Apple Macintosh fans familiar with the iconic Mac software QuickDraw, MacPaint, and HyperCard, or iOS users simply looking for a remarkable photo app, should take notice of Bill Atkinson PhotoCard, a powerful, yet free app that creates beautiful postcards that can be sent via email or the U.S. postal service.
The man behind these innovations is Bill Atkinson, a brilliant, passionate software creator and world-class nature photographer, who began his career with Apple in 1978 and for a while was Steve Jobs’ best friend. Recently, Atkinson graciously invited me to his Bay Area home for a detailed look at PhotoCard, and a showing of his impressive nature photographs.
About PhotoCard
PhotoCard 1.0 was first released in late 2009, after 1.5 years of development. Now it has been four years, and Atkinson appears as driven for perfection today as he did when he worked 90 hours a week for Apple Computer. PhotoCard 6.0 is the current version and is available as a full version, featuring hundreds of Atkinson’s stunning nature photos, and a wide selection of licensed clip art stickers and stamps, and also a lite version, which is small enough to download over cellular data. Both app versions provide free, unlimited emailing of PhotoCards, and a paid print-and-mail service with professionally printed 8.25 x 5.5”-sized postcards. Cards may be mailed for as little as $1.50 including First Class Postage within the U.S. and $2.25 to other countries.
Once the app is opened, users can easily swipe through and choose one of Atkinson’s nature photos or one of their own photos. After a selecting a photo and an email or postal address, a text message can be added using a selection of fonts. Stickers and a stamp are added by simply tapping on them. For cards sent by email, a “Voicenote” enables sender to record a short, personal message onto the postcard. The app also includes a handy step-by-step guide, providing clear instructions to create and send a card.
To provide PhotoCard users the finest experience possible, Atkinson has worked hard to make an easy-to-use app, and also a print-and-mail service behind the scenes that delivers premium quality high-res printed postcards. As part of his extensive research, Atkinson worked closely with electronic postage company, Endicia, to develop an elegant solution for custom stamps. With these stamps, barcodes, and lamination, the postcards get through the postal sorting equipment with remarkably little damage.
Atkinson’s pursuit of perfection also includes waking up at 5 a.m. to review new postcard orders, fix incorrect addresses and awkward word-wraps, and even adjust a few poorly exposed photographs. Three times a week, Atkinson prepares a final PDF and transfers it to his printing partner Progressive Solutions. Using a state-of-the-art HP Indigo digital press, they print the high-resolution postcards, then laminate the press sheets, and trim the postcards to final size.
Career at Apple and Beyond
Atkinson began his illustrious career with Apple Computer after being recruited by Jef Raskin, his former professor at UC San Diego and another pioneer in the development of the Macintosh computer. While attending the University of Washington as a doctoral candidate in neuroscience, Atkinson received a call from Raskin, asking him to join Apple, and then a letter including round trip airfare with no strings attached. While being recruited, Atkinson spent the entire day with Steve Jobs. At the end of the day, Jobs made his final selling point with an analogy to surfing, pointing out how exciting it is to surf on the front edge of a wave, and how boring to dog-paddle on the tail end. “Come to Apple where you can help to invent the future, and make a dent in the world.” Within two weeks, the 27-year-old former PhD candidate was working at Apple.
In addition to a demonstration of the PhotoCard app, Atkinson gave me a private showing of his own nature photographs. Atkinson prints his nature photos using an Epson Stylus Pro 11880 printer and his world-class color management skills. He mats or coats and stretches the prints, using tools he invented and shares with other artists. His prints, some currently on display in art galleries such as The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite, have prices ranging from $400 to $2600.
Future Release of PhotoCard 7.0
During the interview, Atkinson said he plans to release PhotoCard 7.0 in about two months, once it is solid and reliable. Version 7.0 will include important new features, such as custom stamps and custom stickers, made with users’ own images.
As word continues to flow – “What became of the fabled creator of MacPaint, the indispensable menubar, and HyperCard?” -- it’s certain Atkinson will gain much more interest in PhotoCard, the work he describes as his “magnum opus.” While it’s hard to ignore his groundbreaking 12-year career in the early days of Apple, Bill Atkinson told me that 20 years from now, he hopes to be remembered for PhotoCard. With 400 million iOS users, the potential is certainly there.
For more information on Bill Atkinson and PhotoCard, please visit his website.
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