On-the-fly business portraits are a snap with George

Here's a handy iOS app for a very specific task: Using the iPhone camera to create a nice looking snapshot for resumes, Linkedin or any business use. The app, called George - Quick Business Portraits (US$0.99) makes the process easy if you think ahead before you snap the photo.

What makes the app different is the ability to put your image in front of a more businesslike background. To make the app work its magic, your original photo must be taken in front of a solid background. You then click on the background of the photo, and the app adds a nice wood "boardroom"-style look replacing the background that was previously there. It's similar to the chroma-key or green-screen effect used on TV and in the movies. You can also adjust the contrast of your photo and sharpen it. A collection of backgrounds is available through an $1.99 in-app purchase.

There are options to save the photo to your camera roll or share it via Facebook, Twitter or email. All effects have an undo button.

I found the app pretty easy to use and the results were good. You can select either of the iPhone's cameras. Most of the icons the app uses were obvious as to their purpose, but one icon remained dim and I wasn't sure what it was. It turns out that it was the additional background feature, and the icon remains dim until you purchase more backgrounds. I think the app would benefit from some built-in help to avoid user confusion.

The background image inserted cleanly. If the background is not evenly lit, you can click a few times on the background to make sure it fits in.

George - Quick Business Portraits is a clever little app that fills a need some people will have. It requires iOS 6.1 or greater, and is optimized for the iPhone 5. It does have ads that are displayed at the top of the screen.
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via TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog http://www.tuaw.com/2013/09/03/on-the-fly-business-portraits-are-a-snap-with-george/