Welcome to the exciting world of graphics

[Morrighan]

As Cipher's resident graphics artist (by default) I am hereby hoping to woo others into this exciting and challenging field. Wow your friends! Mutilate classical artwork! Make Ky go !

We have areas in the forum for banner-making and icon-sharing, but I'm thinking of branching out a bit, and also teaching any interested but nervous novices how to make images do what you want them to do. For those of you that already know how to play with graphics, I have a pointy stick with your name on it--and a few upcoming graphics challenges for the site.

So, we'll start with tech stuff. I use JASC Paintshop Pro to make my images, as the allows me to crop out what I don't want down to the pixel level, add text, flip the images every which way, resize, color--just about everything I could want to do to an image. I'd recommend it just because I already know how it works, so for any novices, I can explain it easily. Other alternatives are Adobe Illustrator as well as a ton of smaller programs that might come on your computer--see here for options. Macromedia Fireworks is another option, if you've already got it. I wouldn't recommend trying to buy it. It's a top-of-the-line program, so it's harder to learn by experimenting. I'm entirely self-taught in this, which is why I recommend Paintshop Pro.

And just to allay any fears, I'm not an image maker. I'm an image manipulator. I take existing pictures and change them. I've done some colors of black and white art, and played with the animation area of Fireworks, but that's it in terms of the more complicated stuff.

We're going to start playing with the header banner of the forum for holidays, seasons, writing challenges, announcements, and just about anything else we can think of, and I'd love it if we could get more participation on that score. So even if you just want to recommend a picture for an upcoming holiday and want one of the graphic artists to manipulate it, you're more than welcome to join in. We can showcase artists we like this way, to include HP fanart and throw some more variety into the forum.

So if you want to learn, this is the place to do it.

Our first new banner is going to be for Halloween, so if you see a picture you like and get the artist's permission to use it (tell them we'll advertise their work) then let me know. I'll work on it over the weekend and post it by next Monday.

[vamp_writer]

This sounds great, Morr. I'm also very good at digital imaging -- used to teach college classes. Been doing it for about 10 years now. My #1 program is Photoshop. At the moment, I'm using 6.0, but I'll be upgrading soon.

So if you need help teaching our novices, I'd be glad to help.

V.

[_Ky_]

You know how I stand on the subject matter. Firmly in the corner, going...



Actually, I believe this is brilliant. I am somewhat of a bassackwards worker. I've often heard it said that photographs are harder to work with then illustrations, but as somebody whose only worked with photographs, I'm often at a loss when it comes to working with art of the non-realist variety. Also, like you, Morr, I'm self-taught... on Photoshop, which many say is one of the harder of the softwares out there to use. However, if I attempt to use something else... I flounder.

While I will gladly chime in and give my knowledge from working as a digital editor, I think I can learn from this too, and I'm looking forward to it.

[vamp_writer]

I have to agree on the floundering part, Ky. I tried using Paint Shop Pro and lets just say that it wasn't pretty.

Yes, PS was really hard to learn -- and this was in a class! But over the years it got easier and easier. Once you understand how it works, it's not hard at all.

Just my 3 cents.

V.

[raintiger]

I am a self-taught Photoshopper too. The jury is out on whether or not I'm any good. Here's one I made of myself as a Martian Vampire-- you know, like in the Season of Passage by Christopher Pike.

Spoiler

[Scully]

Originally Posted by raintiger

I am a self-taught Photoshopper too. The jury is out on whether or not I'm any good. Here's one I made of myself as a Martian Vampire-- you know, like in the Season of Passage by Christopher Pike.

Spoiler

you look pretty scary to me! *grin*

[_Ky_]

Originally Posted by raintiger

I am a self-taught Photoshopper too. The jury is out on whether or not I'm any good. Here's one I made of myself as a Martian Vampire-- you know, like in the Season of Passage by Christopher Pike.

Spoiler

I like it a lot, RT. The color work on the skin is wonderful, and the line of the teeth is very well done (or were you actually wearing acrylics, because I honestly can't tell at this size. If I pulled it into photoshop, I might be able to, but at this res, I can't.) The edging around your hair is slightly fuzzy on the top (and a little sharp where it hangs down) but working with hair is one of the harder things I've ever encountered; the texture is difficult to get perfect.

It is very well done, RT.

BTW, Season of Passage is a very odd book.

[vamp_writer]

I like that pic, RT.


V.

[kaidyn]

Originally Posted by raintiger

I am a self-taught Photoshopper too. The jury is out on whether or not I'm any good. Here's one I made of myself as a Martian Vampire-- you know, like in the Season of Passage by Christopher Pike.

Spoiler

I think that photo is pretty hot, but I have a major vamp fetish.

[raintiger]

I'm glad everyone likes my picture! I actually just made it for MySpace so I could use it as my default photo for awhile.

Originally Posted by Kaidyn

I think that photo is pretty hot, but I have a major vamp fetish.

*waggles eyebrows* Oh really?

Originally Posted by _Ky_

I like it a lot, RT. The color work on the skin is wonderful, and the line of the teeth is very well done (or were you actually wearing acrylics, because I honestly can't tell at this size. If I pulled it into photoshop, I might be able to, but at this res, I can't.) The edging around your hair is slightly fuzzy on the top (and a little sharp where it hangs down) but working with hair is one of the harder things I've ever encountered; the texture is difficult to get perfect.

It is very well done, RT.

BTW, Season of Passage is a very odd book.

Thank you! I did PS the teeth (I wish I had fangs that good), and I know I could have done the hair better, but I'm still learning and experimenting. And yeah, Season of Passage is a VERY odd book, but I've always loved it. Except after they get back to Earth. Then it's just like any other nineties horror book and it's lame. *eye roll*

[Morrighan]

I GOT IT POSTED!

I will spare you the details of how, as I kept accidentally putting it on the fic side of the site.

The image is Halloween, by kissmysteffy. I'll figure out a more permanent way to advertise our images shortly; for now I've got to work on my query letter.

[_Ky_]

Looks fabulous, Morr!!

[romaine]

It looks awesome--in a scary way. *g*

[Morrighan]

And looking for general fall pictures now. I need a way to contact the artist, so please provide the title of the picture and an email. I'm scouring through my files myself.

[Scully]

Wow, the new title graphic is soooooo cool!