I've noticed that my photos tend to follow a few set patterns, stylistically. I've even been told that I have a "signature" and that my photos can be recognized at thumbnail size. While I recognize that kind of visibility can only be a good thing for a photographer (especially if you someday hope to make any money at it), there is a part of me that resents it, even if only a little.
When I'm stuck for inspiration, I tend to surf either Flickr or DeviantArt. Both sites are great but for very different reasons. I've found Flickr to be the best place for technical brilliance. From framing to exposure times, Flickr makes me a more proficient photographer. I learned the rules there. I regularly converse with several amazing people who have taught me so much. With DeviantArt, however, the rules are thrown out. Colors, patterns, textures, everything goes into the final image. And I think that is a very important distinction to make. Flickr has taught me how to take good photos, but DeviantArt is teaching me how to take that photo and play with it; to not feel constrained by what I see through the viewfinder.
While today's shot may simply be some color tweaks, a little texture, and an overlay for mood, it's the first timid steps into something bigger and better for me.
IG-88 is an Assassin Droid in the Star Wars universe and is produced by Hasbro.
Be good,
-Dave
You know why
They called and just let it ring
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7:16 AM by
El Dave
, under
Last week I briefly mentioned having a demo game of Monsterpocalypse. Published by Privateer Press, the point of the game is to have your giant monster completely wreck your friend's giant monster. The city you're crushing is just an afterthought, as are the people living there.
The game was taught by my buddy Ryan, who assembled a force of Lords of Chtul led by Cthugrosh backed up by a bunch of little things I would rather have not faced.
I picked the Terrasaurs because they were chubby and made me laugh. I ran Terra Khan and a couple other chubby little dinosaurs.
When the dust finally settled, Terra Khan stood over the busted husk of Cthugrosh.
While I had a good time and REALLY like the models, I don't think I'll be playing the game beyond this demo. There were a few rules mechanics that kept pulling me away from what I really wanted to do, which is punch giant monsters and breathe nuclear fire on unsuspecting cities.
It wasn't a total loss, however. I spent the next hour taking pictures of Ryan's models (and made a stop at ebay to order a few monsters for myself). Without further adieu, here are just a small sampling of the awesome looking figures:
Be good,
-Dave
I strike a match, strike a match, cook it up!
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“If you rest, you rust.”
-Helen Hayes
After a much longer than expected hiatus, we're back to photography and blogging. There was a big life change after Christmas that led to me moving to a new place and all the stress and anxiety that comes with getting the Flying Dave Ranch settled and getting back into the photo groove.
I've been trying for over a month to get the mojo back, with some spectacular failures that thankfully you guys will never see and my CF card is glad to be rid of. What helped me break through was getting to try out Monsterpocalypse and taking pictures of some of the models for the game.
With one success under my belt, I felt confident enough to pick up a few figures, throw open the back door, get down in the dirt, and TAKE SOME PICTURES. Then I went back inside because it was 22 degrees and I wasn't wearing a coat (or shoes).
In Photoshop, I cropped this one down to size, colored in the green Gauss Flayer and the green eyes, then ran the whole thing through a little cross-processing. I don't remember which processing I used, but I promise to take better notes in the future.
I promise? That seems a little strong... How about, I will try to take notes at all?
Yeah, that sounds juuuuust right.
Be good,
-Dave
There's nothing to save I know
You live till you die
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