Fotosketcher – Quick and Easy Photo Effects
Thanks go to Mike at Mike Hardisty Photography for the suggestion of a program that quickly and easily applies interesting effects to photographs. The program is called FotoSketcher. I downloaded it, fed it the Hibiscus photo from my previous post (Fairly Simple ‘Photo to Sketch’ Instructions), and let it work some magic.
The magic is produced by something called algorithms. You might remember these tricky little math wizards from when you were in school. In the computer world, an algorithm is a set of instructions that takes your data and switches it around. In the case of a photo, the algorithm will transform your photo in some manner. I tried out three of the many effects available in the program’s menu.
For this photo, I used the effect called Cartoon1.
In this photo I used the effect called Emergence.
In the last photo, I used the effect called Pixelation.
The program has many more effects. It is an easy program to use, though you do need a bit of patience as you wait for it to create the drawing. Good art takes time, though, doesn’t it!
While I am on algorithms, I thought you might be interested in this TED Talk. The speaker, Kevin Slavin, explains some of the ways algorithms are used in the world we live in – espionage, stock prices, movie scripts and architecture are just a few topics he discusses. He also explains the dangers he sees in the development of this artificial intelligence.
Kevin Slavin: How algorithms shape our world
How else are algorithms used? Here is a slightly different take on our future.
Your Life is an Algorithm, Your Brain is an Operating System
Hi,
Another beautiful effect, well done.
Thanks Mags. I think it is time to give the Hibiscus a rest.
These look like paintings. They’re quite lovely.
It is fun to be able to create artistic effects.
Thanks for the info. My tall guy has picked up his camera again and I will share this with him.
These programs certainly give a photographer a full range of tools to turn photos into art.
I like this, I think I like the look of the process you previously described a smidge better, just different, I guess. It’ll be fun to use these different processes in different places. Thanks for the share.
I would imagine there are all sorts of programs out there that do things like this. The world of photo effects has exploded.
Great post!
I’ve really enjoyed keeping up with your blog over the last 6 months or so! So much so that I mentioned your blog in my recent post for The Versatile Blogger Award! Cheers!
http://artfulexplorationsinnature.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/versatile-blogger-award/
Thanks so much Tara. Your blog is full of creative ideas and is a pleasure to visit.
Drat! No Mac version available.
Isn’t that odd!? Usually the Mac is top of the heap when it comes to programs for graphics.
Great find! How do these photo effects compare to a platform like Instagram? Interested to see the desktop vs. mobile effects and what you think
I’ve never tried Instagram but one of these days my iPad and me should check it out.
Without a doubt. Let me know what you think!
sounds like a good program. i love playing around with my photos as well. i use one called Photoscape which has some similar things I feel
Photoscape looks like another good program that does all sorts of interesting things. I’ll have to try it too!
It is fun to use !!!! And easy.
Thanks Margie (and Mike!), off to investigate yet another fun way with photos. Your hibisci are lush!
There is no end to ways to play with pixels!