Let’s say there’s a photo that you love. Why? Because there’s a special memory attached to it. It could be a memory from your wedding, anniversary, or those carefree childhood days. You’ve saved it in a special folder and open it the first chance you get. Of late, you’ve been wanting to turn it into a cartoon. Why? Because it’s just so much fun.
To do that, you must find a tool to transform a photo to a cartoon. You will find several tools in the market, but not all will do.
There are certain things you should consider before choosing one. That’s one thing. This article covers both of those things. Read on to find out what they are.
Table of Contents
Start with the image quality
The first, and therefore, the most obvious one. Most of the result depends on the image quality. This is what you need to pay attention to.
Go for a photo with a high resolution. That, in turn, will determine the quality of the cartoon image. And when we say quality, we’re automatically referring to resolution.
With a high-resolution image, you get a cartoon that is also high quality. The vice versa is equally valid. Use a low-resolution one, and you’ll get a hazy, blurry image. Not exactly one that you’d use for a cartoon.
Choose the background carefully
It is what determines the overall look of the image (the cartoon). White, black, green, blue, or just plain white: each one of these will impact the feel of the image. By feel, what do we mean?
When you watch an image closely, your focus should be only on that image. If the background distracts your focus, you need to change it.
Some tools might even suggest a suitable background. For many people, white works well. This is because it blends well without disturbing the image’s appearance.
Think thrice before choosing a colour
Usually, you need to think twice before deciding on something. While selecting a colour, think thrice. That’s how important choosing it is. Avoid those that end up ruining your details altogether. You’re looking to alter or modify the detail to make the image look better.
The right colour will increase or retain the sharpness of the picture. In any case, it’s better to avoid a completely different colour for your cartoon image. That is unless you plan on creating one entirely different from your photo.
Go simple but with style
Yes, you can find one that combines the two. But what does style mean in a cartoon? Here, it does not refer to colour, contrast, or aesthetics.
That has been talked about already. Here, we are talking about the kind of image you want. Do you prefer the usual comic strip style? How about going after something trending lately, like anime?
A realist or minimalist style can be very stylish and simple. Just be sure your style connects with the audience emotionally.
Moreover, it should be appropriate for the subject that you’re working on. For example, let’s say there’s an anniversary photo that you’re looking to change.
Minimalist or realist work best for these occasions. They lend a timeless appeal while retaining the feel or essence of the occasion.
Your facial features and expressions
What kind of facial features should you choose? How do you want your eyes, ears, and mouth to look? Will they appear larger to lend a comedic effect? How about your eyebrows? Will they be thick enough to convey your expressions sharply?
All of these factors influence your facial features and expressions. Also, exaggeration isn’t bad until it retains the look of your original photo. Avoid going overboard with them, even though you might be tempted to.
How do you choose a tool?
Now, to the most awaited part of the article. How do you choose software to turn a photo into a cartoon? Here are some ideas you’ll find helpful.
The tool should be user-friendly. You shouldn’t spend hours figuring out how to make the changes. A few tips, and you should be good to go. For example, it should allow you to import and export images easily. Want to save a file? You should see the icon for that with a single click or two.
It should also give you filter options to help you create a stylish cartoon. Two examples are half-tone and edge detection. Almost any app of this kind will have painting and drawing tools.
What you should check is if there are enough of them. The tool should be compatible with various devices. For example, it should work as efficiently on a tablet as on a smartphone.
Considering these few factors will let you turn a photo to a cartoon efficiently. Of course, it goes without saying that you should be able to find the right tool for it. Once you’ve done that, you can turn your photo into a fun, attractive, playful cartoon you and the others love.