This issue is about Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its use in art. It seems like everyone hates AI. They say things like: it's not original, it's going to make artists obsolete, or it's going to steal artwork and the original artist won't get paid. To me, AI is a tool that can add chance into digital art.
When I draw with pastels or charcoal, I pour water on the paper and melt the charcoal in it, pushing the water with the velvety blackness until it's gone. Then I react to this unexpected shape. Then I'll repeat the process until I say, "Oh!"
AI is like pouring water on the paper. With Second Life photography, I set everything up first. I might use a single photograph and look at Windlights until I say, "Oh!" I might do a collage with different aspects on different layers. I might think, "the ice isn't shiny enough." Usually I'll look at a tutorial and find out how to make shiny ice. I tried that today, but it didn't work very well. On a whim, I asked the PhotoShop AI to make the ice shiny. Sometimes it does what I want. Sometimes it does something that doesn't work at all. Today it spilled water and made me say, "Oh!"
My idea was to have a woman skating in this wonderful new Winter outfit from Web Dew. The outfit comes in various configurations, with add on texture packs. The sweater can be worn out or tucked in, and the pants have a cute belt. All the textures can be changed and modified. Skating seemed like a good way to show off the outfit, so I went to Rainwater Pond, a build made by Nyree Rain, who also makes clothes and accessories for her store, Rainy Fey Creations. I took a lot of photos, and this one was my favorite:
