearby Paper Exposer devices

  3. Once your device appears, tap the SEL button next to it

  4. Once connected, enter a custom name for your lamp

  5. Tap SAVE to complete the pairing

The app uses Bluetooth to establish a peer-to-peer connection between two iOS devices.

Both devices must remain nearby during the connection process.

Only one connection can be active per device at a time.

Once the connection is established, the Paper Exposer device’s screen will turn black.

The Paper Exposer device will return to the normal interface only after the controller disconnects.

Safety Notes & Disclaimer

  • Always secure your phone firmly above the negative.

  • Keep your phone away from darkroom chemicals.

  • For chemical safety, follow manufacturer guidelines.

For 8x10 negatives, a 12.9” iPad is recommended. Depending on distance, slight vignetting may occur at the edges.

Gradation Control

Paper Exposer Remote gives you precise control over image contrast through a customizable ratio of green and blue light.

  • Fine-tune contrast by adjusting the ratio between green and blue light

  • Controlled via a scale from 0 to 5:

    • 0 = Pure green light (soft contrast)

    • 5 = Pure blue light (hard contrast)

    • Intermediate values produce mixed contrast

  • Exposure times are automatically calculated to maintain consistent light output

Device Connection

Paper Exposer Remote supports connection with multiple device types to enable wireless control over focus and exposure. The interface adapts depending on whether you use an iPhone or iPad and whether a device is connected.

Supported device types:

  • Another device with Paper Exposer Remote installed

  • Philips Hue RGB Bluetooth lamps (E27: A67 - 1600 & A60 - 1100)

  • Philips Hue RGB Bridge lamps (E27: A67 - 1600 & A60 - 1100)

Focus and Expose buttons are only available when a device is connected.

How to Use

Before using Focus or Expose, you must be connected to a device. If no devices are available, first add a device to the app by following the instructions in the corresponding pairing section above.

Focus Mode

Use Focus Mode to precisely align your setup before exposure.

  1. Tap the FOCUS button

  2. The screen turns pure white at maximum brightness

  3. Adjust your enlarger or image projection for optimal sharpness

  4. To exit, tap the exact location where the FOCUS button was (the button is hidden during this mode)

  5. Brightness automatically returns to your previously saved setting

If the app is sent to the background (e.g. by swiping or locking the device), Focus Mode will end immediately and return to the main interface to prevent unintended light exposure.

Accidental touches are ignored — only tapping the original button area exits Focus Mode safely.

Exposure Process

Exposure Mode runs the full light sequence with optional delay, pause, and manual trigger settings.

  1. Configure delay and pause times as needed

  2. Tap the EXPOSE button to start the exposure process

  3. The screen displays the configured exposure color(s) at maximum brightness

  4. To cancel exposure early, tap the exact location where the EXPOSE button was

  5. After exposure completes, the screen turns black to block any stray light — tap the same spot to return to the main interface

If the app is sent to the background during exposure, the process will be immediately cancelled and the screen will go dark. This prevents accidental exposure in case of interruption.

Accidental touches are ignored — only tapping the original button area exits Expose Mode.

All connection controls are disabled during exposure.

Hue Bridge Connection

Use the Paper Exposer Remote app to connect your Philips Hue Bridge and select compatible lamps for exposure control.

Pairing Instructions

  1. Open the app and select Local Network

  2. Wait for automatic bridge discovery

    Nearby bridges will appear with their name, IP address, and connection status.

  3. Tap the “SEL” button next to your bridge

    The app will begin the pairing process.

  4. Press the round button on top of your Hue Bridge

    This authorizes the connection.

  5. Wait for pairing to complete

    The app will confirm once the connection is established.

  6. Select your lamp from the list

    Lamps are grouped by room and unassigned lamps. Each entry shows its name, status, and SEL and BLINKbuttons.

  7. Tap “SEL” to choose a lamp

    Optionally use BLINK to help identify it physically.

  8. Name your lamp

    Enter a custom name for easy reference and tap SAVE.

Can’t find your bridge? Enter its IP manually (found in your router settings).

The bridge must be on the same network as your device.

Privacy Policy and App Information for Paper Exposer Remote

General

This policy applies to all versions of the application Paper Exposer Remote, running on Apple iOS devices (iPhone or iPad), regardless of screen size or model.

Pricing

The app is available as a direct purchase through the Apple App Store.

Pricing may vary over time due to regional differences and currency exchange rates.

Purpose and Intended Use

Paper Exposer Remote enables synchronized exposure control for analog photographic processes by allowing one iOS device to control another, or to control compatible smart lighting devices.

It is not intended for general lighting or any other uses beyond the described functionality.

App Functionality

The app provides:

  • Connection to other iOS devices via Bluetooth

  • Communication with smart lighting devices via Local Network

  • RGB screen illumination with customizable exposure sequences

  • Adjustable durations for pre-light, exposure, and mid-light intervals

  • Automatic adjustment of screen brightness during exposure

  • Prevention of screen auto-lock during active use

This screen behavior is intentional and temporary, similar to video playback apps. Normal auto-lock settings resume once the app is closed or minimized.

Performance may vary based on device model and lighting hardware. Exposure consistency across devices is not guaranteed.

Practical Use & Safety Notice

When using Paper Exposer Remote:

  • Ensure your device is securely positioned and protected from falling, liquids, and photographic chemicals

  • If using an iOS device as a remote exposure light source, ensure it remains uninterrupted during operation

⚠️ The correct and safe physical setup of your hardware is solely your responsibility. PBJK Design cannot be held liable for damage or misuse.

Device Compatibility

  • The app supports Bluetooth-based peer-to-peer connections between iOS devices

  • It also supports Philips Hue smart lamps, both via Bluetooth and via the Philips Hue Bridge over a local network

  • Volume button triggering via connected headphones may be available on supported devices

Philips Hue is a registered trademark of Signify Holding B.V. PBJK Design and Paper Exposer Remote are not affiliated with or endorsed by Philips or Signify.

Data & Permissions

Paper Exposer Remote:

  • Does not collect or transmit personal data

  • Does not require user accounts or login

  • Does not store user activity

The app may request the following system permissions:

  • Bluetooth – for device-to-device communication

  • Local Network – to discover and connect to Philips Hue Bridge

  • Screen brightness control – to optimize exposure light output

All transactions, diagnostics, and crash reports are handled by Apple’s App Store and are governed by Apple’s privacy policies.

Legal & Copyright

Paper Exposer Remote is developed and owned by PBJK Design.

All names, designs, and functions of the app are protected under copyright by PBJK Design, 2025.

Questions, feedback, or feature requests?

If you have any questions about using the app, encountered a bug, or have an idea for a new feature — we’d love to hear from you. Just send us a message using the form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.