The process of reducing the number of distinct colors in a digital photograph on mobile and desktop platforms results in a simplified, graphic representation. This technique, achievable through applications available on iOS devices and Chromebooks, transforms smooth gradations into stepped color ranges, often resembling a poster or screen print. For example, a photograph of a sunset with subtle color variations can be altered to display only a few distinct bands of color, enhancing certain elements and minimizing others.
This simplification technique offers multiple benefits. It allows for stylized effects that can visually enhance images, creating an artistic impact. Historically, it mirrors traditional printing limitations, where a limited palette of colors was a necessity. In modern digital contexts, it serves to reduce file size, emphasize specific areas of an image, and impart a specific aesthetic, finding use in graphic design, digital art, and even user interface design.
