don't be snooty to Deviant Art

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpxVIwCbBK0&list=PLAB253A33D50C8C48
This lecture "Why vidoes go viral" cited 3 major reasons why something becomes popular. 
1)  Tastemakers
2)  Creative participating communities
3)  Unexpectedness

 I was suddenly reminded of the professionally trained artistic communities' apparent disdain for the fan-art on Deviant Art. 

 In my first talk with one of these people, I couldn't get a word in about how wrong it was to be Elitest about what art was allowed on DeviantArt.  There is so much creativity that springs from fandoms.  And I know a lot of people, including myself, get their feet wet into the whole artistic field, through fan-works.  If it makes Elitests feel better, I can mention that fan-artists usually evolve into making their own original art.  But I shouldn't have to.  I shouldn't have to mention humanity's history of art inspiring life and life inspiring art.  How many scientists were inspired to become scientists because of the sci-fi shows they watched.  For example, the invention of MP3s, inspired by a scene in Star Trek TNG.  I shouldn't have to mention that it's ok to be inspired by something else.  I shouldn't have to mention the validity of how "there are no real original ideas", because it's simply a sign that we all share the same human experiences, emotions, and subconscious.  But apparently, I do have to spell it out.

 In another talk with another person who was disappointed in how fan-art always gets so many views, whereas original art usually gets very few, I have to refer to the phenomenon of communities.  Like the lecture on viral videos mentioned, popularity and traffic occurrs when a participating community gets involved.  Not only are fan communities large and passionate, but they are passionate about participating---They learn to draw or craft or write, sometimes taking initiative they didn't know they had, just to attempt to participate.  Of course, people like this contribute to the views and traffic of any art piece.  I'm sure even communities of studio artists, as oppossed to fans of pre-existing stories, could give a piece on Deviant Art a lot of traffic, if they'd just band together and be active, the way fandom communities typically are.  Fan-art does not intrinsically have an unfair advantage over original art on Deviant Art.  I've uploaded lots of fan-art that didn't get any traffic, and has been "dead"...until it gets picked up by a community...by Tastemakers. 

 And that's why the studio artists shouldn't give up on and abandon Deviant Art, or look down on who is already on Deviant Art.  Because to get their original art the recognition, on par with fan-art, they need to stay and build communities of their own.  Just like the fan communities have taken the time to do and actively keep alive.  ...And by the way:  A 3rd conversation I've had with someone about Deviant Art conveyed the important notion that pageviews do not necessarily equate popularity, and certainly not quality. 

 So, have faith in yourself!  Do your art because you want to!  Not be to popular!  Deviant Art is a great set-up!  ...From someone who used to have to code my own online art portfolio from HTML scratch, it's a big help.  Especially in the auto-generated thumbnails.  *o* 

When does photography cross over into photo-manipulation?

https://plus.google.com/u/0/104917551945390398786/posts/YLcp1yGCeg8

I'm sure my old photography teachers would argue that photography alone, even without any type of Photoshopping manipulation, is already art.  Whether art is defined as any human activity not meant solely towards physical survival (as per Scott McCloud) or as any (usually man-made) thing which (is meant to) cause pondering about the world---Either way, once we take a photograph, we're already focusing people's perceptions to emphasize a specific view(point), visually or emotionally or philosophically.  Once we take a photo, regardless of if it gets manipulated after or during (with controlled lights/angles/etc.), we are already imposing or expressing our personal "artistic interpretation of that moment". 

 With that kind of definition of Art, out of the way...

 I'd like to reiterate that at a certain point of complexity in the Photoshopping effort, the piece is more about the skill used in the Photoshopping, more than in-camera skills used in on-site framing, angles, and lighting control.  In that sense, sometimes the intention of the photography artist, as to which skill the piece is intended to demonstrate, may determine whether a picture is in-camera art or post-production art.  Both can be equally valid fields of art, though different. 

 But this "false sense of beauty" or "what is real", is an interesting point.  One could argue that even without Photoshopping, there can already be a warping of reality.  Maybe even argue that controlling angles, framing, lighting, etc. is already "manipulating reality".  Case in point, when I take a documentary type of photo to record the details of how my set-up was done, those photos look very different from the final shots that I choose to upload.  They look stale and informative, rather than emotionally striking (at least I think that's what we're all subconsciously aiming for in our uploaded photos).  Imposing our own emotional emphasises on a set-up/model, I think is exactly what we're intentionally trying to do, when we take a photo or recognize something as a "good" photo.  We could judge a photo completely objectively and sterile, by noting it's range of value, the dynamism of the lines or angles, the difficult effects achieved, given certain equipment, but I think that judging a piece completely objectively misses the point of art in general, which, I believe, should (also) be an emotional experience.  If a photo shows reality as it is, it would be able to fully-encompass all possible interpretations in the universe, because reality is free of its own point of view.  It's absolutely objective.  But if our weekly challenges prove anything, I don't think we want to pursue that completely sterile type of depiction.  (And anyway, it's impossible, as soon as something is framed in a camera, even unintentionally.)  But, further tangents about the nature of art aside, I can remember manually developing even film photos.  I remember, in the development process in the dark room, having the ability to manipulate the contrast, the size, and even "dodge" and "burn" techniques---on which Photoshop's "dodge tool" and "burn tool" are based on.  There is a lot of manipulation to be done in "old-school" photography, purely "point and shoot" photography, and digitally manipulated photography.   Perhaps feeling deceived by a "false sense of beauty" is a case of photo publishers miscommunicating intentions of a piece to the expectations of viewers.  I bet that if we knew something was Photoshopped, then we could appreciate it as a demonstration of photo manipulation skill.  But when a photo is merely published, with the general assumption that is digitally untouched or "real", and we expect it to be so, it is a great shock and deception to find that it was manipulated.  ...Though, in this world of make-up and lighting control, what is "real"?  (Check out pics of models and celebrities without make-up. Or, this TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re53vgaVFvI )  I'd like to defer to the Asian idea that Beauty, like other ideas, is such a transcendent thing, that it cannot truly exist in our physical world.  The closest depiction of it, or the reality of any idea, is an allusion to its true nature or experience, through the use of symbols and emotional stimulation.  (The human mind just works indirectly.  That's why being told something isn't as effective as experiencing or discovering it.)  Because maybe all ideas, including Beauty, can only truly exist in their purest forms as an emotional experience or experience of thought, so it cannot truly be depicted.  (By the way, this is why Asian art, including anime, tends to favor stylization, rather than realism.)  Perhaps trying to create a non-"false sense of beauty" in the physical world is an oxymoron.  ...But we all know what people really mean when they say they're disappointed in "a false sense of beauty".  No one wants to be deceived into thinking a photo is a demonstration of, say, lighting equipment skill, when all the lighting was done with post-production digital equipment.  A different, yet equal field of skill, but a deception none the less.  (An aggrivating deception, not like the fun of suspended disbelief for a magician or fantasy movie.)  It can be annoying to waste time and effort in evaluating a piece for one type of skills and difficulty, only to find it was about another type of skills and ease, altogether. 

 So, if I've come to any answers in writing this, I guess any conflicts between photo manipulation and viewers' acceptance, comes down to the artist's intention, the success of conveying that intention of mediums, and the viewers' expectations.  With such open-ended factors, I'm glad I asked this community's tolerance of digital manipulation.  And I'm glad that some manipulation is accepted as "touch-ups". 

 But I'm even more glad that there isn't some vehement air of antagonism against even the notion of it.  So, thank you, guys.  Because, as slowly as I'm continually inching towards improving my in-camera skills, I am a perfectionist, and I want my photos to look their best---or rather, express/emphasize what I want to convey, as best they can...And my Photoshop skills are conveniently right there.  But I am aiming for not needing to Photoshop.  Frankly, a photo that does not need post-production is less work for me. 

 One of the reasons I was afraid of some "Purist" sentiment in the figure photography community, against post-manipulation, is that I know first-hand how vehement the cosplay community can be against Photoshopping.  I once posted a cosplay photo of myself, in which I loved the unduplicatable angle, but my novice make-up was way too pale.  I adjusted just that tone, and nothing else, and got harrassed for it.  It was so malicious, I almost quit cosplay, or at least, sharing my cosplay photos.  I'm so glad the figurine photography community wasn't so quick to crucify me like that.  Thank you.

 ...Wait.  Did I even answer the question?  "How much digital manipulation is allowed, before a piece is no longer a photography, and more of a Photoshop, display of skill?"  With the subjectivity of this world and all the different types of pepole/minds, I guess one really can't know without asking.  For example, I asked this community because my concern was the acceptance of this particular community.  Now that I know your preferences, I will tell you when I Photoshop something, yet strive to kept that adjustment absent or minimum.  ...Though, if there is some kind of generally recognized authority on this subject, that all of us in photography and/or photo-manipulation can recognize, then perhaps, only then could we all agree on some concrete guidelines about the borders and relms of photography and photo-manipulation.  ...Or we can keep chatting about it in growing circles, until we generate an "unspoken", general consensus.  '_'?

how to make a display pillar of keychain figurines

The problem with a lot of keychain figurines that that they can't stand on their own.  They don't come with stands and trying to get them straight on their feet never really works.  Those disproportionately huge chibi heads are just too top-heavy.  ^_^  To display them properly, they have to be hanged.  So, with a cylindrical display case and some simple supplies, you too can make a display pillar of your keychain figurines.  ^o^

 

First thing you'll need is a display case to keep out the dust.  I used a tall cylindrical gift "box" from a crafting and décor store.  Gift boxes tend to be cheaper than display cases; thinner plastic, but they get the job done.  But you can actually use any shape or size display case, or clear, enclosed container.  Even clear packaging for other things.  The taller the display case, the higher the pillar can go.  Square display cases are just as good, but those corners may obscure the figurines at some angles. 

Next, get some cardboard tubes.  Bathroom tissue rolls, paper towel rolls, wrapping paper rolls,...whatever you have lying around.  I used bathroom tissue rolls, so they needed to be taped together to match the height of my display case.  If your tubes are too long, cut them to match your display case's height. 

To make it all pretty, wrap the cardboard tube in paper.    If anyone tries decorative wrapping papers, I'd love to see it.  ^.^

It is important to note, that if you plan to hang the figurines on the paper (as will be described below) as opposed to using thumbtacks, wrap the paper at least twice around the cardboard tube.  The flimsier the paper, the more times it should be wrapped around the tube.  Again, this is only necessary if you choose not to use thumbtacks, as will be described below.


There are 2 ways to hang your figurines.
1)  Paper tabs.
2)  Thumbtacks.

Hanging method 1:  Paper tabs.
Take an crafting knife and cut tabs out of the paper.  Since the figurine's weight will be hanging from this paper, it is important that the paper be sturdy.  If the paper is flimsy, then cut more deeply into successive layers of paper to make the tab thicker.  This is the reason why wrapping the cardboard tube multiple times, would be a wise move.  Still, only time will tell if paper alone will be strong enough to continue holding the weight of the figurines.  Of course, you can always cut straight through to the cardboard tube itself.  But personally, to prepare for future collecting/configurations, I didn't want to do anything too irreversible.  It may be easier for me to replace the paper around the tube, than to gather up enough cardboard tubes again. 

...But then, method 2 may be easier than both of those possibilities.

Hanging method 2:  Thumbtacks.
It is not necessary to only use thumbtacks.  You can use pushpins, sewing pins, small nails (if that's what you've got a lot of), etc.  Go ahead and pierce that cardboard tube!  If your pin doesn't have a head to stop your figurine strap from slipping off, remember to angle the needle (45 degrees or so), into the tube, to prevent the figurine from eventually slipping.

Of course, you can use both methods, or any combination of hanging materials.















Before you start pinning and hanging, you may want to organize your keychain figurines by the lengths of their straps or chains.  (You may even want to replace some chains with string instead.)  Organizing them by their lengths makes it easier to arrange them into levels on the pillar.  This will give the pillar a more organized look and help prevent figurines from overlapping each other.

Now, while you're push-pinning, hanging, and figuring out your arrangement on the pillar, you'll probably need both your hands.  So, place the bottom of the tube inside a small container, then fill it with some weights.  Here, I've used glass décor marbles.  That should hold the tube while you work.

 

When you're done, place the pillar inside your display case, and poof!  You've got a dust-free way to hang and display your keychain figurines.  ^_^

hanafuda cards

Last week, I saw a donated example of hanafuda cards from the early 1900's, at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.  They were so pretty, and I thought maybe they were the type of cards used in that interesting game I saw Ataru play in Urusei Yatsura, a long time ago.  (They were playing a game were someone recited the first half of a famous poem, then everyone raced to grab the card that pictured the second half of the poem.  Anyone know what that game is?)  Before I knew it, I was buying a pack from the museum's gift shop, watching tutorials on YouTube, and now I'm watching enough clips of Summer Wars to want to buy the movie.  @_@ 

Even though the game Koi Koi looks like fun, I'm actually looking forward to using Hanafuda in some kind of art projects.  When I first saw, them, I started imagining how to turn the cards into miniature room divider screens, like in traditional Japanese rooms, so I could use them as props in my figurine photoshoots.  Now, I'm actually thinking of going to some gardens or nurseries, taking photos of flowers, then Photoshopping a photo-realistic version of hanafuda cards.  But even if I'm too chicken to ruin my cards or go all the way out to Descanso Gardens or the Huntington Library, I think I really want to make my own hanafuda cards.  Maybe carve some printmaking blocks or something...  *.*

yokai anime/manga series

Yokai:  Japanese folklore monsters and spirits.  Kind of like the British fairy folk.

 

 

I just joined this group at Google+ about yokai:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/114923159177977238938

I was trying to find a community to discuss multicultural folklore creatures, but I wasn't able to find one. 

 

I've always been into mythical or folklore creatures, so when I got into anime and manga, it was natural that I became a fan of yokai series.  Oddly enough, when going through my collection, I found that many of my occult genre series had actually less to do with yokai and more to do with exorcists (priests, monks, miko, onmyoji) or ghosts.  Series about demon-hunters are always fun, because they tend to have a lot of action.  And maybe they had one or a few reoccurring yokai friends, but series like Her Majesty's Dog,  Summoner Girl, and Devil Hunter Yohko, actually were not really about the yokai themselves, nor did a great variety of yokai make appearances throughout the series.  Not when compared to the series pictured above (top-left to bottom-right):

Yokai Doctor

Natsume's Book of Friends

Tactics

By the Sword

Kami-chuu

Inuyasha

Moeyo Ken

Ushio and Tora. 

 

 

Going through my collection made me realize how little I have about Western demonology.  Sure, I have scholastic books about faery folk and mythological creatures, but I realized how odd it was that I barely collect series about Western folklore creatures.  I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I occasionally catch an episode of Lost Girl, but why aren't I watching Supernatural?  Why haven't I seen a single episode of Grimm?  Sad.  Even if I am more partial towards animation, versus live action, I shouldn't get my Western cryptozoology fix solely from Night Warriors.  #^^#; 

 

But like I said, I was originally looking for an international folklore forum.  I want to learn about the mythic creatures from India, Africa, South America, the Philippines, etc.  Not just Japan or Europe.  Looks like I've got a lot of research ahead.  So much for joining a Google+ community and letting the info come to me.  Ah, well.

new arrivals

These manga just arrived from the mail:
Bleach volume 55
Awkward Silence 3

Strange that they each came in separate boxes from the same company.  The bottom of one of the receipts was so haphazardly torn off, that I can imagine some poor packager at Right Stuf had just packed one manga for my address, before realizing that I had one more coming to me.  And then, "Screw it!  I'll just put this second one in it's own box!"  ^.^  Hee-hee.