Original Manipulations by Cruxforums Members

[Cran]

Another manip. This one is also very simple, but I liked how one girl seems to be leading the other, and their unhappy expressions, as if they are being led against their will. Also, the girl in front was looking where the chain should go.
Two girls are enslaved after breaking the law. They are subsequently stripped and collared, and are led togehter by a chain to the slave processing centre, where they will begin their new life.

 

[Barbaria1]

If you can't remember, it's probably not important.

Aftermath of the Rebellion

"Life is a liar yeah life is a cheat​

It'll lead you on and pull the ground from underneath your feet​

No use complainin', don't you worry, don't you whine​

Cause if you get it wrong you'll get it right next time, next time." - Gerry Rafferty​

View attachment 983820

Well I don't know how I got here tonight.
I've got this feeling that something ain't right.
I'm so scared hanging here high in the air,
And I'm thinking how this crux is unfair.
Wragg to the left of me!
Jolly to the right!
Here I am stuck on my cross till it’s through.

(apologies to Gerry Rafferty)

 

[mp5stab]

Another manip. This one is also very simple, but I liked how one girl seems to be leading the other, and their unhappy expressions, as if they are being led against their will. Also, the girl in front was looking where the chain should go.
Two girls are enslaved after breaking the law. They are subsequently stripped and collared, and are led togehter by a chain to the slave processing centre, where they will begin their new life.

View attachment 983808

Imagine them walking in front of a whole bunch of empty crosses. Mmmm

 

[Cran]

Imagine them walking in front of a whole bunch of empty crosses. Mmmm

That will require a bit more work.

 

[bobinder]

Aftermath of the Rebellion
"Life is a liar yeah life is a cheat
It'll lead you on and pull the ground from underneath your feet
No use complainin', don't you worry, don't you whine
Cause if you get it wrong you'll get it right next time, next time." - Gerry Rafferty

It's always good to know there will be a 'next time, next time' for Barb even in the face of the inevitable aftermath!

This is another of your remarkable manips, composed of rather unlikely sources. But you are establishing quite a reputation for the innovative use of unusual figure components in your crux manips, and this one is no exception! The bold use of a low viewpoint, intimate close-up and forced perspective combine in this dramatic 'portrait d'une crucifiee'.

We are seeing close attention to detail, including some fine, peripheral hair strands, apparently extracted via layer masking. The bloody tramlines running down the arm, together with the crosses in the background, are statements of the obvious conclusion about the aftermath of the rebellion.

These details imply all we need to know about the nailing injury, out of shot above left. Without seeing any more than a face, armpit and right breast. we know exactly how the unfortunate Barb has become a decorative piece of Roman carpentry. Less is Moore and the minimal effect tells its own story. Well done, Jolly!

 

[Wragg]

If you can't remember, it's probably not important.

Aftermath of the Rebellion

"Life is a liar yeah life is a cheat​

It'll lead you on and pull the ground from underneath your feet​

No use complainin', don't you worry, don't you whine​

Cause if you get it wrong you'll get it right next time, next time." - Gerry Rafferty​

View attachment 983820

You'd have thought that Barb might have been taken to the top of hill, but I guess that is all part of the humiliation.

Jollyrei has a real eye for unusual perspectives! Superb, sir!

 

[Wragg]

Please...



... give us a minute!

 

[bobinder]

Please...



... give us a minute!

Could this be Emilia Clarke, saying farewell to her friend, presumably before sharing the same fate in the arena? It makes for a fascinating study in anticipation. The severe cropping and shallow depth of field bring the viewer into contact with the subject on an intimate level, and the defocused stadium crowd fills the background in an impersonal way. The composition is deceptively simple, contrasting a completed crucifixion with what appears to be an impending one.

The narrative detail is minimal - the bloodstained, nailed heels, the wooden stake and the nudity speak volumes whilst avoiding the depiction of any sexual imagery. Technically 'safe for work', but arguably not worth the risk, we are observing the blending style of 3D and photographic figures which characterised 'The Illustrated Chronicle of the Lady Jasmine'. In fact, the crucified legs might be a composite creation, with some skilful digital over-painting?

The blonde hair appears to be layer masked to reveal the fine peripheral strands, and the subtle tan lines are a nice, realistic detail. She might also be a composite figure, although I cannot deny the possibility of Ms Clarke posing for such a tasteful nude. Perhaps you will be kind enough to disclose your methods, Mr Wragg? Meanwhile, my compliments on a very poignant and charming crux manip - well done!

 

[Jollyrei]

Please...

View attachment 984298

... give us a minute!

The narrative detail may be minimal, but the expression on her face tells a lot. She is clearly uneasy, perhaps apprehensive about her own fate. Can't be easy, stripped naked in front of what looks like a large crowd. They aren't important right now, though, except insofar as we are vaguely aware of them, defocused in the background, focused as we are on her situation. Perhaps we wonder about whether the same fate awaits her as her companion. Perhaps she doesn't know either, and is hoping that if she puts up a good show, maybe she will be spared.

A great image, Wragg, which hints at a lot behind the surface that we can't see. Mind you, what we can see is pretty good!

 

[Wragg]

Technically 'safe for work'

Possibly I wouldn't advise setting it up as your desktop wallpaper on your office PC...

Could this be Emilia Clarke,

You may be aware that I am a student of the Lovely Ladies Thread, and on March 13th @elephas posted this image of a lady I'd never heard of called Greta Ray:



She has what I think @Apostate might call a 'righteous ass'

The expression on her face, and the way she has her hand resting on the pillar spoke to me of those pre-crucifixion moments of interaction between the crucified and the soon-to-be-crucified that are a favourite of mine, and which I've previously illustrated:

Perhaps you will be kind enough to disclose your methods, Mr Wragg?

You are quite correct, those are Repertor's legs, well, not his actual legs but those he used in his original images of Jasmine, but I extended the stipes to suggest a higher cross.

Greta was indeed lifted from her original by masking, for exactly the reason you suggest - to preserve her srands of hair.

Ms Ray's hand and forearm were strongly backlit by the window so I promoted a leg to hide most of the burned out region. Coward.

The background crowd was subjected to gaussian blur and desaturated to achieve the depth of field effect.

Meanwhile, my compliments on a very poignant and charming crux manip

A great image, Wragg, which hints at a lot behind the surface that we can't see. Mind you, what we can see is pretty good!

Kind of you both to say so

 

[phlebas]

Possibly I wouldn't advise setting it up as your desktop wallpaper on your office PC...


You may be aware that I am a student of the Lovely Ladies Thread, and on March 13th @elephas posted this image of a lady I'd never heard of called Greta Ray:

View attachment 984591

She has what I think @Apostate might call a 'righteous ass'

The expression on her face, and the way she has her hand resting on the pillar spoke to me of those pre-crucifixion moments of interaction between the crucified and the soon-to-be-crucified that are a favourite of mine, and which I've previously illustrated:

View attachment 984599 View attachment 984600 View attachment 984615


You are quite correct, those are Repertor's legs, well, not his actual legs but those he used in his original images of Jasmine, but I extended the stipes to suggest a higher cross.

Greta was indeed lifted from her original by masking, for exactly the reason you suggest - to preserve her srands of hair.

Ms Ray's hand and forearm were strongly backlit by the window so I promoted a leg to hide most of the burned out region. Coward.

The background crowd was subjected to gaussian blur and desaturated to achieve the depth of field effect.




Kind of you both to say so

You are right Wragg, those moments of interaction between the crucified and soon to be crucified are very special, a combination of intimacy and horror at the fate to come. However vulnerable and shamed the naked woman at the foot of the cross may feel, it is only the precursor to something far worse when she mounts that cross and is helplessly pinned and on display. Her tender acknowledgement of the already crucified victim is the only touch of humanity that she will receive, the only companionship a shared suffering beyond measure.

I admit that when I first saw your post I wondered what she was intending to do with that minute, and the hand on the other's thigh

I still have to try out this masking to capture hair, I don't know what the technique would be with PSP, but it does give a much better effect that simply cutting out.

 

[bobinder]

You may be aware that I am a student of the Lovely Ladies Thread, and on March 13th @elephas posted this image of a lady I'd never heard of called Greta Ray:



She has what I think @Apostate might call a 'righteous ass'

The expression on her face, and the way she has her hand resting on the pillar spoke to me of those pre-crucifixion moments of interaction between the crucified and the soon-to-be-crucified that are a favourite of mine, and which I've previously illustrated:



You are quite correct, those are Repertor's legs, well, not his actual legs but those he used in his original images of Jasmine, but I extended the stipes to suggest a higher cross.

Greta was indeed lifted from her original by masking, for exactly the reason you suggest - to preserve her srands of hair.

Ms Ray's hand and forearm were strongly backlit by the window so I promoted a leg to hide most of the burned out region. Coward.

The background crowd was subjected to gaussian blur and desaturated to achieve the depth of field effect.

Many thanks for enlightening us. Nice work!

 

[Jollyrei]

She has what I think @Apostate might call a 'righteous ass'

Whatever Apostate says, she does have a very nice bottom. No disputing that.

 

[messaline]

Could this be Emilia Clarke, saying farewell to her friend, presumably before sharing the same fate in the arena?

She might also be a composite figure, although I cannot deny the possibility of Ms Clarke posing for such a tasteful nude.

She certainly not is Emilia Clarke , viewing that I'm her girl'friend and not at all crucified in the arena ...

 

[bobinder]

She certainly not is Emilia Clarke , viewing that I'm her girl'friend and not at all crucified in the arena ...

Good colour balance and complimentary posing between the figures.
The golden lighting is very attractive, and this looks like another successful blend of photographic and 3D elements.
I am sorry to see that dA no longer appreciates your manips, but it is always a pleasure to find them on CF. Nice work, Messa!

 

[Jollyrei]

Inspired by the images of early 20th century model and film actress, Ethel Warwick, I composed a black and white fantasy manip, in which our young heroine, out on a somewhat mythical nature walk makes a surprise discovery. I tried to capture the feel of an early fantasy photograph.

The manip has 3 main elements with about 12 filter and shadow layers to blend lighting and texture.

 

[messaline]

... I tried to capture the feel of an early fantasy photograph...

And you did !!! Bravo !

 

[bobinder]

The manip has 3 main elements with about 12 filter and shadow layers to blend lighting and texture.

This interesting composition has the feel of a carefully posed, retro-styled piece. The blending of such diverse components presents some challenges in terms of image quality. These have been resolved quite successfully, and the use of multiple filter layers is very subtle.

The shallow depth of field makes for an atmospheric scene which looks expressive, original and attractive. The reflection of the poses between the two characters, both with arms raised, leads us to speculate on how events will develop from here. Nice work, Jolly!

 

[Wragg]

Inspired by the images of early 20th century model and film actress, Ethel Warwick, I composed a black and white fantasy manip, in which our young heroine, out on a somewhat mythical nature walk makes a surprise discovery. I tried to capture the feel of an early fantasy photograph.

The manip has 3 main elements with about 12 filter and shadow layers to blend lighting and texture.
View attachment 987786

"Aha! So you're the famous Barb? I've heard so much about you, but seeing is believing!

"Oh, sorry, no, you can't shake hands, can you? Silly me!"

Fabulous image, Jollyrei!

 

[Wragg]

In celebration of Jollyrei's birhday (how old is the Angel of Death? 20,000 years?), we find Valerie marooned on a doomed planet. Who ever let Barb calculate orbital trajectories we'll never know.



Happily Jollyrei speeds along to take her to a better place!

Happy Birthday, Jollyrei!