Photo Manipulation For Those Like Me.....

......who live in utter terror of Photo Shop, and run like a crazed hedgehog when the program boots up, I have an answer! While wandering on line the other day, somewhere, I came across a photo someone had manipulated in Photoscape and my interest was piqued. Because they mentioned that it was easy......and free! Two words that send my heart pitter-patter!

So after finding the site and downloading, I started playing, and it is easy---all tutorials are on a link to You Tube and you just watch! (of course I looked at the help section after manipulating the photos below.......*sigh*......I should read instructions.....)

Yes, that is me. Young, thin and full of sass. A fun modeling session and I always liked this picture, though there was one that had red-eye from the same session, but I just looked like a little devil! It did not need retouching.....hee, hee, hee!

I digress. I ran this through I don't know how may filters and effects and below is the result, which I like because I have been looking for something to grunge down images to use in collage, or as transfers. (I think if you click on the images, they should enlarge some)

I decided to try some of the other effects and poor Sweet Pea was the guinea pig this time (in digital only!)--going from a simple vignette I had done in another program, to~~~~~

~~~a nice collage-look image that I would definitely put on a shirt or on a card. And again, quick and easy! And fun. There was no swearing involved in the altering on this image. *ahem*........

Finally the ultimate challenge, our photo from Halloween in New Orleans, the fabulous Fiend Night! I have loved/hated this photo due to areas of too much contrast and then lack there of, and if, if, if  I was adept at P.S. I could have changed that.

But I'm not, and the few times I have tried to tinker with the image I have had disastrous results with LOTS of swearing!!!!

So I just cut loose with all the different options and finally got the photo reduced to an atmospheric piece that has more of the feel of a haunting evening and less of a simple vacation photo. (which, don't get me wrong, I do LOVE the original for the sentiment and the fact that it was a good shot to work with!)

Oh yes, very skeletal......very Halloween, DeMeng-ish, quite Fiendish! Muh-ah-hahahahahaha!!!!  Very much New Orleans on Halloween night, too---walking streets lit by gaslamps and the echoes of older times.

Now, all of this seems to conflict with my previous post of missing the film era. And trust me, I do.

But I look at Photoscape as a simple tool to get me from point A to point B when I need something for collage. I don't look at it as an editing and enhancing program. I feel if I am not capable of framing up a decent photo by myself, maybe I shouldn't be shooting it. I have the simplest of photo editing programs (in fact, I don't think it is even made anymore) and basically it lets me crop and change pixel size and do very simple tweaks on exposure; all things I did in the darkroom. I know....I am archaic. I am stubborn. I am lost in another era.

Alas, I don't mind.

Thus, I give this two skeletal thumbs up for ease of use, over all fun, and instant gratification.

And at my age, those are all biggies. LOL!

Now go do something creative!

Pax....