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dA has reworked a new critique system and it is now live I believe. FAQ #95: What is the Critique Feature and how do I use it? I offer up my l33t critique skills to anyone who wants a crit exchange. Most of my deviations are up for crit, so just choose one. I'll do the same for you. I think this is one of dA's best ideas ever!

It's not often that I do this, but every now and then I look for some model stock that I can abuse in the worst ways. The gist of it is, I do an awful LOT of editing and restoring as a business. More, in fact, than I shoot model photography. I have run out of images to use as examples of the a fore mentioned editing and restoring. This is a LOT more minimal that photo-manipulation, which is why I am asking for volunteers. It would be extremely presumptuous of me to just nab stock and use it for the purpose of what amounts to advertising... Whether or not I give credit... It just doesn't feel right. If you feel like you might have some images to offer, I am looking for all different kinds of model stock, both full figure and portrait. You can send me a note with a specific image thumb or if you have several you would be willing to let me choose from, I would be eternally grateful. It doesn't have to be amazing stock, for this purpose, I like a challenge. So feel free to send me crap too, as long as it is IN FOCUS. Also, just so you know, the image will be presented in this exact fashion.

[link]

A link to your stock account will also be provided in the comments section of the image itself, both on MySpace and dA. Also, anyone donating stock will be perma-added to the supporters section of my Front Page Journal....This will remain there for as long as I remain at dA.

Just one of the fun kids' designs you can find in my Shoppe. Click the picture to visit and browse my shoppe for gifts of all sorts.

My Club - *Oregon-Artists
Affiliate Clubs - *HDR-Club ~macrophoto *Ex-po-zure =sunsets =Apophysis =Enchantedforest *PsychedelicTreasures *Scapes-club

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In the last few days I have come across a new type of internet troll. I have dubbed this type the "Vigilante Troll." dAS is ridden with this kind of animal, and for good reason. Vigilante Trolls are addicted to drama. They need it to thrive and dAS is the perfect place to find it. dAS is crawling with people who's comments are less than sunshine and flowers. I myself have made many a comment based in tough love. Only now a days, if you say ANYTHING that could be construed as even slightly negative, this band of Vigilante Trolls will come to the rescue of the Secret Teller. * Even though the Secret Tellers can come to their own defense if they want via the DAS Secret Teller Account. * These trolls are vicious and nasty and will "eat you for breakfast." They will write journals about you and call you names like school children. All in the name of defending the weak. The Vigilante Troll will only back down when confronted with something they can not argue with. In my experience, once you prove to them that they are wrong, they are quick to throw in the towel. HOWEVER... The Vigilante Troll is incapable of admitting that he/she is wrong, so instead, they feign boredom, frustration, or disinterest in the conversation at hand. When backed into a corner by solid fact and reason, the Vigilante Troll is no more difficult than your average flopsy bunny. My most recent experience with a Vigilante Troll was quite amusing. At first, it appeared to be just another run in with someone having a bad day, but it wasn't long before I realized what I was up against. Vigilante Trolls are notorious for their temper and inability to read the English language and take it at face value. These VTs are selective readers at their best. Only inferring what they want from the text and ignoring the parts that disprove their theories. In order to douse the rage of a VT, you need only confront them with irrefutable logic and fact. As my encounter progressed, it became clear that no amount of reason was going to get through. At this point, one may have to point out the flaws in the VT's argument in an obvious manner. I suggest using small words, as if you were speaking to a small child. They seem to have a language similar to that of toddlers. No matter what actions you take or what you use to discourage the VT, you must always be aware of the repercussions of ANY kind of encounter with them. They tend to become very hostile and will often, as is the case with my most recent sighting, rant and rave about you in journal or blog format. They will use childish, meaningless threats and even, on occasion, resort to calling you a brat *or worse* and accusing you of having a lack of courage, or, often in their words, "guts." They tend to believe that theirs is the ONLY right opinion and that anyone who opposes is automatically a vermin and must be crushed like a bug. VTs are very closed minded and have an impressive knack for oversight and intolerance. They refuse to accept any sort of critique no matter how constructive or insightful. They almost always confuse thought provoking conversation for an attack and will react without regard to the facts. If you ever encounter at VT, I highly suggest you avoid contact. Not only are they a complete waste of time and energy, but they incredibly naive and ignorant. You just can not reason with the Vigilante Troll.

I wish you all many happy VT free days. Be careful when surfing the nterwebz though, Flaming Trolls and VTs are everywhere.

*huggles*

Just one of the fun kids' designs you can find in my Shoppe. Click the picture to visit and browse my shoppe for gifts of all sorts.

My Club - *Oregon-Artists
Affiliate Clubs - *HDR-Club ~macrophoto *Ex-po-zure =sunsets =Apophysis =Enchantedforest *PsychedelicTreasures *Scapes-club

***NOTE*** If you respond to this, be prepared for a long drawn out conversation. Know that I will respond with fervor and gusto. If at some point you resort to flaming me, you will be blocked, I have a zero tolerance policy for immature behavior.


I comment on secrets because sometimes people read the comments, be it the Secret Tellers or just the people who stop by and read the secrets. DAS is nothing more than a tool, a means to an end for some. The catalyst through which to receive advice and sometimes comfort or validation. DAS itself is not the important part, it is the STs and those who read and respond to their secrets that have the true power to make a difference. The fact that DAS has so many rules, makes it hard to believe that they are actually trying to help people. Then again, with or without DAS, people will find a way to satisfy their communicative needs. The cause to affect change is a great one that many people try to take on. Most get in over their heads and have to create boundaries in order to survive. In the end, there will always be people who slip through the cracks. One day, some troubled person's secret cry for help will get denied on a technicality, and that will be the final thing that validates their self loathing and pushes them over the edge. It is inevitable, and it is life. It is neither acceptable, nor is it avoidable.

People are always going on the defensive, trying to defend a ST or defend DAS... Really, in the end, it is pointless. Humanity will always be the sliver in it's own toe that causes infection and ultimately, death. I've been known to speak my mind and I don't tend to sugar coat things. Trying to make something more palatable with a little dose of sunshine is NOT going to help anyone in the long run. So I am going to say this the only way I know how.

DAS, some of your rules are just plain ridiculous. How do you get off telling someone what their secret can and cannot contain or how long or short it has to be? I get that there are rules and policies at dA that must be followed and adhered to... but rejecting a secret because it is too long or too complicated... that is not your choice to make. It is not your job to decide what people should and and shouldn't read. People will choose that on their own. You claim that these rules are in place so that each secret gets the attention it deserves, but in reality, the secrets you reject get no attention at all. If DAS truly is there to help the Secret Tellers, then size and content do not matter. If only one person reads a secret because it is very long or complicated, then so be it. DAS is supposedly meant to be a "release, a way for Secret Tellers to share their feelings in a safe and anonymous way." *Quoted from a note I received from DAS about a year ago.* Well, I'm calling you on it. It is a load of crap. If that was truly what you were trying to do, your rules would NOT read... *and I quote* "...and in English. We cannot accept non English secrets with an English translation in the artists comments. Secrets should be short and to the point - we do not need to know everything that led up to the secret, or what happened after. Just the secret itself. On very rare occasions, DAS may submit longer secrets if DAS thinks it necessary. If your secret is too long you will get an email telling you it has been rejected." who are you to tell people what they do and do not need to share with someone? Who are you to tell people what they are and are not allowed to get off their chests? Who died and made you ruler of all things personal and secret? Get off your proverbial high horse. You aren't helping anyone by policing what they get to share and what they don't.