We all find inspiration somewhere. Whether it’s the new motorbike your grandfather bought last season to “live a little” or the granny at the supermarket that you always seem to run into [I’m sure she knows she’s shopping in the wrong isle!]. No matter where your inspiration comes from - eventually you [as the artist] will find a way to put it into a visual representation for us to admire.

But... when you finally finish that beautiful piece of art, where on earth should you submit it to, on deviantART? Well, in this article I'll help you to learn, using visual examples of previously [and some newly] submitted work, what should really be submitted to certain galleries.

With each section, the actual gallery explanation is included - which you can find when you look at the gallery information while submitting your work!

Below are beautiful art works in their categories - and good examples of what belongs where. Once you become familiar with the type of work in each gallery, you will see what distincts them from one another, over time...

Photomanipulation:

The Photomanipulation section is dedicated to digital photographs that have undergone post processing and/or editing via the use of a graphical imaging software. The extent of manipulation should be prominent and noticeable in ways where it can be clearly distinguishable from the unaltered photograph.
When submitting to Photomanipulation, keep in mind deviantART's policies regarding source image reuse. You must have explicit permission to use images that are not your own or are not stock images, no matter how much time you spend manipulating them. It is recommended that you also state if you've used your own pictures to avoid misconceptions.
Please Note: All images submitted to this section should be altered in such way that it is clear you have used techniques other than a filter and/or alteration in the colour of the original. Rather than into the photomanipulation gallery, these pictures should be submitted to Photography or Digital Art>Miscellaneous. Also note that drawing or writing on top of a picture does not constitute as a photomanipulation. These deviations should go into Photography, Digital Art>aintings & Airbrushing or the Cartoons & Comics sections for example. Which category is best suited to your deviation depends on what technique dominates in your deviation. If you have used a mixture of techniques, Digital Art>Miscellaneous. Vectorized versions of your pictures belong into Digital Art>Vectors or Vexels respectively. For more information on the nature of the other categories, please read their descriptions!



Enjoy!

Photomanipulation: Fantasy
Photomanipulations focusing on the depiction of a fantasy theme (for example fairies, dwarfs, elves, gods/godesses, mythological creatures etc.) should be placed here.



Photomanipulation: Sci Fi
Photomanipulations focusing on a Sci-Fi theme should be placed here. Sci-Fi is short for Science Fiction and thus the genre usually deals with technologically advanced people, on earth or on other planets. Popular examples of the genre are for example TV shows such as Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica; Movies such as Star Wars, Aeon Flux, AI or Matrix; books such as 1984 (George Orwell), Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) and many others.
Please note that just like anywhere else on deviantArt, the use of copyrighted material is prohibited. This includes movie or TV screenshots and the like.


Photomanipulation: Surreal
Photomanipulations with a dream-like quality which are not modeled off reality should go here. For instance, the work of Salvador Dali qualifies as surreal.
Please note that just because something which is not of our world (i.e. from the imagination) is depicted, the work does not necessarily qualify as being surreal. Surrealism twists reality the way some dreams tend to do. For example when doors don't lead where they should.


Stay tuned for Getting to know your galleries - Vol 3: Drawing; Fantasy, Sci Fi, Surreal & Landscape/Scenery.

If you have any questions about the information given here, by all means, send me a note, or read the FAQ.

A suggestion to all manipulators: There were literally hundreds of other photomanipulations I would have used in this feature, but because so many of you failed to remember to credit the stock artists/locations, I refused to fave/feature you. You all should – and I stress “should” – credit your stock artists! If you are the stock artist, link us to your original stock. I don’t know about other people, but I love comparing originals to the manipulations. Its fun!

Having a hard time finding what you need? deviantART has great resources, and a great community willing to help you out too!
[Click here to go to the stock art Gallery!]
Another possiblity is asking someone you know who is handy with a 3D program for either figures or scenics/landscapes etc and using your very very nice manners!

N.B. Google is NOT a stock resource. So please do not use any images found through any Google searches of any kind. Thanks a bunch!

Peace out