Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting
Shiloh Lyric’s photos catch my attention with bold colors and heavy shadow, strong emotions, and tasteful eroticism. Light is an important element in her work, even when its power is evidenced by its absence. I love how her work demonstrates how much more erotic discretion is than blatant exposure.
There are nudes in her stream and sexual images, but they are artfully done. They don’t scream “Look at me, I have sex.” After all, having sex is the most ordinary, universal, not-unique thing any of us do.
After the break, more stylish sensuality from Shiloh -- who shares inspirations for her work, advice for new SL photographers, and a glimpse at her RL:
So tell me a little about yourself
I'm a married-but-separated mom of two and it was, ironically, my ex who first introduced me to SL. I had read about it in an article about Duran Duran being scheduled to perform a concert in a 'virtual world', which I thought sounded fascinating. And then one day, my husband discovered it, and before I had my own computer, I languished over his shoulder and watched in complete fascination. So as soon as we could afford another SL capable computer, I created my first account, Sunni Jewell.
At a later point, he and I both deleted our original SL accounts, and took a break for a couple of years. But the technology, and the awe I always felt at everything created by so many in this world, was a draw to me even during that time. I kept an eye on Second Life developments through the website and forums, just to keep my finger on the 'pulse', so to speak.
Shiloh was created in October, 2010 (right before legacy surnames were ended, and I'm so glad I was able to snag one before that happened) and I haven't taken a break of more than a few days since.
What keeps you here?
The biggest draw, to me, has always been the creativity of so many who inhabit this strange, wonderful little world. I continue to be impressed by what people can do, and that's what keeps me here.
My first life is pretty mundane. I work a full time office job. I have a 22 year old and a 14 year old. Outside of SL, I love to read, and I'm turning into a news/politics junkie. I'm just a regular person who found a way to tap into something I didn't even realize I had...a small pool of creative talent and pretty good eye.
What do you like to do in SL?
I spend most of my SL time either with my partner, Crowthorne, visiting every shopping event I can get to and taking photos. Because of time differences, I mainly see Crow on weekends, so it's usually spent finding an interesting or fun hunt, checking out the monthly shopping events, searching for good live singers, dancing at Muddy's Music Cafe or exploring. We've sailed, traveled sims on our motorcycles, rode horses, visited amusement parks. It's pretty much an endless list. Let's just say we explore ALL we can of what SL has to offer. :D
Has SL had an effect on your first life?
Definitely. When I was still with my husband, it was sometimes even a way for us to feel like we were on a 'date' even on nights no babysitters were available. And now? It's an important part of my social life, and an escape from RL stresses. My fascination with the creativity of others has also helped me to tap into my own creativity through my photos. That, in turn, has led to an interest in real life photography, which wasn't something I realized I had an eye for until Second Life. NOW I just need some actual equipment to fully take my photo hobby first life-side. Maybe a Christmas present to myself.
How do you describe your style?
Originally, I was finding my way in Second Life photography, and to some degree, I still am. It started out as fashion-based photography, but my blog is barely kept up now. My photography is normally subject based. I'm not much of a landscape photographer, but prefer human models and normally meant to convey a specific theme or emotion.
Whose work do you admire?
There are really too many to name. Anouk A. does some absolutely amazing work with SL photos, as does Nimoe Constantine, Cypriss Hill, LouLou Teichman. I'm just really impressed by the extent of the talent I see displayed by so many artists in the SL Flickr community!
What RL or SL artists inspire you?
The ones I listed above, definitely. I like SL photos with a 'realistic' look, but without the vaguely uncomfortable 'uncanny valley' feeling with certain photo styles.
Where do you find inspiration?
I had already shared a little about how music or songs inspire me, but it can be almost anything. An emotion I'm experiencing in real life, or the reflection of an event which has occurred. I enjoy all sorts of fiction, and sometimes my inspiration has come from a book or even just a quote I came across. There is almost always a meaning to every photo I do currently.
Sometimes executing the photo can take hours. The photo has already been imagined, so the trick is recreating exactly what I'm seeing in my mind into my little SL environment. Sometimes that involves frantic Marketplace searches to find the exact pose I want or a prop I need.
Then I need to consider perspective and lighting. I don't have a really great rig, so that places some limitations on where or how I can take photos. When I have the photo set up, then I will normally take anywhere from 3 to 30 different photos, using different Windlight settings, shadows and angles.
I don't use Photoshop, so my editing is all done on PicMonkey or a couple of other photo editing sites I've found, and whatever filters I decide to use are always intended to add to the emotion or theme of the photo. Do I want dark and broody, or am I feeling light and vibrant? So usually there are also several edits before I decide on the one I feel does justice to the picture which first formed days or hours before that in my daydreams.
I also take a good number of photos I end up scrapping because I just can't seem to pull it together in a way which satisfies me.
Any tips for aspiring photographers?
If you're new at this, I advise just jumping in. Get inspiration from scrolling through the work of others to see what jumps out at you. Check out tutorials and take advantage of some of the great built-in features with some SL viewers. Firestorm's phototools and ability to add filters in-world are fun to play with, and you'll be amazed at what you can come up with. Most of all, just have fun with it. Some of my photos are 'hits', most aren't. I just enjoy taking the photos and have found that it's relaxing and a way to have fun doing something I like.
Light and shadow are so integral to your photos -- how do you achieve those effects?
I have a favorite filter which I normally apply, in varying degrees, to most of my photos, and I ALWAYS take photos with Advanced Lighting turned on in SL.
What do you wish I had asked?
Just... you asked if SL has had an effect on my first life, but not if my hobby of taking photos has, and I have to say that 'yes, it has greatly impacted my life'. When my marriage broke up, when I've hit some rough financial roads, I've found an outlet in taking these photos. That other people like some of my work is still a bit flabbergasting to me, and I'm appreciative when I'm complimented on art I've shared. But its therapeutic value can't be overstated.
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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