I would like to share a few photos that I created during my month of exploring "really fake photos" as a part of my contemplative photography group.

One day I was on a walk with friends on a new trail in our area.  I was struck by the reflection in the window of an old paper mill.  When I saw the image at home it was kind of plain and ordinary.  I had just got a notice to update my Topaz Studio 2 and I thought this might be a great time to experiment with this photo.  So, I tried a couple of different "looks" and decided that a neon type look fit with my vision of the walk.  The look totally transformed the old mill building and then I had a bit of fun with the pedestrian signs.  All in all, a fine project.

I remembered an image that I took a few years ago that was an old lady mannikin in a store close by.  I took a photo because I was intrigued by the sign pinned to her as well as her fragile nature.

So, I played around with it a little.  First in Topaz Studio 2.  I wanted just a little of a cartoon like approach with a color shift.  But I wanted to keep her face the same, so used a mask to get rid of the look on her face.

{"total_effects_actions":0,"total_draw_time":0,"layers_used":0,"effects_tried":0,"total_draw_actions":0,"total_editor_actions":{"border":0,"frame":0,"mask":0,"lensflare":0,"clipart":0,"text":0,"square_fit":0,"shape_mask":0,"callout":0},"effects_applied":0,"uid":"9F79ACB9-24F7-4A22-9AF2-959DA83C9335_1573692311833","width":696,"photos_added":0,"total_effects_time":0,"tools_used":{"tilt_shift":0,"resize":0,"adjust":0,"curves":0,"motion":0,"perspective":0,"clone":0,"crop":0,"enhance":0,"selection":0,"free_crop":0,"flip_rotate":0,"shape_crop":0,"stretch":0},"source":"editor","source_sid":"9F79ACB9-24F7-4A22-9AF2-959DA83C9335_1573692311838","origin":"gallery","height":924,"subsource":"done_button","total_editor_time":535,"brushes_used":0} And, lastly, I played around with PicsArt.  An iPad app that gives you lots of latitude for creative expression.  This time I started with a cat background and then added my original fragile lady.

{"source":"editor","effects_tried":0,"photos_added":0,"origin":"unknown","total_effects_actions":0,"remix_data":["add_photo_directory"],"tools_used":{"tilt_shift":0,"resize":0,"adjust":0,"curves":0,"motion":0,"perspective":0,"clone":0,"crop":0,"enhance":0,"selection":0,"free_crop":0,"flip_rotate":0,"shape_crop":0,"stretch":0},"total_draw_actions":0,"total_editor_actions":{"border":0,"frame":0,"mask":0,"lensflare":0,"clipart":0,"text":0,"square_fit":0,"shape_mask":0,"callout":0},"source_sid":"9F79ACB9-24F7-4A22-9AF2-959DA83C9335_1573693780785","total_editor_time":578,"total_draw_time":0,"effects_applied":0,"uid":"9F79ACB9-24F7-4A22-9AF2-959DA83C9335_1573693780778","total_effects_time":0,"brushes_used":0,"height":2048,"layers_used":0,"width":2048,"subsource":"done_button"} All in all, I am having fun with creating "Really Fake Images".  It allows me an outlet for creative expression and often provides a few laughs from my friends.