Could someone please explain how to apply these photo effects?

Question:(I don't know if this is the right category. Sorry if it's not!)

How would you apply these effects to a digital photographed picture (taken with a normal digital camera; no extra lens or effects or anything); the examples are below. Also, I wanted to know how to scale an image to be an exact size (i.e. 100x100 pixels). Also, how would I change the DPI of an image? Could someone help in answering my questions?

ORIGINAL:
1. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff177...
2. http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/e...

EDITED (sorry for the size):
1. http://icons.iconator.com/534/ICONATOR_8...
2. http://icons.iconator.com/286/ICONATOR_6...

Please and thank you! All answers are helpful and appreciated! : )

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: (I don't know if this is the right category. Sorry if it's not!)

How would you apply these effects to a digital photographed picture (taken with a normal digital camera; no extra lens or effects or anything); the examples are below. Also, I wanted to know how to scale an image to be an exact size (i.e. 100x100 pixels). Also, how would I change the DPI of an image? Could someone help in answering my questions?

ORIGINAL:
1. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff177...
2. http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/e...

EDITED (sorry for the size):
1. http://icons.iconator.com/534/ICONATOR_8...
2. http://icons.iconator.com/286/ICONATOR_6...

Please and thank you! All answers are helpful and appreciated! : )

in gimp, if image is exactly 200 x 200, you would resize image/ scale image size by 50%, or 100 pixels as is,
~but to get part of image from larger picture, may require you to crop/ cut out a part of picture ,
~or select and copy part, then edit/ paste as new image, then save as new,

you could try interpolation / resampling settings, may not make difference at small scale,
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/key=inte...
..

What photo program are you using?

Chris

i dont know precisely what effects you were looking for, im assuming you were talking about the effects earned through "iconator"

If I were to want these particular effects, I would probably use the Curves tool in Photoshop. As it is, I think the effects are not very well done, but that's besides the point.

To scale an image to an exact size (I'll use the example you did, sizing it SQUARE) in photoshop you would first want to select the crop tool (C), then hold Shift, and click-drag the tool over your image. Holding shift will ensure that the selection stays square. When you have decided the area that you want to crop the image down to, press enter. Now, go to Images, Image Size, and enter the pixel or measurement value.
Make sure Scale Styles, Constrain Proportions, and Resample Image are all checked. These will make sure that everything stays looking how it did before you resized, the document won't end up squished, and the resolution remain as good as possible.
If you are making the image smaller, select Bicubic, or Bicubic Sharper under the Resample Image box. Then hit Ok.
To change the *PPI* (pixels per inch) of an image, use the corresponding Resolution box in that same Image Size window. *DPI* (dots per inch) is different. Pixels per inch refers to your computer screen and the amount of pixels displayed in one inch of it, while dots per inch refers to printing, and the number of dots per square inch that the printer transfers to the paper.

Note me if you need anything else, or if I was unclear about anything.

=)