Favorite Quote:
“Señor de 202, Life…is not easy”
Favorite Movie:
The Year of the Dragon
Favorite Book:
Anthem (circa 1938)
Favorite Bands:
Favorite Songs:
Favorite Photoshop Tool:
Pen.
How did you get your PSC nickname?
For years the defacto standard RGBs computer interface was a model 202. When I signed up for this site, there was one installed near my desk. I just used that.
What is your real name and age?
Michael, 30 something.
Where are you from and what do you like best about being there?
I'm from Montana, the Big Sky State...born and raised. It's big, beautiful, full of natural wonders and wildlife...and it snows 6-9 months a year. Thankfully the US is a pretty big place and through the miracle of Oil and a large, late model farm truck, I was able to relocate to the new-old south.
What do you do to keep the bills paid?
I produce Multi-Media content for a Pediatric Hospital. This involves shooting video, editing, creating graphics, mastering and streaming.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy restoration of just about anything old. I'm currently rebuilding a vacuum tube radio manufactured in 1949.
How did you find PSC, and what do you like most about the site?
Frogstik (a co-worker and a not too frequent member of this site) was the resident web surfer where I work, he stumbled across PSC. This of course was back in the day where time was as critical as skill...and dark humor was common. I would log in everyday and wait for all the images to load (That's how it used to work) then I would laugh my ass off...It was great!
If you could change one thing at PSC, what would it be and why?
I would remove the Depth of Field entry from the Tutorial page. It is a complete fraud.
Is there any other information about you would like to pass on?
Archibald Leach, Bernard Schwartz and Lucille LeSueur have never been in my kitchen.
How many hours per week do you spend on PSC?
Actually not that many. I try to sign on in the mornings, delete any spam that crops up, review the daily images and see what's next on advantage. I used to follow the chat and forums a little more closely but work has become very demanding. But when I do have time to visit the site, I truly enjoy it.
What other sites, not Photoshop related, do you like to surf?
Some of my favorite sites are news and tech. digg, slashdot, tomshardware, dv, creativecow...they are all great. When I was growing up it seemed like my parents were always reading...books, magazines, newspapers etc. I guess I do the same thing except I read web sites.
What tools do you use to chop?
Photoshop is always my means to assemble and finish a composition but I tend to use other programs as well. 3D Studio Max is a great way to put an image into perspective and create basic elements. I also use AutoCad to create 2D geometric shapes. And just about everything I do makes a final stop in a program called Combustion. It's a 3D space compositing and animation program but I use it almost exclusively for color correction.
What gets your creative juices flowing, how do you create a masterpiece?
Quiet time.
What inspires you?
Viewing other peoples work. I really enjoy looking through everyones portfolio. I especially like the new sort feature. You get a chance to see how each individual ranks their own art, it's very interesting.
Do you have a system? Does a chop have to be done a certain way following steps or are you a messy chopper and just go with the flow?
What style of chop do you prefer to create?
I guess it depends on how you define style. When I open a contest or tournament image and know who the author is just by looking at it, I would say that person has a distinct, established style.
Filters, brushes and techniques: Which do you use, and not use, and why?
When do you know that you have it just right, or is it constant changes up until, or after, you post?
What is the limit to what you will chop?
Are there any tips and/or tricks that you would like to pass along to less experienced choppers?
What is your favorite type of source image, and why?
Geometric objects and simple themes are my favorite to work on.
There is often talk about how the source is used and to what extent it should be. What are your views on all sources, outside source use and animations?
6.2% is the Minimum.
What is your preferred resource for outside source images?
Advertising books. You don't see them as often anymore but they are still my favorite. Unlike a stock index site, I can browse page after page with out looking for anything specific.
In your opinion what makes a good chop?
Idea AND skill.
Do you have a system to get things started?
I ask Nancers to do it for money
Have you ever completed a chop and then decided not to enter it in the contest? If so, why?
Yes, at least 30 times.
After you finish your chop do you just post it or seek opinions of family and/or fellow choppers first?
If some one finds a fault in your work do you change it or stay with what you posted?
Stay the course, FUCK them!
What qualities do you look for when deciding to vote on a chop?
Idea and skill.
Some member prefer not to vote for filtered chops or animations. Is there any particular style/type of chop you won't vote for?
NO
Time is always a factor, how much time do you spend on a chop and how much time is too much?
3 hours and anything beyond that.
We all love to get votes. Now are you a constant vote checker or do you just let it go and check once a day? (be honest)
Getting a vote is like having hundreds of tiny fingers gently massage your brain.
What chop of yours did not do as well as you expected?
What do you consider your best chop so far?
What do you consider your worst chop so far?
Who is your favorite chopper out there and why?
What do you NOT like to see in a chop, and why not?
Text, dissertations, diatribes…and “All Source”. Next to the nauseating slang term “CHOP”, “All Source” is probably one of the most ridiculous trends to ever worm its way into PSC.
Don’t get me wrong, I like images that were created exclusively from the original photograph and Photoshop, but to me, such a work has no greater or lesser value than any other creative method.
What is the best chop of all time?
Easy....
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/48557/display.html
Do you have any other PSC related comments to add?
Recently I was on a Southern Caribbean Cruise and while ordering a Mohito, I was told there were no mint sprigs aboard ship. As you may know, mint leaves are essential to the Mohito Experience. Upon expressing my disappointment, the steward turned, faced me and said “Señor de 202, Life…is not easy”
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