Something fun you can do with photos is to “posterize” them. One of the easiest programs to use for this is Picnik, a free photo editing program.
Just upload your original photo, in this case a brick storefront.
Click on “effects,” and “posterize.” Choose the number of colors, detail and “fade” (how strong you want the effect to be) until you like what you see. Don’t forget to save.
Here’s the finished product:
Instant art.
*****************************
We’re going to be away for a few days, so I’ll be uploading just one photo for a while. Sorry I won’t be able to answer comments or do any blog commenting. It’s not easy to leave the laptop behind, but I need to power down for a bit. I will be taking photos.
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
Thanks for an amazing before-after post. I love them. I like both pictures.
Have fun wherever you go. I’m looking forward to the photos you will share with us when you are back.
Thanks so much, Caroline. It’s a combination vacation and visit to an ailing friend. The weather’s supposed to be nice, so I hope to get some good photos.
Thanks for sharing this shot and amazing picnik tip.
You’re very welcome.
Neat idea. Thanks for sharing the before and after.
Anytime!
Fascinating results. I use freeware, Picasa3, and it includes the link to Picnik. I haven’t tried ‘posterize’ but will now that you shown the way, Carole.
Cool. If you use Flickr, it’s part of their setup and very easy to use, Cheryl.
Cool! And enjoy your time off. 🙂
Thanks!