Images

Coolies take a breather at Karachi Cantt Station

I put Karachi through photo editing app Prisma and the results were phenomenal

Prisma is the reason why you think everyone on your friends list turned into illustrators and fine artists overnight
Updated 25 Jul, 2016

I recently started noticing some unusual activity on Instagram and Facebook; it appeared people had turned into seasoned illustrators and fine artists overnight. This faux transformation was all courtesy of Prisma — a new iOS app that turns your photos “into artwork using styles of famous artists”.

Intrigued, I sifted through my photographs of Karachi and tried various Prisma looks on them; The results left me spellbound.

This app’s filters, inspired by artists including Edvard Munch and Piet Mondrian, are nothing short of magic. It's easy to see why the revolutionary app has instantly become a hit with users.

So I thought — why not use it on Karachi?

Here's what the city of lights looked like after receiving the Prisma treatment:

A chaiwala at Jodia Bazaar

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A date merchant at Kohri Garden

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A load-moving tractor in Shershah

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An upcoming Bahria Town project on Allahwala Chowrangi

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A man selling pappads

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A temporary bus junction transporting rally supporters near Shahrah-e-Quaideen

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A truck carrying another truck near Boating Basin

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A worker torches metal at the Gadani ship-breaking yard

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An old residence called Loveland in PECHS

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Waiting for customers at Karachi's Hawksbay Beach

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An outdoor chai cafe on Khalid Bin Waleed Road

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Dusk at Do Darya

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An oil rail carriage at Karachi Cantt Station

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Bagh Ibn-E-Qasim

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Attempts to salvage a decommissioned vessel at the Gadani ship-breaking yard

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Policemen keep watch outside the Press Club

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Tai Chi at Frere Hall

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Shahzaib Arif Shaikh is an architect and photographer. You can find more of his work on Instagram at @ashahzaib and @monochrome.studios.

Comments

Naveed Jul 25, 2016 01:38pm
wow!
Recommend
Zulu Jul 25, 2016 01:39pm
great
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aditi Jul 25, 2016 02:05pm
lovely!!
Recommend
Faraz Jul 25, 2016 02:17pm
Karatishi! I miss you!!! ;(
Recommend
Muhammad Salahuddin Abro Jul 25, 2016 02:28pm
Extremely Surprising !!
Recommend
Angry Jul 25, 2016 02:31pm
I love this! Beautiful
Recommend
Ahmad Jul 25, 2016 02:33pm
na original is better .Prisma ruined it
Recommend
zak Jul 25, 2016 02:42pm
Pakistan looks even greater with the App.
Recommend
UmarSpa Jul 25, 2016 02:51pm
Is this app available on Android ?
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nabiha Jul 25, 2016 02:53pm
this is just waOooo superb work (y) and idea is mind blowing
Recommend
yaqut khan Jul 25, 2016 03:19pm
Karachi is best and most beautiful city of pakistan..karachi need promoting so that the people should realise what does a metrapolian city means...
Recommend
waseem Jul 25, 2016 03:35pm
Nice
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Mehreen Jul 25, 2016 04:17pm
Finally something other then Prisma selfies! Loved each and every single click! :) Great idea!
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Khalid Shariff Jul 25, 2016 04:28pm
@UmarSpa Yes! Starting Today (24 July) Note: BTW The servers are heavily loaded Beware of fake Apps! download from the original Prisma Labs
Recommend
Talha Jul 25, 2016 04:58pm
PSA: The app is also available on Android
Recommend
NAsh Jul 25, 2016 07:50pm
Good your phone wasnt stolen.
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Omrna Jul 26, 2016 04:40am
good work
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Mohammad Hamza Jul 26, 2016 06:32am
@UmarSpa not yet.
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mohammad umair Jul 26, 2016 10:26am
good
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ak Jul 26, 2016 10:39am
Now thats sweet.
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Ahmed Jul 26, 2016 10:40am
Great selection. Would have bee cool to name filters used.
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aitesam ahmed Jul 26, 2016 10:50am
very nice
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usman Jul 26, 2016 01:22pm
Originals are way better.
Recommend
Afnan Khan Jul 28, 2016 05:28pm
@UmarSpa Yes it is!
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Syed Muhummad Asim Jul 29, 2016 12:37pm
nice
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