Good morning LUMIPro enthusiasts! Today we are excited to bring you s gallery show featuring the work of the amazing Tiya Aura. The show will be today (the 16th) at 1 PM. While we all wait I had the pleasure of sitting down with her for an interview...
I am so excited to have the opportunity to interview such an amazing artist! So first question… How did you hear about Second Life, and what got you started?
Tiya: I was watching a TV show many years ago. While watching it, I was amazed at how these people, who were playing the game took it so real. I got talking to my friend about it and just for fun, we decided to try it. I guess like everyone else who plays Second Life we got addicted the first day on it.
What are some of the things that you love about Second Life? What keeps you coming back?
Tiya: I was a massive horse breeder and an auctioneer. Designing great horses and selling them was such a buzz I was totally addicted and made great Money. Meeting some amazing people also was fantastic, even though I don’t Breed horses anymore I still have all the friends I met while doing it.
I love your work. What got you started in photography?
Tiya: I had some friends who would ask me to do profile pictures for them. Then some other friends said try Flickr. I had never heard of it. So I took a look and was amazed at all the artist that did great artwork I was blown away and thought I need to learn this and so I did ( Best thing I’ve done so far in Second Life )
I have always said that photography is a journey it is not about being the best, but about where you are going. Why do you take photos? Are you trying to say something to the world?
Tiya: Hard question to answer, I guess it’s the love of what you can do with the lights and your avatar and seeing the finished picture. As you know some pictures can take hours, you have to fix your fingers, fix your face, body limbs, etc. For me, it’s relaxing and it makes me feel good creating something that other people love, also it makes you feel good and there isn’t a better feeling than that.
When you decide you want to do a new photo what is your creative process like from start to finish?
Tiya: Oh, this is easy ( I am laughing here ) I go shopping and see something I like. Usually, the moment I see it, I get an idea for a picture... I see a finished picture in my head so I have to get the pose correct do my lights, a certain way. I think most of us do this. Something just clicks in your head. I think I am lucky because I am an artist in RL so it's easier for me to know what I wish the finished picture to be. They don’t always work lol
What advice would you give to new photographers in Second Life?
Tiya: Buy LUMIPro !!!!!!!
I am glad you love it as much as I do! Do you have any photography inspirations in either Second Life or Real Life?
Tiya: No, but I did mention I am an artist in RL, which is why I love doing pictures In SL. To me, it is an extension of my RL I draw sensual couple pictures and I do portraits. So to be able to alter your avatar into a sensual position or do a great face shot is awesome to me.
I would love to see some of your real-life work sometime! So how about we talk about the hud that brought us together, LUMIPro! How did you hear about LUMIPro, and what made you decide to take the plunge and get the HUD?
Tiya: My friends were using the LUMIPro while taking pictures ( I was watching them) I was like wow how are you doing all that ( lights etc) so they explained all about the LUMIpro. I was very lucky because a great person I know then went and bought me one for a gift, he had to then teach me how to use it, poor guy, lol
A teacher is definitely helpful. Do you have a favorite LUMIPro feature?
Tiya: I love you have poses built-in, that's awesome and I love using the projector and the lights. There is so much you can do with the lights, it’s great fun to play around with.
If you could pick a new LUMIPro feature what would it be?
Tiya: I would love it if you could fix your hands and body and face via the hud, instead of having to have a different hud on fixing poses. But apart from that, I think it's Perfecto.
So tell me something else… Maybe share something our readers won’t know. What makes you who you are?
Tiya: Well I am called Brat in SL, and I earned that name lol
My friends say I am driven, outspoken and I don't give a crap about what I say, which is correct because I don't lol If you don't want the truth, don't ask me a question, because you may not like my answer. I am very honest and I love nothing more than to help people. I am just me, I've nothing hidden I am an open book... I love nothing more than laughing :)
Last but not least, what are your hopes for your future in Second Life?
Tiya: I hope every picture I take gets better and better. There are some stunning artists out there and my hopes are that one day I will reach the level that they are at. I still have a long way to go, but hell I am enjoying the journey.
I had a wonderful time interviewing Tiya! I hope to see you all at her show today at 1PM. You will not want to miss it!
