Here's more fun photos I've been working on. I came up with the name "Monotronique" from a dream (as many things tend to be evoked from my fertile imagi'nation). It's a portmanteau of:

mono (as in "monochrome") + tronic (as in "electronic") + que (as in "hey, this sounds kinda French and classy!)

All of the following shots were taken using a prototype WindLight viewer. (Yes, I know you're anxious, I'll let you know when the First Look re-release is out on our Official Linden Blog!)

The theme this time: monochrome, black & white, sepia, desat(urated) — generally lacking in color, you name it! I did something different in each one, whether it was a radical filter variation, an averagely-noticeable blend of tints, or a subtle adjustment to the dynamic curve you wouldn't realize without looking at the raw source image. Indeed, in many cases, to bring out a rich dynamic range, I used Photoshop's Shadow/Highlight in conjunction with Levels, and certainly layering set to various modes to bring out the darkest of blacks and the brightest of whites.

With each technique learned, I add something to my toolbox (that's "arsenal" for you slightly-more violent chaps!) and find new ways to apply it. Like fighting game combos, I find solace in combining a variety of techniques which flow well together.

To anyone curious which filters I used the most throughout this set aside from stock Photoshop ones, again, I advocate Filter Forge. It has a whole collection of user-created filts designed to enhance your photography. Some of my faves include:

I love saving pain for people, so if you struggle in vain to get the pop of these really "Wow!" effects and you're on Windows (alas, no Mac or Linux versions yet), give Filter Forge a go and see how you like it. I love it.

Often, I like to apply something with a subtle texture, then fade it to 4%. Like I said, subtlety's the name of the game here, perhaps a "departure" from my "usual" style, that in itself being a misnomer because I don't reckon I was ever usual to begin, or end with.

It is funny yet serious at the same time how making something new look so old can bring up a lot of emotion. My respects, of course, go to the creators of these places in Second Life, for without them, I wouldn't have anything to photograph. Who knows what the world will look like a year from now?

We run the full gamut here, folks… enjoy!
 

BEFORE (RAW, maken straight from SL)

AFTER (MOD, with post-processing added)

» Full the set in its natural habitat @ Flickr