It has.

Been a while.

Photo Manip Tips by Cheeky

Okay, I admit I don't want to directly show you guys just HOW I manipulate a photo because it's my own time tested process. I want everyone else to develop their own unique process SO, instead I'll offer some tips and guidelines I find helpful in creating a good manipulation (in the horror/surreal genre mind you). :) I don't really do the kinds that are epic scenery with painted details with a girl standing on a cliff in a flowy dress and dark scary things and this and that (You know what I'm talking about haha), I focus mainly on portraits and faces and different themes and details I find appealing. This doesn't mean I can't TRY and make them look as realistic as possible.

Guide for Manips by Cheeky:

1. Always start with a good photo. It goes the same with regular photos that aren't manipulated. You cannot save a bad photo in photoshop. I think the same goes for manipulations. You need an interesting subject, good light quality and choose something that inspires you right away.

2. Decide what your theme is. When researching Hayao Miyazaki movies, I found that his regular themes are flight, childhood and nature. Find something that inspires and fuels your creative work as a muse. As you can tell, I find decay, blood and ugly things to be inspiring, for whatever reasons. I can't explain why but I create a character for them and give them some of my own emotions. I'm always drawn towards bloody sick looking eyes. Whatever works to give you that certain element, your creative reason.

3. Try to retain as much detail from the original photo. I think this helps give it a realistic look rather than scrubbing it up to the point that you’ve started to create something else entirely. The more details you keep, the better it will appear. So instead of masking them with tons of layers and brushes and textures, work with and around the details you want to keep.

4. Keep it simple, unless you have an idea centering on clutter. Try to make each element and detail work within the manipulations, like a photograph. Have each thing be there for a reason, not just because you wanted to put something in a random spot. Do it until it’s placed and it looks and feels right. I end up using brushes then going backwards until it feels like it belongs and it’s not distracting anymore. Each element needs to work together to make the piece feel finished and coherent. If you find that you’re adding things and it’s just not working, try taking away some textures and starting over.

5. Unless it’s part of your design, muted colors tend to work better. To me, they’re much more appealing for my style these days. I cringe when I see manipulations that are over done, colors that don’t work or were just random and too many clashing elements. Try using a color schemer to see what colors work best together. My common palate is in the cool range. My favorite accent is dark gem colors on pale white skin with blue tones. If you can make brighter colors work, go for it. I usually use pastels to keep within my muted tone rule if I want something light.

6. Be original! This applies to any other creative art and it will help you to stand out and create something you’re proud of. It all still relates to any other art. Pull inspiration from movies, music, people, books, friends and family. If something sparks or shocks a vision, look for some stock that fits your idea and go for it. Create your own brushes and textures, form your own process and ideas, look for stock that no one else has used. I try to stay away from popular stock images or take my own stock photos. Taking your own photos can also assure that you get the photo you want.

7. Lastly, develop your own pattern to editing. Learn what works best for you, decide on your favorite options and tools in Photoshop and sink into a comfortable and flexible routine. I call it my 3-step method. I prep the photo, apply textures and the general main bits involving my theme and then a cover up to add texture over top and bleach out any harsh shadows or colors. Find what type of manipulations you’d like to do and practice. My favorite thing to do is to listen to quiet ambient music reflecting the mood of the piece and zone out alone in my room.

So find what works for you and get into it!

twenty

No class this morning.
Had time to look spiffy.
Repo! The Genetic Opera is a kick ass movie.

nineteen

Skipped my first class, not feeling well.
This 4 day weekend should be good.

that dead deceit.

5/19/09

Behold, the night born of a whim.
A certain fancy holds
Attaches with the string of stars
Unleashing ambers, liquids, golds.

Sit close by her, voices deep
The whisper of a thrill amongst
Unknowing crowds of knowing masks
A pleasant rush from lips that drunk.

Not hours next would truth be told
Or paper minds left to decay
The creases deep with blood to fold
On this night, a lie betrays.

Her head upon the dock does rest
And all the atropine now fades
The moon alights a deadpool blue
So to the ground will be her grave.

The soft and desperate plea alights
And demons snare the bleeding soul.
A murmured fall of dying flocks
That flew straight from the aching hole.

eighteen

It was fun wake boarding today.
Now it's time to collapse and sleep.

seventeen

Got home from work.
Hanging out with Shannon at the lake tomorrow.

sisteen

Woke up late.
Felt dizzy all day from not eating.

fifteen

Time for the weekend.
Going to dance in a few hours.

fourteen

Got to finish this journal tonight.
I'll be happy once it's done.

thirteen

I got a DD at deviantART!
Now I just need to crack down and finish this big hw assignment.

twelve

Listening to Golden Brown by The Stranglers.
Just got my nails done.

eleven

Happy Mother's Day!
Check out my awesome new shades and Hellboy 2 DVD!

ten

Just got back from faire.
Dead tired.

nine

Enjoying my new tea from Disneyland.
Thinking about doing some photos right now.

eight

No class tomorrow morning.
Excited about Disneyland tomorrow afternoon.

seven

Ready for school.
Looking forward to Disneyland this Thursday
and ren faire on Saturday with Sammie.

six

Just got home.
Eating some moose tracks ice cream.

five

Made the mistake of not eating breakfast and going to work out.
I feel kind of tired and sick now.

four

Getting ready for work.
Listening to "No You Girls" by Franz Ferdinand.

three

No work today.
Woke up late, saw X-Men at 12 am, it was really good.

two

Woke up early to finish some homework and have tea before breakfast so my stomach won't feel all weird.

one

Athena was reluctant to be in the picture.
This begins the journey!

The second day of openeing weekend at the Ren Faire!

And I have loads of pics to show! I'm dead tired so I edited a few to share.
(click to see bigger photos!)



Here we are all ready to go!


Full costume, Shannon's wearing my old one.


After lunch, we sat for an hour, soooo tired.


Goofing around


The view from where we sat of the faire.


Faire folk and a stage


The kick ass jug I got! It's held by a leather strap, very good for water.


These guys were so cool! They came over and ate by us.


Be telling Adam where we are


Kick ass costume guy


The Queen :)


And the last show we watched, Moonie and some other guy :D

The dream of dark.

It all began with a place that was familiar but only seen once. A movie theater in Arizona I went to last November after regionals. In this dream, I was there, but it was smaller. I remember in the dream it was more like a lobby or a restaurant inside rather than a movie theater.

After some time I noticed...a man sitting on a bench. He looked pale and sick. He was asleep. I soon found out why he was sick looking. A car of walking dead human creatures was trying to get at me. So I ran into the move theater. Inside was a plant growing, it would be important later I assumed. Another man shambled after me, and his pace got quicker as I started to run. Moving to the employees area only, the back area of the theater was more like an intricate connection of old hallways, passages and offices. I was so confused and I felt strange. Seeing the man after me I ran blindly through the halls and offices, always finding a way out to the next room. Once in a back office, I turned right to see another small door, and then a dead end. I went to the far wall and looked up into a storage space and saw and opening above, like a small attic door. But I had no time as I heard footsteps behind me. I shoved myself into the open closet full of coats and things to my right. It's no hiding spot and a normal looking man spots me and says, "Don't worry, we'll cure you..." and he grabs my hand, I feel something...and I become unconcious...

Upon waking, I find I'm in a small ER ward with beds and things. I don't know why I was scared, but for a moment I had no memory and I jumped from the hospital bed and found something to stab him with. I weakly fall then, still unable to function or walk. I cry in fear as I come to my senses, and have no memory of what I just did. Crawling away in fear, I scream at him I didn't mean it, but he pulls the knife out, bleeding, and turns on me angrily, thinking I'm...one of them, despite his efforts to cure me.

LACMA

Went to the LACMA yesterday for a paper I have to write in my ancient art history class. Got to see some really wicked stuff, and even a piece my professor talked about in class. Very cool. Anyway, here's a few of my favorites I edited. :) Click to see the full size picture.




Your photographer, posing in a a sculpture of lamp lights :)



Someone collected all whole bunch of the same renditions of a painting.



Forgot who's crown this was, liked how pretty it was.



Satan's feet! eeeeekk! I took a lot of these for my friend, because Satan happens to look a lot like one of her characters...or a few of them ahaha.



Hmmmmmmmm. Satan plots your demise.



Check those mighty soul-crushin legs!



Wings and all.



I saw this old mirror and though: "HEY! Vintage myspace picture!" ahaha :D



He looked troubled.



No idea what this lad was doing.



A little angel :)



My favorite of the glass stuff we saw.



And a very lovely pitcher :)

sweet