New World Notes

Screenshot Post-Processing Tips from Virtual World Artist Suzen Juel

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

Suzen Juel’s photostream is full of pictures she has taken at Second Life art installations. Some of the time she interacts with the installation as in “Bridge,” the picture above from Cica Ghost’s installation. I asked her for her favorite photo and she chose this one, explaining, “I LOVE Cica Ghosts work and had a chance to visit her sim. The lighting was already bright and warm so this one wasn't as complex as I can get with some.” 

I love that she chose this one with her playing music as Suzen Juel is also known as Juel Resistance, the musician who performs live music in Second Life. She also has some of her own art in SL that she calls Inkies. You can check out her SL and RL art on her website.

Suzen explains what tools she uses to edit after the break.

These Postcard-Perfect Christmas Pics Were Actually Made in Second Life

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

RyanTailor has a fun photostream is full of Christmas right now, so I thought it would be a great one to feature. “Baby, it’s the best time of the year” has a vintage feeling thanks to the slightly yellowed and aged tone. It has a simplicity that I love. 

More modern and sardonic takes on Christmas ahead. 

Virtual Holiday Shopping Ideas Beautifully Depicted by Blogger Vitor Takeda

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

Takeda is the self-named blog of Vitor Takeda.  “This Christmas”  is a charming blog post featuring Takeda’s signature ability to create a narrative with a picture. He’s relaxing by the tree, playing with his cats, both of whom are dressed for the occasion. As a cat owner myself, I marvel at the cat with antlers. My cat would have that off in 2 seconds. Do you remember “Not Possible In Real Life?” We really did not need elaborate constructions, but just a cat wearing antlers. 

SCENARIO

• [REZZ ROOM] - Pack European Cat Adult Christmas Animesh @SantaInc.
• DISORDERLY - / Presently Xmas @SantaInc.
• .peaches. - Reagan Upholstered Table and Bulbs @SantaInc.

by Vitor 

• Shirt: -ODIREN- - Garry Sweater @TMD 
• Pants: {COLD-ASH} - Mens HOLLOWAY Ripped Jeans
• Shoes: EQUAL - Lee Sneakers

Vitor does steampunk next.

Artist Creates Amazing Virtual World Images Illustrating 5 Senses & 4 Elements

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

I love it when SL artists tackle a personal photography project to explore an idea. You can find these projects by checking out an artist’s albums where they collect photos in a set. Skye Donardson created a fascinating album featuring the five senses as tchotchkes on a table, or perhaps more accurately, specimens in a museum. One fascinating feature of the tableaux is that her avatar is represented as a head in a bell jar whose use of that sense is blocked. For “Hearing” she wears sound-suppression ear muffs. For “Taste” she wears a ball gag and so on. Do check out this album, it was a genius idea and brilliantly executed. 

Next, Skye takes a look at the elements.

There's a Whole Flickr Group for Watching & Photographing Virtual Birds in Second Life -- Here's Some of Their Best Pics!

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

I love Second Life groups that focus on one thing and really do it. With over 200 members, Second Life Avians is just such a group, This picture, “Snowbird,” by Heather Falls, makes me think of a Christmas Card illustration. It’s perfect for a bit of text on the lower right wishing us a Merry Christmas or Season’s Greetings. 

More virtual avians to come...

Gustaf Hobo Has a Hilarious Flickr Photostream of Surreal Second Life Pics

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

“Pets in Space” is one of Gustaf Hobo’s many hilarious pictures in one of the most delightfully absurdist photostreams in Flickr’s Second Life. Gustaf’s stream tells a story, one full of wit and humor. This just gives you a taste of of his own personal Animal Farm.

More absurdist delights ahead….

Get SL Holiday Shopping Ideas from the Excellent Style Blog Fashionologie

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

Fashionologie  is an excellent blog from Xana Newall. “When You Can’t Stay Awake” spoke to me. Who hasn’t been this tired at least twice? Besides, I want the sweater:

• Addams – Pheobe Sweater

Angelo Diabolico Creates Dramatically Romantic Images from SL Screenshots

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

Angelo Diabolico’s “Tu sempre al mio fianco” or “You always by my side” is a lovely and romantic picture of a couple enjoying a walk in the park or the forest and seeing a deer. They’ve come to a stop, standing silently, holding their breath, not wanting to startle the deer and this magical moment. Angelo Diabolico’s photostream is full of wonderfully emotional pictures. There is a fantastical element, heightened by her color choice that leaves so much white with only splashes of color in the sky and their clothes. 

Ahead, an oldie but a goodie. 

Looking for Great Virtual World Images on Flickr? Look at the Favorites List of Great Virtual World Image Makers on Flickr! (Like These)

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

I love this picture by Akame called “Mirror Kill.” If you look closely at that URL, you will see it ends with “in/[email protected]” That’s because I found this picture by looking at Celestial Demon’s Faves. I featured him yesterday, and today I looked at his faves to see if  was someone new to me. There nearly always is. Sometimes I will go to someone’s faves, then to the faves of someone who catches my eye in their faves, and so on and on until I am in a completely new genre. It’s a fun game and everyone should play it once in a while. 

“Mirror Kill” is not just because of the mirror surface of the lake, but the colors are rich and yellow and blue are complementary, making a good color story. It makes me think of the photographer’s Golden Hour which had passed shortly before this picture was taken (pretending that this was just natural light rather than WindLight.} Did you know there are Golden Hour calculators?

So where will Akame’s faves send me?

Flickr Artist Celestial Demon Turns SL Screenshots Into Exemplary Imagery

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

“Only One” is a great example of taking a screenshot and turning it into a great piece of graphic art. I love this. I think they posterized and perhaps increased contrast to make it stark. It was definitely shot in SL and the SLurl is here.

More examples of screenshots turned into art ahead...