Click here to see the raw shot of this image.

Recently a lot of you have switched over to using Exodus Viewer and have been contacting me about a few things that you guys are all having problems with. I figured I’d cover them all here cuz it seems everyone is having the same issues.

1. Lines and/or glitches on your pictures: I did get that as well in the latest releases so I have actually gone back to Beta 5 which is available at this link: 11.10.31.1 That’s the release that is working best for me right now without any glitches or other issues. I will keep updating with every new release though and see if it works better for me.
2. New snapshot window: The new snapshot feature is actually part of SL Viewer 3 that Exodus has adapted. You will find the snapshot feature like this not only in Exodus but also in the official SL 3 viewers and any other viewer that has adapted the v3 UI. It’s a bit tricky to get used to but here are some screenshots of the steps you take to take a pic now:
   a. Click Save to Computer
   b. Click Resolution
   c. Choose your desired resolution and hit save
3. My resolution and graphics card: I shoot all of my pictures at 5760×3084 resolution and I have a gtx 560ti graphics card. All of the images you see on my blog are photoshopped (unless otherwise stated).

The tattoo I’m wearing is from Huz Tats. Huz Tats temporarily does not have an inworld location at the moment so if you’ve been looking to pick up some of the brilliant tattoos from there, you can try looking on marketplace or contacting Hunain Bellic inworld and he’ll be able to help you out.

Credits:
*Skin: -Glam Affair- Linn Tan – D HB 09 by Aida Ewing
*Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Pale Warm Silver (M) by Ikon Innovia
*Hair: Tameless Norine – All Colors by Nita Bracken
*Lingerie: [Ladies Who Lunch] Claire (Noir) by Faint Paulse
*Tattoo: [HUZ]-Oriental-Black-Faded-Tattoo Layer by7 Hunain Bellic (Marketplace)
Nails: [MANDALA]SINRA nails (hand size 20) CK black by kikunosuke.eel
*Ring: Zaara : Kashiti bobble ring *onyx* (silver) by Zaara Kohime
*Poses: Olive Juice by Isabellagrace Baroque
*Promotional Copies

It feels like I haven’t done a Love Thursday post in almost a year, not true though. :P I’ve just been slacking in the blogging department for a few months. But I’m trying to make more time for that now. What an awesome way to start up Love Thursday again! Just today one of my all-time favorite skins was released in an updated version. Dutch Touch Amber is definitely my most favorite, it has everything I’ve always wanted in a skin. It comes in 3 delicious tones and I’m wearing the dark tone which is currently free to all Dutch Touch VIP group members. Check out the new Dutch Touch blog for all the details: http://www.dutch-touch.com

The lingerie I am wearing is the new Intima line from Glam Affair. This stylish new lingerie line consists of eight extremely sexy sets. I am wearing more of the classic style with stockings, check out the other outrageous sets on the Glam Affair flickr.

Happy Love Thursday everyone! <3

Credits:
Skin: Dutch Touch Amber v2 Dark – Basic by Iki Ikarus (Free for Dutch Touch VIP group)
Hair: Exile Darla/min TDR Exclusive by Kavar Cleanslate (Available at The Dressing Room for L$40)
*Eyes: Exodi Soulful Eyes – Pally by Ryker Beck
*Lingerie: Glam Affair Intima line by Aida Ewing
*Earrings: LaGyo Mohawk earrings by Gyorgyna Larnia
*Bracelet: Zaara Vyomi chained bracelet onyx by Zaara Kohime
*Poses: Miamai by Mavi Beck
*Promotional copies

This weekend has been great for new releases, especially in hair! I’ve always found Shag hair to be incredibly sexy, I love their textures. This new updo from them has become one of my favorites. They’ve had a few hair releases this week though, so the updo is not all you’ll find. This version of the Erotica hair I am wearing below is the submissive version with an option to also cover the mouth (which I’ve replaced with the pearls).

The new Lelutka Ava skin has a very pretty face. But one thing I absolutely love about this skin is the body…especially the back. It has just the perfect amount of shading in all the right places. The skin I am wearing is the group gift that was sent out this weekend, make sure to join the group to pick it up! They also sent out some nice male hair and a bag with AO!

I blogged a preview to the Luxuria line a few days ago, just wanted to let you know the whole collection has now been released!

Credits:
Skin: [LeLutka]-AVA_stan-250910(D Brows)hairbase by Minnu Palen
*Hair: [Shag] by Sebastien Aries
*Pearls: 120 BPM – Hearther’s Pearl Set by Faint Paulse
*Lingerie: {Luxuria} Dot *black* by Roslin Petion
*Poses: /GEEZ/ by Grazia Horwitz

*Promotional copies

YAY I remembered to do Love Thursday today. I knew lingerie was definitely going to be a pick one day. I love it, SL and RL, it makes me feel so sexy. You can never have enough lingerie!

So be prepared, because in just a few more days there will be a new line from 5th and Oxford. Their new lingerie line, Luxuria, is set to be released next week. I have already seen 5 gorgeous new sets that will be part of the collection. I thought I would share with you one of my favorites. It’s sexy and of superb quality, as always expected from the talented Roslin Petion. Because of this new line, all of the previous lingerie will be retired so currently there is a 50% off sale.

Keep an eye on the 5th and Oxford blog or join the group inworld for more information about the launch of the Luxuria line.

Happy Love Thursday everyone! <3

Credits:
*Skin: -Glam Affair- Castalia – Dark – 12 by aida Ewing
*Hair: Exile Serana – Arctic by Kavar Cleanslate
Bangle: [MANDALA] Takara Bangle Zebra Fur by kikunosuke Eel
Necklace: ::je::suis::boheme::necklace by Julia Merosi
*Boots: BAX Prestige Boots Silver by Bax Coen
*Lingerie: {Luxuria} Alicia – *steel* by Roslin Petion (Luxuria line lauches next week)
*Pose: Long Awkward Pose by Dove Swanson

*Promotional copies

Before I begin the tutorial, I’d like to add that the lovely printed lingerie (which is all hand drawn) is a little sneak peek. Zaara will be releasing this set in many different options and colors this weekend.

After

Please note that I have never received any sort of professional photoshop training. I am just sharing tips and tricks I have picked up along the way.

Before

As you can see from the above two shots, dodging and burning can add a lot of depth and personality to your image. Dodge and burn allow you to add light exposure to areas of your snapshot. Dodge is great for making certain areas of your image lighter, whereas burn will darken. Burn is great for making shadows. I often use it to create subtle shadows on different parts of the face and body.

These are the steps I took to achieve my end result that is visible in the first image in this post.

1. Snapped a high-res snapshot of my avatar.
2. Cleaned up the image using photoshop by utilizing the liquify filter and other adjustment tools.
3. Created a new layer above the last layer in the layers palette. If you do not see the layers palette on your screen, press F7 and it should appear. Once I created that new layer, I made sure it was selected.
4. In the Edit menu, I selected fill and then filled that layer with 50% gray.
5. At the top of the layers palette, I set that gray layer to overlay.
6. After selecting the dodge and burn tools in the sidebar, I made sure the range was set to mid-tones and the exposure was set to 20%. Then I increased and decreased the brush sizes, as I saw fit, while painting over my avatar to create shadows and highlights.
7. Using the dodge tool I highlighted the top areas of my avatar’s arms and body along with different areas of the background of this image. With the burn tool, I followed along the edge of my avatar’s body to create a shadow effect.

Here is a great video tutorial showing the procedure that I used: http://vimeo.com/6189101

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me.

» You can view all of my current tutorials on my tutorials page.

Credits for what I’m wearing in the picture:
Skin: -tres blah- {Dark} Jejune Cherry – Dark Winged Brows by Julliette Westerburg
*Hair: Maitreya Nimue – Caramel by Onyx LeShelle
*Necklace: [Whippet & Buck] Memory Collector Necklace (Unisex) by Dakota Buck
*Lingerie: Zaara : Sumana *crimson* by Zaara Kohime (releasing this weekend)
*Pose: oOo Studio by Olaenka Chesnokov

*Promotional Copies