Welcome, and update!
Welcome to your bigger, better photomanipulation newsletter. We are pleased to bring you up-to-date information about things that are going on in the community. It's been a busy few weeks, and we have a lot to share with you!
Direct link requirements on DDs
I spoke with fourteenthstar and moonbeam13, and we decided that you should no longer have to put direct links to stock pictures in order to get a DD. So, you no longer need to direct link your stock pictures for DD purposes. (You DO still need to credit stock, though!) However, many groups still require those direct links for submissions, and that decision is entirely up to the group administrators. We hope this change will help make suggesting and posting DDs easier.
New groups
Here are some new groups that have opened recently that you really should go check out:
Here are a couple of older (but really great) groups that may interest you, as recommended by community members:
Loose ends from PM month in Project Educate
CRPhotomanipulation decided to cut the "Anti-You" photomanipulation challenge that we were going to have following Halloween. This month has been difficult for a lot of us because of competing priorities, and there were a LOT of contests out there already. So, that will not be happening.
I have finally stopped receiving "Top Secret" submissions! There are almost 150 of them! 
So, we will be collecting them all into a folder in CRPhotomanipulation and then combining them into a blog so everyone can see everyone else's. That will take some time, so we appreciate your patience.
So, we will be collecting them all into a folder in CRPhotomanipulation and then combining them into a blog so everyone can see everyone else's. That will take some time, so we appreciate your patience.Upcoming contest
I have touched bases with several artists about this already, but our community is going to start planning an "Xtreme Photomanipulation" supercontest that will maybe start mid-January. The object will be to get people to reach outside their normal boundaries, try something new, and blow us all away with their manipulations. We are going to have levels for advanced as well as beginner/intermediate artists, and we are hoping that some of our less active members will participate once again. I'm looking into the possibility of huge prizes and promotional opportunities. Are you in? If you want to help plan, and you're not already there, come join CRPhotomanipulation. We have cookies.
Also, we would be happy to partner with other groups in this endeavor. Note CRPhotomanipulation if you are interested.
Ask an Artist!
When we had Photomanipulation Week back in June, our most popular activity was "How do you do that . . .?" People got to ask questions, and we'd send those questions out to our experts, who would answer them. We're going to do this again, but with one artist at a time. [Note: I pitched this to Closer-to-Divine as well, but I really feel like this could benefit the whole community.] Our first artist will be ChisSweetArt. Here are some examples of her work:
She is a trained digital artist and photographer. Do you have questions about how she achieves effects or creates her work? Feel free to note them to :devcrphotomanipulatoin:, and we'll post a large feature with your questions answered.
Resources we recommend:
Thank you, StarsColdNight!
For Photography - Photo manipulations works:
Adobe Photoshop is what is most used. If the purchase for you is too high, there is a website where you can edit your work online without any trouble - Photoshop express-
Sites:
Photoshop cafe Learn Photoshop CS5 SurrealPSD Blending images YouTube channels:
Canal tutoriales (Spanish site) Photoshop tutorialsFor digital painters & illustrators:
Adobe Illustrator & Gimp are the most popular.
Sites:
Illustrator tutorials Gimp tutorials Adobe Illustrator tutorialsYouTube channels:
Gimp tricks Gimp Know How Conecta tutorials (Spanish)Gallery divisions & descriptions:
Thank you, StarsColdNight!
The galleries in deviantart are divided by a specific theme in sub-categories that makes them easy to find.
browse.deviantart.com/digitalart/photomanip/
Abstract
Animals & Plants
Conceptual
Dark
Emotional
Fantasy
Humorous
Landscapes & Scenery
Macabre & Horror
Other
People
Political
Pop Art
Science Fiction
Surreal
A easy to read journal here about the Gallery Descriptions submitted by `IreneLangholm
Before submitting, you are obligated to read the Stock rules and policies. To make it simple and short, Google images and random sites are NOT legal/valid sources to get your stocks. For works which are not valid stock resources you should first obtain proper permission for use, preferably in writing.
FAQ #157: Can I use things created by other people in my submissions?
Explicit permission is not required when you choose to use valid stock resources unless the author says so.
FAQ #306: Does "Crediting" let me use whatever I want?
The most common Violations of the deviantART copyright policy happens by simply posting the work from another artist to your deviantART gallery, adapting or copying the original work or by manipulating or altering the original.
FAQ #8: What are violations of the deviantART copyright policy?
There are so many different thoughts on this area so you should read all you need to know about it here.
Stock policies that explains very simple what you need to know BEFORE gattering the resources for your photomanipulation. Submitted by `IreneLangholm
"Sources such as Photobucket and Google are not valid stock sources and the images found there cannot be used unless written permission from the original artist can be provided."
Current contests in the community
- (Late) Halloween - Deadline 10 December
- The Dark Descent - Deadline 30 December
- Innocence of an Angel - Deadline 30 December
- Fire and Ice - Deadline 15 December
- Christmas Angel - Deadline 23 December
- Jolly Winter - Frozen - Deadline 25 December
- Midnight Seance - Deadline 15 December
- Christmas Elf - Deadline 31 December
- Christmas Song Challenge - Deadline 7 December
- Blue and Red - Deadline 7 December
Recent news and interviews
New stock and other goodies to grab
- NastiaOsipovaStock - Brilliant new stock account
- Water stock by hybridgothica
- FREE high-level Sci-Fi tutorial series on SurrealPSD.com (site by our own NeoStockz)
This week's fabulous 10
In addition to featuring a couple of recent deviations that caught our eye, we dug backwards a bit this week to bring you some really stunning works you may not have seen . . . hope you enjoy!
Have a great week! 
Jade (Aeirmid)
