These days, there are a wide variety of picture effects that can be accessed on the internet, and many of their features may be obtained without the installation of complex software. One of the various functions that are available to you is one called the Pixelate effect.

Some creators prefer the high-resolution result of a crisp image, but in the world of image editing, there are many uses for pixelate effects. The pixelated effect gives you the ability to break down digital images into visible pixels that can be adjusted accordingly.

What Exactly Is a Pixel?

It’s very likely that you’ve been introduced to the word “pixel” quite a few times already. You might be familiar with Pixel from the specifications of the cameras on your smartphones. However, are you truly aware of the nature and purpose of a pixel?

A pixel, also known as a pel or picture element, is the smallest addressable element in a raster image or the smallest addressable element in an all-points addressable display system. As such, it is the smallest part of a picture that is displayed on the screen.

What is a Pixelate Effect and Why You May Want to Apply It

A pixelate image or pixel effect is the creation of individual pixels large enough to create a blocky or blurry image. This effect is widely used across all media to conceal sensitive information and create art.

• Protect sensitive information

Pixelation is used to protect sensitive information. For example, you can use pixelation to protect the privacy of individuals in photos or videos. Or, you could use it to protect the identities of people whose faces are visible on camera. Another reason for applying a pixelate effect is if you want to hide something in your image without removing it completely.

A pixelated area won’t be as noticeable as if it were covered with a black bar or other objects, which would draw attention away from other parts of the image and make it seem like something was missing.

• Pixel Art

Pixel art is the visual art style of making pictures out of pixels. It’s also known as pixel graphics, and it’s a subset of digital art that employs the technique of arranging electronic pixels to form images on a computer screen.

The word “pixel” comes from “picture element,” which refers to the dots that make up digital images.

Pixel art has also become popular in the world of NFT. Who would have thought that pixelating photos could help you earn extra bucks? Be sure to check out our insightful blog about creating NFT artwork from photos.

How to Pixelate an Image Without Photoshop (Using Colorcinch)

One easy way to pixelate your image without using complex tools or photo editing software like Photoshop is by using an online photo editor. For this tutorial, we will be utilizing Colorcinch.

Step 1: Open Colorcinch and Upload an image that you want to pixelate.

Step 2. Navigate to Filters – Pixelate. You will be given a list of cool filter effects to choose from.

Step 3: Pick a Pixelate filter that fits your image the best. You can also refine the effect by clicking on the Settings icon. You also have the option to change the intensity of the filter by adjusting the Sliders.

Let’s take a look at the before and after:

Applying the Pixelate Filter to a Specific Area

Now that you know how to pixelate a picture by using Colorcinch, we will show you how to apply the pixelate filter to specific parts of the image you are working with.

Step 1: Like in the previous tutorial, start by opening Colorcinch. Navigate to Filters – Pixelate.

Step 2: Choose a Pixelate filter. Fine-tune the effect by clicking on the Settings icon.

Step 3: To apply the filter only to a specific area, click the Erase tab. Brush on the areas that you wish to erase the filter’s effect. For accuracy, you may adjust the Brush Size Slider.

Let’s look at the final output:

Summary

Art continues to evolve every day. It’s amazing how what others see as a low-resolution image can be seen as a valuable thing from the perspective of different people. There are many uses for the pixelate effect, and when used right, it is a fun way to add some interest to your images. It’s also an easy way to hide sensitive information like faces or names.

There is no more need to get complicated software that could potentially run your device. With web applications and mobile apps accessible to everyone, editing has never been so efficient. In just a few steps, you will be able to know just how to pixelate an image online quickly and easily.

The post How To Pixelate An Image Online Quickly And Easily appeared first on Photo to Cartoon – Cartoonize Yourself & Create Avatar Characters for Free.

The internet opened up many doors for professional creatives. In the old days, you needed to talk to an editor or curator so people could see your work.

Today, you can just go online, find an art curation platform, and go through the sales or auction process.

While the world of photography is slow to catch up, they finally have, thanks to non-fungible tokens or NFTs. These NFTs have allowed photographers to sell a wide variety of digital assets and digital items on online marketplaces. This leads many to wonder and ask, “Is NFT the future of photography?”

Hence, let’s talk about NFTs and their benefits to find the answer. We’ll also look into some of the top marketplaces where you can sell NFTs.

What Are NFTs?

NFT or a non-fungible token is a unit of data stored in a blockchain platform. It can be video clips, audio files, or any digital asset.

Using a blockchain network certifies that the digital asset is unique and could not be replaced by anything of similar value. Unlike the digital currency, which allows crypto exchanges, NFTs are not mutually tradeable assets.

Another thing that you should know about NFTs is that they have unique identifiers. When artists upload their photos to a blockchain network, they become unique, like a specific picture in a roll of film.

The process of uploading an image to a blockchain network is called minting. The cryptographic nature of the process provides a digital signature, ensuring that each file is one-of-a-kind.

As a result, photographers can use it as proof of ownership over blockchain assets like photos. It is a way for photographers to keep track of their work separately from copyright.

Why Should Photographers Use NFTs?

Before NFTs, selling stock photos or prints was the bread and butter of most photographers. Some of them also do photoshoots for magazines and other publications.

However, as the physical and virtual worlds get more saturated, it is becoming harder for photographers to earn a living. While there is a wide variety of ways for them to monetize their work, there is just too much competition.

That is why NFT marketplaces are so important.

NFTs are like certificates of authenticity that can help protect a variety of assets online, including photos. Since it uses a blockchain network, an NFT could not be destroyed or tampered with.

More importantly, it allows you to make money from secondary sales. So if anyone sells your work in a super-popular secondary market, you should earn from it too. Since it also does away with a middleperson, you can showcase your work and sell it without paying for commissions.

Aside from providing greater profitability, what makes NFT platforms even more helpful is that they offer more security and recognition.

NFTs could not prevent people from saving different versions of your photos or artwork over time. Still, they provide a universal standard for authenticity.

The higher level of authenticity and uniqueness increases the value and the demand for this digital asset class. As a result, photographers can ask for a higher price for their work.

Are NFTs the Future of Photography?

Definitely, NFTs are the future of photography because the world continues to embrace digitalization.
In fact, all types of digital assets are now considered the future of capital markets.

Thus, NFTs offer a great way to futureproof your business if you are a photographer or digital creator.

That said, you need access to a reliable NFT marketplace whether you want to sell photos or other digital assets. These platforms can help you generate a new revenue stream and are worth giving a shot.

Best Online NFT Marketplaces for Digital Artists

We have discussed NFTs and the benefits of using online art marketplaces. It is now time to know where you could sell your NFT photos.

Below are the top NFT marketplaces for a wide range of tradeable assets. With this table, you won’t need a flowchart maker to visualize your decision-making process.

1. OpenSea

OpenSea is the first peer-to-peer digital assets marketplace. It is also the largest by far, with a trading volume that reaches tens of billions.

What makes OpenSea unique is that it offers a wide variety of assets, from works of art to games. Signing up for this platform is also quite easy.

All you need is a crypto wallet, like the MetaMask wallet. You could also choose from the wide range of wallets that it supports, such as:

• Coinbase crypto wallet
• TrustWallet
• Portis
• Formatic/Magic
• Venly
• Authereum

Once you are in, minting your photos is pretty straightforward. Go to the “Create” tab, link your crypto wallet as the initial creator, and upload your photo with its description.

2. Quantum Art

Quantum Art is one of the best NFT platforms for photographers and digital creators. However, there is a catch: it hosts only the best-curated photos in the market today.

In fact, only a limited number of photographers are currently registered on this platform. If you want to join this select group, you need to submit the following information:

• Your Twitter username
• A portfolio of NFT photos
• A project statement and an artist statement
• Ten to 15 photos that you intend to sell

Once you have submitted the requirements, a team of Quantum token holders will cast their votes. If you win, you will have permission to mint your photos.

While it seems like a tedious process, it allows Quantum Art to remain one of the best NFT platforms today.

3. Foundation

Foundation is another of many NFT platforms that are exclusive to photographers. Like other art marketplaces, it is creator-focused and aims to connect digital artists with their supporters.

However, getting into this platform is not as easy as you hope. That is because you can only join if you get invited.

The good news is that any of its members could send an invite. So if you know someone on the platform, you have a way in.

Similar to other NFT platforms, you must have a digital wallet to buy or sell. It has standard network fees of 15% for sellers.

4. MakersPlace

MakersPlace is one of many NFT platforms that use Ethereum. It is a bit of a mixed bag as a digital assets marketplace, with NFTs from famous artists and newbies.

The transaction fees on the platform are a bit high, but it has some of the best art pieces and photos on the market. Moreover, it is an invite-only platform, adding more to its exclusivity.

5. NFT Gateway

Nifty Gateway is home to famous artists known within the NFT art world. While you do not need an invite to join, you must undergo a strict vetting process.

Selection starts with a survey where you have to tell them about your long-term goals as an artist. You also have to submit a recording of yourself telling them about what you do.

The good thing about Nifty Gateway is that its transaction fees are reasonable. It charges 30 cents for each transaction and 5% on sales.

Other Types of Marketplaces for NFTs

NFTs offer a reliable revenue stream for all creatives. In 2021, the global sales value of digital art and collectibles alone peaked at $11.16 billion.

If you want to try tradeable assets other than photos, many NFT platforms can meet your needs. Here are the top NFT platforms that you should consider:

1. Binance NFT Marketplace

Binance NFT Marketplace is a low-fee NFT trading platform. It also happens to be the largest cryptocurrency exchange company today.

What makes Binance NFT Marketplace unique is that it charges transaction fees as low as 1%. On top of this, it offers NFTs on the Binance Smart Chain aside from Ethereum.

It means that you can sell a wide range of tradeable assets, from art to music to sports.

As of today, Binance NFT Marketplace only accepts crypto exchanges as a payment method. It means that you could not use a debit card on it.

2. Enjin Marketplace

If you have video games, trading cards, digital art projects, or other auction assets you want to sell, try Enjin Marketplace. It is a social gaming platform built on the Ethereum blockchain network.

It has game and digital art projects with the likes of Microsoft and Binance NFT Marketplace.

With transaction fees amounting to 2.5% of sales, Enjin Marketplace is a great place to conduct business. It accepts payments using a debit card or a credit card, along with other payment options.

3. Crypto.com NFT Marketplace

Crypto.com NFT Marketplace is one of the older NFT platforms in the crypto space. It is also one of the best marketplaces for investors.

High-end investors and experienced investors like Crypto.com NFT Marketplace because it has many perks and features. It also has low transaction fees and supports over 90 cryptocurrencies.

However, its trading interface is not very intuitive. So if you want something user-friendly, you should try other NFT platforms.

4. Axie Marketplace

Axie Marketplace is one of the biggest NFT platforms today when it comes to trading volume. It is powered by Axie Infinity, a blockchain-based game where you can trade digital pets.

What sets Axie Marketplace apart from other NFT platforms like art marketplaces is that its NFTs have other uses. You can use them to battle other players and earn tokens.

However, note that the Axie Infinity services are quite complex. In addition, you would have to go through a lengthy process before you can play the game.

That said, all you need is a MetaMask Wallet or one of the numerous wallets that it supports. You also have to buy three Axies from the NFT market.

5. NBA Top Shot

NBA Top Shot is one of the first NFT platforms to appeal to a broader audience. It features digital trading cards that have NBA video clips, which is something that sports fans love.

You can buy these clips and store them in your digital wallet. If you have had your fill viewing them, you can sell them back at the NBA Top Shot marketplace.

Another thing that makes this platform popular is that it is easy to use, even for the mainstream user.

All you have to do is link your Google account and input your phone number. Once you get a confirmation message, just follow a few more steps to set up your account.

6. AtomicMarket

AtomicMarket is an NFT platform where multiple websites can buy and sell shared liquidity assets.

Known as Atomic Assets, you can use these NFTs to create digital assets that can appear on other markets. You can also buy and sell other auction assets in the Atomic Assets marketplace.

Note that well-known NFTs get a verification checkmark from AtomicMarket. If you see a collection that does not bear this mark, you should be extra careful.

How to Choose an NFT Marketplace

By now, you probably know that there are many types of marketplaces available. Some cater exclusively to photographs, but others support a wide range of digital assets.

When choosing a platform, you need first to figure out what kind of digital asset you want to sell or buy. You can tokenize anything, from the written word to collector’s items.

Your choice will determine what kind of platform you should use.

Next, you need to consider what token the marketplace supports. Some sites have proprietary tokens, while others support a wide range of tokens.

Finally, ensure that the platform is secure and has no unresolved issues. Remember that crypto can be risky, so you must do your due diligence.

FAQs About NFTs

1. How do I join NFT trading?

To trade NFTs, you need to sign up with a marketplace and create a user account. Once you set up your profile, you can list the NFTs you want to sell or browse for NFTs to buy.

2. Can I post my NFTs on multiple platforms?

Yes, but it is generally not a good idea, especially if you sell them at different prices. You could try selling different digital assets across various platforms, but not the same ones.

3. How do I create an NFT?

To create an NFT, you must choose a blockchain and a marketplace and set up your digital wallet. From there, you can set up the sales process and mint your digital asset.

About Guest Author: Uday Tank

Uday is a serial entrepreneur and content marketing leader who serves the international community at Rankwisely. He enjoys writing, including marketing, productivity, business, health, diversity, and management.

The post Are NFTs the Future of Photography? appeared first on Photo to Cartoon – Cartoonize Yourself & Create Avatar Characters for Free.

What does NFT mean for fine art photographers and why are they crazy about non-fungible tokens? Is it just a vogue for fine art photographers?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have gained a lot of popularity in recent years. You may have heard the term ‘NFT’ somewhere or the other for sure. If you don’t know what it actually is, let me define it in a simple and short sentence. Non-fungible tokens are digital certificates that prove ownership. Just like people believe Bitcoin to be a digital answer to currency, in the same way, NFTs have now become the digital answer to collectibles. NFTs can be created by using NFT maker applications and are secured by the Ethereum blockchain. It means that no one can tamper with the records of ownership.

A lot of talks and discussions about NFT are going on over the internet, but here we will dive deeper into the implications of NFT for fine art photographers. Almost everyone, including fine art photographers, may take some time to understand what is actually being traded. However, a clear conflict can be seen between the crafted objects of the photo art and the concepts they represent. On the one hand, it’s a photographic print and, on the other hand, it is about ownership (NFT).

Before we move further to answer all these questions, make your concept clear about NFT by knowing its characteristics.

NFT -A digital scarce resource

Art collectors deal with unique paintings and limited-edition photographs. But how do they identify it as a unique art collection? One way to certify digital art as unique is by verifying provenance. An ideal provenance traces the ownership history of artwork all the way back to the artist’s studio. Proving authenticity increases the value of an art piece. Verifying provenance is a laborious, manual process. It is unreliable as it is prone to error and fakery. But if we talk about digital art, it can be secured digitally on blockchain technology where no one can modify the record of ownership.

NFT -A proof of ownership

NFT makes the ownership record easy and unalterable. One can openly share their artwork across the whole network of computers without any fear of losing their authentication. Note that you buy and sell the record and not the object.

That is to say, NFT is a digital certificate of ownership that people collect. A Digital Certificate is considered to be the art itself in the NFT world. That is why the NFT that authorizes the ownership is sold and not the object. A great example of this is Stack’s NFT, a utility NFT project tied to the startup’s unique browser where you will get lifetime access to the tool as well as a collectible.

Just like art collectors who secure their unique pieces through NFTs, investors looking to diversify their portfolios can explore opportunities to buy litecoin, offering a digital approach to asset management.

Rarity that makes NFT expensive

Have you ever thought about what makes some NFTs sell for millions and others sell for less? It has to do with rarity. NFT rarity determines how rare and valuable an NFT is. For a truly rare NFT, collectors bid higher, which makes them more expensive. Tech-savvy and young people understand the notion of rarity and are completely comfortable with owning a digital asset.

Benefits of NFT

‘NFT’, a buzzing word in the crypto world, is more beneficial than you realize. As a fine art photographer, here is how NFT will work in your favor:

• Fine art photographers can enjoy the several benefits of NFT. First of all, it is secured on blockchain technology, so art creation and ownership can be clearly traced.
• As the code is distributed on zillions of computers across the globe, it is nearly impossible to hack, modify, or tamper with records.
• Although some galleries are jumping on the NFT bandwagon, it has become a great way for fine art photographers to connect with audiences and new art collectors.
• Finally, NFT has become a new source of generating income or revenue. Photographers can earn money by selling their work with a reasonable commission of less than fifteen percent. Most importantly, recurring royalties are paid to the artist, which generates ongoing automatic revenue.

Challenges and risks associated with NFT

Since technology allows the resale of unique artwork, some people consider NFT negatively in the art world.

Also, since the code-making process requires great computational power that burns a massive amount of energy, the production of NFT is considered bad for the environment. However, “Proof-of-Work” technology is being replaced by an eco-friendly alternative called “Proof-of-Work” used by Bitcoin and Ethereum.

A major challenge that NFT faces is the value that fluctuates. Since it uses cryptocurrency and not any physical currency like dollars, value changes significantly. Some additional issues that you can find with NFT involve checks and balances and copyright.

Now, coming to the main point, we are going to discuss how a fine art photographer can make and sell NFT.
If you are a fine art photographer, dive in and see how you can start:

NFT Creation

There are various NFT maker platforms you can use to create wonderful NFTs. One of the best sites where you can create stunning NFT is Colorcinch. Its tools and features are what make it different from other platforms. You do not need to download whole software or applications for NFT creation; you can simply access them through your browser. If you are new to the NFT world and have no experience in creating NFT, its tutorial will help you learn from the basics to the Pro level. It is easy to use, has a user-friendly interface, offers hundreds of digitized and curated effects, has tutorials for beginners, amazing tools and features, and many more. You can access all the magnificent features of Colorcinch at a relatively cheaper price. What else do you need?

You can easily create a stunning NFT in one click with Colorcinch, just by uploading an image. Once you successfully upload the picture, play with the colors, themes, templates, filters, effects, and other tools that it offers. After you complete your amazing creation, you can place it on platforms like Ethereum or Opensea for sale.

Selling NFT

Once you successfully create your artwork, you can consider it for sale. NFT selling is a straightforward process but requires these steps to follow:

First, spend some time and do research.

Visit various platforms and observe what is published. Innumerable articles about NFT are floating over the internet. Go through some of the best articles and follow some key players. When you browse platforms, you will get to see some famous and interesting art pieces, so keep your eyes and mind open. When you see art on various sites, imagine your work being published there.

Prepare an NFT strategy, including pricing details, a couple of images to choose from, and a selling method.

You can either place some unique images across several platforms to check which site works best, or you can place a new piece weekly on the same platform. Consider the selling method too, whether you want to sell via reserve, fixed price, or auction.

The next step is to select an art-related platform to post your creation on.

Try to find a platform that is specifically designed for fine art photography. If not found, at least choose a sizable and popular platform like SuperRare or Opensea to post on.

Next, you need to connect to a payment system.

Wallets are useful for securing purchases and payments of cryptocurrencies. You can also transfer cryptocurrencies into dollars. Both MetaMask and Coinbase are popular and secure options to fund wallets by adding dollars.

Once you are done with the payment system, it’s time to upload images.

Minting NFTs requires some basic information such as art description, fixed price option or combo, and most importantly, selling price in Ethereum or Bitcoin. The selling process varies slightly depending upon the platform you choose. For instance, on Opensea, one Ethereum is required as a reserve price with no fees, and an image file name with characters is not accepted by Mintable.

Gas fees are an important consideration that varies depending on demand and time of day.

So spend your time hunting. Some platforms require fees for setting up NFT and others at the time of selling the item. Don’t forget that you will also have to pay cryptocurrency service fees while funding your wallet.

You are not done until you tell others about your NFT creation.

Share your NFT on various social media platforms and share your experience with the community out there.

The basic concepts of NFT and the tips that we discussed will help you understand the NFT world. We hope this article will help individuals, especially fine art photographers, to get their feet into the NFT world.

The post NFTs for Fine Art Photographers: All Information in One Place appeared first on Photo to Cartoon – Cartoonize Yourself & Create Avatar Characters for Free.

What is an NFT?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have taken over the world by storm. But what are they?

Simply put, an NFT is a digital asset that represents real-world stuff such as photos, art, music, in-game items, and videos. You can buy and trade them online, often using cryptocurrency, and they’re usually encoded with the same software as many other cryptos.

If you’re a photographer, you now have access to a new marketplace where you can make an NFT from your images and put them up for sale. And no, when you sell your image as an NFT, the buyer does not get the original file.

You still sell copies of the original image but since NFTs are stored in blockchains and cannot be copied, the owners can now provide a unique proof of ownership – and that’s what makes NFTs really convenient.

How to Make NFT From Photos

Broadly speaking, converting your photos to NFTs is a two-step process. First, you need to ready your image by giving them a unique look so they become  more desirable. Then you need to “mint” them and get them on the blockchain network so that you can sell them.

NFT Maker: Give Unique Looks to  Your Photos

1. Create Cartoon Like NFTs

If you look at the NFT marketplace, digital assets with cartoonish looks perform way better than regular-looking ones. And don’t worry, if you’re looking for an NFT maker that can do this, you can use Colorcinch to accomplish the task.

Step 1: Upload your image to Colorcinch.

Step 2: Navigate to Effects – Cartoonizer. You’ll be presented with a list of effects that’ll turn your photo to cartoon.

Step 3: Choose a cartoon effect that best suits your image. Be sure to fine-tune the effect by clicking on the Settings icon. Finally, set the strength of the cartoon filter using the Slider and click on Apply.

As you can see, the effect looks absolutely brilliant.

Now that we’ve seen how easily you can make NFT art using Colorcinch, it is important to understand that it’s not mandatory that you follow these processes in isolation. You can mix and match these different ways to make some really unique NFT art.

How to Mint and Sell NFTs

Now that you have readied your artwork for NFT, it’s time to put it up for sale at a marketplace. But wait, it’s not as simple as uploading an image to a stock images website. There are a few steps involved.

While we’ll list out the important steps you need to follow to sell your NFTs below, we highly recommend that you go through this elaborate article on how to sell NFT.

• Set up your cryptocurrency wallet and load some fund into it
• Create a digital wallet with MetaMask to pay for your NFT
• Add cryptocurrency to your wallet
• Connect your wallet to an NFT platform
• Upload your artwork to mint it (turn into an NFT)
• Set up an auction for your NFT
• Describe your NFT
• Pay the listing fee to sell your NFT

We also highly recommend that you watch the following the video that’ll help you get started on how to sell NFT art. It may sound complicated at first, so be sure to take notes.

To Sum It Up

NFTs have surely made a name for themselves and many swear that it is just the beginning. So, if you are looking to ride the NFT wave as a photographer, it’s still not too late.

If you are a photographer looking for ways to make a good income selling your work, transforming your photos to NFTs using the NFT maker features in Colorcinch is the best way to start.

With your great photos and our creative NFT maker tools, we’re sure you can come up with the coolest NFT art there is. All the best!

The post NFT Maker: Quick and Easy Ways to Create NFTs From Photos appeared first on Photo to Cartoon – Cartoonize Yourself & Create Avatar Characters for Free.