1st in Google images, 50,000 Hits & STILL counting… (UPDATE)

“FACE IN THE FLAME” continues to build on its view count, now reaching over 40,000 50,000 hits and has also featured at Number 3 Number 1 on Google’s image search for “flame”  Again, thanks to everyone who has supported this image and all my work.

Posted on Flickr  on the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, (just in case anyone was interested…) back in April 2008, it has since stormed away to become my most successful picture ever. It was taken my Nikon D40, and the efix data is available on photo page @ Flickr. (Click on the image)

This is a natural flame (NO manip)

This image has been used by the following website: <a href=”http://www.transtep.com” rel=”nofollow”>www.transtep.com</a>

This photo was the WINNER of SECOND place of the “GR8! Photos Contest #27“, August 2008

This photo was the WINNER of “The 4 Elements Fire Contest“, May 2008

Voted #6 of the Top 10 of 2008 in the FIRE FIRE FIRE group. Also winner of various group awards etc…
www.flickr.com/groups/firesfiresfires/discuss/72157615051…

© nEoPOL 2008 – 2009 All rights reserved

Flickr

deviantART

JPG Magazine

the seventh idol comic; remembered

***WARNING***

3 images towards the end of this post contain elements of nudity that may be offensive or inappropriate to sensitive readers or children. Please beware, but ALL the images are CGI RENDERS and are in the context of story telling only.

Some of you may remember that in 2006 I began a project called “THE SEVENTH IDOL”. It was primarily an attempt at an online comic but whilst in some ways it was successful, in many others, it wasn’t.

 

My plan was to create a rendered comic and associated websites etc, and in that way, I learned a lot about website construction, rendering with programs such as Daz 3D and Bryce, as well as becoming members of such online communities as DeviantART and this very site, WordPress.

A little backstory: I’ve been a budding writer since I was 16 and have generally written screen & teleplays, but that have dabbled in many other forms such as short stories, novels, poetry and comic books, and have considered giving songwriting a go to boot!

The 2006 comic had three issues, with the first effectively being a double, but its major flaw that it was too rooted in screenplay writing and plotting, and I could not get my head around the methods of telling the story through a comic, let alone the technical problems of learning new software such as Daz 3D and the highly complex Bryce. Now I’m sure some people would have something to say about Bryce being complicated but to me it was! But I managed to get a few good renders out of it so I was somewhat happy.

 Some of the more obvious drawbacks at the time regarding my Daz 3D work, was the lack of skin textures and other details, aswell as costumes. I hope to showcase some of the improved models and sample clips from the presently abandoned animated version soon.

The comic was made up of several key elements and these were: -

- Background photographs, many of which were taken locally, in Manchester.

                3D models and props rendered in Daz 3D

  

  

  

   

  

   

 

   External environments rendered with Bryce 5 & 6

   

 

 

  

  

  

   

 

 

Colouring and lighting using Photoshop & the now defunct Picture IT

After three issues and the resolution of the initial plotline, I put the project on hold and felt that I had learned a lot of  the do’s and don’ts but never really got back into it as I had intended. Life, as it often does, got in the way.

 

I do very much hope to try this again with the knowledge that I had acquired over the years and was very keen to try animation, which I have tested but still have technical reasons as to why I can’t proceed right now. But here’s a taste of  the original, which for all it’s faults, I must admit, I’m still proud of. Some of the imagery in this issue is in my opinion very good, but the pacing is way to slow and is too dialogue heavy.

 

Better luck next time…

There are more images available on Flickr & DeviantART.

 

Anyway, here is the first issue for old times sake…

THE SEVENTH IDOL: ISSUE 1

 

© nEoPOL 2006 - 2009 All rights reserved

Flickr

deviantART

JPG Magazine

Back again, gone but not forgotten…

It’s been a few months since my last post but I would first like to thank everyone who has continued to follow my blog, and the hits have just kept coming.

These three images have been selected from my “Flickr Favourites” set on Flickr. These are some early attempts at photoshoping images and are a little different from my prefered, unaltered photography.

The first image, “City View” was taken from my attempt at an online comic, titled “The Seventh Idol”, back in 2006. The main image is of Manchester, and the foreground rendering was done using Daz 3D. The overall mastering of the shot was completed using Photoshop.

I must admit I do really like this image, but the comic was hampered by my lack of knowledge of the comic genre and the lack of computer power and rendering capabilities at the time. I’ve come on a way since then, but this was early days.

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The next image is of the Art Asylum’s Classic Enterprise from Star Trek. Taken with my Kodak Z740 against a red velvet curtain, I used the colour replace option to remove it. I then used a star brush for the stars and a couple of lens flares…

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This final image is of the Art Asylum’s Movie Enterprise from Star Trek III. Again taken with my Kodak Z740 against a red velvet curtain, I used the colour replace option to remove it. I then used a star brush for the stars and a couple of lens flares… This was the earlier of the two, hence the cruder nature of the image.

© nEoPOL 2006 – 2007 All rights reserved

Flickr

deviantART

JPG Magazine

Fire: A year on…

It’s been a year today since I posted my first fire image on Flickr. This image, title very imaginetvly as “Flames” was that image. If you look closely you can alsomsee a very distict letter “R” in the midst of the flames, a letter which has appeared several times in my fire pictures.

© nEoPOL 2008  All rights reserved

Flickr

deviantART

JPG Magazine

Black Sheep

Just a quick one. A picture taken in The Lakes a month or so back.

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

Visit my Flckr Profile @ http://www.flickr.com/people/neopol/

In the heart of flora

This is my most recent post on Flickr. It is quite a diferent shot for me but I think it turned out well.

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

Visit my Flckr Profile @ http://www.flickr.com/people/neopol/

Dark Imagery

These two images are from may latest set, which I posted this week.

The first is a dark and hopefully dramatic image of a bird in flight.

I have tried to give this picture a social commentary theme, using the dark water and the blurred cigerette packet to represent the dangers of prolonged smoking. It was called “Emphysema”.

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

Visit my Flckr Profile @ http://www.flickr.com/people/neopol/

300mm Macro Lens

On Friday I finally took the plunge and bought myself a 70mm – 300mm Sigma Macro lens. It’s hardly at the top end or cutting edge but being on budget, it will surfice. So far it’s been a breath of fresh air, though the extra weight and size requires a bit of getting used to.

In fact, a new tripod is on cards now, as I’m not conviced that the rather weak head on my existing one will hold the added weight. But whether it will physically support the body and lens in almost besides the point, as I’m now unable to gain the stability I need with this new set up. Certainly, as the this lens doesn’t have any VR tech in it, leaving me with a challenge or two when using the 300mm Macro focal length.

But, you know me, I love a challenge! 

Arrow

The latest in the Droplet series

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

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Building Of An Icon: 2005 – 2008

Starting a couple of years I go, I decided to follow the construction of various buildings in Manchester. Manchester is a growing city now, ever since the IRA bomb in 1996, and Beetham Tower, AKA the Hilton has to stand as one of the most prominent examples of this.

November 2005

Unfortunatly, I did start this project until the tower was well underway, but this is the first real image that I have. All these pictures are available on Flickr.

This was taken with my Vivitar 3765,  F. 2.9

December 2005, the outer skin has been completed on the lower floors, and now the upper levels are well underway.

Taken with the Kodak Z740, 31.3mm, F. 4.5

Still in late December 2005, this beautiful clear day provides the perfect lighting to show the construction of the floors. After the outer skin has been fitted, the more extensive work of fitting out the interior can begin.

Taken with the Kodak Z740, 63mm, F.3.7

Now in March 2006, The outer contruction is well on the way to completion.

Taken with the Kodak Z740, 31.1mm, F.4.5

May 2008: The finished article. Completed in late 2006, this is now the tallest building in Manchester and can been seen for miles around, dominating the skyline.

Taken with my Nikon D40, 18mm, F. 10

© nEoPOL 2005 – 2008 All rights reserved

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