Welcome to the thirty-second edition of the still awesomely named Stock and Awe a series of newsletters as suggested by you!

Input regarding the stock gallery

Ever thought that there should be a category for grass? Or birds? Or cups? Wondering what the point in Household Items or Classical is?
Well leave your input here for me to see. Let us know what you think about your stock gallery.

Promoting

are hosting a makeover contest!
is having a Super Stocker Challenge!
has collections of free avatars in one handy place!

New stock

From the Stock Gallery in the last 24 hours.

Stock to Art

Featured Stock

Poser-stock by ~asaph70

An interview with...~raine-angelstock

1:_{First off - what inspired you to start a stock account?}
I actually hadn't quite gotten the idea of multiple accounts when I first joined deviantART. I didn't even quite understand stock! I used to chase artists down and send them photos I'd taken and ask them to do something with them like I'd seen in their gallery. Eventually a volunteer explained stock to me but I'd still just upload it into my regular account =raine-angel I had joined DA with a few friends who are no longer active but one of them had made the first move to creating a stock account. (she's long since removed it) I STILL didn't make one right away. Eventually I realized I could and I emersed myself in the stock world. With help from `radioPooh I was on my way to becoming a full fledged stock artist!

2:_{How did you choose your username?}
My username was simple. Deviants knew me as =raine-angel so ~raine-angelstock seemed like the most logical step. I had been watching `Doubtful-Della as well and she had a stock account =Della-Stock Since I was (still am) a huge fan of Della following her idea made sense to me as well

3:_{What is it about the stock community that keeps you active?}
Originally I was so active in the stock community because I was so addicted to seeing what deviants could do with my images! They'd often give me permission to show the work on other websites if I asked and I sort of loved showing off. Eventually I got to really know certain members who used my stock really well and followed their work. Now I dont find my stock gets used at the rate it used to in previous years (which is funny because my cameras have gotten better and better) but I'm more tied to the community. I think the opprotunity to work collaborativly with other users is what I like the most.

4:_{How would you like your stock to be used more?}
I don't care what users do with my stock but I'd really love if they tried out my newer stuff (say the past 2 years or so?) Because I've really pushed myself as a stock artist to create unique and high quality stock! I also will take photos from my =raine-angel account that people like and offer them as stock as well.
So go ahead! Try something recent!


5:_{Do you have any tips for people starting a stock account?}
Put the full size file of your stock up for download and let people know it's there! The bigger the file and the higher the resolution the easier it can be for stock artists and the liklier they are to use your stock. Don't be afraid to re-do things you see around DA with your own style. There's a million different ways you can shoot yourself sitting in a chair. Also, LEARN YOUR CAMERAS TIMER SETUP. Turn off the date function that shows it on your photo. INVEST IN A TRIPOD. Is that too much?

6:_{Why chose to stock at DA and not morguefile/sxc/photlia/etc...}
It never occured to me to put my stock anywhere else. DA works the hardest to protect my rights and I meet the most dedicated people here. It wasn't so much a choice but a natural step!

7:_{How far would you go to take a stock picture?}
I'd do anything for a stock photo! I likely wont ever post any nudes- mainly suggested nudes because I'd rather have full control over any nude photos of myself... but throw me an idea deviants and I'll try within my means! Always happy to give things a shot. If you wanna see me naked you can always hop on over to =raine-angel ~eternalsunshinespot and ~ericbb

8:_{Are there any things that you wish people would stop doing with your stock?}
There's a few things I'd like to see stop with my stock. One is comments that border on sexual harrassment. You know the ones I mean. The ones that aren't serious enough to cause action but bad enough to make you feel gross? Comments about my feet and weirdness. Cool if you have a fetish- but I've got a stock gallery not a fetish gallery! I'd like to see deviants really push themselves with my work... not simply adjust a few levels and slap on a filter. Get fun. Get Creative!

9:_{Show me three of your favourite stock uses!}
I have sooo many favourite stock uses!

If you'd like to see more of my fav uses check out this collection:
[link]

10:_{Is there anyone at dA whose stock you particularly admire, or have any other stock artists influenced your own work?}
There are so many amazing stock artists. for one is amazing. Not just because she's got amazing work but because she's such an asset to the community! I really emulate her stock is so creative and unique. When I first stumbled upon her I thought she was photography work! I really wished my photo-manip skills were better so I could use something of hers. She deserves to have thousands and thousands of pageviews.

11:_{If money was no option what would be your ultimate stock prop?}
A fully functioning mermaid tail. I already have one (photos coming soon!) but it's still not what I want... just what's within my budget. But keep an eye out... It's coming!

12:_{Which sub category of the stock gallery is your favourite to browse?}
As a model myself Im always partial to the model categories but lately I find myself browsing the MISC section. Some of the things there are so unique and awesome. They truley don't fit in the other sections but you can find amazing stuff like this!


13:_{Who'd look better in a dress, `Thebuild or ^LawrenceDeDark?}
I'm not sure who'd look better but I sure as hell wanna see ^LawrenceDeDark in one

Thank you ~raine-angelstock!





Past issues linked in the description.