Favorite Quote: It would be nice to be sure of anything the way some people are sure of everything.
Favorite Movie: Blade Runner
Favorite Book: Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Diamond
Favorite Bands:
Favorite Songs:
Favorite Photoshop Tool: Don't need no steenking Photoshop.
How did you get your PSC nickname?
I've used Seelcraft for ~35 years to title my fake enterprises. (Sometimes spelled 'Seelcrap' by louts who don't appreciate my true genius).
What is your real name and age?
Doug Seeley, age 70. I'm older than dirt: my grandfather was born in 1874.
Where are you from and what do you like best about being there?
High Bridge, NJ, USA. It's a very rural area; lotsa mountains and streams. But full of Republicans.
What do you do to keep the bills paid?
Pensions nowadays. Used to work as a material scientist (PhD in Chemistry, creating photographic products (printing plates, color proofing) for the Graphic Arts.
What do you do in your spare time?
Cook, chop, wine tasting (NJ, PA, NY, VA).
How did you find PSC, and what do you like most about the site?
I stumbled onto Aliasd's water reflection tut, bookmarked it, and later clicked a link! Oh happy day. I was about to sign up for 1000somethings.
If you could change one thing at PSC, what would it be and why?
Encourage more comments. Maybe make comments optionally anonymous?
Is there any other information about you would like to pass on?
I've been using PS since before it had layers. PS Elements is a dream compared to that!
How many hours per week do you spend on PSC?
Including chopping? Probably 20 hours
What other sites, not Photoshop related, do you like to surf?
Archaeological News, Huffington Post, Daily Kos, Digg.
What tools do you use to chop?
MacBook, Wacom Bamboo tablet, PS Elements.
What gets your creative juices flowing, how do you create a masterpiece?
A good idea. Without a good idea (and I don't get many), chopping is almost a chore.
What inspires you?
A stylish final piece.
A clever use of source.
A quality chop.
A visual story or message.
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?
Usually I have a rough idea that changes as I chop. My favorite chops started with clear ideas, but they are few and far between.
What style of chop do you prefer to create?
All source.
Filters, brushes and techniques: Which do you use, and not use, and why?
I rarely use brushes. I use Liquify, Dodge, and Burn a lot.
When do you know that you have it just right, or is it constant changes up until, or after, you post?
I never think I have it just right. I give up and post. And then sometimes update before the contest opens. And I update based on suggestions with ~20% of my chops.
What is the limit to what you will chop?
I'm not too big on scatological images.
Are there any tips and/or tricks that you would like to pass along to less experienced choppers?
I get a lot of mileage out of Grouping layers. That's what I do instead of using masks.
What is your favorite type of source image, and why?
Objects that I can manipulate.
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?
Animations are fun, but they're not art. However, we vie and vote on cleverness, too, so a rather mundane final pic may be good because of how it was extracted from the source. So that's ok, too.
What is your preferred resource for outside source images?
Google
In your opinion what makes a good chop?
A stylish final piece.
A clever use of source.
A quality chop.
A visual story or message.
Do you have a system to get things started?
If I'm at a total loss, I rotate the image, rotate the luminosity, and/or rotate the hue. But those are desperation moves, for when I don't have an idea.
Have you ever completed a chop and then decided not to enter it in the contest? If so, why?
I've trashed some on the way to completion, when I see it's a lousy idea. If it is completed, I enter it.
After you finish your chop do you just post it or seek opinions of family and/or fellow choppers first?
Just post.
If some one finds a fault in your work do you change it or stay with what you posted?
Usually I change it. This is how I learn, and I want to encourage criticism.
What qualities do you look for when deciding to vote on a chop?
A good final piece.
A clever use of source.
A quality chop.
A visual story or message.
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?
I spend ~4 hours/chop. Longer if it's complicated and I like it. My highest vote-getter was done in ~1 hour, because it was a simple, startling idea (walk light into crystal skull).
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)
I check often during the day. But not in the wee hours (EST time). 8 am always brings surprises.
What chop of yours did not do as well as you expected?
A nylon hot air balloon made to look like a watermelon. A common sight in NJ! A great chop: it got 2 lousy votes! :( http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/137153/watermelon-balloon.html
What do you consider your best chop so far?
Row your boat: a dinghy converted into a schooner.
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/139484/dinghy-dreamer.html
What do you consider your worst chop so far?
Outside the Courts: a street scene made into flowers.
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/136913/court-flowers.html
Who is your favorite chopper out there and why?
ReyRey for detail.
Marcoballistic for persistence.
Anabe for beauty.
What do you NOT like to see in a chop, and why not?
Bad perspective: hurts my eyes.
Scribbling, smearing, excessive use of filters: hides the idea and message.
What is the best chop of all time?
Do you have any other PSC related comments to add?
