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Pixlr-o-Matic

10/20/2015

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Hello, everyone!

In my third post, I'm going to talk about the app that I discovered for myself about a year ago, Pixlr-o-Matic. This app is available for both Android and iPhone users, and the interface is very similar with some minor differences. I will describe the Android version here, but I'm sure that iPhone owners will sort it out easily relying on the instructions below.


At the moment when I installed Pixlr-o-Matic, I was acquainted with Instagram presets only. That's why all new filters, effects, frames seemed really cool to me. I started to experiment with everything I saw around me. I got some of my first pictures for you:

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My first images, edited with the Pixlr-o-Matic app
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My first images, edited with the Pixlr-o-Matic app
Time passed... I discovered some more apps for myself, compared them, started to mix them and now I can make a conclusion about Pixlr-o-Matic relying on the information I have and my own experience.

But first, let me introduce you this app. 
The interface is simplicity itself. 
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Press the icon in the upper left corner. You will see the Settings:
  • Default save size -- None. That means that every time after saving a new picture Pixlr-o-Matic will ask you if you want to save it in Small, Medium or Original size. Choose smaller sizes if you are not going to print them after. 
  • Default save folder. The folder where your files come to after the editing and saving.
  • Camera mode -- No. That means the Pixlr-o-Matic doesn't open Camera automatically straight after opening the app.
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Pressing the icon in the upper right corner will lead you to the pixlr.com
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To start editing we need a picture, right? You can either choose the Snapshot icon and take a picture, or Upload icon which will let you see your library. Let's choose the second option now:
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To start work on a new picture from your camera roll chose the one you would like to edit and tap on it. For example, this one:
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As I said before, the interface is very easy. Only 5 buttons and nothing more.
So, from the left to the right:
1. The arrow returns you to the main page without saving your editing.
2. The Film item lets you choose the filter you like. There is a huge amount of them:
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3. The Lamp Item lets you choose different effects if you need them
4. The Frame icon is to frame your picture. Be careful with frames. Don't use them every time with every picture. There are many examples when frame diverts your attention from the photo. There is a simple rule for me while editing pictures: if I look at the picture and see the frame, that means I don't need the frame in this case. Or I can try another one. Usually, if the picture is good, it doesn't need any frame.

5. The Floppy disk item means "Save the result".

So. Now let's see what we can do with our Tulips. Let's start with cropping. I should say that this tool is not very useful here because it doesn't allow you to crop your image as you wish. Look at the picture below:
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I prefer uncropped image. To return it press this icon one more time.
At the upper right corner, you can see 2 icons. The left one will lead you to the filters/effects/frames collections:
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Filters collection
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Effects collection
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Frames collection
The cross button will return you back to your editing page. 
There is another tool in the upper right corner -- 2 crossed arrows. I never used this button in my editing. But if you want to have some fun try it. Press it until you are happy with the result :) This tool applies filter + effect + frame randomly for your picture. And results are unexpected every time:). I'll show you some of them:
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Let's come back to the start and make something good finally:). So. Firstly I play with filters. When the app is new for you and you know nothing about it, just try everything. And chose what you like. I think TONY Filter would be OK for our picture:
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Now let's see what we can do with the effect. I tried some and chose 2 effects that seem quite fine. Here they are:
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The next step is Frame. If I edit this picture for myself I wouldn't frame it. But here I want to show you all possible steps. For the first picture, I chose Cornered frame, for the second one - Smoke.
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Now it's time to save our pictures. One by one of course. Press the bottom right icon and choose the size:
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And here are 2 pictures we made (I prefer the left one :) ):
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If you want to apply 2 filters or 2 effects for 1 picture, you should apply the first one, save, open the saved picture again and apply another filter or effect. For example:
1. Original Picture + Sara Filter + Weave effect -- Save = Picture 1
2. Picture 1 + Sophia Filter -- Save = Picture 2
3. Picture 1 + Agatha Filter + Sand Frame -- Save = Picture 3
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Here are some more pictures edited with Pixlr-o-Matic:
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And before I'll make a conclusion about Pixlr-o-Matic, I want you to have a look at photos made by people who never used this app before. My aim was to involve new people in this interesting and exciting process of editing photos. And it was a pleasure for me to hear from them that they loved it and were glad to make their contribution to the blog. Huge Thanks to all of them!:) 
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by Elena Sergeeva
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by Elena Sergeeva
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by Yuriy Andreykovich
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by Aleksandra Verbova
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by Ekaterina Stroganova
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by Irina Shevtcova
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by Aleksei Unshchikov
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by Alona Gertsberg
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by Alona Gertsberg
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by Vasiliy Pasyada
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by Tamara Gilfanova
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by Olga Vasileva
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by Yulia Parkonen
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by Yulia Parkonen
Finally, it's time for the conclusion!:) 

Well, for me Pixlr-o-matic was like the first love:) and first love, as you know will be never forgotten:) 
Ok, I love the huge amount of frames despite I use them very rarely. I love that developers offer something new quite often. And the most cool thing about this app is - it's very easy to use, very intuitive - good for those who just start editing pictures with their smartphones. 


This app is more for fun, don't cavil at it's negatives. AUTODESK offers another app Pixlr with much more opportunities than Pixlr-o-Matic.


So. If you are a beginner in mobile editing, this app is quite good to start with. If you are a very experienced mobile photographer / artist, try it anyway and maybe you will find some effects or filters that you'll like and will use in your art.



Best wishes to everyone and see you later at the same place:)
Yulia Naganova

https://www.flickr.com/photos/131826510@N07/
@y.naganova (Instagram)


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