iPhone App Review: PhotoDesk (version 1.0)

by Matt Burrows

During those rare nights when the in-laws watch the kids, my wife and I are always on the hunt for great restaurant that we haven't tried and, oftentimes, haven't heard of.  Once something is suggested, one of the first questions we ask is, "What other restaurant is it like." 

And, if apps were restaurants, and somebody was asking about Robert Neaguo's PhotoDesk, the knee-jerk response to the "What is it like" question would be Takayuki Fukatsu's QuadCamera.  However, as is often the case when trying a restaurant or app based on somebody else's comparison, the differences soon become obvious. 

This is what I discovered and, as a result, the review is not a comparison between PhotoDesk and QuadCamera.  And though I will touch on the differences in the end of the review, the duration of the review will be spent examining what PhotoDesk uniquely offers users.

PhotoDesk Description (from App Store):
“PhotoDesk for iPhone and iTouch is a slick new image mixer for your mobile photos.  It makes it easy to create real masterpieces with a touch of a finger.  PhotoDesk works with the iPhone’s camera or with photos from your Camera Roll or Photo Library (available on iTouch). ”

PhotoDesk Features/Settings:

• Works on up to 16 individual images lined up in a 4 x 4 grid.
• Users can choose any configuration (e.g. 2 x 2, 3 x 2, 4 x 1,…).
• Can add vignetting and borders.
• Twitter integration for sending full-size images or frame animations.
• Works on 2 available resolutions (400px or 800px).
• 7 selectable effects: Grayscale, Invert, Sepia, Old Magazine, Vivid, Alien Hue, and Circular Color Mask.
• Can upload an animation of images in grid to your Twitter account.

Impressions:
As a fan of QuadCamera, I was curious to see how PhotoDesk would compare.  And, once PhotoDesk is opened, one of the most significant differences is apparent.  Users have a variety of options when it comes to creating the grid photos will be displayed on.  With a simple touch of the finger, I was able to select a 3 x 1 grid or change it to a whopping 4 x 4 grid.  To fill the grid with photos, users can take photos directly from the app or select photos from the Camera Roll (but not a combination of the two).

However, as I began filling the grid with photos, one concern quickly became obvious.  Though the options for the size of the grid are numerous, I must admit that this can create some problems.  Let’s say I selected a 4 x 3 grid that would be filled with 12 photos.  Around photo six, I began to lose track of how many photos I’d selected, as the photos are not displayed in the grid as you input them.  They only appear in the grid after all of them have been selected.  I wish that there was some sort of “counter” in the program to let me know how many photos I’ve selected or have left to select.  Also, simply placing thumbnails in the grid as I input the photos would resolve this issue as well.  Simply put, unless you’re keeping a tally on a nearby piece of paper, the larger the grid, the more confusing it can be to determine how many photos you have left to go.

However, once all the photos have been inputted, a full 4 x 4 grid provides users with the ability to showcase 16 photos at once.

Example of 4 x 4 grid, the largest size available (above):

Besides the size of the grid, there are various options users have to alter the photos in the grid.  These effects can be applied in mass to all photos as you input them into the grid by selecting a given effect prior to inputting the photos.  However, if you only want to add an effect to an individual photo in the grid, you can apply effects to individual photos or a group of photos once they have all been inserted in the grid.

The options offered for altering photos are border lines between photos, vignetting, and effects.  Though the effects/filters offered are standard, there are a few issues I have with the options/processing.  First, it soon became obvious I was unintentionally stacking effects.  In other words, once I selected Grayscale to a photo, I needed to undo that effect before I could see what another effect would look like.  I guess I’m used to apps like CameraBag where you can cycle through the effects to see how they would alter the photo.  Having to undo every effect to see what the next one would like look aside, I was a bit confused by the Old Magazine filter.  I know it’s a minor gripe, but this filter is a very vivid yellow.  Why not cracks, lines, or a faded image?  Also, the Alien Hue randomly changes the color it applies to the photo.  The various colors that I had applied to the same photo at different times were green, purple, and red.  Finally, the Circular Color Mask provided results that were less than desirable.  If I want to perform a selective color action, I will stick with ColorSplash.

Sample Photographs of Filter Effects:
I’ve also included a series of test shots with each effect to provide some additional comparison:

No Effect (above):

 Grayscale (above):

 Invert (above):

 Sepia (above):

 Old Magazine (above):

 Vivid (above):

 Alien Hue (above):

 Circular Color Mask (above):

Besides the various grid options and effects, PhotoDesk also allows users to upload an animation of the photos in the grid to user’s Twitter account with the option of setting up to a 5 second delay between photos.

Pros:

•  For those who dislike the timed/auto shooting of QuadCamera, PhotoDesk could be the solution you’re looking for. 
• This is largely a framing app that offers a variety of framing options. 
• The ability to edit photos once they’re part of the mosaic is a nice touch.
• The animation option can be a fun way to display photos.

Cons:

• It should come as no surprise that lack of full resolution is a con.  For those users with an iPhone 3GS, developers should always allow the choice of full resolution photos.  At this point, there is no excuse for this omission.
• I often found myself unintentionally stacking effects.
• I wish there was a button that allowed me to quickly switch between previous looks and the modified look.
• It's a minor gripe, but Circular Color…square?  Why not a circle or an option for one? I found the results less than desirable.  For those seeking a selective color option, ColorSplash is a much better option.
• The only way I found to post animated images is via a Twitter account.  For those without this, they will not be able to display animated images.

Overall:
Though I initially saw this as a competitor with QuadCamera, in the end, I see it more as a photo framing app. Simply put, QuadCamera is a great camera that I feel effectively captures the spontaneity of things going on.  PhotoDesk's strengths lie in the display options it presents users with.

Sure, for some they will use this in place of QuadCamera because, when shooting from PhotoDesk, you actually take/position each photo in the grid (there isn't a timer that needs to be applied to take the photos).  QuadCamera is a ToyCamera app meant to mimic cameras like the ActionSampler.  PhotoDesk is an app that allows users more control over the photos and the method in which they are displayed or placed in a grid. 

And though I had minor gripes about the effects and a significant gripe about the output resolution, as a photo framing app PhotoDesk is successful.  

• PhotoDesk (£0.59/$.99): 4 out of 5.

 -Matt Burrows

Comments

[Dave Newell]

Great review...thanks for the post. <edited by site admin>