Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting
When I first saw Eripom Moonwall’s photostream I was struck by the vivid action scenes portrayed in her photos and the realistic scene-setting as brilliant and complete as a Hollywood set dresser. NSFW warning: Her photostream is a mix of her fabulous action photos -- and extreme BDSM erotica that many may find disturbing, and definitely not worksafe. She content rates her photos correctly, however, so if your Flickr settings are on Moderate, you will only see her action scenes and avoid any issues on a shared or restricted computer.
A thirtysomething securities analyst from Tokyo Chiyoda-Ku, Eri has a secret Second Life as an arms manufacturer. Really, I was amazed to learn that many of her photos are the result of her work producing machinima advertising her firearms in Second Life. Her company is called SAC, an acronym for SSOC Armament Co. Her YouTube videos and Flickr photos (featured on NWN last week here) are a big part of her marketing. She estimates that Flickr increases her sales by 20 to 30% per month.
Eripom Moonwall self-portrait
After the break, meet Ms. Moonwall: Real world stock market expert, virtual world weaponsmith and artist.
Where do you find inspiration?
I often go to the theater in RL, not only watching movies but also to just stay and relax to feel the atmosphere of the movie. My inspiration is made of movies. I’m most inspired by action adventure films like Ghostbusters, Interstellar, Inception, and Aliens. The list of films is long and includes old classics like Die Hard, Blue Thunder and Blade Runner to newer films like The Next Generation - Patlabor Movie and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. I tend to like directors who make great skyscrapers. My favorite directors are Frank Darabont, Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Michael Bay, Mamoru Oshii, John Badham, Ivan Reitman, Michael Mann, and Ron Howard.
Tactical training videos on YouTube also help me to add realism to my imaginary scenes with real-technique and methods. I always focus on "Realistic" (not photoreal) action. For example, here is a real life training video from Magpul I might draw on for my machinima or photos.
What is your process when you create your photos?
I always imagine like live-action movie scenes before making photo -- flash-cut, slow motion, bullet-time, and Hollywood-style muzzle flash (a bigger flash than reality) with cinematic layout, perspective, and effects.
Eighty percent of my photo focus is "layout" and camera perspective. When I take the snapshot, my imagination has many details and realistic action I try to capture digitally. So I just place the cast (my friends, with beautiful looks) and objects according to the picture in my brain. Animations are my most important thing, I make my own animations for 1-2 weeks, uploading animation hundreds of times to make sure they are my best.
I spend a lot of time to take a photo -- regularly 2-3 hours, but sometimes 7-12 hours. My staff and the cast are always so exhausted after work!
I use Photoshop to add effects, smokes, lights and strong contrast. sometimes adding as layers, and rebuilding in frame for a better layout.
Which is your favorite (Moderate-rated) photo? What is the story behind it? Can you tell a little about your process?
Hmm, difficult question. The one with the most Faves is “The Chaser” (above). I thought no one made a great motorcycle scene in SL Flickr, so I tried to make the best one, and also I wanted to show off my staff. This one shows my business partner. It was easy to create the best picture because I'm always watching her (laughs).
My personal favorite is “Inspection” (above). Actually I spent only 40 minutes to make this photo, all animations are from my old stock and background scenery from another photo. A friend, Eata Kitty, the well-known owner of Breach Firearms, visited suddenly and asked me to take her portrait, so I tried to make a walking scene as an inspector. It's easy to imagine because her outfits are like an official person with an "out of place" look.
How much of your photos are Second Life and how much is post-processing?
80% Second Life.
20% Post-Processing.
"Violent Energy" by Eripom
Where can people see your art?
Sim design is a kind of art and they can visit my sim. It was recently featured in a great blog article that dramatically increased the number of visitors. Otherwise, my photos are on Flickr and my videos on YouTube.
Flickr Page: www.flickr.com/photos/133296359@N08/
In-World Sim: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SSOC/193/239/1102
Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_MVKS4l3I
Has SL changed your first life?
Yes, I was not a photographer, gun-creator, machinima-maker, region-owner (I have 3 full-region sims now) before! I'm an ordinary girl in real life, just working as Securities Analyst with severe stress, with no joy. So I'm very appreciative for all of SL things and people who gave me a chance.
What do you want people to know about you?
I want "outside of SL" people to know about my SL life: That an ordinary girl can be a gun-maker with no knowledge and skills. I learned all knowledge about real guns and texturing Photoshop skills from SL and SL people. I can understand these words now: "Your world, your imagination".
SAC: https://ssocarmamentco.wordpress.com/
SSOC: http://ssocofficial.slmame.com/
SSOC Rules(Only Japanese Available): http://ssocsim.wiki.fc2.com/
Cajsa Lilliehook joined Second Life in 2007 and has been enjoying the art of SL ever since. Disliking the common practice of critiquing poor photos, she decided to highlight good ones and explain why they work in hopes of inspiring with praise instead of criticism. Follow Cajsa on Flickr, on Twitter or on her blog.
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