New World Tableau: Connie Arida's Uncanny Self-Portrait

Connie Arida recently created this mesmerizing self-portrait of her Second Life avatar, and it easily crosses the "uncanny valley" of realism.  (For a larger version, see it on Connie's Flickr stream.) And though you might assume otherwise, most of it was created not with heavy after-image Photoshop effects, but primarily with clever use of in-world elements.

"Short story, yes, there is a lot of post [processing] work going on," she acknowledges, smiling. "But I feel it's still SL, and not impossible to do if you had the inclination..."

How did she do it, and how can you?  After the break, Ms. Arida provides a full, step-by-step explanation.

"What I did was first of all take three pics of the same shot, same lighting, local lights off, wearing a different favorite skin in each. I had to adjust the eyebrows in each so they would match up more closely before I took them, as each skin... will have eyebrows at a different arch, height, etc.

"I then post-processed each pic to achieve a fairly consistent color in each pic, so they would match in the next step.

"I then used elements from each skin in the one pic. For example, one skin has the baked-on hair texture... so having a hair on top gave me a natural hairline.

"To match the hairline more closely, I had to edit/mod the hair color in-world.

I wasn't a fan of the bottom half of that face/skin, so I faded in the bottom half of the pic I took wearing the Minnu skin.

"I like 'detail' in a pic, and placing skins one on another usually blurs the final outcome. So I used the third skin, a very detailed Curio/Gala Nuance frex skin over the top and set it to approx. 50% transparency.

"I then used a bit of brushwork on shadows and sharpening to clean up any inconsistent artifacts resulting from melding all the pics together.

"There are parts of it that I'm not happy with still, such as blurriness, but the general outcome was what I envisaged... a lifelike pic of my avatar with elements I wish I could have in the one skin."

See much more of Mr. Nagy's work on her Flickr profile, and the entire New World Tableau album here.  Read on for guidelines to submitting one of your own.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Submitting to New World Tableau:

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

New World Tableau is an ongoing album featuring Residents who've turned SL screenshots into a new art form, vividly conveying emotions, stories, and entire cultures in a single image.

- If you come across a picture or image stream that deserves a place here, please IM (Hamlet Au) or e-mail ([email protected]) me the link.   Please e-mail me the image as a file link, or attached as an .jpeg or .gif, as long as it's under a meg in size.
- Submission tip: I regularly check the SL screenshot stream of New World Notes partner Koinup, an MMO social network-- consider creating an account there.   
- Submitting as an in-world texture not recommended, as they often come out distorted and not high res.
- Feel free to describe what the image says to you, or if you're the creator, what inspired you to make it.
- Whenever possible, name the Residents pictured, and include a SLURL to the location (when appropriate.) 
- Moderately Photoshopped images are OK, just mention if this is the case, and what effects were added.  (On rare occasions when the post-production adds a special element, heavily Photoshopped images are also appropriate.)
- If you submit an image to NWT, it's assumed I have permission to run it, either as the owner, or because it's been appropriately CC licensed.  The original creator retains all their rights to it, in any case.

Comments

[Harper Ganesvoort]

Connie's work is excellent across so many of her pictures; and these retouches show how closely our avatars can get to real life. This passes the Turning test so well that it's almost frightening (grin)!

Is anybody replaying the old movie Looker in your head?