Here are two image manipulations done in Snapspeed on iPad. I tend to go for an antique look in an image when I use Snapspeed. I have a rough idea of the finished image in my mind, but an important part of the process, and the most fun part for me, is the surprise of discovering unexpected effects. This aspect is inherently present in analog painting, but the ability to combine filters in software begins to approximate it in the digital realm.
Of course, there are many ways of creating an aged photo look in Photoshop, etc. using existing filters and plugins. One way of avoiding a “cookie-cutter” look in a processed image is to stack multiple filters. This creates a unique effect, or at least increases the probability of achieving one.
The photos are taken in Holland in the summer of 2011. These windmills are located in a very picturesque town called Zaanse Schans, just a few minutes from Amsterdam by train. The windmills are operational: tourists can visit a wind-powered saw mill, a peanut oil mill and a chalk mill.
The image of the bicycles on the bridge is taken from a tour boat in Amsterdam. A boat tour of the canals is a great way to survey the city for photo opportunities and to grab a few shots. The low viewpoint provides variety to the usual photos taken from the street level.