Ravenelle the Ultramodel: Torley's fashion photography

Posted on: July 14, 2007

I noticed I was taking a disproportionate amount of landscape snapshots compared to, say, avatars. While they're "virtual" representations of real people, that's still an imbalance I was very uncomfortable with. As a youth, I wasn't much of a people person, and that's changed a lot — at least in Second Life.

I was recently inspired by this amazing fusion of influences, such as looking through Second Life Flickr groups (check out the list compiled by SuperDave!!) with incredible post-processed photography. Many of these aim to emulate analogue techniques, such as film grain, vignetted and blurred borders, and ample doses of saturation. We've got a serious post-Idoru complex going on, people.

Casually, even when I'm not looking for Second Life stuff, I see pictures of "beautiful virtual girls" in other group pools, and I'm like "Holy moly! We really are getting out there." I could've just taken more snaps of Torley Jr., but you know me, I get bored quickly and yearn for fresh arts & crafts to accomplish.

I've never really done this kinda thing before. *gulp*

So, I asked my wife if she wanted to pose for me. And she cheerfully obliged. What more can I ask for? She has great taste and isn't a malicious diva. Enjoy!
 

Torley Studios proudly presents…

Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 07

RAVENELLE THE ULTRAMODEL

 
RAW - These are raw snapshots from Second Life, nothing else added. In case you're wondering why the skies are so freakin' badass and things appear to be glowing, it's because I'm running the First Look: WindLight viewer, which was, then isn't widely available to the public, but will be again… stay tuned.

Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 31Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 30Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 29Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 28Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 27Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 26Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 25Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 24Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 23Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 22Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 21Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 20Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 19Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 18Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 17Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 16Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 15Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 14Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 13Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 12Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 11Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 10Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 09Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 08Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 06Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 05Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 04Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 03Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 02Ravenelle the Ultramodel (RAW) - 01
 

MOD - These've been subtlely and/or extensively post-processed. I wanted to include before/after to show you what is possible. I sought to do a lot of familiar tricks and apply techniques I hadn't seen before. Some of it reminds me of other points of reference like Guild Wars, Hong Kong cinema, and a spectrum of Resis.

Ravenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Supreme IdentityRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Sugar canedRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - StarletRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Solar ringingRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Skyline surpriseRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - SensorshipRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Pre-ArabesqueRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Neonatal progenyRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - My ModelleRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Moonlight wonderRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Mono tonicRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Miracles happen when you're aroundRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Love comes quicklyRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - LolunteirRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - LilyhavenRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - I found her swimmingRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - I found an angelRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - HeroineRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Hello PrincessRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Hearts of a true patriotRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Golden girlRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - G-DammerungRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - ExquisitenessRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Bridging gapsRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Best laid plansRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - AvalonRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - AquababeRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Angelic layersRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Amazing discoveriesRavenelle the Ultramodel (MOD) - Abducted

 
Ahhhh, I had a lot of fun doing this — after the initial shoot last week, after work each day, I'd get a few done to unwind and relax. It really added up!

And now, I can say, "I've done that!" While I've no plans to start an inworld modeling bizness (we already have plenty of them, some very successful!) because I already have a full-time job, ;) I also have a better idea of what it takes to do these kind of shoots.

All the above is about and dedicated to my beloved wife. I LOVE YOU!!!! <3

Have you done Second Life fashion photography recently, or kewl piccies in general you'd like to share? Lemme know in the comments!

15 Responses to “Ravenelle the Ultramodel: Torley's fashion photography”

  1. Photo News Today » Ravenelle the Ultramodel: Torley’s fashion photography Says:
    July 15th, 2007 at 5:47 AM PDT

    [...] Source and Read More: Torley Lives [...]

  2. Mariel Voyunicef Says:
    July 15th, 2007 at 8:23 AM PDT

    I seriously don't know how you both guys did this, but I'm impressed. In most fashion photos I've seen from people who've never done fashion photography, everything tends to stand out but the model. Here, even if you've got some mad skies xD, she always stands out. Yay Tor and Rav.
    /me goes to see it all on Flickr and spam with more comments x]

  3. Simondo Nebestanka Says:
    July 16th, 2007 at 5:11 AM PDT

    Some of those pictures are just insanely beautiful. I wanted to write something on most of them but thought it would seem a bit much. It appears you've gone so far past mastering the form, it's almost scary.

    I love to see someone push the boundaries so far that the limits are redefined. Well done.

  4. Adec Alexandria Says:
    July 17th, 2007 at 3:07 PM PDT

    *sigh* ….once again Torley raises the bar …

  5. Ravenelle Says:
    July 17th, 2007 at 4:12 PM PDT

    OOOooooo look at how pretty these all turned out. These are very unique and so vibrant. It's hard to pick a favorite but since I am an AND person I'll just pick them all.

    I am honored by your dedication.

    I love you too.

    =^..^=

  6. Torley Says:
    July 23rd, 2007 at 7:20 PM PDT

    @Mariel: We're a loving couple. Perhaps there's something unethical about that, ahhh scandal! Hahaha. Thanks so much for all your Flickr comments, they're so encouraging!

    @Simondo: That is so nice of you; what often happens to me is I let my art digest for a few days and then I see more room for improvement. An overarching exploratory goal of mine in this is to do what I haven't seen before, and if others are inspired, that's even better (because I'm certainly inspired by a lot of the fine SL photography I see).

    @Adec: Better than doing the pole vault embarrassment thing where you spring up and fall onto the mattress, eh? Altho that can make for silly giggles at times. ;)

    @Ravenelle: <3

  7. Brooke Laguna Says:
    February 5th, 2008 at 5:44 AM PST

    I was browsing the web and came across this. Even looking at your work a half a year after you did it it still looks great :) I tend to see my photography in Second Life as the realistic approach (much like windlight is working toward) and less artistic as far as the use of PS. Since I do the majority of my RL work in post processing real life photography and renderings it just fits. Aside from that though, great job.! **Brooke

  8. Torley Says:
    February 10th, 2008 at 7:19 AM PST

    @Brooke: Great to hear it, and going to check out your fashion photography site! I find it incredible how much visual quality has advanced in Second Life, even if some things have remained fundamentally the same for a number of years (like avatar meshes).

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