Playing with Projectors and Lighs – Part I

TFC Fantasy 01

A few days ago, I joined a class about blogging as I wanted to know if I can learn something new, as I am always looking for new thing I can discover and raise my horizon.

The class was amazing and at some point we came to the part of the pictures and how to take them and wich kind of pictures are for what situation. Usually you have more clean pics for blogging and castings and some more artistic pictures for a storytelling blog post or magazines.

We were talking about many of the very popular photographers in SL and as well about the difference of photographer and artists.

While a photographer usually just takes pics and does them tweak a little bit in one of the graphic programs, the artist takes a snapshot and you will not see the original snap anymore after the artist did the magic with the picture in his program by painting and editing a lot by hand. I would never go so far, to say one has less work or more work than the other, the amount of work might be the same, just it is in 2 totally different ways. While the artist has to be very familiar with his editing s program, his graphic tablet and his skills to paint and illustrate, the photographer needs to be familiar with the SL windlights, shadows, special angles and lights and maybe even with projectors or lighting tools. Both is a lot of work, I believe and it needs a lot of practice just it complete different ways.

TFC Fantasy 02

I saw for a longer time , that many photographers work with a tool called lumipro. I remember great pics done with this special light tool and I always wanted one to try but, since it is not cheap and I work in so many different areas, I never got one.

But then… lately I was talking to a very long friend of mine a lot and helped her here and there if she wanted my opinion, as friends do usually. Out of the blue one day when I logged in I got a gift…

The crazy girl did know, that I was after the lumipro for quite some time and guess what… She gifted me a lumipro!!! I stormed her IMs telling her she would be crazy to make such expensive gifts and I was totally happy and crazy about. She was just calm, smiles and told me that would be her way to show me how much she appreciated my help. I told her, that I did not do that for any kind of gift, more just because of our friendship and that I never expected anything for that, but she insisted on that this would be her way and I better accept it.

OMG I have a lumipro!

The rest of the evening was just gone, with all the work I wanted to do and I totally lost myself in my new toy. I have to admit I have still no clue how it works properly and I will need to watch a lot of tutorials and ask around to really get used to this fantastic tool but I am more than willing to try!

For today I just played around with the presets and changed them lightly, to see what possibilities and features it has.

TFC Fantasy 03

God this is a weapon if you know what you are doing with it!!!

I just placed myself in front of a white wall with my war turtle from [Swagga] and turned my windlight settings to midnight to see the full range of the light balls.

I was blown away what those 3 balls can do and I digged further into the user manual on the lumipro website to see what all those buttons of the HUD can do.

Then I found the projectors… holy cow! Now I know how some light settings were made on pictures that I loved so much!

The way to project lights behind you with different textures as filters, was something I totally had forgotten about since I started to play with windlights.

I do not know much at all yet to really use this fantastic photography tool properly, but I know that I will spend a lot of time in the future to be able to operate this HUD and bein able to use all its functions and features as this really is a lot of fun to play around with and that is the reason why I named this post ‘Part I’, because I am really sure about that this will not be the last post about my playing with lights and projectors 😉

But for now I have to finish as there is a lot of work left wich got delayed because of my new lumipro :p

TFC Fantasy 04

Details

Top: PEQE – “Corsetted Top” – NEW (The Fantasy Collective February 2015)

Pants: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Anakri [B&W Edition]”

Shoes: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Raquel Heels” – NEW

Head Piece: Miamai – “Mia Madonna Chloe” – NEW (The Fantasy Collective February 2015)

Mask: ATTIC – “Leather Medusa Masquerade Mask” – NEW (The Fantasy Collective February 2015 Gacha)

Wings: [SWaGGa] – ” Eli Wings” – NEW (The Fantasy Collective February 2015)

Animal: [SWaGGa] – “War Turtle” (The Fantasy Collective Janurary 2015)

Poses: Del May

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

The Ravens are coming! – House of Rfyre meets Madrid Solo

(Picture by Madrid Solo)

Raven Pennyfeather, owner and designer of House of Rfyre, released a new and wonderful collection. The “Ravens Collection” contains 4 outfits, 3 female and one male. Madrid Solo made 5 beautiful and outstanding makeups for the whole “Raven Collection”. I felt very honored as Madrid asked me if I would pose for her vendors for the 3 female makeups. Thanks a lot Madrid 🙂 ! To make my happiness complete, I was allowed to showcase the  gown of Rfyres “Raven Collection” in the AVENUE Cinque Onyx show. Thanks a lot Raven 🙂 !The show was as well the release for this incredible collection of Rfyre. For today I would like you show you the 3 females  – outfits and makeups 🙂

(Picture by me)

The first one is a stunning gown over and over made of feathers, matching the raven theme. The mesh corset, that makes that awesome waist is textured with an amazing filigree texture and because of the mesh it moves perfect with every turn and twist of your upper body. The skirt, back piece and the incredible chest piece are awesome flexible feathers and the huge neck part and the little delicate brooch that hold the chest feathers give the whole gown a super elegant touch. On top Raven made some amazing earrings that come with the gown!

(Picture by Madrid Solo)

The perfect makeup for the “Raven Collection” gown for me was the “Ravens Solo” makeup. The tiny filigree lines at the sides, combined with the beautiful feather on top of the eyes just made the perfect finish for this styling in my opinion 🙂

(Picture by me)

The casual outfit of the “Raven Collection” comes with 3 different possibilities to wear it. The top you can choose from an opaque black to a sheer black with the silver ornaments on or you even just wear only the bra with no top under it at all. The mesh corset highlights the shape of every fashionista perfectly with the wonderful light stripes and the mesh pants make an amazing look that still has a touch of elegance, even if you can wear it as a casual attire.

(Picture by Madrid Solo)

For this look Madrid Solo‘s “Ravens Flight” makes the perfect addition. Again we see some very filigree and amazing fine lines beside and below the eyes and this time you have 3 red parts that go upon the eyes.

(Picture by me)

The last outfit for today would be the club version of the “Ravens Collection” A wonderful fresh but still chic looking dress with wonderful parts for wrists, neck and shoulders. You again have the option to choose from 3 versions for the top. Sheer, opaque and one, that only has the beautiful silver lines on it. As well on this look you can see the boots that Rfyre made for the “Ravens Collection”, to match all of the outfits.

(Picture by Madrid Solo)

The last of the 3 “Ravens” makeups of Madrid Solo would be the “Ravens Flock”. Not as huge and filigree with lines beside and above the eyes this makeup made the perfect club look for me. Still a touch of elegance but a very cool look with the silver/teal parts upon the eyes.

To see more of the amazing creations of Rfyre and Madrid Solo you can visit their Mainstores and get your favourite “Ravens Collection” piece 😉

Wicca’s Wardrobe: No Cage

 The Crow and the Raven

A CROW was jealous of the Raven, because he was considered a bird
of good omen and always attracted the attention of men, who noted
by his flight the good or evil course of future events.  Seeing
some travelers approaching, the Crow flew up into a tree, and
perching herself on one of the branches, cawed as loudly as she
could.  The travelers turned towards the sound and wondered what
it foreboded, when one of them said to his companion, “Let us
proceed on our journey, my friend, for it is only the caw of a
crow, and her cry, you know, is no omen.”  

 Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only
 make themselves ridiculous.
(by  Aesop)

Dress: SilkenMoon – “Vintage Dress Nevermore” – YES you can look through!!! (mesh)

Boots: LeeZu – “Picadilly Overknee Boots” (mesh)

Nails: Formanails – “JIAO”

Lashes: Detour – “Spider”

Lashes: ::je:: ::suis:: – “Lashes 001”

Jewelry: Alienbear – “Ambrosia II”

Hair: Loovus Dzevavor – “Sleepy Dingo”

Little Novel: by Aesop found by Malicia Python – Thank you! 🙂

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Monney Penny with GizzA

Outfit: GizzA – “Bathing Suit Feather” – NEW

Shoes: N-Core – “Stylus”

Hair: Vanity Hair – “Casino Royal”

Lashes: Detour – “Spider”

Nails: [V] Couture – “Blood Nails”

Money, Creditcard & Pose: [LAP]

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

“Showgirl”

Today I would like to pull the focus on Faster Pussycat again. Honey Bender, owner and designer of Faster Pussycat, always stood for outstanding and extravagant fashion for me. I personally know her for a long time and I always adored her creativity and how she designs outside the box but still fashionable. The more I am happy  to have some of her creations again to blog 🙂

For this post we have the “Showgirl” outfit. A wonderful red combination of a high-waisted skirt and the little hearts at the cheat that allow a kinda topless sexy look that still has covered what it needs to 🙂 The cute little hat as well comes with the whole outfit. The “Showgirl” really kinda gets you the feeling of a vintage cabaret or even a burlesque touch comes up with it. The huge white roses necklace with the pearls round the neck are a wonderful addition to make this look complete.

For the shoes, I decided to wear one of the latest releases from [sys]. The “Vogue” ankle boots in black. The red version I had earlier this week on my blog already. The black version as well is made of fantastic made leather and the awesome silver steel plate heel. The black version does not have the huge spikes, instead you have this squared silver parts that decorate the front of the booties.

For the hair I chose on one the latest releases by Urban Lutz called “Yula” the touch of vintage paired with a modern look really made the finish for this style today 🙂

To see all of the incredible designs of Honey Bender, you better make your way to the Faster Pussycat Mainstore 🙂

Details

Outfit (incl hat, pasties & necklace): Faster Pussycat – “Showgirl”

Hair: Urban Lutz – “Yula” – NEW

Gloves: Chaospire – “Shadowmuse”

Earrings: Finesmith – “Hermiosa Espina”

Lashes: Detour – “Spider”

Booties: [sys] – “Vogue” – NEW

Backfan: [glow] studio – “Feather Fan”

Boa: Miamai – “Whisper”

Poses: Corpus

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Wicca’s Wardrobe: LOTD 03/28/2012 – RAWR!!! – Wild Thing

Details

Corset: NV Corsetry – “Bengali” – NEW/FFL item

Pants: Faster Pussycat – “Tokyo Hotel”

Jacket: Faster Pussycat – “Velvet Goldmine Feather Top” /white

Shirt: Ohmai – “Contour”

Lashes: Mstyle – “Bad Elf”

Necklace: Finesmith – “Cairo” – NEW

Makeup: blackliquid – “Dusted”

Skin: Nuuna – “B&W Ninja”

Hair: Loovus Dzevavor – “Big ol’ Bun” – NEW

Earrings: League – “Wanderer”

Boots: Utopia – “Pearl Set”

Poses: Del May

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

“Wicca the Lioness” – A very special creation from Poulet Koenkamp!

(PurpleMoon – “Wicca the Lioness”, Model: Wicca Merlin, Photographer: Poulet Koenkamp)

Today I have a very special creation of PurpleMoon. This outfit is going to be part of the Back to Black event of Keira Seerose. The Back to Black event is an awareness event of mental health. For all participants Keira gave out several key words, the designer had to work with and make creations and designs according to the given word. The word Poulet got was ‘courage’. But before I tell more about the story behind the wonderful “Wicca the Lion” outfit I would like to add a personal story I have with this incredible design of Poulet Koenkamp, owner and designer of PurpleMoon.

I know Poulet quite for some time and she always was very kind and friendly. Even as I was a very new aspiring model she always supported me and let me blog her awesome gowns. She as a huge past and archived a lot with her clothing. PurpleMoon is one of the most wanted stores for Miss Virtual World designs, as well PurpleMoon supports many charity events if they have a good reputation and Poulet takes part in many different little events for limited and special creations. She dedicates a lot of time to help and support several events and people.

A few weeks ago, as I finished another blog post for her we were talking and I asked her what people have to do to get gowns named after them. It was kinda in a funny mood and meant as a little joke even if I for sure dreamed in forever to have one of her creations named after me. But I actually never thought about this could happen, as mostly very well-known people were allowed to give their names for PurpleMoon creations.

Then she suddenly said “Just ask me.” and I started shivering and still did not really got it. The she asked me to tell her a few words about me so that she could get an inspiration. I told her a bunch of attributes and words that came in my mind if I think about me. In the end I looked my words and was afraid as they totally made no sense together. But Poulet said, it was exactly what she needed to work with and I was even more excited.

Time went by and I started to think that I gave Poulet too much weird input about me, as she suddenly ran in my IM again and told me she wanted to tell me something. We actually talked on voice for the first time ever – she really has a wonderful smooth voice that fits her personality totally – she told me that she did a gown named “Wicca the Lioness” as she was working on the item for the Back to Black event.

Here I would like to steal her words that she put on her flickr as it is the short version of what we talked…

Poulet Koenkamp:

“I would like to share a little bit of the story behind this picture. I’ve known Wicca for long time now and I’ve known myself for even longer than that, but not as long as you are thinking.

Around 12 years ago, I had to go through, what it is so far, the hardest moment of my life. It came like a storm and I thought it was never going to leave me. Depression, phobias, fears, panic attacks, you name it. For a while it was almost impossible to even get out of my house, or stay in a room with more than two people, or teaching my students, or … pretty much feeling that I was going nuts. And as somebody said the other day, whatever your brains tell you, you will believe, it’s your brains, you know?

A month or so ago, I get this invitation to be part of the “Back to Black” event organized by CHIC with the main purpose to raise mental health awareness. Later on I was given the word “Courage” and asked to create an item inspired on the concept of “Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the overcoming of it”.

Around the same time, chatting with Wicca we come across the idea of creating an outfit inspired by her and she brainstormed for me a few words that I kept on a notecard.

I struggled for a month. There was no deadline for Wicca’s outfit but there was one for the event. One day, don’t ask me why, I realized two things. One, I was relating a lot with this creation, with the word, with the concept. Courage. It took me a lot of that to get out of the place I was many years ago. If somebody is looking for an advice, what worked for me was therapy, lots of it, and a couple of hours of yoga every day. I found myself, the one that was hidden and afraid. I overcame to my fears; I faced them, battled them and accepted them. They keep coming back sometimes, but I know them already and they are not as strong as they used to be. I keep fighting.

The second thought that came to my head was that the beginning of the outfit I had in front of me was not only about my own courage, there was something else in it. I looked for my notecard and read out loud the words Wicca gave me, they were all there. [16:22] Wicca Merlin: crazy, elegant , tight, extraordinary prims, satin, classy, avantgarde, shiny, adult, non-symmetric

It seems that all these words, thoughts, memories and impressions had been bouncing in my head for while and they all came out in the shape of the “Lioness”. Who has an armor to protect herself, who has the strength of a lion and the fragility of the feathers; who has an open heart easy to break but that she has learned to protect; she decided it is better to keep it open giving as much love as she can than refrain the power of its love.

A little story that might inspire somebody else, It takes a lot of courage to walk through troubling times, but, you learn so much on the road, it absolutely worth it.

Event opens February 11th
More info: www.chic-management.com/?page_id=1236

With this words I even felt more honred that this wonderful creation carries my name now. I cannot compete to Poulet’s picture at all but I at least wanted to show her how much this outfuit means to me and I tried on by myself as well. It has so many details that just come right of my heart and Poulet made the effort to look behind my outside and she catched so many of my inner that is nearly not to belive… but she did it…

Poulet I have no words that would nearly describe how much you touched my heart and how grateful I am… still… thank you lots and you know how much it means to me 🙂 *hugs you tight*

(PurpleMoon – “Wicca the Lioness”, Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin)

Details

Outfit (incl. hair, shoes & nails): PurpleMoon – “Wicca the Lioness”

Tattoo: Wicked Tattos – “Live for Today”

Skin: Silken Moon – “Rookie” (special custom makeup)

Eyeliner: Silken Moon – “Wicca”

Lashes: Detour – “Widow”

Bow: Archery Ranges – “Dynamic Archery”

Pose: Wicca Merlin

Wicca’s Wardrobe: LOTD 01/31/2012 – Dark Feathers

Details

Dress: GizzA – “Dark Feathers Series II”

Hair: Miamai – “Lena” /black

Jewelry (incl Lashes): Finesmith – “Holiday Tale”

Skin: Silken Moon – “Rookie” /IceKiss (special custom makeup)

Eyeliner: Silken Moon – “Wicca”

Booths: Finesmith – “Fresh” /black

Pose: Corpus

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

News from GizzA – Dark Swan

Outfit: GizzA – “Dark Swan” – NEW

Earrings: Finesmith – “Radiant” – NEW

Makeup: LovelyMi – “Vixien” /black – NEW

Skin: Glam Affair – “Castalia”

Hair: Baiastice – “Elon” /blonde

Ankleboots: L&P – “Angeline” /SP Edition – NEW

Poses: Corpus

Model & Photogapher: Wicca Merlin

Sneak Preview on a new Angel Dessous outfit!

Again I am allowed to give you a peek on one of the brand new Angel Dessous outfits! “Yasmine” in 2 different colors 🙂

“Yasmine” in bloodred makes the beginning. It is a short sexy dress with great attachments and textures that are perfect for a walk in the actual season.

All the clothing layers are made of delicate transparent and black laced textures that show off a lot of skin 🙂 The filigree neck attachment gives the whole dress a light elegant touch. The skirt is decorated with big red roses that make an amazing contrast to the black basic. The chest part is covered a little more opaque to hide the secrets 😉 Also the outfit comes with the great black bangles!

“Yasmine” in YinYang is made in a wide black and grey color range. No deep colorful accents but a lovely contrast between black white and grey.

The dress has the same great features and also 2 versions of the neck part. Only the roses are made of a great shade from black to grey and imagine a little glittering.

Stay tuned to see what colors will be available if this amazing pice of fashion will be released – visit the Angel Dessous Mainstore not to miss that awesome release!

Details

Dress: Angel Dessous – “Yasmine” /bloodred & yinyang

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin