Have you “Lo-Fi”’d a photo?
a Guest Post by Mary Andrade from Pam Photography.
After discovering the fast, easy and creative effects available via iphone camera apps, I have been searching for similar software to creatively modify photos I take with my DLSR and my pocket camera. I stumbled upon Lo-Fi, which was recently launched.
This reasonably priced standalone piece of software is not a plug-in and does not require knowledge of Photoshop or other photo processing software. The interface is intuitive and easy to use, and the “owner’s manual” consists of three short videos totaling seven minutes. I love this software because it mimics the retro look of old images and photos made on toy cameras. Here are some tips to get you started on creatively re-interpreting your photos:
Tip 1: Randomize
Lo-Fi has a randomize button that will pick a combination of three looks for you. I am usually surprised at how much I like the combination of effects I wouldn’t normally have picked. It is a great way to break out of your comfort zone and expand your creative range.
[Insert 2_Spots/Butterfly Photo]
Tip 2: Match
Identify which looks are consistent with the mood and feel of your image. For example, If it’s a gritty street scene, do you want a more contrasty and grungy look? If it’s a portrait do you want a dreamy look with a white vignette?
Tip 3: Contradict
Choose looks that are completely opposite of the look and feel for the image. I chose a yellow film, a plastic or blurry effect, and a dirty border which was completely opposite of the crisp, sharp, clean feel of these fishing boat lights.
Process tip
I usually start from the top with the Film set of looks and work my way down. Sometimes, I find it easier to toggle off the looks underneath the one I am currently working with. This layering approach helps me visually build the end result as I go.
Lo-Fi has quickly become a verb in my vocabulary, I now find myself saying, “you should Lo-Fi that photo”.
Check out more from Mary Andrade at Pam Photography.
30 Responses to “Have you “Lo-Fi”’d a photo?” - Add Yours
March 16th, 2011 at 7:08 am
Good stuff. I like to “lo-fi” in Photoshop from time to time, but it would be nice to have an application that does the job in one click…
March 16th, 2011 at 7:10 am
My “lo-fi” experiment:
http://celesta.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Art-Prints/14611192_Ju9NB#1087422976_FJtdU
March 16th, 2011 at 7:43 am
Hey im doing this. actually on my website and facebook page im having a “retro week” where i post images and give them a low-fi feel to them. its glad to know i am not the only one with this idea, seems like a trend!
March 16th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Hey im doing this. actually on my website and facebook page im having a “retro week” where i post images and give them a low-fi feel to them. its glad to know i am not the only one with this idea, seems like a trend!
March 16th, 2011 at 8:22 am
Nice tip! Thanks for sharing. This software seemed so much easier if I need a quick edit
March 16th, 2011 at 8:38 am
I love the lo-fi look, especially in b&w photography. The moody look and the gritty details along with the often grunge aspect just appeal to me most. The majority of my photography I guess has been lo-fi’d. Mostly in LR3 though…
March 16th, 2011 at 9:21 am
I think the idea and the output are quite interesting, but the user interface is really terrible. I think the worst part is to have to hover elements that might have a functionality and wait a second to get a tooltip with the information. Also the camera layout uses a good deal of space that could be better use to display the actual picture, isn’t that the whole point? I can’t get passed the UI, otherwise i think it could be an interesting little app.
March 16th, 2011 at 9:51 am
i hate the effect that the iphone apps have on creative photography. Apps like the “hipstamatic” one just seem to randomly make perfectly good ones look like they were taken with a “retro” camera, or that the film has been ruined somehow. Not impressed at all!
March 16th, 2011 at 11:25 am
This look really nice. I’m going to have to give this a try. Who knows it may be a new photography gateway drug, like the canon’s prime lenses
.
March 16th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Yes, in response to your question. I tried it on a free trial, and then bought the software. And even better, it’s on sale (ending today – the 15th) for 30 per cent off from Alien Skin. Not that much more than an iPhone app, at the sale price. The program will save your processed file to disk and/or output to your Flickr or Facebook account, too. Now that’s what I like! I processed a few photos from a friend’s baby shower using Lo-Fi, and can’t wait to see how she liked them. Admittedly, this retro look isn’t for everyone, but I also shoot with various toy cameras (e.g., Holga, Holga 135BC, Diana F+, Zumi Digital Super 8) so I like the look. I think Lo-Fi is great!
March 16th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
The retro look and feel of it is appealing. And it’s good to know that such a term “Lo-Fi”d exists. Never heard of it until now.
March 16th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Here is my contribution:
–www.lightshootedit.com/2011/03/said-spider-to-fly.html
March 16th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Used a trial version a month ago and it was so fun! Very amazing. Yet very limited.
March 17th, 2011 at 1:39 am
I really hope nobody ever tells me “you should Lo-Fi that photo”.
March 17th, 2011 at 2:49 am
Yup! I just discovered it this week. Here’s one of my favourite Lo-Fi photos:
I don’t have an iphone, so I’m happy to have this option on my desktop.
March 17th, 2011 at 2:50 am
So that didn’t work. Here’s the link to my favourite Lo-Fi photo – http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolbrowne/5530965555/
March 17th, 2011 at 3:34 am
I am so impulsive when I read about something like this application! I went right to buy it! Then I went to my files of rodeo photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26473210@N04/5532516434/
March 17th, 2011 at 7:20 am
Hi
This was Lo Fi’d a bit to get a vintage feel to it
“Bearing North North East”: http://t.co/hcyzbrV
Regards, Erik
March 17th, 2011 at 7:58 am
I was actually kind of underwhelmed with this app.
I love the idea, but i found the interface to be clunky (the ‘camera’ idea is cute but wastes a ton a space), and I found the few built-in settings both generally unpleasing, and severely limited.
I did buy it (the discounted price was ok), but I have the feeling I’ll lose interest in it very quickly unless they keep adding in more presets.
It also doesn’t function as an ‘external editor’ (at least in Aperture), so I have to export files and then drag them into lo-fi, making it somewhat laborious to use.
Things it needs:
- toggle off ‘camera’ interface
- ability to modify the pre-set looks, and save them
- a lot more pre-set looks (ideally, with a way to save and share them).
The concept is great, but the execution is lacking.
–Karl
March 17th, 2011 at 11:49 am
Its just addictive. I just have been lo-fi’d.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/popat/5533026297/
March 17th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Hi
This one was Lo Fi to create the vintage look with skates
Regards, Erik
Kerstenbeck Photographic Art
March 17th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Oops
Yin Yang: http://t.co/VYZs4Wy
March 17th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
hey i tried it! it’s awesoooooooooooomeeee! i looove it! waaaaah!
what do you think? : http://foodiebudgettraveler.blogspot.com/2011/03/foodie-budget-traveler-was-just-in.html
March 18th, 2011 at 1:35 am
Mary, thank you for the detailed article on Lo-Fi. The photos are beautiful and I’m sure the advice helped your readers get started quickly. We saw a huge number of visitors after you posted the article!
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. We read all of it and think hard about ways to improve Lo-Fi. We have heard many people say they love the camera interface and many say they hate it. Maybe a poll is in order.
We would love to see all of you share your Lo-Fi creations on our Facebook wall and Flickr group. Please stop by to share and see what others are doing!
Cheers,
Jeff Butterworth
Queen Bee, Wingnut (makers of Lo-Fi)
March 18th, 2011 at 2:13 am
LOVE my Lo-Fi…..downloaded the trial a few weeks ago and purchased it within a day!!! And they are quick with issues also. I had trouble uploading to facebook and had an email from support within a couple of hours and they stayed in touch until it was resolved.
No it may not be for everyone…but I love to add stuff to my photos that I scrapbook. This gives me a QUICK way to do it. I do use PSE, but sometimes I just don’t have a lot of time!
March 18th, 2011 at 2:45 am
Cool program unlimited in what you can do to your photos….
March 18th, 2011 at 7:35 am
Try lo-mob for your smart phone. It looks very similar.
March 19th, 2011 at 6:18 am
Sounds like a smaller version of picnik… looks fun though
April 12th, 2011 at 1:31 am
Flatiron building, Toronto
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whalemap/5596977404/
September 7th, 2011 at 4:53 am
http://jonattend.tumblr.com/
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