VinylizeMe by BlueSpark Studios (currently $1.99)
VinylizeMe is an iOS photo app that takes your pics for a spin on the turntable by turning them into vintage record covers. There may be a few crackles but isn’t that the beauty of vinyl?
The Pop
There are 15 layouts, 8 with multi-photo options and the developer promises more are coming. So you aren’t limited in your design. Full cover, split, side-by-side. This definitely keeps the boredom at bay and the creativity flowing.
Each photo can be tinted any color. You can invoke nostalgia, groovy, sinister or whatever feeling your album should project. Your text color can be changed too.
The ‘stereo’ or ‘mono’ headers are colorful and really add some sizzle to your cover. Scroll through to find one that blends in or really pops against your design. This is a fantastic detail that brings your work to life.
If you’ve reached for your favorite album over and over, there will be some wear. And there are plenty of options here to add that look. Maybe you can see the impression of the vinyl or a few drops from that drink as you were spinning. Any of the nine ‘wear and tear’ designs will earn you a GRAMMY®.
The Crackle
You can change the text and the color but you don’t have any control over fonts or positioning. My number one ‘want’ for a future update would be the ability to move the text. You can get a little creative with spacing (space bar 25 times, ugh) but that’s about as far as the music will take you.
Create your own label. Mostly. You have up to 8 spaces for the name but ‘Tone’ will be added at the end of whatever you choose. Once you have your brand, one of the three generated logos are already part of the layouts, leaving you with the presets. They are old-school cool but lacking a bit of originality by the imposed limit.
And if you’re working on a cover and decide another layout might work better, say adios to your work in progress. It’s basically a reset button. So number two for the wish list is the ability to retain your customization if you change layouts.
The Groove
VinylizeMe has me feeling jazzed. It’s an iPhone app that still works beautifully on the iPad. You can store your covers and re-edit them. And these babies save at full resolution so you won’t be singin’ the blues.
From the array of layout options to the wear & tear designs, I could listen to these tracks for hours at a time. Pop, cracks and all, VinylizeMe has you covered.
Try it for parties, trips, special moments, self-promotion or just plain photo edit fun. Share your covers with us on Instagram by using our #photocruncher tag. We’d love to see how you get your groove on.
About Marsha Bezzina
Marsha Bezzina has always enjoyed writing. But photography was mostly relegated to annual trips until the acquisition of her first smartphone, the iPhone 4s. Now this self-declared ‘mental crafter’ is a data hog – capturing moments, hoarding photo apps and editing with abandon. She is @notDelilah on Instagram but had to settle for @notDelilah_ on Twitter. Or check out her site, www.notDelilah.com
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