Tuesday, December 22, 2020

LUMIPro Holiday Contest Time!

 I know it is a bit late in the season, but I could not resist the urge to do a photo contest. Let's get to it! Every year we love to see what you guys come up with for seasonal photos, and sometimes they even get to be featured as LUMIPro advertisements! 

This year I thought why not give you two themes to work with. They can be holiday-themed (Christmas, Hanaka, etc.) or goodbye 2020 themed (Happy New Years etc).

Here are the guidelines

We will be accepting contest entries until December 28th. (DEADLINE EXTENDED to January 2nd!)

All photos must be holiday or new years themed. This does not necessarily have to mean just Christmas or your standard New Years party. Think outside the box and have fun!

We will be using photos from this particular contest for our holiday advertisements. So here is a link to some of the LUMIPro logos and banners if you would like to use them.

All photos must be entered in the LUMIPro Flickr Group as well as the LUMIPro Contest Group with Holiday2020 somewhere in the title.

All photos entered into the contest must be downloadable (this makes our job easier) If they are not downloadable they will not be considered.

You are allowed to enter as many photos as you like just please make sure they follow LUMIPro's Community Content Standards.

Also, don't forget this contest is open to LUMIPro users only, and all entries must have been taken while using LUMIPro.

Now onto the fun part... The prizes!

First Place will receive 5,000 Lindens and a LUMIPro gift certificate!

Second Place will receive 3,000 lindens and a LUMIPro gift certificate!

Third Place will receive 2,000 Linden and a LUMIPro gift certificate!

*All gift certificates are transferable.*

I always get so excited to see what everyone comes up with when we do a contest. I hope you guys have fun with this one!

Until next time... Be Creative, Be Inspired, Be Unique, and Happy Shooting!




Tuesday, July 28, 2020

LUMIPro Spotlight!

Hey, Lovelies! So I was up late last night unable to sleep, and I started looking through LUMIPro's Flickr Group. You guys are so amazing that I decided we have to bring back the LUMIPro Spotlight! Without further delay here we go...



Coxi 





Everything I saw was so inspiring I had a hard time only picking a few for this post. You all are beyond amazing!

For a chance to see one of your photos featured as a LUMIPro Spotlight make sure the shot uses LUMIPro and submit it to the Flickr Group

Until next time... Happy Shooting!

Saturday, May 23, 2020

LUMIPro Presents The Talented Jake Frost!

We are excited to feature the very talented Jake Frost in LUMIPro's Art Gallery! The kick-off event will be today (March 23rd) from 5-7PM SLT. We will have DJ XeNoN keeping us entertained. 


We ask that people come dressed to impress. You are in for an immersive treat! Content warning: There will be adult art present. 

To check my full interview with Mr. Frost click here. You can also find more of his artwork on Flickr.

Oh and I cannot forget your ride!

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

LUMIPro Presents The Amazing Work Of Jake Frost!

Hello everybody! I am so excited to get to introduce you guys to LUMIPro's newest gallery artist... Jake Frost! He is not only an amazing talent but a great person as well. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him for an interview this week, and I wanted to share it with everyone.

I am so excited to not only get to interview a friend but an amazing artist. ! So first question… How did you hear about Second Life, and what got you started?

Yay!! Me too. I hope it all translates well for reading...

I think 2006 I created my first av to do a virtual social experiment on color of an av and perception bias. “Way back in MY time …” before there were skins and stuff. What was crazy back then (before Lumi) is, I had someone create a projector script to change the intensity and light color. So I got the photo bug early on.

That is so cool. I have thought about going around Second Life as a man just to explore a different experience. What are some of the things that you love about Second Life? What keeps you coming back?

I feel like Second Life is Purgatory for those who are sometimes stricken with something physical and can’t get out … and socially awkward.  Specifically,  I fall into the latter category. It allows you to be anything and afford things you couldn’t in RL.  Even with all the saga that can happen, I LOVE the beautiful places here, and how much has changed (bling:rip).   Also, I’ve made friends over time who have supported me through some rough stuff. It’s a place to learn and grow and create. 


I totally agree! I never would have guessed you struggled to be social. You are so much fun to be around, but back to photography. You know how much I love your work. What got you started in photography?  

Light. Also, I had people encouraging me to do more when I just started doing snapshots. When shadows got added to SL it was over for me :) A friend of mine in my Master’s program was selling digital art and had a gallery. I started tinkering. I also got kind of a mentor named Cienega Soon, and she showed me galleries of all the amazing things people were creating. Finally, if anyone knows the story of Colin and Melodious Source that’s what serves as a little seed of inspiration even now.

I have always said 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?

I take photos because I can’t NOT take photos. That bit about being socially awkward... photos are how I connect with people. It takes time to get to know someone, find their specific light, angles that work for them. It’s this gorgeous puzzle mixed with a treasure hunt. 

As far as where I am going … I’ve just started diving into erotica. It is NOT easy, and there is lots of, ‘Hey sit on the pose. Nope. Crap. Up please. Nope. This light sucks.” I do not want porn. There is enough of that to gag a cow, so I’m doing my best to set a better precedent for what art can be. 

What’s great about art in SL is I’ve reached out to people who I feel are crazy beautiful artists and they’ve given me hints along the way. I have note cards collected from conversations that I read from time to time to help me remember basic things. Right now I’m trying to share my knowledge to help someone close to me get their skills up, so teaching is also a “give back” thing for me.
  

That is awesome. I love it when people are open enough to share their knowledge.  When you decide you want to do a new photo what is your creative process like from start to finish?

That’s a massive fuckin’ question. It depends on the context. There are times I’ll see something someone is wearing, and say “don’t move” then start snapping.  Others, I have multiple “long term” ideas in my head. One specific image I’ve been trying to re-capture for 10 years.  I’ve gotten close, but still hunting for it.  In general, it’s always a collaboration, and whomever I work with can say ‘what this really needs is…” then put that in the photo stew too. Sometimes, you just have to back off of an idea and come back to it. 

I work in Black Dragon mostly, so I have maybe 100+ windlights I’ve created for specific people or for a specific mood. There are maybe a dozen I start as a base, then just move sliders around. My “vibe” is adding a bit of haze to an environment and love of shadow.  I used to be rather monochrome but trying to branch out and bring a bit more color to things I do now.

What advice would you give to new photographers in Second Life?
Don’t force it. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, and respect the haters. Haters have something to teach us too. Take what you can, then dust those fuckers off and move on.

Admittedly, I struggle with that last bit. So that’s why I’m sharing it :)


Do you have any photography inspirations in either Second Life or Real Life?  

William Weaver, Anya Ohmai (content creators and teachers), Eripom, Jinxy Jinx, KimB, Sonic, Lam Erin, Nekotto, Jeff Montgomery, Arnno Planar, Prophet, Loverdag, Swain Craven (mild drool) Samanda (who helped me way early on in the journey) …B. Tombstone, Bytedreams Slade… on and on. Also, I have to give a shout out to Coco (owner of Ilcocoli) who when I got frustrated would say “call me” and just show me things at the drop of a hat. 

That’s just off the top of my head. I only follow those who inspire me. So, if I follow you on FLICKR you inspire me in some way.

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? 

Pondering. I think I was searching for a pose stand on MP, or maybe it was light scripts? Anyway, I can’t remember how it began, but I remember that immediately there was a community to ask questions with people who were having the same struggles making a vision happen. I think a combination of the Lumi community and the product itself is what made me a fan from the beginning. I also remember, waaaay back when, you and Stefan actually dropped by my little spot where I was learning. I felt like such a big deal lol. So that was a memory that kept me committed to the Lumi as well.


I remember when you first got started with LUMIPro! I love watching people grow in their artistic journey. Watching you explore new freedom and creativity has been awesome. Do you have a favorite LUMIPro feature?  

Sitball. And let me think… sitball. Then there’s the sitball. When you showed me how to do that, it elevated my ability to make a vision happen. The lights and such are cool, but to me, the entire package of what Lumi provides (pretty much ANYWHERE you want to shoot), is well worth the cost. Also, you never stop learning with it. Mixing between Lumi and windlights gives me photogasms.

That is why I love helping people watching that “light bulb’’ moment when they learn something new just makes me happy. If you could pick a new LUMIPro feature what would it be?

If I could directly manipulate the skeleton on someone posing, I’d pay another 3k for it. 

So tell me something else… Maybe share something our readers won’t know. What makes you who you are?  

I love storms and creating experiences of interaction. So, the gallery setup is designed for direct interaction with the art, and spaces to just sit and be.  We’re testing all the diff pieces right now, but I like doing things that make folks think about something differently for themselves and go create.


I have no doubt people are going to love it. Last but not least what are your hopes for your future in Second Life?

It’s cheesy, but to remember how blessed I am and to remain joyful. I think each person deals with the “I’m not good enough for this vision that I have for my life.” You are. I am. The person next to you is. What I am learning in SL about relationships extends into my real life as well.

So … whatever it is you are going through as you read this, I hope you heal if you need healing. If you are radiating with good vibes, share them. Be kind. 

I hope everyone enjoys getting to know the man behind the camera. Here is Jake's Flickr if you would like to give him a follow. The show will be on May 23rd from 5-7PM SLT. (We will put out the landmark the night before.) DJ Xenon will be keeping us entertained. It is going to be a great time! I hope we will see you all there!

Landmark will be given before the show.

Until next time... Happy Shooting!

Saturday, March 21, 2020

LUMIPro Is Excited To Feature The Amazing Works Of Raven (Rayvenous Resident)!

Hello, all you lovely people! With so many of us being stuck at home right now MoMo and I thought it would be a great idea to bring a new artist to the studio! We are proud to be able to feature the works of Raven (Rayvenous Resident). I had the pleasure of sitting down with her recently, here's how it went...

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? 
Raven: I first heard of Second Life from a friend. I tried it for a few weeks and didn’t see the big hype but then I found photography and therefore my passion. 

What are some of the things that you love about Second Life? What keeps you coming back?  
Raven: I love meeting people from all around the globe. I love being able to be myself freely, without judgment. My love for my friends and photography definitely keeps me coming back.


I love your work. What got you started in photography?  
Raven: I met a friend when I first arrived in SL. He was a photographer himself so he introduced me to the lifestyle. After that, it was just an adventure finding my niche. 

I have always said 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?
Raven: My photos are usually a pictation of the mood I am in at that moment. It’s a way of expressing myself and hopefully helping others that may be struggling with the same emotions.


When you decide you want to do a new photo what is your creative process like from start to finish?
Raven: Ha. I’m not sure I have a “process”. It starts with an emotion. Am I sad, happy, feeling sexy, or just in a melancholy state of mind. Then it’s the outfit, the outfit definitely sets the whole scene in motion. Then it’s either shopping through my inventory for decor, backdrops, anything I can find to create the perfect scene (or spending linden which I do way too often lol). Once the scene is set, the moment is captured, I then set out to find the perfect mood-setting song and the title flows from that. Pretty basic, nothing too elaborate, it just starts and ends with emotion. I think we can all relate to that. 

Yes, I think we all can! What advice would you give to new photographers in Second Life?  
Raven: Do what you feel in the moment. Do not worry if others will like it or not. It’s not a journey to be stressed over, it’s a journey of fun, learning, and expressing oneself.


I love that! Do you have any photography inspirations in either Second Life or Real Life?  
Raven: My first inspiration was Mark Steiner, he got me started and taught me so much and I’m forever thankful to him for that. There’s also Abyss Spires, who is a great person and teacher, willing to share any knowledge he has. Others are Dusty Pedroia, Terr Jedda, Lou Shadow and many many others. There are really so many great photographers that inspire me to do better.

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? 
Raven: I heard about LUMIPro from Mark Steiner. The ease of use and tools available on one HUD sold me. It was a little bit of a learning curve at first but now I can’t imagine doing my photography without it. The ability to store poses, lighting adjustments, GOBOs (my favorite), and the fact you can use it without having to rez a pose stand (though that’s absolutely an option as well). 


I am glad you love it! Do you have a favorite LUMIPro feature?  
Raven: GOBOs and the projector are my favorite features by far.

TexasRob did a great job with the GOBOs. If you could pick a new LUMIPro feature what would it be? 
Raven: Maybe an impossible task, but the ability to save couple poses, that would be a wonderful feature 


So tell me something else… Maybe share something our readers won’t know. What makes you who you are?  
Raven: The main thing that makes me who I am is that I am true to myself. I don’t try to be anyone else. I love who I am and I want to share that with the world. I never meet a stranger and I am a friend to the end. 

Last but not least what are your hopes for your future in Second Life?
Raven: To continue on my journey of photography. To learn and grow as not only a photographer but as a person as well. I want to experience life in ways I am constricted to in Real Life. After all, that is what Second Life is about, right? It’s a gateway to so many opportunities one may not be able to achieve, for countless reasons, in Real Life. 

Thank you so much for this opportunity to let me shine. To show the world of Second Life my journey and hopefully join me on the path of endless possibilities.


I had a wonderful time hanging out with Raven! I am excited to have her work featured in LUMIPro's Gallery. DJ 4-Play will be keeping the party going for us! I hope to see you all there!

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Photo Contest Time With LUMIPro And The Isle Of Elar!

Hello, my lovelies! It has been s while since I have chatted with my favorite people so I thought I would bring you something exciting. LUMIPro has partnered Elar by Dominant Elegance to bring you a photo contest! 

Elar is a beautiful steampunk-themed sim with a BDSM flair! It is quickly becoming one of my favorite places. I thought I would let the owner Shayn Mackenzie tell you more...

"A short history of The Isle of Elar. It was founded by a group of BDSM practitioners that were fleeing persecution because of their chosen lifestyle.  They happened on a small island in the mouth of a dormant volcano. Beneath the island is a labyrinth of steam vents that the city's inhabitants were able to harness to create a city powered by the natural steam provided by the heat trapped within the volcano. The architecture of the city reflects both the founders' love of art and their desire to further their practice of BDSM. Throughout the city, you will find many buildings that beckon for a photographer's eye.  A great deal of time and effort has been devoted to the creation of Isle of Elar and it's intended level of detail. We call ourselves Elarians and welcome your visit to our fine city. We only ask that while here you dress either in Steampunk attire or something equally dressy in nature. We welcome humans, vampires, nekos and those with anthropomorphic avatars."

And now for the fun part... Contest details!

**Contest Rules & FAQ**

1.  Who is eligible to enter?

Anyone.  The contest is open to anyone who would like to join. The only requirement is that you follow our rules and be a member of Dominant Elegance. Entering is free. 

2.  What is the contest time period?

The contest will commence on the March 15th, 2020 and run until April 15th, 2020

3.  How will winners be notified?

Winners will be announced via notice in the Dominant Elegance group and contacted individually upon close of the contest.  The winning pictures will be displayed in the Emporium upon completion of the contest.  Additionally, we will be making a selection of noteworthy works to also be displayed in the Emporium.  All artists with work displayed will be notified prior to the grand opening of the Gallery.

4.  What are the prizes?

First Place:  A gift certificate for a LUMIPro 
Second Place:  3,000 L$
Third Place: 1,500 L$


5.  How will we determine the winners? 

The winners will be chosen by an anonymous panel of five judges.

6.  Where do the pictures need to be taken?  

All pictures need to be taken on the Isle of Elar, including the inside of buildings to qualify for the contest. Submitted pictures that fail to comply fully with this will be disqualified.  This is a great opportunity to explore the many unique places for photography throughout the city.  All photos may contain nudity, but if clothed, the pictures must follow the rules of attire for the sim.  This is a steampunk sim. Your photos should reflect that or our culture of BDSM.  If you can do both, it will go a long way in originality for your photos.

7.  May I rez things for the photos?

Yes, as always, visitors to the Isle of Elar may rez objects, but please remember to pick any items you rez.

8.  May I use post-editing for the photos?  

Yes, you may use any software at your disposal as well as inworld lighting.  Do not think that if you are not able to post edit the photos that you will automatically lose.  We are looking at content as major criteria for the photos.  We are choosing a total of 20 pictures to be displayed in the gallery.

9.  How do I submit pictures?

All pictures will be submitted to the "Isle of Elar Photo Contest" Flickr group.  Please add your Second Life name to the description section of the photo


This contest is going to be a lot of fun! Here are some sim shots to give you a little peek... 




This is just a taste be sure you go check out the sim! 
The Isle of Elar ~ Dominant Elegance

If you have any questions contact Shayn Mackenzie

Also, be sure to check out The Isle of Elar website!

I cannot wait to see what wonderful things everyone comes up with! Until next time... Happy Shooting!