Interview conducted by Samoan Honeypot AKA Sammi
LUMIPro Media Manager
Have you ever been surfing through Flickr, Koinup, or another
photography site and wondered wow I wonder what inspires them? Well I
know I have, and I was recently given the opportunity to sit down
with one of our very own users, Victoria Lenoirre! She is the newest
editor-in-chief for The Best Of SL Magazine, a pose creator, blogger,
a teacher at Builder's Brewery, and of course a LUMIPro enthusiast.
It was an amazing experience to get to see what one of our users is
all about, and I can not wait to do it again with one of you!
Here is
part of the interview:
Okay first question... (Mostly because
I am nosy) What got you started in Second Life?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Well, years
before I joined Second Life... I heard about it at a discussion
forum. But I didn't join probably because I was too busy arguing or
something lol. Then later I heard SL had cool graphics and sometimes
RL authors visited to give lectures. I have never met one of my
favorite authors in SL, but I have stayed on. :)
So when did you start developing an
interest in the Photography side of Second Life?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: It was in October
2011. I met this guy at some random person's house, an old friend
teleported me over. And that guy asked me to model for him; and since
then, he showed me what he could do with avatars. Plus, I was
creating poses, and I knew my product pics needed something. I later
learned it was higher graphics. Lol
So he was sort of a mentor then?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Yes, he was...
That is wonderful, I think a lot of us
that enter the ''photography scene'' hope to find that mentor that
will sort of lead the way... Would you say your work has changed a
lot?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Yes, I've changed
a lot, and I've had many mentors since him. I still ask around for
suggestions and advice. I believe a true artist isn't afraid to get
positive AND negative feedback, it's how we develop and improve our
skills. We all need at least a second opinion, and I try to
experiment with objects and tools in post processing programs. I like
to play around with windlight settings as well as edit sky settings.
I like to change it up so it never bores me out. :) I look around at
photos from Flickr, Koinup, even real life for inspiration and ideas.
I believe we all need to challenge ourselves to capture or portray
something fascinating.
Speaking of tools... Lets talk about
part of the reason why we are sitting at this interview... LUMIPro!
What do you think of it?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Wow! It is a
PHENOMENAL, convenient and instrumental tool! *smiles brightly* I
think of how it was for me before I got the LUMIPro...no comparison.
I must say I get super excited about it
myself.
Victoria V. Lenoirre: It makes my
photos come to life. It gives them more depth and more character. I
have tried regular face lights and some other photo HUDs and none of
them come close to what the LUMIPro can do. It's just mind blowing
when you put it on for the first time and go through all the options
and tools. It is like carrying around a portable studio with you. :)
I absolutely adore it! I use it for all my avatar photos whether I'm
just exploring or when I'm getting shots of one of my poses.
Do you have a favorite LUMIPro feature?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Wow, tough
question. I love all the features. But if I had to choose a favorite
feature it would have to be being able to change the flow of the
light from a wide spotlight to a narrow spot from the projector. The
projector wasn't in the package when I first heard of the LUMIPro.
It's such an important feature, I can't live without it. :)
How did you hear about LUMIPro?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Years ago, I
worked at a magazine called Palais Orleans, owned by Madison Arnahan.
LUMIPro was one of the advertisers. Madi did some photography as
well, she showed me her studio. One time she even introduced me to
Stefan. I was totally starstruck. But I didn't start using the
LUMIPro until last year. I was focused on learning post processing
and looking for photo ideas. That takes a lot of energy.
So since you are still fairly new in
the use of LUMIPro, do you have any advice for our new users? (Like
myself)
Victoria V. Lenoirre: My advice is that
you wear the rezzables first and adjust them to how you like, slowly
increase the intensity starting from lowest...to see what you like.
then wear the projector and slowly move it around. When I use the
projector, I click the menu and click bulb. I don't usually use all 9
bulbs. it's really bright. :) And play around with the presets like
Rembrandt light and rim light. Those are quick and easy if you don't
want to keep clicking to reposition the balls.
Don't feel bad I broke I broke my
LUMIPro in the first five minutes, and Stefan had to send me a new
one.
Victoria V. Lenoirre: I have never
broken my LUMIPro. At first, I was nervous about using it. It can
seem complex at first. But now, I use it for all my pose shoots and
personal shoots.
Yes, once you start using it, it gets a
lot easier. I think things like the user manual and blog are also a
big help.
Honestly, my first reference is
YouTube. I subscribed to Stefan's channel and his videos are really
easy to follow.
*These videos can also be found on the
blog*
So now that we have chatted some about
what got you started... Let's talk about where you are now. Like BOSL
… I hear congratulations are in order!
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Awww thank you,
Sammie! :) It's an honor to be the new Editor-in-Chief. I never
thought I'd be in this seat. I worked at BOSL as a Senior Writer
Since March 2012 , I think. I have always admired Persia. She's been
great. She made it look so easy.
I am sure you will do an amazing job.
What are you hoping to bring to the magazine as the new Editor in
Chief?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: I want to bring
more balance into BOSL. It's not just about fashion and models. SL is
based on RL and technology as well. BOSL will still have the fashion
style cards and the home & garden section. I've always been
fascinated by computers and the technical aspects of SL. And of
course, we'll feature artists. I couldn't forget art. :) I'm very
excited for the future. It was art that led me to BOSL actually.
There are some great artists out there.
It is one of the reasons I love working for LUMIPro I get to see
everyone's amazing work. And I can see why you were drawn to BOSL it
is beautiful.
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Yes, and 3D art
has influenced me as well. I really got into the Art world because of
UWA in SL, University of Western Australia. It's a RL university. My
friend Jayjay Zifanwe teaches there and heads up the organization in
SL. Jayjay and Frolic are old friends. When I did an interview on
Frolic, he hired me on the spot....little known fact. :) I started
with art blogging. I learned a slightly different type of photo
skill...how to do distant shots. That is a challenge because the
builds can be huge and amazing... What part do I want in the frame?
lol. but experience helps me to decide now.
Okay one last question, and maybe the
most important of all, would you recommend LUMIPro to others?
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Yes, I would
recommend the LUMIPro to anyone. It's a handy photography tool to
have if you really want to be a serious photographer in SL. You could
still make decent photos without it, but one of the great things
about it, is that you can use it in any sim regardless if scripts
aren't allowed, and you don't need to have rez rights. You can spend
less time editing photos as well if you use this useful HUD. And the
gazer....nice. Some poses make the eyes go up or down, and it looks
odd. It's nice that you don't need a separate gazer HUD.
Yes I love it all... will be a tough
act to follow in the next update.
Victoria V. Lenoirre: Stefan will wow
us all I’m sure. :)
Yes I am sure -smiles-
I had a wonderful time getting to know
a user behind the HUD. Victoria's first issue of BOSL as
Editor-in-Chief came out on April 1st. If you haven't checked it out
be sure you do! She is also featured in this years Pose Fair going on
now until May 3rd! I will include links and landmarks below! I really
enjoyed this and I can not wait to chat with more of our great users!
Well until next time … Happy Shooting!
Visit the Pose Fair here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Desiderium/21/102/257
Check out more of Victoria's
photography work here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/victorialenoirre/
And of course don't forget your LUMIPro
links...
LUMIPro on Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/LUMIPro/
LUMIPro on Koinup:
http://www.koinup.com/group/LUMIPro/
LUMIPro on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LUMIProSL
Find LUMIPro in world:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Phenomenal/229/173/1501
And on Marketplace:
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/LUMIPro-HUD-V3/2585413
