Mextures App is Here!

Mextures Launch Video from Merek Davis on Vimeo.
As a fan of textured photos, I look forward to experimenting with the new Mextures app. My only wish list is that you could use it for non-square images.  I got away from the square format after I joined EyeEm.  The app is currently on sale for $.99 to celebrate the launch. 


Mextures details:

• 70+ Original Textures -
  These high resolution textures have been made specifically for photographers by photographers. Tons of light leaks, gritty and grainy film textures, dusty vintage film scans, tasteful grunge, and gorgeous gradients. These textures are created from actual 35mm film scans from various cameras, and a multitude of other natural elements. With 12 different blending modes, every new layer adds millions of possibilities to enhance your images and make them uniquely yours.
• Lightning Fast -
  This app is fast. Get in, add a texture, and export in under 15 seconds. Faster than any other method of adding textures or light leaks.
• Infinite Layers -
  Stack a virtually unlimited number of layers for beautiful blending effects. Move, hide, rotate, and adjust opacity of your texture layers and see the results in realtime with our one-of-a-kind workflow.
• No More Pesky Undo Button -
  With a revolutionary new process, you can change any edit at any time. Change the texture, blend mode, or rotation of a layer even if you added it 30 steps ago.
• Formulas -
  Once you've created a custom edit you love, you can save it for future use with Formulas. Save as many formulas as you'd like and evolve a style that's uniquely yours. We're also excited to showcase 9 iPhoneographers who have created over 40 custom formulas to help you dive right in.
• Inspiration Feed -
  Get inspiration right in the app with a curated Tumblr feed of some of the best images using Mextures.

Repix Gets Major Redesign & Impressive New Features!

As a huge fan of Repix, I was thrilled to get the new update.  I wanted to try out the new features (see press release below to find out what’s new!).  I used one of the images in the Repix Starter Gallery and here’s what I came up with:

Press Release: 

Repix, the world’s most inspiring photo editor, has today released a new version of its iOS app. This new version sees the app receive a stunning redesign as well as new feature set that enable users to create amazing photos in seconds.

“We’ve had a fantastic few months since launching Repix, but we’re not about to rest on our laurels. We wanted to make Repix the most inspiring photo editor available on the App Store. Something that can be used for everyday photo edits as well as inspiration source for more creative edits ” said Ilkka Teppo, CEO of Sumoing.

The new design will make photo editing quicker and easier than ever. Users can access all of the app’s features with just one hand and all editing happens in real-time. There’s no need to confirm actions and users can switch directly between tools, making editing smoother than ever.

The new version of Repix comes also with some neat new features. The new handcrafted adjustable Frames enable users to add a final flourish to their creations. Unique new spotlight filters let users add cool studio-like lightning effects to photos. In addition, users can now share creations directly to Flickr. The app’s adjustment tool has a new more robust design and from now on all EXIF data is saved when users are saving their images.

So, what’s new?

- NEW – the new design, that lets edit quicker and easier than ever

- NEW - whole new Frames tool with 7 unique Frames in two colour variants

- NEW – direct sharing to Flickr

- NEW - new adjustment menu - with faster and more robust experience

- NEW - four new unique spotlight Filters, that let you add unique lightning effects to your photos.

- NEW - EXIF data saved with all Repix edits

Repix is available to download for free from the App Store. The free version of the app offers users access to a selection of tools and users can purchase more tools in-app.

For more information about Repix please visit www.repix.it.

The Whole Story–Photo by Patricia Leeds

Patria Leeds managed to convey all of the emotion she was feeling in this image.  Read The Whole Story and see if you agree. 
If you’d like to submit a photo and have a chance to be featured, you can find the details here.

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The Photograph

The Whole Story
I was called in for Jury duty for a horrific criminal trial that involved four murdered women. This trial was scheduled to last at least four months. The photo was taken as we all marked time in the hallway of the courthouse, waiting to see who would be excused from the case. There was lots of pacing and nervous conversation.

I wanted to convey the feeling in the courthouse. I used "Slow shutter" to create a feeling of movement, "Glaze" to abstract the people, "Iris" to create the somber feeling and "Decim8" to create the anxiety in the room.
Thankfully, I was dismissed. :-)
 
The Photographer
I have been working as a commercial photographer for over 25 years.  Two years ago I bought an iPhone. I got involved with mobile photography when a friend of mine told me about Instagram.  I do all of my editing on an iPad. The freedom to create images without the bulk of equipment or the concern of a deadline has been a transcendent experience for me. I am having fun right now and loving this amazing community of creatives. What could be better!
Find Patricia:  EyeEm / iPhoneArt 

The Whole Story–Photo by Patria Leeds

Patria Leeds managed to convey all of the emotion she was feeling in this image.  Read The Whole Story and see if you agree. 

If you’d like to submit a photo and have a chance to be featured, you can find the details here.

 

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The Photograph

The Whole Story

I was called in for Jury duty for a horrific criminal trial that involved four murdered women. This trial was scheduled to last at least four months. The photo was taken as we all marked time in the hallway of the courthouse, waiting to see who would be excused from the case. There was lots of pacing and nervous conversation.

I wanted to convey the feeling in the courthouse. I used "Slow shutter" to create a feeling of movement, "Glaze" to abstract the people, "Iris" to create the somber feeling and "Decim8" to create the anxiety in the room.

Thankfully, I was dismissed. :-)

 

The Photographer

Patria Leeds – I have been working as a commercial photographer for over 25 years.  Two years ago I bought an iPhone. I got involved with mobile photography when a friend of mine told me about Instagram.  I do all of my editing on an iPad. The freedom to create images without the bulk of equipment or the concern of a deadline has been a transcendent experience for me. I am having fun right now and loving this amazing community of creatives. What could be better!

Find Patricia:  EyeEm / iPhoneArt 

Painterly Mobile Art Monday–No. 4

The Flickr Group Painterly Mobile Art is growing and the work just gets better and better!  Thank you all for your participation. 

Photo by Andrew Lucchesi (above)

Photo by ? (no name given on Flickr profile) (above)

Photo by DrJazz

Photo by Maarten Oortwijn (above)

Photo by Petyr Campos (above)

Photo by Michelle Robinson (above)

Photo by Sarah Jarrett (above)

Photo by Andrea Koerner (above)

Photo by Gerry Coe (above)

Photo by Kristin (above)

Photo by Wayne Greer (above)

Photo by Jason (above)

Photo by Geri Centonze (above)

Photo by Anne Highfield (above)

Photo by Clint Cline (above)

Photo by Jane Fiala (above)

Photo by Davide Capponi (above)

The Whole Story–Photo by Andrea Bigiarini

Sometimes The Whole Story reveals what is obvious and in this case, there is so much more to this image than meets the eye!

If you’d like to submit a photo and have a chance to be featured, you can find the details here.

 

 

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The Photograph

The Whole Story

"OPERA MAGISTER" (Latin: the master work)

(From Wikipedia)  "Alchemy is the art of liberating parts of the Cosmos from temporal existence and achieving perfection which, for metals is gold, and for man, longevity, then immortality and, finally, redemption. Material perfection was sought through the action of a preparation (Philosopher's Stone for metals; Elixir of Life for humans), while spiritual ennoblement resulted from some form of inner revelation or other enlightenment (Gnosis, for example, in Hellenistic and western practices)"

The Opera Magister is when something rough become "refined" by impurities and elevated to a higher level of consciousness.  The 3 palms in the picture free, refine and elevate the 3 micro-universes represented by the 3 circles. The main one holds 2 signs from different cultures. The Shield is a detail of of the Orsanmichele Church (1200 circa) in Florence - Italy. The Arabic text come from a sign on the beach of Sharm El Sheik (where the photo was shot). The meaning of the Arabic text is loosely translated  "be careful to reefs", but the lettering reminds me of the centennial wars (crusades) between Christians and Muslims.  So the 3 palms are the pacifying agents for this reaching to conclude the "Opera Magister". Peace between cultures, races and all the human beings.

The Edit -

1. The main image was shot with KitCam and processed in PhotoForge 2 using "PopCam!" Random settings
2. The 3 circles where made using Photo Planets App (from 2 separate images)
3. The 3 circles were traced on the main pic using Collage Painter App with a Multiply level.
4. The final image was processed using Handy Photo App using Texture/Paper setting.

 

The Photographer

Andrea Bigiarini is a writer, novelist, author and a digital artist. Lives in the App Store but can also be found in Florence - Italy. Father & Founder of the New Era Museum: http://neweramuseum - "Your image could change reality"

Andrea has published a scientific book about the dissociation of reality and shamanism for Dummies, 'The Irreality Show'.  He has just finished writing his first fantasy novel "The Magnificent Seven Dwarfs" (in revision) and has started writing his new novel "Hello my name was ..." A irreverent mixture between the Tibetan Book of the Dead and a Tim Burton movie (he thinks that one day might come in handy...)

Passionate about graphic design, painting and photography since he was a kid, Andrea believes we are living now in a New Renaissance through the artistic use of mobile devices.

Find Andrea:  Website / EyeEm / P1xels / iPhoneArt 

Ali Jardine and Melissa Vincent–Siblings Unrivaled!

If you're active on Instagram you've probably heard of Melissa Vincent @misvincent (left) and Ali Jardine @alijardine (right), but what you may not know is that they're sisters!  Yes, that's right…there must be something flowing through those genes that allows them to create such beautiful works of art.  Between the two of them, they have nearly a half a million followers on Instagram.  I was lucky enough to have them carve out a few moments from their busy schedules to answer a few questions. 

        

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Geri:  What is your name and where do you live?
Melissa:  Melissa Vincent – Mississippi
Ali:  My name is Ali Jardine and I live in Petaluma, California.


Geri:  Are your parents or any other siblings (besides each other) artsy as well? 
Melissa:  Both of our parents are artistic and creative. I remember my father always taking beautiful photos when I was little and still to this day. He was the singer and piano player in a band for many years. I barely remember a time when he wasn't singing. My mother is equally creative. She is an excellent cook, designer, gardener, and writer. All four of us are a mixture of many different passions, but all similar in their nature. I can't wait to read what Ali wrote about this topic. It really takes me down memory lane.
Ali:  My mom writes and my father is musically inclined.  My sister is very creative and artsy!


Geri:  How did you get started creating mobile art?
Ali:  As soon as I got an iPhone I downloaded Instagram. It sort of snowballed from there.
Melissa:  Ali and I basically started about the same time. She had signed up and never used it and I believe she mentioned it to me. I joined and we had a lot of fun staying connected through IG since we live across the country from one another.
Geri:  Do you have a traditional photography or art background?
Melissa: No
Ali:  I have always been a painter, art was my minor in college. I have taken photographs as long as I can remember, but the iPhone was the beginning of turning all of those photographs into art.


Geri:  Who or what inspires you?
Ali:  Nature, music, and art are my main inspirations. 
Melissa:   I am inspired by music, others art, movies, books, the people around me. I would say music and books top the list.
Geri:  Do you look to one another for advice or critique on your work?
Ali:  I usually see Mis's photos once she puts them on Instagram. We did a lot of that in the beginning, though.
Melissa:   No, not really. I always appreciate a photo more if I know she likes it though.


Geri:  Do you plan your shoots or do they happen spontaneously?
Ali:  Both.  If my daughter models for me, I have to plan. She requires snacks.  Mostly, they are spontaneously planned. If I wake up to a foggy morning, I drop everything and head to the forest. 
Melissa:    Usually spontaneous. I have two boys, so I take opportunities to shoot when they arise.
Geri:  When shooting do you use the native camera app or a specialty app like ProCamera?
Ali:  Native camera always. 
Melissa:   Native camera and sometimes Pro HDR 
Geri:  What are some of your favorite apps?
Ali:  Tiny Planet Photos, Juxtaposer, Alt Photo, Color Lake, PicShop are a few. 
Melissa:  Image Blender, Alien Sky, Elasticam, Snapseed and Juxtaposer 


Geri:  Please share a bit about your editing process.
Ali:  I usually have an idea and work from there. I find a photo that will work and app it out until it's right. 
Melissa:  I don't have a specific process. I just look through my roll and choose a photo to work on that inspires me at the moment. I usually listen to music with my headphones while editing.
Geri:  Have you ever exhibited your work? 
Ali:  Yes, my work has been shown in New York, LA, Mexico, Washington DC, San Francisco, and Sweden.
Melissa:  Yes, I've had work at OCCCA in California, Soho gallery for the digital art and Animazing gallery both which are in New York, LA Mobile Arts festival, and currently my William Faulkner series is being displayed at ArtHaus in San Francisco, CA.


Geri:  Do you think there is a market for selling mobile art? 
Ali:  I think selling art of any kind is really difficult. 
Melissa:  Yes, definitely. I just sold my first piece as fine art from my collection at ArtHaus.
Geri:  Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the online sharing venues like Instagram, Facebook, etc.  How do you keep up with it all?
Ali:  When it becomes overwhelming, I stop doing it. The only place I post all the time is Instagram. I'm still having fun there. 
Melissa:   I try to keep it simple by posting to several sites at one time. For example, I'll click the sharing option for Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook when posting to Instagram, so I don't have to post them all individually.


Geri:  Is there a subject or genre you have not yet explored that you would like to tackle next? 
Ali:  There is always something new to try, and I want to explore it all!
Melissa:  Street photography is so challenging for me. I would love to try that out some more.
Geri:  Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Ali:  Thank you so much, Geri!
Melissa:  Thanks for the interview, Geri. It was a pleasure!

















Thank you Ali and Melissa for sharing your beautiful work!
Find Ali:  Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Flickr / EyeEm / Website
Find Melissa:  Instagram / Facebook / Twitter/ Flickr / EyeEm / Website
All images in this feature are copyrighted property of Ali Jardine or Melissa Vincent published on iART CHRONiCLES with the consent of the artists. 

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