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| “Out of my depth" |
An in depth interview
with Second Life Photographer Serenitee Bliss
Serenitee Bliss, also
known as Seren, is a virtual artist whose snapshots seem to be a windswept tour
of the art and architecture of Second Life. With locations that range from the
Burlesque stage to mystical surreal forests to the ocean floor, Seren seems to
be capturing slices of Second Life that can best be described as an unbridled
exhibition of the intimate. I was fortunate to have a chance to interview
Seren.
Dean : Could you tell me a little about
yourself?
Seren : Second Life is
my creative niche. Looking for that right light, that right angle, panning
slowly around to find that breathtaking capture that instantly creates a story
in the mind. I started out playing with portrait style photos taken in a
small studio. That became limiting for me. I enjoyed capturing the
movement, shadows, little environmental nuances. Most of my free time is
spent in search of beautiful places in Second Life.
Dean : I was intrigued by the avatar that is
the subject for your snapshot titled “taking-the-ole-girls-out-for-a-bit” The
reason why I ask about this avatar in particular is that the tendency of most
SL photographers is to create images revolving around glamorous and physically
perfect models. For me this particular snapshot stands out because the avatar
comes across as very human with her less than perfect appearance. Could you
tell me why you chose this avatar as the subject of your snapshot?
Seren : I am delighted
you noticed this photo! It started out a bit of a prank at first.
Friends and I were going out to one of the more "pretty" clubs.
Women looking like perfection. I think I was in a rather cynical mood
that day so decided to go as "Minnie", my name for her. I was
thinking that being dressed in that manner, would keep me from being noticed as
much...therefore confirming that others really only talk to "perfect"
avies. Oddly enough, it made quite a few smile...so I started taking
pictures of her. The more I looked at her, the more she became a
personality to me. I love her smile and when I'm out and about in her form,
it's this carefree feeling. She's not perfect by any means, but she has a
loving presence that is heartwarming to me.
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| Taking the ole girls our for a bit |
Dean : The stage seems to be a common theme in
your work, could you tell me about the series of snapshots featuring Clyde
Barrow, Pinkie, Lady C, Miss Bathory, Klarissa and Samantha?
Seren : I have
assisted friends with photography for new clubs. Pinkie, is actually
another form of myself. A promotional picture taken for Le Theatre de la
Debauche. Clyde Barrow was also a performer there so I was taking
pictures that evening. The others, were all dancers from another new venue, The
Main Event Show lounge. I perform with the Starlite Dancers, so often
venture out to see other dance troupes. It's like a small community of
those a love for dance and performing. We tend to go out and support one
another.
Dean : Several of your snapshots feature
avatars in interesting poses, wearing realistic looking clothes and in
locations with detailed textures, the snapshot “Playing with the wind” which
you use as your profile picture comes to mind, but this is something that I
find to be consistent with all your work. How much thought do you put into
matching the avatar’s ensemble with the background?
Seren : I give little
thought before going out to take photos. When I started taking photos, I
wanted to control all aspects of the photos. Spend hours looking for the
right outfit, perfect hair, the perfect props. I didn't go out and about as
much as I did studio photos with textures for backgrounds. In the case of
"Playing with the Wind", I was simply out exploring and came
upon a set of poses that caught my attention. The clouds on the sim were
moving and I had just the right hair, so started taking photos. I wish I
could say there was more to it than that, but it's mostly me, looking around,
seeing what the environment offers, what kind of stories I can create with the
images.
Dean : Is there any post processing of your
images with gimp or photoshop? If so what effects do you ad to the snapshots?
If not, what recommendations would you make to a novice Second Life
photographer to help them achieve the same level of quality demonstrated by
snapshots such as “Out of my depth”, "Heart A’flutter” and “Poetic
Art"
Seren : I send most of
my photos from Second Life directly to my Flickr account. I like to try
and avoid any post processing. I start with using the Advanced Lighting
settings in my viewer along with the Windlights. I'm able to run my
computer on ultimate settings graphics wise, so that gives me more freedom.
I recently purchased a LumiPro system which is wonderful for positioning
models and adding additional lighting options. When I do edit my photos,
I use the tools embedded in Flickr and/or Ipiccy. The three photos you
mentioned were done with minimal editing. "Out of my depth" and
"Heart a "flutter" had only a softening filter added to them.
"Poetic Art", I added a text overlay of poetry I had written.
Advice,
hmmm....patience, look from all angles, try all the Windlights...but mostly,
take lots and lots of pictures!
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| Poetic Art |
Dean : Were the snapshots “It was …. a
peculiar dream…” and “Have you ever seen a more ‘angelic’ group?”
captured on a pre-existing sim or do you have a studio where you specifically
design sets for your snapshots?
Seren : "It
was...a peculiar dream" was taken at a place called Two fish Too, a
whimsical sim. The other photo taken at Basilique, another wonderful sim
for taking pictures. That particular photo was from a play called
"Paradise Lost", presented on the Basilique sim. I have a
studio off and on depending on what kinds of photos I am obsessing about at the
given time. Mostly though, I love going out to find my picture stories.
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| It was... a Peculiar Dream... |
Dean : Is there anything else you would like
our readers to know about you?
Seren : Anything else
about me, let's see. I've been in Second Life a very long time.
It's creative boundaries seem never ending, thus keeping me entertained
and tapping into my own creativity. Thank you, for this awesome
opportunity to share a little bit of me with your readers.
Links to my work in
world:
Windlight Art Gallery
(Through Sept. first week in Oct.)
The Artinis Gallery
Links to my work
outside of Second Life:
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