Memory Pods #23, copyright 2014 Douglas Stockdale
Last year at this time was an interesting convergence; while investigating the macro capabilities of my Samsung phone I found a potential metaphoric subject to explore the idea of what dementia looks like and a good photo buddy, Jim Mckinniss, turned me on to an interesting phone app called SnapSeed. So I decided to really play with the SnapSeed app while working on this project, really push my own boundaries. Yes, the straight documentary guy was now becoming Mr. Abstract-Impressionistic. Okay, perhaps not that abstract and more turn of the 20th century impressionistic.
One of the SnapSeed filters called the Grunge filter was fascinating (even fun!) and when I set the controls towards the max, I could create some interesting poetic and soft lyrical photographs such as this image #23 from my series, above. I could quickly and easily push my hard-edge, conceptual realism boundaries. After a while I started dialing back the Grunge effects, but it had some unique capabilities that I was getting used to as how these complemented my vision.
Fast forward to last week Jim tells me that he has an upgrade to the SnapSeed app. So after a quick check of the Google app store that the SnapSeed looks much like it did before, I uploaded the new version hoping that they added some cool goodies. Well they did add a couple of things, such as Glamour Glow, Noir Filter and a Spot Repair tool and I think Transform tool, but alas what is completely missing? Yep, the Grunge filter!!!
Admittedly I was dialing back on when and how I was using the Grunge filter, but it had some pretty niffty features.
So my advice is if you have the earlier version with the Grunge filter and you enjoyed it effects, DO NOT UPGRADE your SnapSeed app!!! btw, Jim had his Samsung set up for auto updates and his upgrade just showed up.
Bottom line: I WANT MY GRUNGE FILTER BACK!! (yeah, like this is as effective as spitting into the wind)
Best regards,
Singular Images 
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