20141229

282 - Rendezvous at the end of the universe

Where's Dim Sum? #282 - Rendezvous at the end of the universe

Dim Sum wonders if this is the restaurant.


A reference to Douglas Adams's "trilogy". :)

The "***Culprit Victorian Orangery SandStone (Mesh)" was created by eku Zhong (Culprit Fine Furniture).

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! :)

Next month, this 365 project would be entering its third year. :P

location: Nordan om Jorden


Technical notes

windlight: Daytime shadows (modified)
water: Glassy


281 - Will you follow?

Where's Dim Sum? #281 - Will you follow?


Dim Sum follows.


If I walk away, will you follow?

The "Grey Walking Horse - Mesh - Full Perm" was created by Hannah Kozlowski (no info in profile).

location: Nordan om Jorden


Technical notes

windlight: Alchemy Immortalis - Foggy Morning (modified)


20141228

280 - Someone else's memories

Where's Dim Sum? #280 - Someone else's memories


Dim Sum ran away as fast as she could when the wooden snow raft slid under her.


The first time I saw snow on the ground was in Nevada, when we drove there to celebrate my 18th birthday. So I've never gone downhill on one of these things. :)

The "[what next} Snow Day Sled (pose ) with shadow" was created by FrankLee Anatra ({ what next }).

location: Nordan om Jorden


Technical notes

windlight: Daytime shadows (modified)
water: Glassy


279 - The stark silence of snow

Where's Dim Sum? #279 - The stark silence of snow


Dim Sum was hoping for a warm engine, but this would do.


This is my mood today. Quiet. Somber.

Today's set of images are minimalist. It's actually my preferred style, but it's more difficult to hide Dim Sum that way. ;)

The "[Con.] Backyard Drive-In - Truck SKY A" was created by ValiantCo/Wavie Haller (Valiant & Co).

location: Nordan om Jorden


Technical notes

windlight: Daytime shadows (modified)
water: Default



20141213

278 - Silent night

Where's Dim Sum? #278 - Silent night


Dim Sum resists the temptation to chase the white pompom at the tip of Opal's cap. After a few seconds, she succumbs and attacks the fluffy thing.


SEASON'S GREETINGS, EVERYBODY!

I might not have time to do another set until after the holidays, so this is also my holiday card. The version with the greetings is below.

The Santa hat was created by Lika Meili (Estequal Design Studio). But I couldn't find it in her Marketplace store, so I did the same search ("winter hat") and found it again. (I could have found it in my order history but SL gave me an error.)

Apparently, I had gotten it from someone who violated the contract of the full-perms hat by giving it away free. If you want a full-perms legitimate copy, you can get it inworld for 100L at the EVLAND Christmas store.

location: Aspen Fell




Technical notes

windlight: Night (modified)


277 - Not the pearly gates

Where's Dim Sum? #277 - Not the pearly gates


Dim Sum moves to a spot where there's no white stuff and watches people as they arrive and make their way through the broken gate.


This is actually the third picture I took. I cheated and swapped the order with the second one because I wanted the second one to be my last one until I can do my next ones. Since it's the holidays, the next set might be a while. Or it might be during the holidays. Who knows? :)

The "Broken gate, Posts and side fencing" was created by Angharad Greggan (Razor Bird Old and Broken Stuff).

location: Aspen Fell


Technical notes

windlight: Places District8 (modified)



276 - Rocky mountain high

Where's Dim Sum? #276 - Rocky mountain high


Dim Sum feels the powder crushing under her paws as she stops to look up in the sky and wonder why humans stick their tongues out for these white little things that fall down.


A plea to builders: Please, please do not set your objects to full bright! They look so fake with most windlight settings!

The "Skye Snow" was created by Alex Bader (Studio Skye).

location: Aspen Fell


Technical notes

windlight: Annan Adored Light Explosion III (modified)




20141130

275 - Calm down, Uncle.

Where's Dim Sum? #275 - Calm down, Uncle.


Calm down, Uncle! Don't you recognize me?


The sim has a lot of these birds flying around. Too much clutter for a picture though. I was lucky to catch this one with just one bird, without having to derender the entire slew of them.

The tiger and the tree trunk suggested the composition already, but it was very difficult to find a good windlight for this. In a sense, I switched the focus to the "frame", instead of the ruins near the middle of the image. The tiger blends in with the tree trunk, unfortunately, but the blue bird added a nice spot of color and balance.

The "ACS Jungle - Tiger" was created by Alex ACS (ACS).

location: Bastet's Paradise


Technical notes

windlight: Phototools- Dream Book Light 03 (modified)


20141129

274 - In the jungle, the mighty jungle

Where's Dim Sum? #274 - In the jungle, the mighty jungle


Dim Sum guards the end of the bridge to start charging toll. But nobody comes.


I think this image captures the feel of the sim best. There is a great variety of flora. Not too crowded with trees. And I love how the colors of the ruins blend in with the surrounding plants while adding a touch of otherworldliness, if there is such a word, with the smudges of bright blue.

The "ACS Jungle - Moss Bridge" was created by Alex ACS (ACS).

location: Bastet's Paradise


Technical notes

windlight: AnaLutetia - STUDIO3 (modified)
water: Nacon's Water


273 - Ruins through ruins

Where's Dim Sum? #273 - Ruins through ruins


Dim Sum warms herself by the fire, grateful that someone built one in the middle of a jungle.


I'm guessing that this sim was commissioned. The profile of the creator of the objects does not advertise any store. And digging through his profile, I found one where all of them have the last name "ACS" so that's a custom last name, and usually individuals cannot afford custom last names. So ACS must be a company somewhere, probably Japan. Please comment below if you know anything about them.

The "ACS Jungle - Castle Ruin Parts" was created by Alex ACS (ACS).

location: Bastet's Paradise


Technical notes

windlight: AnaLutetia - STUDIO3 (modified)


272 - Tree in Paradise

Where's Dim Sum? #272 - Tree in Paradise


Dim Sum sleepily gazes at the reflections on the water.


I had to derez the sim surround because it was feeling very crowded. It's actually a jungle and it's the best jungle I've seen in SL, although there were things that were really anachronistic, like the photo studio and the scifi-looking pod-homes.

location: Bastet's Paradise


Technical notes

windlight: Fine Day (modified)
water: Default (modified)



20141123

271 - Myrrha

Where's Dim Sum? #271 - Myrrha


Dim Sum climbs the tree and waits patiently for the firemen to rescue her.


It looks like I can only do three this week. Till next time!

This is a Linden art sim, featuring exhibits by the 2Lei organization "with the aim of sensitizing the people organizing and publicizing shows and events related to the 'International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women'."

More details in the 2Lei in SL website. (Tip: Use Google to translate from Italian.)

The sculpture "BGC Immortal Tree" was created by Krikket Blackheart (Better Gnomes and Cauldrons).

location: Rebirth... together! by 2Lei in Second Life


Technical notes

windlight: AnaLutetia - STUDIO3 (modified)
water: Valdez (modified)


270 - The (Re)Birth of (the Broken) Venus

Where's Dim Sum? #270 - The (Re)Birth of (the Broken) Venus


Dim Sum snuggles in the rocks, strangely feeling warm and cuddled.


This is a Linden art sim, featuring exhibits by the 2Lei organization "with the aim of sensitizing the people organizing and publicizing shows and events related to the 'International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women'."

More details in the 2Lei in SL website. (Tip: Use Google to translate from Italian.)

The sculpture "E' cosi' vero che non ha senso_Mesh_2014" was created by Mistero Hifeng (Cammino e Vivo Capovolto -Digital Art -).

location: Rebirth... together! by 2Lei in Second Life


Technical notes

windlight: AnaLutetia - STUDIO3 (modified)
water: Valdez (modified)


269 - Giant red-orange poppy

Where's Dim Sum? #269 - Giant red-orange poppy


Dim Sum blinks and wonders if a giant poppy is still edible.


This is a Linden art sim, featuring exhibits by the 2Lei organization "with the aim of sensitizing the people organizing and publicizing shows and events related to the 'International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women'."

More details in the 2Lei in SL website. (Tip: Use Google to translate from Italian.)

The poppy "Papaveri DEF" was created by Aliza Karu (AD Creations).

location: Rebirth... together! by 2Lei in Second Life


Technical notes

windlight: Coastal Afternoon (modified)
water: Valdez (modified)


20141116

268 - Baby's reflection

Where's Dim Sum? #268 - Baby's reflection


Dim Sum watches the elephants bathe. They haven't squirted her yet, but she's ready to run if they do.


The elephants are set to full bright, so it was a little trickier to do shadows. And for some reason,  I can't get very good reflections anymore. Maybe it's my new machine. I should do more reflections as a challenge to myself.

The elephants were created by Jon Haskell (AAA Sculpty Creations Animals).

location: The Bay


Technical notes

windlight: Sheer Surreality (modified)
water: Valdez (modified)


267 - Echo of a tree

Where's Dim Sum? #267 - Echo of a tree


Dim Sum patiently waits for the morning sun to move and get to her spot, as she enjoys the view from her high perch.


This scene was difficult to light because the big cliff rock reflects too much light compared to everything else.

The tree is part of "The Faery Ring from Studio Skye" created by Alex Bader (Studio Skye).

location: The Bay


Technical notes

windlight: Sheer Surreality (modified)
water: Nacon's Water


266 The toucan and the picture porthole

Where's Dim Sum? #266 The toucan and the picture porthole


Dim Sum pokes her head in a creaky old ship and found very comfy cushions.


After hanging out with Mz and her other friends at the members-only dungeon, I went out and explored. This image was taken inside a big old pirate boat, propped up on land. Cool concept.

To learn more about the sim, go to http://conservelandscaping.wordpress.com/thebay/tb-general-information-and-rules/

The "Shipwreck Mainframe MESH" was created by Eduardos Ducatillon (HeadHunter's Island).


location: The Bay


Technical notes

windlight: Sheer Surreality (modified)
water: Nacon's Water


265 - Meanwhile, ....

Where's Dim Sum? #265 - Meanwhile, ....


Dim Sum escapes the dungeon inside the mines for wide open spaces.


I have no idea what to title this image. And "Meanwhile, ...." sounded intriguing.

The Bay is a new pirate-themed sim built by Mz Marville. Her landscapes always have a certain peaceful feeling to them.

location: The Bay


Technical notes

windlight: Sheer Surreality (modified)
water: Nacon's Water


20141027

264 - Ornate railings

Where's Dim Sum? #264 - Ornate railings


Dim Sum rubs her neck and back against the railing to scratch an itch and mark her territory at the same time. Multitasking.... 


Okay, it looks like I can only do three today. And this is my favorite of the three.


location: Deadpool Fashion Shopping City


Technical notes

windlight: Incongruent Truths (modified 2)



20141026

263 - Black bird

Where's Dim Sum? #263 - Black bird


Dim Sum carefully watches the shadows flitting across the round patch of light on the floor far below.


I probably rejected about ten compositions before this one. But, moving on. I'm aiming for four before I go to bed. :)


location: Deadpool Fashion Shopping City


Technical notes

windlight: Incongruent Truths (modified)



262 - Broken windows

Where's Dim Sum? #262 - Broken windows


Dim Sum gingerly steps over the broken glass and finds a comfortable perch.


Honestly, I don't know why I'm taking pictures of a building in SL after spending two weeks taking pictures of buildings in real life. *sigh*

Anyway, I didn't want to take the stereotypical pictures for Halloween, so it's very low-key in this one. There are bats flying around somewhere there. And skeletons hanging around too, but they don't show well, if at all. :)


location: Deadpool Fashion Shopping City


Technical notes

windlight: Incongruent Truths (modified)



20140921

261 - A girl and her cat

Where's Dim Sum? #261 - A girl and her cat


Opal meows. Dim Sum stares back blankly, thinking, "Why do humans even bother to imitate cat-speak? Don't they know their meows are unintelligible to native meowers?"


Meow. Meow. Meow. I thought of having a male-female couple on the table, but that's too cliche.

It was a bit tricky to move the camera to just the right position, while keeping the focus on the outside scene. I decided not to do too much DOF here, because there's still a sharp line around the DOF'd objects, which doesn't look right.

The "DIGS - Constance Potted Orchids" was created by Iris Maskelyne (DIGS - Furniture and Prefabs).
The "Culprit Edwardian Folly" building was created by eku Zhong (Culprit Fine Furniture).

model: Opal Lei
location: The Trace


Technical notes

windlight: Bryn Oh's Virginia Alone (modified)



260 - Schoolroom on the bluff

Where's Dim Sum? #260 - Schoolroom on the bluff


Dim Sum wonders where Skippy is.... Skipping school?


I think if I went to a school like this, I'd be in so much trouble because I'd had been looking out to see and daydreaming all day long.

The "[ba] ozark pavillion - white" was created by Barnesworth Anubis ([ba]).
The "Old Oak Pupils Desk / Chair" was created by Domineaux Prospero (The Domineaux Effect).

location: The Trace


Technical notes

windlight: Nam's Beach Scene (modified)
water: Default


20140906

259 - Melting lighthouse

Where's Dim Sum? #259 - Melting lighthouse


Dim Sum starts getting woozy from the rocking boat.


There are four animals in this picture. Can you find them all? :)

I think I got everything in this pic - shadows, reflections, sky, water, land, building, landscape, wildlife, avatar. But no humans.

The "Pitching boat (with rope)" was created by Anthony Gartner (The Dreamer Creations).

location: The Trace


Technical notes

windlight: Nam's Beach Scene (modified)
water: SNAKE!!! (modified)



258 - Shady facade

Where's Dim Sum? #258 - Shady facade


Dim Sum ignores the cooing behind her and searches the trees for the source of the more interesting chirps.


I'm on a roll! Three in one day! Woohoo! Of course, it's only because I'm procrastinating on other things I'm supposed to do, like laundry, taxes, groceries, and doing research for my upcoming trip. Oh, well, there's always tomorrow. *grins*

The "sf outdoor wall - light" was created by Heavenly Villa (**shutter field).

location: The Trace


Technical notes

windlight: Annan Adored Light Explosion II (modified)
water: Nacon's Lake Water


370 - Eggs and bunnies and peeps (360°)

Dim Sum joins the peeps who wanna be bunnies. At least for Easter. For non-US folks, "peeps" are marshmallow candies shaped l...