It all happened quite by accident. Bert and I were riding around the area near Stockton Springs, Maine, taking pictures of stately, old New England clapboard houses. We love plain homes best, but often point out to each other houses with unique architectural details — you know, like arches and corbels and odd-shaped windows.
Recently, I downloaded an app called distressedfx, created some artsy pictures using the simple click operations, and then posted them on social media. I thought, why not make this gothic white house a little creepy using distressedfx? I snapped the picture and played with the app. And in a matter of minutes, a simple picture of a grand old house became a haunted mansion complete with flying creatures and creepy lighting.

My favorite spooky house for Halloween, with the help of distressedfx.
Want a creepy house for Halloween? Here’s how you do it.
First, download the distressedfx app to your phone.
2. Then take a picture of a house. It doesn’t have to be a spooky house to begin with . . . just a normal house, but one with good bones and a strong presence.

This home and attached tourist court was closed for the winter. But it was a lovely candidate for a turning a photo into a piece of art with distressedfx.
3. Try a simple color filter first. But if you don’t like it, you just delete and go back to the original.

House photo with only a color filter from distressedfx.
4. Add a distressing filter to add texture to your photo. This one will really “age” the home.
5. If you wish, add birds! That’s right, birds — a flock or a few. And move them to the position you like best.

This photo has a color filter, textured overlay, and additional birds from distressedfx.
6. Adjust light, color, and intensity with effects as strong or as mild as you wish.
And here’s my final product. I eliminated the color filter but left the texture. Just a few birds looks frightening enough.

And this is the final product — after several changes. (How fun is this!)
Post your creation on social media and wish your peeps a Happy Halloween with a spooky house you made yourself! Enjoy!
–Rusha Sams
For more information:
Watch the YouTube video on distressedfx.
Pride in Photos Photography
I love creating and designing with apps!! Where have they been all of our life huh?! Great job! Laurie
Oh, the Places We See
I love the new apps, too, although it’s hard to keep up. There are so many! But it makes taking pictures with a phone camera lots of fun. Happy Halloween. And thanks for taking a look.
Curt Mekemson
Now that’s creative! Why am I thinking of Hitchcock’s “The Birds?” 🙂 –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
My thoughts exactly! And by the way, “The Birds” as well as “Psycho” are two of my all-time scariest movies!!!!
Curt Mekemson
Scary they are, Rusha. 🙂 If you travel up the Sonoma County Coast where “The Birds” was filmed at this time of the year, the birds are always gathering. I’ve been there many times over the years and I always think about the movie! –Curt
Sue
😀😀😀😀
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for four smiley faces! These little houses make me smile, too. Happy Halloween!
Sue
And Happy Halloween to you!
cindy knoke
How fun!
Oh, the Places We See
You’re right – this is just for fun. But I love to play around with filters and effects, especially since it’s so easy to do with an iPhone. Happy Halloween.
Stewie Overseas
Love this! Nice Halloween photo tutorial!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look! It’s fun to use this app — for more than houses, of course!