Fun Photo Edits - Inspired by Gather Photo Groups

If you have been thinking about downloading a free editing program from the web you may want to have a look at  Nancy*  new series about free editing programs on the web.

Nancy is giving how-to tips for every program that she has been using - for free.

I use www.picnik.com also a free program, but I hope to learn more about the other programs over time. Photo editing and altering your pics can become addictive, like gather, games and the Internet.

Here is one of the photos I decided to have some editing fun with.

Unedited, except for ................ 

 ............... adding a (10 %) frame, using a (10%) vignette effect in the same color blue as the frame to create a shadow framing effect and adding text: FotoPlay by Rose.

The original picture looks like a black and white photo, if it were not for that one tuft of green grass in the corner. The obvious choice of edit would be - one click of the BW button - voila! Except, that looked exceedingly blah. Instead .....

... look what an injection of color will do for your photo - instant digital art - hello, poster!

I employed a number of different effects in the digital art poster above.

Of course I couldn't leave well enough alone and came up with a black - psychedelic - disco ball graphic.

However, at a second glance,

doesn't this remind you more of

 an Alien, but somehow romantic cyclone?  

I'm imagining a world where two lovers were swept away to another dimension:)

Ya, ya:), I know I have an over active imagination - I'm a Sci-Fi fan.

Gather has a ton of photo groups.

If you are interested in a photo group which encourages editing experiments for beginners and pros alike, have a look at

• Denise B's two groups  Any Photo Art and Photo Art Monthly Competition's
•  
• Kay M's the Alter Your Pics Challenge group
•  

Both photo groups feature fun photo challenges and competitions.

• Digital Diva runs a photo group called  Spotlight your Photos   which accepts both altered and unaltered pics. It's always fun and exciting to have your photo spotlighted.

To me these photo groups are a great learning tool, but most of all, I am inspired to become a better  photographer when I see the beautiful photos by all the talented photographers here on gather.   

As always, thanks for looking at my posts and pics!

All images © 2009 Rose H.

FotoPlay by Rose