Dana's Animated Mind

Yesterday, I was helping a friend with their Poser issue over the Internet using a Remote Desktop program, and found myself telling her "Do not under any circumstances....". I have to wonder what right do I have to say that, or when I even earn that priveledge to put it more accurately. Am I truly better then others to actually dictate that flow of creativity?

In this circumstance, I was telling her not to follow the same formula as a few others who I tend to criticize their artwork. A lot of these reasons are due to their talents appear to be stunted by following a formula dictated by a certain limitation. This limitation, however, is self-imposed as the program itself actually has more capabilities, or better yet, there are things you can do outside the program to make your stuff more appealing.

Kat and I share the same vision on what we want for E-Fed poser artwork, and in a nutshell, it can be called diversity. For example, one picture I did for one of her characters had a ground camera angling up at a woman. The expression from the woman gave she was looking down at some peasant. This summerize the type of character she wanted to portray, and this was a lot better then straight ahead camera. Straight ahead camera would of not given that same powerful expression. For another character, I would use a different angle that would fit. This diversity, in our collective opinion, draws more attention to the character then a standardize background with standardize lighting.

The question remains what gives me the right to tell people how to do their Poser work? I don't believe I ever did tell people how to make my type of image, because to be honest I don't follow any particular set of rules. I think what I was expression to Kat overall was to take what I mention how to do things on the technical level, but to allow her creative expression dictate how it would flow through. It just amazes me when someone said "Someone taught me how to make this kind of poser" and they only tweaked their style a little. The most this person did differently was change how he used the lights, and kept them as a default file. That stunts the creative growth because it doesn't allow you to mix it up a little.

Overall, I think I will stick by teaching the technical aspects of the program, but leave the creativity to the person. Of course, if one asked how to achieve a certain effect in mind, I can show them if I know, or experiment a little then show them. Individual creative expression is what makes us unique, and I wouldn't deny someone from following their own path.

I think my overall goal when encouraging Poser artists is to just be yourself. Don't copy my style, which is impossible since it is ever growing. I rather be unique then straight from a factory.