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

Results

The Prints Contest
1st: by =freakystuffstock
2nd: by ~chulii-stock
3rd: by *redwolf518stock

Birthday Presents Contest
1st: by =SenshiStock
2nd: by `ginkgografix
3rd: by =Nameda

Congrats to you all!

Communities

is up and running again, so check it out.
If you run or are part of a great stock/resource community let me know!

New Stock

Some stock that has been submitted into the Stock Gallery in the last 24 hours.

Stock to Art

And interview with...~Strange-Angel

1 _{What part of the stock gallery do you browse most?}
I would probably have to say Models. I've foraged in Places, Plants, Macro and Nature as well.

2_{Do you browse for specific images or do you look through to see if something inspires you?}
Actually, I've done both! If I've already got an idea, I hunt for the components I'd need to bring the idea to fruition. If I'm just scrolling through without a thought (or flipping through my dev watchlist), I tend to find all sorts of inspiration.

3_{What are your chosen tools that you use when working with a stock image?}
Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8.1 and a Wacom tablet. I occasionally dabble in Adobe Photoshop (not sure which one) and eventually get frustrated.

4_{Do you have any tips to help other stock users that will make stock-crediting easier?}
MAKE A WATERMARK! >.< Add the plain watermark to the folder you keep that stocker's photos. If you don't have the ability to make one (only using MSPaint, etc) copy their TOU into a text doc and put that into the folder. It'll be a lifesaver later on, when you can't remember if you're allowed to use that model in a 'horror' deviation or if you're allowed to use this model in a 'olitical' deviation.
Additionally, you'll know in a moment's notice whether you should leave them a note or message, who you need to credit in the description, whether you can offer your final piece for prints, etc.

5_{What would you like to see more of in the stock gallery?}
Good question. I'd love to see more reference-type stock - shots of faces and hair reacting to light and shadow, for instance. The sort of thing that could help non-manip artists learn where to put the proper highlights and shading, how hair moves when there's wind blowing or the person's moving.. that sort of thing.

6_{What do you feel the relationship is between the stock community and the rest of dA?}
I think it depends largely on which section of dA you're talking to. We are like.. one giant and cohesive being with a hundred separate brains. I've met 'real' artists that hate photomanipulators, professional artists that acknowledge loudly that THEY still need reference poses from high-quality stock, stockers so new they have no idea the flame-throwing they're going to start up by posting "MySpace" style self-pics, sharers of vintage photographs, purists, and the spectrum of friendly to venomous members. Ask any one group of them what they think of stock and you'll get five different answers.
My personal relationship between stock and the rest is one of pride and occasional indignation. I have been here to see some lovely stockers strive for better equipment, better lighting.. better STOCK. Those who truly wish to give and help are openly accepting of their flaws and eager to hear how they can improve. They turn a deaf ear to the "show us yer tits!" and "no fatties!" crowds for as long as they're able. They deal with people refusing to give credit or stealing their work outright. Sometimes, it all gets to be too much and we lose a wonderful, valuable member of the stock crowd. Lately, some of those who've left have been coming back. That brings me more joy and pride.

Now, there is one other subject that's close to my heart.. The possible relationship between stockers/manippers and signature/tag makers.
I started out as a sig maker. I would look at photomanipulations and digital art and think there was NO way I could ever do that. Make a drastically different piece out of another artist's photo or artwork? SURE!
I'm big on protecting the artists' rights, and following stockers' rules and usage licenses, but I have never seen the issue addressed of whether stockers will allow the creations their stock have been used in for signatures, tags, banners, etc that contain the necessary credit.
I would love to be able to offer anything I make to sigger-tagger people, but at this point I only feel comfortable offering my stock.
I know it's common for stockers and artists to see what siggers do as not being "real" art, but you never know what might happen when you encourage the creativity in them.

I DO have a stock account!
It's ~Strange-Shots and so far, it's mostly empty. xD

Thank you ~Strange-Angel, let's browse in your gallery!



Anything you want mentioned/promoted please get in touch!