Turn Photos into Polaroids with Mobile Apps: Mastering the Vintage Look

In the rapidly changing digital world where photography is at its peak, the charm and allure of Polaroid images remain the same. The vintage portrait framed in a simple square outlay, invokes nostalgia that becomes hard to resist. But not everyone can have an actual Polaroid camera at their disposal, right?

But what if we told you that you do not need to have a Polaroid camera to have aesthetic vintage pictures? Sounds unreal isn’t it? In this blog, we will spill all the beans that not only allow you to take beautiful Polaroid pictures but also convert your previous images into one

Therefore bid adieu to all the ordinary filters and editing tools you use, and get ready to experience the beauty of Polaroid pictures. Join us as we explore some of the magical photo editing apps that will reignite your passion for photography and infuse your digital images with Polaroid charm.

What is a Polaroid?

Source: Pexels

Before jumping into the nitty-gritty of turning a photo into a Polaroid, let us first understand what do we exactly mean by a Polaroid photo. In simpler terms, it is an instant photograph that is created using a Polaroid camera.

It is popular because of its unique characteristics. The timeless elegance and vintage look is what it is known for. Let us look at some of its distinctive features below.

These are some of the key features of a Polaroid picture. However, in today’s digitalized era, you no longer need to carry the actual Polaroid camera with you. There are a plethora of mobile apps that will help you turn your ordinary pictures into magical polaroids with a few steps. To know more about such apps, keep on reading!

10 Polaroid Photo Transformation Apps Bringing Charm to Your Mobile Photography

As we are more and more accustomed to mobile photography, a plethora of editing apps have also emerged. These photo editing apps allow you to turn a photo into a Polaroid without going into the hassle of any software learning. In addition to this, most of the Polaroid apps are free of cost and do not require any subscriptions.

These are not just apps to make photos look like Polaroids, rather they give you a realistic experience. The top 10 photo editing apps that can help you get the best Polaroid images are mentioned below. Let’s dive into their features and capabilities:

1. Polarr Photo Editor

Source: polarr.com

Polarr is one of the most popular and versatile apps when we talk about Polaroid apps. It offers a wide range of filters, frames, and editing options that help you turn a photo into a Polaroid effortlessly in no time. Let’s learn more about its features and capabilities as one of the best Polaroid frame apps.

2. VSCO

Source: iPhone Photography School

VSCO is more than just an app to make photos look like Polaroids. Its sleek interface and minimalist design make it a photography enthusiast favorite. This Polaroid app for iPhone and Android can be easily downloaded through their respective Play Stores. Below are some of its exciting features and capabilities, check them out!

3. RNI Films

Source: SLR Lounge

RNI Films produces Polaroid images with exceptional vintage feel and effect. It also offers a large variety of Polaroid effects. It’s a haven for photography enthusiasts as it allows the editor to be as manual as they like. Below are some of the key features as well capabilities as of RNI films mentioned:

4. Afterlight

Source: medium.com

Afterlight is a user-friendly Polaroid app for iPhone as well as Android. This editing app provides Polaroid templates that exactly mimic that of an actual Polaroid. With this, you can convert any form of imagery, say, a family portrait into a Polaroid. Check out some of its impeccable features and what it holds for a Polaroid lover like you!

5. Huji Cam

Source: Ap Kuni

For those who want to avoid the fuss of carrying their actual Polaroid camera, you are going to love Huji Cam. This editing app simulates the feeling of using the actual camera. It’s a delightful choice for all the photography lovers out there! We’ve compiled all their key features and capabilities below. Take a look!

6. Polaroid Fx

Source: Polaroid Fx

Polaroid Fx is one of the most popular Polaroid photo editing apps among photography enthusiasts. Some of its best features and unique capabilities are given below:

7. Shake it Photo

Source: Moment Park

ShakeitPhoto allows you to turn your regular pictures into Polaroid frame images on both iPhone and Android. As the name suggests, with a few steps you can easily create a Polaroid frame. Check out some of its amazing features and capabilities below:

8. Polamatic

Source: Retro Builder

Polamatic is certainly among the best Polaroid frame apps out there. This app successfully brings the nostalgia of using an actual camera through its extensive range of Polaroid filters. The app is known for its features and capabilities, take a look at them below:

9. FIMO

Source: Tech Wiser

The FIMO captures the magic of the vintage right in front of your eyes through its retro filters and effects. You can either turn photos into Polaroids or can directly capture it as a Polaroid. Check out some of their features as well as capabilities listed below:

10. InstaLab - Instant Photo Editor

Source: Life Wire

With InstaLab you can easily snap, edit, and share your Polaroid photos all in one place. The photo editing app can also be used as a Polaroid camera. We have listed its impeccable features and what you can expect below:

Each of the above-mentioned Polaroid editing apps has its unique features addressing different preferences and choices of Polaroid frames and filters. You can experiment with these apps and pick the one that suits your vision the best.

Now that you’ve learned about some of the best Polaroid editing apps that are available for download. Let’s move to another section that deals with the much-anticipated question - “How do I make a picture look like a Polaroid?” Keep on reading!

How to Use a Polaroid Photo App: Step-By-Step Guide

Using a Polaroid photo transformation app is much simpler than you think! Now you can convert your favorite family portrait into a polaroid in a few simple steps. We've curated a step-by-step process of how to use these apps and turn photos into Polaroids.

1. Choose your preferred app

First, you need to select your desired Polaroid app that serves your purpose. You can choose from some of the above-mentioned ones - Huji Ca, VSCO, RNI films, Afterlight, or any of your choice. Once you’ve selected, download, and install it on your device.

2. Import your picture

After installing and opening the application, you need to import the photo you are willing to transform from your device’s image gallery. Then, go to your app’s file and transform your picture into a Polaroid.

3. Basic Edits

Before applying any Polaroid effect, you can make basic edits to your picture depending on the app you’ve selected. The edits can include cropping, adjusting brightness and contrast, adding dust or scratch filters, and so on. You can make it as vintage as you want in this step.

4. Adding Polaroids filters

After doing your basic edits, it's time for you to add a Polaroid filter. Here you will find a variety of filters that can mimic the distinct Polaroid aesthetic. Choose the one that goes with your image and vision the best.

5. Save your Photo

Once you are satisfied with your Polaroid image, you can save the vintage-inspired picture. Some apps like that of VSCO allow you to share the edited photo on their platform.

You can get your desired Polaroid image with the help of this guide. However, you need to remember that not all apps have the same kind. Therefore, the steps also depend on the app you choose.

5 Underrated Polaroid Editing Tips and Tricks

Source: Fotor

Polaroid pictures mean timeless charm and nostalgia. Their iconic frames, unique colors, and textures leave a mark on visual storytelling. Therefore, you can’t afford to miss out on these aspects and call your photo a classic! Not quite sure how to achieve the vintage tag. Well, we are here to help you out with the 5 editing tips and tricks. Take a look!

1. Embrace the Classic Polaroid Frame:

Make an effort to crop your image into a square format and add the iconic Polaroid border. This will in a few clicks add a vintage essence to your image.

2. Don’t Undermine the Power of Contrast:

Learn from the actual Polaroid itself. An actual Polaroid often has pronounced contrast between lighter and darker shades. Therefore, this should be well depicted in your image as well.

3. Experiment with Colour Toning:

Colour Toning or Grading can evoke various eras or moods in your image. Therefore, choose warm tones only to make your picture look old and classic.

4. Date Stamps and Captions:

A personal touch in an art form is always appreciated. Hence, don't forget to add date stamps or captions to give your Polaroid a distinctive and beautiful style.

5. Add More Character:

Your image needs to have a vintage and classic look to classify as a Polaroid. Therefore, to achieve it you can add a bit of imperfections to your picture such as scratches, dust specks, and a slight blur.

With these 5 editing tips at your disposal, you can easily add the magic of an enduring charm to your Polaroid images. Therefore, the next time you’re editing, don't forget to check these tips and tricks.

How to Print a Regular Picture as a Polaroid?

Source: Decorators Notebook

For everyone who is wondering - Can I get my pictures printed as Polaroids? The answer is YES! You can easily print out your regular image as a Polaroid picture. You can achieve this in two ways.

First, edit your regular image using a Polaroid editing app and some of the tips and tricks discussed above. After successful editing, save the picture on your device. Then, print it out as you would do with any image.

Alternatively, you can also book a service provider to do this job. Various specialized service providers offer Polaroid-style printing services. Here you may not edit your regular image as the service provider will cover that too. Just send them your regular picture and get your Polaroid image delivered to you.

Wrapping it Up

When it comes to experiencing timeless nostalgia and creative expression through pictures, what could be better than Polaroids? Throughout this blog, we have discussed various aspects that would enable you to get a perfect enchanting Polaroid.

Always remember that the true beauty of Polaroid editing lies in your ability to experiment fearlessly. Therefore, embrace your imperfections and relish being unpredicted when dealing with Polaroids. Experiment as much as you like! Try out the different kinds of shades and colors you want.

Also Read: Cheap vs Expensive acrylic paint: Which One Should You Buy?

Creating Polaroid pictures is not just about editing and adding effects. It’s for the moment that you cherish the memories you have made, thus, don't forget the personal touch. So, pick up your smartphone, apply the techniques, and watch as a mere picture speaks out the magical moments thorough to the beauty of Polaroids.