Apps for your Art

Until a month ago, I had never been able to get my hands on Apps for the iPod, iPhone, Android phones, etc. Of course, I'd heard of them, and of course I was jealous of all the things that people continued to brag about. I needed something like that. Well, I suppose 'needed' was a strong word, but it would certainly make my life easier, wouldn't it? It was certainly worth a shot.

So, with all my money saved up, I bought myself a nifty little iPod Touch, 8g, 4th generation, right at 200$. I was lucky to get it just when the price had dropped. I believe my timing was absolutely perfect. And oh god, do I love that little thing :) 

(Without cover, how it looked straight out of the box)

It has already earned my money, and more. Maybe this is a strong statement, but I fully believe it was worth it. :) It's sleek, and pretty. Though, I am well aware that it is...a fragile device. I have heard and known of people who have dropped and cracked their screen, like a massive spiderweb across the glass. You know who you are. <3 So, without hesitation, I bought myself a cheap (temporary) case for it, until I can afford something more sturdy.

(With cover, and my custom Joker background. <3 )

Needless to say, the second I had the thing booted up, I began searching for (free) apps. Apps for fun, Apps that could be put to good use, and, of course, Apps that can be used for my art. I've come across a few nifty things. Things that I believe other people might find entertaining, or just plain, well...useful. And Free. I must emphasize the free. As I am a very stereotypical starving artist, paying for things like this, is well, simply not in the cards. Unfortunately, I have to be very careful with whatever money I happen to have.

By now, I only a small collection of little handy applications that I have come across. Nevertheless, I believe someone out there would find them useful. And if not...well, it's fun to write about :) And I need more blog posts.

The first application I downloaded for myself was one that I came across long before I was even able to afford this iPod. I first came across the website and I have long found it useful when I am stuck in a tight spot when I face a blank sketchbook page. The website, www.posemaniacs.com has helped me out on more than one occasion. I highly suggest you take a look at it if you are an Illustrator like myself, or would just like a little reference. They have a massive database of poses for female, male, adult, and children. Headshots, hand references, etc. And it's all organized at the sidebar for you to see for yourself. It's surprisingly easily to navigate throughout it.

It was to my great delight that I discovered they had an application. :) A mobile version for this website and database. Granted, you cannot navigate it as easily, nor can you search for a particular pose, but they will completely randomize a pose for you to pick from. This makes for helpful practice if you ever find yourself in a pinch. Appropriately, the app is called 'Random Pose' and can be found in the Apple Store, or you can follow this link Here!

Now the next app I did not come across on my own, though, I believe that photographers will find this one highly useful.

I take a Photography I class at Memphis College of Art. Now, mind you, this is not my concentration, but I thought this would be a fun class to take and learn from, or even help me in my Illustrations. We develop the film ourselves and develop the prints. This isn't a digital camera sort of class. We're going back to the basics with black and white photography.

And I'm going to be honest.

It was beyond frustrating when every roll of film I tried to develop turned out overexposed.

I struggled and struggled to try and salvage at least a few frames, but this was a difficult task. Especially when I was still not entirely certain how to handle my camera. Eventually, however, my Professor revealed a helpful application to me that I was finally able to put to good use with my photography. It is a light meter for my iPod. A light meter to measure the amount of light in the shot, and, according to the measurements, will tell me what settings to put my camera on so that I can avoid overexposing my film.

...I wish I had known of this thing months ago.

If any of you want to avoid the frustration I had, I beg of you...just go HERE so that you don't cry a little on the inside when your entire roll of film (and hard work) goes to waste. 

Okay, so I may have mentioned that I'm an Illustrator on more than one occasion, so I find this ironic that there are more apps in this blog referring to Photography than ones for drawing. Nevertheless, I found this one fun and exciting! And could not help but share, anyway. :)

I'll start by saying I...enjoy taking new photos of myself for my Facebook page. I am conceited. Very much so, but I find great joy in doing it. It gives me a confidence boost and makes a little more optimistic of how I hold myself up :) I think for an amateur photographer this would be a handy app. The same could be said for any person that continues Photography a hobby of theirs.

The application is called Instagram <--- Find it here! 

The app allows you to point and shoot and then add convincing effects and modifications to it, in order to find tune the image that is something at least a little bit prettier, and fine tuned. It comes with a massive amount of effects that can be used: Early Bird, Amaro, Inkwell, Kelvin, etc.

Below are a series of Before and After shots, taken with my iPod camera.

^ All of the above were taken with the Amaro edit. :) One of my favorites, in addition to Rise and Early Bird. 

While we're on the subject, iPods have a surprisingly good quality camera for a little device. :) I suppose that should be expected for a 200$ device. Now, back to the app. :) Once you have your picture all edited and pretty, you have the option of uploading it to FB or sharing it on the Instagram app with other Instagram users. Nifty, huh? I suggest taking a look around at other people's photography on there (all of which were photographed with their phone/ipod/etc.)... They're all surprisingly impressive.  

Currently, these are all the apps that I currently I have in regards to my art, but I am anxious to find more than might come in handy! :) I highly enjoy my iPod and find that it was a great investment. <3

Now to take more pictures... <3

Nude Art: The Good and Bad

I've recently come across an interesting article on Deviantart. We all know Deviantart, don't we? I find that most Art Students know what I'm talking about. If not, well, it isn't too difficult to type in Deviantart.com, now is it? :)

Nevertheless, the article (found here: http://hq.deviantart.com/blog/45688181/?utm_source=elnino&utm_medium=messagecenter&utm_campaign=110111_NET_Nudes&utm_term=title )

It adresses an interesting matter that has been going on for ages when it comes to nudity in not only photography but all forms of art. Is it good or is it bad? Is there a line??? The article addresses a number of things, from both angles. Firstly, it states that the nude form is an art in itself and is something we can all relate to. At its core, it is what makes us human. It is what attaches all of us together.

"Given the primacy of the body as the beginning of all that we are in life, and given the eye as the primary receiver for the collection of all information in our lives, how could the artistic nude not be a massively represented art form on a global arts forum like deviantART?" 

See, this is an interesting thing to look at and examine, however, there is a fine line between what is pornography and what is art. I believe it depends on the context. There is a difference between a woman's body strewn across a velvet sheet, and a blatant image of a man and a woman's genitals as they act in sexual intercourse. It is not just an act of love anymore, it is a form of erotica. Simply put, it is the context rather than just the image itself. Though, who is to say the artist never had clean intentions for their piece? Who are we to judge what a piece of art means? Though, this is what we, the artist, sign up for. We put our piece - our ART - out in the public for others to judge and perceive with their personal vision. 

Yet, there are also 'bad' intentions. Those in pornography and erotica. That is an entirely different subject, isn't it? 

Who are we to say? What is "empowering" and what is "demeaning" to the human form?

This quote from the article says is best.

"We don’t really know the artist’s intent – And we’re left with our own reaction to the artwork for judging its artistic worth and merit. That’s the problem."

The article left off with several questions for the reader. Questions that I plan to answer with my own personal opinion, and questions I hope that you may wish to answer as well. Whoever "you" may be. Opinion is important. It is what builds up ourselves as individuals, and sets us apart from other people. What I think may not be just what you think, either.

"Do you think there is too much nude subject matter on deviantART or is it a non-issue for you? How much do you think your gender or sexual preferences might influence your answer?"

This one addresses more personally to the website. Nevertheless, I'll answer. I don't think there's "too much". What I think there is "too much" of is people claiming something that is blatantly pornography as art, or clearly show no effort in their work to photograph it. This is evident more in photography than painting/drawing/etc. At least, I seem to think so. When a set of breasts are photographed with a cell phone camera, that is not art. No matter how much you try to defend it. As for gender and sexual preference, this is a sensitive subject. I do believe these heavily influence our opinions on the matter, whether we may want to admit it or not. A male may find no problem with a nude image of a woman, while the females in our society may think otherwise.

When is censorship of art permissible? Where would you draw the line? What rational rule could you offer as a practical guideline?

Censorship in art... now, this is difficult to adress. I don't think you can really censor art, no matter how much you try. It makes this appear like a trick question, actually. No matter how much of an effort you put out, the artist will not censor it just for your personal tastes. I certainly wouldn't.

Have you ever had a work of art you created censored or banned in any way?

None that I am aware of, fortunately.

If an artist really believes in what he or she has created, how should the artist respond to censorship of that art? Have you been made aware of an instance of “art suppression” via the Internet?

Firstly, an artist is always going to believe and defend their work. It is their 'baby', so to speak. Still, they need to be civil about it and respond in a mature manner. This is important in life and the professional world, in any career, whether it be Art or Anthropology. And there have been several instances of art suppression on the internet. Several that I believe were unjustified. It really is unfair that people can't understand that fine line between what is art and what is not. Though, I don't blame them when the line is so fuzzy. It's not our right to judge.

Would you ever suggest to another artist that he or she should tone a work of art down or agree to the censorship of an art object in a specific situation?

Absolutely not! Granted, if the work clearly shows little effort, than yes, I will be offended. If the art is clearly artistic nude, rather than a shoddy webcam photo of your...for a lack of better words...dick, then this is a different scenario. You see, it's such a fine line, but I believe people should embrace artistic nudity. Not pornography. Artistic Nude. I'm intent that these two things are entirely different, and should be treated as such.