Distort Your Photos The Way You Used To With Polaroids
Pixel Blend Pro ($1.99) by Michael Valdez is an image altering effects app for transforming your photographs into abstract works of art. Creating a special emulsion-smudging simulator, photographers can virtually go back to the days of Polaroid pictures.
The first step is to add a photo by either taking one on the spot, or choosing one from the device's camera roll. Once chosen, the fun begins. Pick a smudging or scratching tool. Pick how strong the effect will be. Decide on a texture. Start creating.
The idea behind this app comes from Polaroid photo manipulation wherein photographers would use tools such as pencils and pushpins to distort the photo’s soft emulsion, creating abstract and interesting new looks.
The tools included in this app will cause the images to smudge, scratch, sparkle, and blend. Effects can be increased or decreased in the “Fluidity” section. Here, cold fluidity will cause less distortion while hot fluidity will cause more. Additional textures can be added to alter the image. For example, using the “cracked paint” feature will create a sparkle effect, while the “watercolor” feature will cause the effect to smooth out.
The app takes a lot of getting used to. At first, it seems like nothing is happening, but with the right combination of effects and plenty of smudging, the image will begin to show the distortions.
Unfortunately, the tool is not very responsive and users will find themselves making a lot of mistakes as their finger gets ahead of the cursor. Additionally, the pinch-to-zoom feature has poor response, and accidental smudges happen constantly.
There is also an iPad-only app from the same developers called Pixel Blend HD. This is not a universal app, iPad users will have to download the HD app, while iPhone/iPod touch users will have to download the Pro app.
Overall, this photography image manipulation app is creative and unique, offering users the chance to distort pictures the way artists would with actual Polaroids. The app lacks responsiveness, but works well otherwise. Pick it up in the App Store for $1.99.
