The PhotoGoo 2.2 update is out now. It adds general performance improvements and it’s own social photo network (sort of). The app is FREE for a limited time — down from $2.99.
PhotoGoo is an iPhone photo app that let’s you create goo effects similar to Kai Krause’s classic Goo plugin. I reviewed an early version a while back. It’s still not perfect, but the last several updates since have greatly improved the app.
Old Photoshoppers may remember Kai Krause’s Power Tools, a set of Photoshop plugins that let you quickly and easily create slick (at the time) effects. One of those filters was the Kai’s Goo effect, which allowed you to push pixels around as if your photo were made of a heavy liquid. When used to excess, the results could be pretty twisted. When used sparingly, you could achieve some pretty creative and unnerving looks.
PhotoGoo is easy to use, but takes a while to get the feel of the app. Recent updates have helped make the goo-moving algorithms more responsive, flowing, and useful. Using a finger or stylus, it was easy for me to push pixels around until I had bent them to my will, making big puppy dog eyes or freakishly increasing the size of my head to a size 36 hat. With a bit of patience, you can use PhotoGoo to enlarge or reshape eyes, bend straight lines, and generally move pixels around in a fluid manner. This app is fun to play around with.
The new 2.2 update adds a sort of social photo aspect to the app and connects the app’s hundreds of thousands of users from around the globe. There is now also a “Goo of the Week” contest.
Resolution is still a low 1024×768 pixels or 1024×1024 square format. This is suitable for sharing online to Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, email, etc. but you won’t be able to make any significant enlargements.
PhotoGoo 2.0 is a fun app — a “diversion.” Or, if resolution isn’t much of an issue for you, revisit the 90’s to make some interesting distorted artwork.
No telling how long PhotoGoo will be free, so grab it while you can. PhotoGoo is a Universal app and will run great on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.
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