Altered Photos

I really like playing around with vintage photos. This technique is really quite simple, but will only work with photos processed by Snapfish. I tried other photo processing companies, and it won't work. The emulsion will not soften with other companies. You simply immerse your photo into warm water for a couple of minutes, slightly dry, and etch the surface with an awl. You can scratch it with a Scotch scrubbing pad, or put things underneath and rub your image to create. I used watercolor pencils to add colors to the surface for this one. The possibilities are endless!


The photo below was originally orange, and then I color enhanced it in Photoshop. Originally, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a class taught by Nellie Wortman of "Early Morning Thoughts." She happily showed us some of the techniques described in an exciting book by Karen Michel called "The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery." Another really great book called "Mixed Emulsions" by Angela Cartwright will also rock your world.


Here's to taking your photo passions to a new level of discovery!