Welcome to the Twenty-Seventh issue of Stockilicious

Index
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1 - Thumbnail Feature and Stock Tips - Bugs and Insects
2 - Featured Stocker - ~Stock-jm
3 - Stock News to Fav
4 - Links to Bookmark!
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FEATURES AND TIPS:
Bugs and other creepy-crawlies may not be the most loved animals on the planet but they sure are interesting to watch... from a safe-distance... with an industrial-sized can of fly-spray in one hand and a big bloody shoe in the other, of course. So what is so fascinating about them? Besides the ample supply of legs and eyes? What makes them so cool to use in art? Besides the beautiful colours they can show off to artists? What makes them versatile and able to be used in both dark and horrific or fantasy and supernatural genres alike? Well take a look and decide for yourself

Please be patient with me... I went through searching for insects with the mindset of 'EW! EW! EW!! I don't wanna know! EW! GROSS!'



TIPS FOR BUG AND INSECT STOCK:
BUGGY NESTS: Ok, we get the idea of you taking photos of insects. They are interesting enough creatures - but don't forget their homes! Spider webs are a big deal when doing haunting artwork, butterfly and moth cocoons work great for surreal art and the internal view of an ant farm can work wonders if you need a natural maze.
THE ITTY BITTY BUGGY BITS: While taking a photo of the whole bug is pretty nifty, there are singular parts (many MANY parts in some cases) that can work well just by themselves. Butterfly wings, the tail-end of a nasty looking bee, spider legs *shudder* and the antennae of the icky flying ones can morph any human model into something most of us just want to squish! (In a nice way, of course)
ZOOM ZOOM: Not all of us have special macro lenses. They do, however, come in handy if you want to 'get in close' without actually GETTING close. If you don't have one though, try zooming in as far as your camera will let you and fill up as much of the photo-area as possible to get as much detail in your shot as possible. Just remember, when zoomed out to maximum capacity - its harder to keep the camera from blurring with even the tiniest movement.
FLY, MY PRETTIES! FLY!: Not all of us are fantastic with the super-duper fast shutter or with fast moving objects (like flying insects) but if you can catch one of them in flight, all the better. It makes it look more realistic if someone wants to use your image in a more natural way.
MINI PREDATORS: We don't really have much in the way of bugs getting eaten by other bugs (don't know why) and I can't help but think how many uses a shot like that can get. Move the fly, insert random model and suddenly that spider will be feasting for years. Don't want something so gorey? Its a tought world out there, folks.
WORK THE CAMAERA, CREEPY!: While we have ample amounts of flat butterfly wings or that random house-spider stuck to your wall, we don't have many other choices. Underside of a spider? A grasshopper seemingly looking down at you? Butterflies from the side? You'd find more of the token ' preserved in a glass case' look than anything else. If you can get another angle, do it. The more choice the better!


FEATURED STOCKER:
A little section to showcase a particular stocker each article. Its not just because I LOVE their stock - but because of how useful it can be and just how generally amazing it is! You will be kicking yourself if you don't take a few moments to check them out!

This week: ~Stock-jm
Although ~Stock-jm is still a relatively new stocker (since September this year) you can already see the amazing quality of work in their gallery. From landscapes and objects to models and animals there's a little bit of everything to satisfy your stocky appetite.




RESOURCE NEWS TO SEE:

STOCK (and what you usually don't get to see ^^) by ~syccas-stock is full of fun, laughs, mishaps and bloopers that our poor bruised and somewhat embarrassed stockers go through whenever they do a stock shoot. Check it out for some serious giggles and don't forget to +Fav it!

Now and Then: Part 2 by =cookiekitty-stock is the second installment in a feature about stockers and how far they've come since opening their stock accounts.

A Day at the Beach by `shelldevil a gorgeously summery collection of sand, surf and shells and all other beach related objects with a healthy side-serving of CRABS


LINKS TO VISIT:
Stock Forums
A place for stockers to promote their contests, artists to request specific stock, ask for help finding stock, discuss stockart in general and much more! We go a little silly sometimes but don't let that scare you off! Just remember what we're about - STOCK!!

Stockers' Birthdays!
Is the most KICK ASS listing on dA and has been compiled by =helly7307-stock

#ARStock Chatroom
The Official-like dA Chatroom for all those social-types that want to talk to the Stock GDs or Stockers on dA

The resources-related FAQs (to keep all of us out of trouble):
FAQ #809: Why was my stock image removed?
FAQ #257: What sort of permission do I need to use someone else's work?
FAQ #193: How do I prove that I had permission to use someone's work?
and my favourite-
FAQ #217: What are "Stock Photos" and can I use "Stock Photos" in my submissions?


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And another newsletter bites the dust. Hope to see you again next time for another feature of our kick-ass stockers!
Demonic


PREVIOUS ISSUES:
Vol 18: Stock Tutorials
Vol 19: Poster Boys (MC)
Vol 20: Stock Prints
Vol 21: Emotive Stock (MC)
Vol 22: Architectural Stock
Vol 23: Reflections
Vol 24: Landscapes
Vol 25: Night-Time
Vol 26: Spellbound
Stockilicious Index!