New World Notes

What SL Screenshots Look Like When Taken in the Black Dragon Viewer

Via ellapinellapin's Flickr

There's been lots of interest in my post about how Black Dragon, the third party Second Life viewer, can make SL look like a AAA videogame in terms of graphics detail and framerate. Reader Ella points out it's also great for screenshots, and comes with a Poser tool that helps with selfie pics. By way of evidence, here's her Flickr page with pics all taken with Black Dragon, without any post-processing, as she explains on her About page:

The photos I take within Second Life are taken at up to 6K resolution within the Black Dragon viewer. Photos are resized to 50% to reduce resolution and size of file for upload to Flickr. Downscaling these photos from such a large resolution adds a sense of clarity (but not excessively) to the picture. I consider this an exception and it helps the appearance of SL in general. Third-party tools/addons such as ReShade are not used and photos are not manipulated unless noted in the description.

Still skeptical? Here's some more pics by Ella that seriously rock:

Still more below!

Ashley Carter Tells Epic Space Force Stories With Second Life Screenshots

Sci-fi action movies have been pretty sparse this Summer, but into that breach comes Ashley Carter, who's created on Flickr an ongoing story of epic space battles (with intermittent, somewhat NSFW sexy romance) in a series of vividly colored, beautifully composed Second Life screenshots, with accompanying narrative in the description box. As above:

There was an idea, to bring together a group remarkable people. Sadly they couldn't make it, so instead you're stuck with us.

We landed at our destination with... relative ease. Our mission was simple: get in, find Aster, collect the suit and if anyone happened to get in our way... teach them a quick lesson.

Album with the most recent seasons (yes, she has seasons!) below, along with some selected gems.

Hat tip: Cajsa Lilliehook, who's taking a brief (hopefully!) hiatus from Cajsa's Choices.

Challenge to Create SL Couple Pics Inspired by RL Photos Already Amazing

Thought it was only announced last week, the new challenge for Second Life photographers from Lawrence G. has already attracted a flurry of impressive and sexy images that depict two avatars in poses inspired by RL photographs. I particularly like this one (above) by UnaMayLi, which has more personality than the RL photo that it's based on (at right). I wish avatars would be more responsive when touching each other, so we could see how skin and clothing subtly shifts under the pressure of fingertips and limbs, but that's a pretty difficult physics challenge. 

Many more here on Lawrence's Facebook page. All the guidelines for submission here and on his Facebook page. Lawrence is the guy responsible for that amazing body challenge from last April, featured here by Cajsa for New World Notes, and we definitely plan on featuring our favorites from this new challenge soon.

Photo via Pinterest.

SL Image Challenge: Couples Images Based on Real Life Couple Photos

Here's a new challenge for Second Life photographers from Lawrence G.:

For the month of August, this edition we will celebrate the beauty of the human body and expressive moods shared between"Companions" . Within each image the photographer will either set a mood, provoke an emotion or entice a provocative thought. This challenge is NOT about nudity/sex but sensuality, affection, compassion and connection. We will explore through illustration the raw emotions of these subjects and enjoy the story captured within each image. Each photographer may choose an image from the selected pool.

All the guidelines for submission here and on his Facebook page. Lawrence is the guy responsible for that amazing body challenge from last April, featured here by Cajsa for New World Notes. "The inspiration for the Couples Edition of the Body Language Challenge is mostly due to request of past participants," he tells me. "As well as the first Edition was such a success. I am really hoping this one takes off as the first. Fingers crossed."

Thanks to Cajsa for the tip. See some pics from the previous challenge that she blogged about below to see how great they were!

Flickr Gallery: Heartbreaking Second Life Images of Staggering Genius

"Heartbreaking Works of Staggering Genius II" is an incredible Flickr gallery of Second Life-based images curated by Nadjanator, and true to her title, just about every one of the dozens of images are masterpieces. That includes, of course, this one above by Kiana Jarman, sort of a Fortnite-meets-SL fashionista battle royale, but many more are just as wonderful in their own unique way.  (Though mysteriously, includes no Dave Eggers tribute.)

Hat tip: Cajsa Lilliehook, who knows a great SL image when she sees it.

Look: Collection of SL-Based Images Better Than Most RL Paintings

This is an amazing collection of Second Life-based images created by Kimeu Korg (IRL the Spanish artist Luz de Gas). Cajsa profiled Mr. Korg on New World Notes last year here, and since then, Kimeu has kept creating imagery with the rich textures and wry, smart compositions of excellent paintings. And while you might assume so -- no, there's little or no post-production additions to these pics. As Korg told Cajsa last year:

Cajsa's Choices: Amazing High Contrast Second Life Avatar Screenshots Modeled After Real Life Black & White Portraits

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

So I was browsing Flickr the other day and saw Panteleimon’s “Rising Son” with a hashtag that said #PryceBodyLanguageChallenge. I clicked and did not come up for hours. It is, I think, the finest collection of Second Life photos I have ever found in one spot. It all came about when Lawrence D. Pryce, who deserves his own profile one of these days, invited several people to participate in a challenge back in February -- create Second Life photos modeled after stylized RL black and white portraits.  This is what he wrote to them:

I will provide you with an image. You may use it for reference or deviate a bit from it. The image will be tasteful and must be in black and white. However,  if you want to use an accent color to highlight the body, please feel free to do so. Just be sure to keep the integrity of the body with no weird skin color. I want you to capture the contours of the body. Lure the viewer in but leave much to the imagination. You have 10 days!!! Once you have completed the image please tag me on Flickr and Facebook. Place the #Pryce Body Language Challenge. I can't wait to see your image! As always, be expressive and have fun.

Pryce sent everyone a different image from this collection, but they were united by their stark black and white emotional power, the light traversing body contours, the shadows evoking mystery, every photo telling a story. Here's some of my very favorites from the challenge:

“Silhouette” from Callie Hamelin is kind of emblematic of the collection, sensual exaltation of the human form in chiaroscuro–using light and shadow to outline the curves and lines of the body, setting a mood of contemplative reverie. The little trail of smoke is a great detail. The striking boldly diagonal line of her leg is amazing.

Angelika Corral’s submission is a beautiful example of how Second Life photos can come to the uncanny valley and rush across into that place where virtuality and reality coalesce.

“Solitude” from ChimKami Resident is in sepia rather than black and white and is just stunning. The sepia gives the sense of history like a Victorian cameo.

Many more below!

Cajsa's Choices: Five Great Stories Told Through Second Life Screenshots

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

We are storytellers. Edward O. Wilson believes human society originated in storytelling, sitting around the campfire sharing stories of the day, defined what society was. No wonder, then, that even pictures created in virtual communities like Second Life tell stories which draw our attention so powerfully:

The first photo (above) “We Are the Change We Seek” is from Alicia Chenaux. Alicia’s stream is full of stories from her SL family life. Often you will see her wicked sense of humor in her pictures, but more than anything, I enjoy her stream for her enthusiastic sense of joy.

Here in Calico Meta’s “Every Night We Waited for My Father” the story is told with the wan lighting and desaturated photo, the slumped pose of the mother, and the empty chair. This is one of her set telling a story, not yet complete, of a private investigator, P.I. Kent. You can follow the story in the album, PI  Kent. 

“Life Is Like a Song” by Spartin Parx succeeds in expressing the longing, desire, and dreams this woman is feeling with a touch of her hand. Her hand stretches out and touches the dress and there is just so much emotion in that simple gesture.

Two more below the break!

 

Cajsa's Choices: The Surrealist, Kahlo-esque Second Life Images of Halfwraith

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

The poet André Breton, the founder of surrealism, described it as a “fusion of elements of fantasy with elements of the modern world to form a kind of superior reality.” To see where fantasy and surrealism intersect, you only need to take a look at Halfwraith’s photostream. You can also see the influence Mexican surrealists Remedio Varas and Frida Kahlo in the rich colors and the way she surrounds her subject with evocative objects that create a story. It was no surprise to learn that both Varas and Kahlo were among her favorite artists when I interviewed her.

How do you describe your style of photos?

I think my style attempts to tell stories - with varying degrees of success. I wasn’t a natural at SL photography, when I started off in 2011 I was pretty terrible and did not know Photoshop. I am a blogger in SL that definitely has improved over time.

Who do you think may have most influenced your aesthetic?

I studied printmaking in RL both as an apprentice and at art school. It had a lot of influence on how I use form and compose images.

Who are some of your favorite artists in SL and/or RL?

My favourite RL artists are Dürer, Goya, Hogarth, Chagall, Kathe Kollwitz, Remedios Varo, and of course Frida Kahlo. My favourite SL artists that have influenced me are Duchess Flux and Kynne L. both who have been kind to me and I learned a lot from observation of how they set-up images. Other photographers I love are Loverdag, Nekotto, Rainbow Mubble, Alles Klaar, Awesome Fallen, and many others.

Much more Halfwraith below!

Cajsa's Choices: The Vogue-ish, Art Deco SL Fashion Photos of Wicca Merlin

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Vogue was one of the magazines I continued subscribing to after most of my magazine consumption became digital. I love to page through, enjoying the highly editorial styling, poses, and photos. Wicca Merlin’s fashion photos are like that. There is an edge to her photos, with sometimes outré poses, innovative styling, and high concept fashions. Some of her images evoke Czech Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha; others call to mind the angular poses employed by Vogue photographer Terry Tsiolis.

Since Wicca is also a designer and a photographer, I was curious how she managed to keep all those balls in the air, and what drove her to continue blogging and photography after she began designing. I was even more curious after finding out she does all this in Second Life while touring with a music group in real life.  

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity:

Your photos are very editorial. How do you go about putting together your shoot? Do you have a theme you want to express? Do you put together your outfit and then think about your photo or do you have an idea and go about assembling the outfit and background?

I do not have a plan or any structure when I am preparing for pictures. Sometimes I want to express something. Sometimes it is just a challenge to myself. Sometimes an outfit is how I find inspiration. Sometimes it just happens while I am cleaning my inventory and find interesting things that I forgot about. That is the reason why I sometimes post older things as well. I never had the desire to blog new releases only and sometimes it is just a song that inspires my stylings or pictures.

I am a very impulsive and emotional person, and that is usually the "engine" that makes me do what I am doing.

How do you describe your style/aesthetic?

It is hard if you follow your feelings and emotions to describe style or aesthetics. I love expressive poses, poses that show any kind of motion or activity. I love to put opposites together and make them look like they would belong together, anyways if it is clothing, background, furniture or colors. Usually I do not really think much about it and just let happen, what comes to my mind.

I know very well what I do NOT want in my pictures usually. I am not a friend of point-blank nudity without any artistic background...it is the same with dull pornographic themes or any kind of blunt violation against humans or any kind of animals and creatures with a soul...Not saying that all that should not be done, or that I dislike it if others do it, it is just not so much my cup of tea.

To me aesthetic is everything that does not hurt anyone on purpose and something that can be different for everyone.

Much more after the break!