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Photomanipulation Contest: Rebirth and RenewalWelcome to the latest community competition for Photomanipulation!
This is the official kick-off blog for the latest, greatest EXTREME PHOTOMANIPULATION CONTEST here on dA! The contest is backed by #communityrelations with HUGE prizes and hosted by #CRPhotomanipulation. This journal describes the rules for the contest. Please read it carefully.
What we mean by "Extreme" photomanipulation
You should reach beyond your comfort zone and create a deviation that is bold, unique, and better than you thought you could create. Try something new. Break the mold. You've got this!
We have HUGE prizes. So, we are expecting HUGE results.
Theme: Rebirth and Renewal
Our theme, Rebirth and Renewal, was suggested by administrators of #CRPhotomanipulation. You are hereby challenged to create a photomanipulation that shows rebirth and/or renewal. For example, it could sh

A Contest For Halloween!NEWS
Here we are at the beginning of our final contest of the year! I hope you like the way I've set up the contest, and I think I've chosen some really good stock for you to choose from.

IMPORTANT!! I will not be adding any new members this month to keep this contest strictly for our current members. So PLEASE do not post about this contest in your journals or at other groups. Membership request will be turned off.

I know that some of you, for one reason or another will not participate in this contest. This contest will be a little on the "dark" side, so if you want to take a break for this one, understandable..
However, there will be a challenge here and other challenges/contests for PhotoManipulatio Month that run simultaneously with our Halloween contest, and you may want to get involved in those. So keep checking back for information on those extra ways to particip

The Anti-Cliche ChallengeDo you see the same stock being used over and over? Do you find that you do the same theme and technique over and over?
No matter how you see a cliche (with the same stock, or continuous style), in the long run, such images can become trite from being overly used. Not that it's a bad thing to have your own particular "style" because it does make it easy to identify your deviations. Still some photomanipulators do change their style and technique now and then to give their gallery a fresh look.
For me, the stock below are examples of stock that have been overly used. Editing or using them in a completely different way would "break" the cliche.

What would you do in an Anti-Cliche deviation?
Would you take overly used theme stock and place them in a different environment and edit them to look completely different?
Or, would you take the same theme stock

Spring Feature - Week Four: Member's WorksHi again, welcome to the last installment of our spring feature. This also means I've been doing this feature for a month now. Wow, it doesn't seem that long to me. I hope you have had a better week than I have. I feel like I've been moving from doctor's appointment to doctor's appointment. Don't worry about me too much though, I'm not going anywhere

Anyway this week I've decided to round out the month of spring features with selections for our members'/stock affiliates' galleries.
We have a new challenge called "New Lands." It's about perspective in scenes. Information can be found HERE. The entries we have so far are all amazing.
Stock Images

:thum

Affiliate stock feature #37Welcome to our Affiliate stock feature which shows you a selection of the January updates from our affiliates. There is something for every taste and purpose, so enjoy looking at it, faving it, and using it. Remember, this is just a selection of the stock in their galleries, so if you don't see what you need hop over to have a closer look at the entire galleries.
Make sure you follow the rules of each individual stock provider!
Before I continue here is a reminder of our current challenge "Celebrating Romance" - there are quite a number of entries already, all are lovely. Details can be found here: http://manipulatethis.deviantart.com/journal/New-Challenge-Celebrating-Romance-351076884
Now for our affiliates!
:iconCathleenTarawhiti: =CathleenTarawhiti

:iconcazcastalla: *cazcastalla

:iconCelticStrm-Stock: =CelticStrm-Stock

:iconelandri

"Story Book" Challenge!FIRST, IMPORTANT GROUP NEWS--PLEASE READ
I've been informed that some of you are changing the level you participate under from one challenge to another. That is, you're suppose to be a level 3 according to your skills that you've shown, but you'll participate for one challenge as a level 4. Then the next challenge you'll return to level 3. The same happens between level 3 and level 2.
This is a big "no, no"! We're in levels for 2 reasons: 1) So that you are not participating with deviants who have more skills and better concepts then you do; and, 2) You're not participating with deviants who you are more skilled then and can easily out shine.
It's just not fair to keep changing your level a round according to how you feel about a particular challenge deviation. If it was that way, I would be changing my level from week to week as well. Not all of my deviations get picked as a winning image, not all of them do I feel good about, and it may be the same with you. But changing your s

Our December Challenge!NEWS
If you haven't seen the great entries for the "Beautiful Autumn" challenge, don't hesitate to go HERE to view them.
Okay, folks. This new challenge is a Winter theme. Easy? Yes, but do pay close attention to the following details and the expectations. Also, this is really a "long" challenge, or mini-contest, so winners will receive a large prize pack, includes stock packs and points) then what we usually offer for the average 2-week challenge.
So, don't be shy. Go for it! You can never win if you don't participate!

Our New Challenge
Our new challenge is called "Winter Wonderland", and it features pre-made background stocks by our members =RebeccaLongArt, =PatriciaRodelaArtist, *robhas1left, and =SweediesArt. These are backgrounds that we made for a challenge last December.

Here are three examples. They may or may no

Affiliate stock feature #39Welcome to our Affiliate stock feature where we show you a selection of last month uploads from our affiliates.
It has been an exciting month for our model stock artists, as you will see at their stock. Overall I think there is a wide choice for all your artistic needs, so I suggest to get your imagination caps on and go create! However, if you don't see the exact thing you're looking for, I suggest to pay a visit at the galleries of the stock artists, to have a more specific look at their offers.
And as always: Follow the rules of each individual stock provider.
In case you missed it, we started a new challenge, the theme is travel, and with the surrealism and textures involved I think it will be a lot of fun! Details can be found here: http://my.deviantart.com/art/Travel-Is-Our-Current-Challenge-364295433
And now we are ready for the stock features, look and enjoy

:iconCathleenTarawhiti: =CathleenTarawhiti

:thumb35848003

Show your Creativity - Contest Openall the informations here

"Seeing Double" Challenge Info!NEWS
If you missed the first part of this challenge, it's very important that you read it, especially if you're a new member.
You can find it here: Read First Before You Begin The Next Challenge.
Our New Challenge
Our new challenge is one that we've done a couple of times in the past years. It's called "Seeing Double" because you're using two different poses of the same model or animal stock. Yes, I try to have more variety for you in this challenge. All of these stock are from our affiliates, ~astrals-stock, ~EquineStockImagery, =CathleenTarawhiti, and ^Elandria.

Basically, you're going to use two stocks of the same model by the same stock provider and put them together in an interesting scene or design. Yes, this time around I'll accept anything, include surrealism, realism and abstract, or a mixture of styles...anything

"Box Of Pandora"--New Challenge!NEWS
So proud of all of you who participated in the "Full Body Portrait". I hope that more of you will participate in the new challenge.

I want to also mention the poll of upcoming themes for our challenges. We will do each theme during the next six months in the order of the poll (unless I moved something around for the season). Then I'll have to come up with something Wintery for December/January and that's when I'll put up another poll for more challenges.
I like taking ideas for "practical" challenges; that is, ones with stock that I can use. It's even a good idea to show me the stock. I prefer to get such notes here at the group, but you can also write me a note to my art account.
Our Next challenges are in this order:
1. Pandora's Box (using =charligal-stock):
2. 7 Deadly Sims
3. Summer Fun (using 3D stock)
4. Apocalypse
5. Old West
6. Theme Tarot Cards
7. Seeing Double
8. Autumn Landscape (poll will decide final landscapes)
9. Halloween Contest (must

Fire and Ice Contest - For MAJOR PrizesContest Theme

The theme of the contest, as you can see, is Fire and Ice, or more specifically because this is a winged contest: Angel of Fire; Angel of Ice;
You may participate in this contest in one of the following themes:

Theme of Fire
Create an angel of fire using photomanipulation.

Theme of Ice
Create an angel of ice using photomanipulation

Theme of Fire an Ice
Create two complimentary images one for fire and one for ice.
OR Create a single image depicting both an angel of fire and an angel of ice.
Contest Begins: September 17, 2012
Contest Ends: December 15, 2012
Enter by commenting on this journal with a clickable link to your entry
Contest Rules
Any image not meeting these will be disqualified without notice.
1. Your entry must contain one set of my wings,

New Challenge-It's Portrait Time!NEWS
First, I want to thank everyone who gave me ideas for future challenges, including some links to some really cool stock. Right now I have a poll up with ten themes that either came from the advice I got from the previous poll, or my own ideas.

If you haven't voted for your favorite theme, please go to the HOME page and do so.
And if you don't mind, I really need to get more votes for "Apocalypse", "Theme Tarot and Playing Cards", the "Old West", "3D Summer Fun", and "Seeing Double". These themes are very close in the poll or are tied with another, so I need to get more votes for them. Just choose your favorite from those five. Will you do that for me?
We will do every theme in the poll unless there isn't any interest in one. The order of their popularity will determine which order we'll do each theme. So it's very important to vote.
I'll have the poll up for a while, so please VOTE!
Our New Challenge
Our new challenge is

"The Apocalypse" Challenge!NEWS
Well, we got through another tough challenge. Some of you really made it work, so you should be very proud of yourself.
We have a lot of new members, and I hope they decide to participate in this new challenge. After all, isn't this the reason why you joined this particular group. It's the glory to enter a challenge, but it's the recondition and the prize that you're going after, right? And why not? You never know if you're going to become a pick for the week if you don't try. So create a magnificent scene and not only will you earn the glory for finishing the challenge, but the prize if you get a Pick of the Week. And that's all worth going after, agree?
Our New Challenge
Our new challenge is called, "The Apocalypse". We've done this theme two different ways, once during an apocalypse, and one after the apocalypse.
This time I'm giving you a choice on which way you want to illustrate the scene; 1) the apocalypse ishappening now, OR 2) th

Fantastic Stock and Where to find it - Feature 19I’ve been making a collection of some of the brilliant stock artists
works that I have come across. It started off as stock I can’t provide
myself so I look for other peoples so I can suggest them. The way I
choose is quite odd, when I see a stock image I have an instant image in
my head of what I could do or create out of that piece of stock. The
image also has to be crystal clear and easily altered.
Anyway, Check them out, I’m sure you’ll agree, just click on their deviation.

Architecture Int & Ex :

:thumb31

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One Stock Picks Of The Week!

Journal Entry: Fri Jan 18, 2013, 8:32 AM

NEWS

It's time for our Picks Of The Week for the "One Stock" challenge!

Before we get to the picks, I want to review something with those of you who want to participate in the Fairy In Winter challenge. This is a "realistic scene" challenge. It is not a design nor is it fantasy. It's as if fairies are real, but there shouldn't be any "magic" attached to them.

I've had to decline more than one deviation because the member did not read the expectations clearly. It's simple: Winter environment; fairy in the Winter environment; no magic or anything fantasy like.

Got it?

I've been busy working on a deviation for another contest and some mixed media art and wasn't planning on creating my challenge entry yet. But I will stop what I'm doing and create a "Fairy In Winter" deviation so that you can see what I mean. It'll be quick and will not be my official entry, but it should help those of you who are struggling with an idea know which direction to go.

Back to our One Stock challenge picks!

Our prizes for this challenge are from and `WDWParksGal and myself. We'll contact the winners as soon as we can.

All challenge winners are invited to submit any deviation from their gallery to the group for me to feature with the winning "Picks". Please include the words "Member's Choice at #ManipulateThis" for me to identify it as a deviation for the group.

PLEASE
READ

At #ManipulateThis we learn from each other, so do pay attention to the comments that we make about the winning entries. In addition, if you notice the same members winning more than once, pay attention to what they're doing. Learning also involves emulating what you see.

All of you should be proud of yourself for meeting the challenge! However, if you were not a pick this week, and you want to know why, or you'd like a full critique, please send a note to the group and the judges and I will be happy to respond.

Now For Our Picks Of The Week

One of our judges made this general statement about this challenge entries that I want to post here for all to read:
"I want to start out by saying there were so many outstanding entries in this challenge I was quite impressed. It was a difficult choice to come up the picks, as I found the entries interesting, detailed and quite different from one another, albeit a single required stock was used. Bravo to the members!"

LEVEL 2

"Run free" by *Wimmeke63
"This manipulation showed the best adaptation of the required stock horse. Lighting, blurring, and grounding of images is excellent. Well done."

"Wish For Wings" by ~GhostsandDecay
"Another sunset scene! The blending of your background images is wonderful, and I can see you've made attempts to ground your main subject. Overall this image is very pleasing to the eye and executed well."

"Secret Immortality" by =MaidenStar
"I LOVE that the reflection has wings. The only thing that stopped this from placing higher, is that the image isn't grounded (No hoof prints, etc). But the concept is wonderfully executed."

LEVEL 3

" leclaireurby" by =roserika
"Wonderful colors caught my eye first thing. With a little more attention to details and this could have been a level 4.'

"The Irish Dullahan" by ~Akira-Miyashi
"Great job on creating a nice crisp darker image. Could have toned the horses eye down a few notches but still a great job."

" Free" by *Nolamom3507
"Since it is Winter this image is portraying a wonderful scene. I think you did a nice job and I like everything down to the grass placement."

LEVEL 4

"The Rebirth of Pegasus" by ~BloodMoonEquinox
"Just.... wow.... the entire concept is intriguing, with the way the Pegasus fits into the "big dipper" as he is galloping his way across star-filled space. The planets, the nebulae, the stars all fit together for a background fitting of a magnificent animal."

"Times Past" by =StormOwlArt
"I do adore monochromatic art, and this is just stylish enough to nearly be a scene instead of a design; dark, a bit creepy and very mysterious, this image is full of details that keep the eye busy. Just wish the download was working in order to see a larger image. Still, it is quite breathtaking!"

"Ahead of the Storm" by *robhas1left
"When I first looked at this I could literally hear the stampede in my head, as if the animals were headed straight towards me! The details are numerous, right down to the sandy-dirt kicked up by the galloping hooves. The lightning has obviously made the horses skittish and they are getting to safety as quickly as possible!"

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One Stock Picks Of The Week!by #ManipulateThis

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~BloodMoonEquinox Jan 24, 2013 Student General Artist

Congratulations, everyone!

*Maneku Jan 20, 2013

Congratulations to the featured artists. There were numerous submissions and each one was magnificent. It must have been hard for the judges this time around.

Carolyn S

~Akira-Miyashi Jan 20, 2013

YAY!!! Finally my entry made it!

Thanks!!!!

=thefantasim Jan 20, 2013 Digital Artist

I'm happy for you!

*Wimmeke63 Jan 19, 2013

Thank you very much ,since i am member of the group a have learn many things,it's not always easy but i learn. I will congrat the other winners to and all the other members to bring lot's of beautiful creations. Thanks again.

=MaidenStar Jan 18, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

"I LOVE that the reflection has wings. The only thing that stopped this from placing higher, is that the image isn't grounded (No hoof prints, etc). But the concept is wonderfully executed."

Thank you! Oh, and I added the hoofprints on the second version on my piece.