Clashing worlds

As I stated in Flickr, "When I took my SP, my vision was for me to be a fairy lulling a unicorn.

Life changed that, and my new motivation was to have it reflect something symbolic to my situation. I appreciate how art provides us the medium to express in subtle and cryptic ways ... :)"

Anyway, my costume was created using 4 different images via Photoshop and the tiger was from a photo I took while at the zoo. Below are some of the the images I used.

Me before I added Snow White garb:

Luckily I had the presence of mind to think of landscape. I pieced this to the photo above to give me room to insert the tiger:

White Bengal Tiger shot I took at the Miami Zoo. Unfortunately, the tiger was profiled, looking straight ahead instead of slightly to the rear (which would've suited the image better), but I had to make do. Since my eyes were not focused from a fully profiled standpoint, I had to place the tiger where my line of vision was, but it still looked off, so I changed the perspective a touch.

In general, I copied and masked everything into place. And then I added rays of light using the white to transparent linear gradient tool, with feathering. I also used the spotlight and omni light found in the rendering option.

Lastly, I used Mulletgod's Retouch Bonanza action to give it cohesion and contrast.

Delights

I faced the camera toward the floor, where I sat, and my Shadow followed :)



Nothing spells beauty quicker than purple flowers. These mexican petunias are one of my faves, because aside from their color, they blossom with the sun, as do I :)



I've been spending much of my free time reading ... at present, it's Eclipse from the Twilight series. Goes wonderfully with a papaya, banana and coconut water smoothie.



If this isn't togetherness, then I don't know what is. :) This was taken at a reptile show and sale at Flamingo Gardens.

Writer's Block

Earlier in the year, I started a Sci-Fi novel and was all gung-ho. I even joined a writer’s group. But I put it off to delve into photography, and when I decided to go back to writing, I experienced writer’s block.

Actually, to my chagrin, I've undergone several blockages. I’m blocked from making repairs or beautifying my place the way I’d like since it’s transitory. My time for Flickr has been blocked from juggling life and work, so I haven’t been able to post or comment -- Hence, I just deleted the account. I’m blocked from feeling a sense of permanence or security at my job due to the crazy turnovers. I’m blocked from being able to send letters to my son since I don’t yet know his permanent address. The list really does go on.

I need a form of release and expression, so for now I’m deciding to blog, with accompanying or corresponding photos. This will enable me to upload my pictures and to get into the habit of writing. I'm hoping once I write, the effects will carry over and bolster my ultimate writing goals.

Here's an out take from the same photo shoot as above, depicting me with writer's block. This shoot was aided by my BFF, K.