Kristal Tricks & Pixel Hair

Another one from the archives, Flickr says I uploaded it in September 2018. I realise that's it's a pretty innocuous snap, but for me it was a landmark. Firstly, I had started to use GIMP for image processing. Here you can see that I've done a very rough layer mask on the background to blur it and give a 'depth of field' effect. Crude, but I'm still doing the same thing now, although I employ gradients on the mask to get a more realistic 'near to far' blurring.

I've also started to use the environment sliders to give a nice bright, neutral light effect. I love the 'bleached' look it gives me, so much that I probably overused it for the next couple of years (check the next few blog posts for evidence of this). I'm trying to be more aware of composition now, but I do miss the simplicity of some of these earlier images.

Despite the problems with this picture (don't look too closely at my eyes) I really like the 'feel' of it. After this, I started to actively pursue SL photography as a hobby using the tools that both SL and GIMP offer, and it remains one of the three big hooks that keep me coming back to Second Life after all these years. Maybe I'll write more about the other two hooks in future posts.

Feb 15, 2021

I Don't Know How It Happened, But...

YS&YS February 15, 2021 0

::Style::

Scandalize | Dian Dress |

:::LiNe::: | Lil'Freak Necklace | *

*YS&YS* - YourSkin & YourShape | Black Bangles |

::Body::

VISTA | Zoe Bento Head |

*YS&YS* - YourSkin & YourShape | Miki Tone 00 Skin |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara

*store sadly defunct

Feb 7, 2021

Cocoon

NAVY+COPPER February 07, 2021 0

::Location::

Cocoon

::Style::

::Cameo 6ixx:: | Vinyl dress |

::Body::

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara

Navy+Copper | Pancake Hair |

LeLUTKA | Bianca Head |

::Story::

This is quite an old photo, from 2018, taken at Cocoon, which is a beautiful dystopian sci-fi themed region in Second Life. I love this look, and still wear it now. The dress was an event special. I didn't find it on the Cameo 6ixx marketplace store, but they have similar ones. I can't find the tattoo in my inventory anymore, sadly - I think I threw it out with a bunch of other stuff before I properly understood BOM and Mesh! The skin is just the Lelutka and Maitreya default, which match because they both used to provide a set of Glam Affair skins as a base. Ah, those were the days!

Feb 3, 2021

Morning Run

VEGAS February 03, 2021 0

::Location::

| The Path to Buchhaim, Zamonia |

::Style::

GAS | Ladies Top Kensi |

*COCO* | Side Stripe Wide Leg Pants Black |

[. CULT .] | EMMA TIP TOE PACK Sneakers |

.: Vegas :. | Body Tattoo Mahina |

::Body::

LeLUTKA | Fleur Head 3.1 + eyes |

DOUX | Valentine hairstyle |

[Glam Affair] | Rowan Skin [ Lelutka ] 005 + blush + freckles |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara |

Jan 24, 2021

Pretty In Pink

YS&YS January 24, 2021 0

::Body::

Besom Hair | Venus hair |

Maitreya | Lara body |

Vista | Zoe bento head |

*YS&YS* | Tone 00 Body Applier v2.0 - Maitreya |

::Story::

This is one of the earliest shots I ever made, where everything came together. I still rate it against the shots I take now. Of course, it's probably more down to luck than judgement, especially as I wasn't using poses at this point, just letting the AO do it's thing. I got lucky with the sideways look. My favourite shots are still like this. I can't for the life of me find the dress and shoes in my inventory. I wish I could.

Jan 19, 2021

The Central Committee

VIOLENTSEDUCTION January 19, 2021 0

::Location::

| [NEBULA] Fantasy Hangout & Furry Sandbox |

::Style::

Violent Seduction | Alecto - Bra & Garter |

[D'eVil] | Lia Bento Gloves (Add Me)

[Salem] Lilith Skirt - Glass // Black

Leven Ink Tattoo | Nori Purple |

Kaithleen's | Universal Thong |

FashionNatic | Uma Boots |

::Body::

Exile | Lysa Hair |

[Heaux] | Zoe Skin - Honey Tone |

Izzie's | Summer Blush (LeLutka Evo X) |

Izzie's | Izzie's - Face & Neck Moles (LeLutka Evo X) |

LeLUTKA | Fleur Evo X Head, incl. eyeshadow, lips, lashes & eyes |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara |

Jan 17, 2021

Dazzle Pattern

YS&YS January 17, 2021 0

::Style::

Seniha. Drizella Dress

::Body::

*YS&YS* | Tone 00 Body Applier v2.0 - Maitreya |

Maitreya | Lara body |

Vista | Zoe bento head |

*Besom~ | Kami Hair |

Jan 10, 2021

City Nights, Bright Lights

YS&YS January 10, 2021 0

::Location::

| Hangars Liquides |

::Style::

GAS Clothing Company | Ladies MESH Tank Top Brenda |

GAS Clothing Company | Leather MESH Shorts Dunja |

N-core | MAMBO Heels |

[MANDALA] | TAKARA BANGLE/RICH BLACK bangles |

::Body::

Wasabi // Hair Store | Stormy Mesh Hair - Browns |

*YS&YS* | Tone 00 Body Applier v2.0 - Maitreya |

Maitreya | Lara body |

Vista | Zoe bento head |

Jan 1, 2021

Heart-Shaped Thing

SEXYPRINCESS January 01, 2021 0

::Style::

[MANDALA] | TAKARA BANGLE/RICH BLACK bangles |

Flutters | rope & bead necklace |

**Sexy Princess** | Morena Pasties |

-Narcisse- | Alice suspenders/stockings |

BouBouKi / BBK | Key Corset Black |

N-core design | GIANNA high heel boots |

::Body::

MINA Hair | Maria- Hair |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara |

GENUS Project | Genus Head - Strong Face |

Dec 30, 2020

Number Three

OUBILETTE December 30, 2020 0

::Location::

Backdrop City

::Style::

Cynful Clothing & Co. | For the Crew Top |

Oubliette | Muertos Skirt |

Mangula | Leila Heels |

-David Heather- | brass choker |

NativeUrban | -NU- Handmade Bracelet |

::Body::

..euphoric | ~Fem Mesh Eyes~ |

no.match_ | ~ NO_PENNY ~ Hair |

Lumae | Head & Body skin Appliers - T3 - Rosy |

BODYTOPIA | CASEY SHAPE |

CATWA | Freya incl eyes, blush & lipstick

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara

Dec 26, 2020

The Apartments

TRAM December 26, 2020 0

::Location::

| The Apartments |

::Style::

AsteroidBox | Farren Earrings - FLF Gift |

Kaithleen's | Universal Thong |

ISON | anika patent leather pants |

Lunar | Beck Jacket & Tank Top & Bralette - Bubblegum Pink |

[The Forge] | Trellis Top, Pink Holo |

PHEDORA | ~ Crystabel Heels ~ |

::Body::

tram | K0310 hair |

[Glam Affair] | Eloise [LelEVOX] Ivory + blush & freckles |

[Glam Affair] | Maitreya Body Skin - Ivory |

LeLUTKA | Fleur Evo X Head, incl. eyeshadow, lips, lashes & eyes |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara |

Dec 16, 2020

The Secret Lemonade Drinker

QUEENZ December 16, 2020 0

::Style::

N-core design | KNOTTED "Black" Heels |

QUEENZ | .Q. Esoteric - BLACK skirt & belt |

*COCO* | Sleeveless Sheer Top |

amias | gold bead choker |

[JUSTICE] LIA BRACELET |

.micamee. | Lemonade Potion |

Pure Poison | Iulia Earring |

IDTTY FACES | Deep Memories Tattoo |

::Body::

CHAIN | Julia Hair |

.micamee. | Amy Shape |

7 Deadly S{k}ins | BILLY lights skin |

LeLUTKA | Lilly Head, incl. eyeshadow |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara |

Dec 10, 2020

Woodland Nymph

ZOOM December 10, 2020 0

::Location::

| [NEBULA] Fantasy Hangout & Furry Sandbox |

::Style::

-Narcisse- | Lacuna - Alice lingerie set pink |

zOOm | Keily Outfit jacket |

~Nerido~ | Kate Heels-Blush |

Pure Poison | Leah Necklace |

::Body::

MINA | HarperV2 Blond hair |

ROUGE | LILLY SHAPE |

7 Deadly s[K]ins | LEVITATE - Cotton Candy |

LeLUTKA | Lilly Head, incl. eyeshadow, lips, lashes & eyes |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara |

Dec 6, 2020

The Rise And Fall

TONE2 December 06, 2020 0

::Location::

| Hazardous, Hazardous Inc |

::Style::

FashionNatic | Uma Boots |

ALANTORI | Shirley Hair with *barberyumyum*(+bangs) |

[Mow 2.0] | Nala Denim Jacket & Sweater |

Addams | Zury Leggings |

OVH | February Bento Rings |

~ADA Tattoo Shop~ | Floral Belly Tattoo |

TONE 2 | All Smoke Jewel BOM Eyeshadow |

[theSkinnery] | Blush&Frecklez BOM |

Cosmetize | The Smooch Collection - lipsstick |

::Body::

MILA | Aggie Skin |

LeLUTKA | Lilly Head, incl. eyeshadow |

Maitreya | Mesh Body - Lara |