In Memoriam: Niki Lauda
May 20, 2019 – We’ve lost Formula 1 legend – Niki Lauda
I’m sure you’re racing James across the clouds as we speak.
Niki Lauda has a tie into Sylum. The story has now become a tribute to him.
Link to Fic
Sylum Inspiration: Benoit Fransiscus
Tallikut: Clan Leader
Benoit was born in Gaul. His father was a Roman soldier, who earned his freedom, his mother, was the daughter of a scholar. His mother saw to his education, his father saw to his ability to defend himself.
His father had always said he inherited his mother sense of compassion and trust, he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing in the world they lived.
Through political and diplomatic means, Benoit became close with the Meridius Family. He was there the fateful day when soldiers road into the farm. Instantly he knew the situation was bad, and grabbed his charge, young Alejandro and ran.
And didn’t stop.
He knew if Rome was to discover the boy had lived, he would be hunted down and killed.
He kept running until he hit Britain.
When Alejandro became ill, he found Severus, the nearby Roman Garrison’s doctor. He begged him to save the boy, that it was important for him to live, his family name needed to survive.
Severus slowly got the story out of the Benoit, while helping the child. Over the next few months the two became friends. In time he told Benoit about his nature, and gave him away to watch over not just the kid, but his children, and children’s children. To make sure the family name survived.
He took it without remorse.
Guest Post: 5 Quick Photoshop Tips by taibhrigh
Me again, taibhrigh, Sylum’s Resident Artist. Today I’m here to talk about 5 quick tips for Photoshop. If you are using one of the other tools some of this information should be adaptable.
ONE
Layers Are Your Friends
A layer can be just about anything in photoshop –from a background to text. If you are going to modify something on an image layer –say removing an earring or changing the contrast– make a copy of that layer (and rename it because “person copy 1” and “person copy 2” won’t help you identify why you made the copy, but “person earring removed” will).
Why layers? Because once you go to far along with your change on the layer you really can’t go back (especially if you’ve closed the file). Even if you have your edit history tracking.
Also, overlays, patterns, etc are easier to manipulate on their own layer.
TWO
Never Merge or Flatten Unless You Are ABSOLUTELY Sure
Especially the “Flatten” option. This literally merges all lays, including text, into one single layer –text will no longer be editable. Once this is done and you close the file, you are not getting the layers back.
And then if you are absolutely sure, click “save as” and save the file as a new version, then flatten and save.
THREE
Round not Square
Use solid round brushes at 100% fill and opacity to remove background from around the part of an image you want to keep. Yes, a pixel is a square, a human body is not. Yes, the round brush may take a little longer, especially if you are doing close detail removal. But, the round brush will keep you from turning the person into noticeable pixels (jagged edges) –especially around the face.
If you are having problems seeing if you have removed enough of the background, try creating a new layer that is underneath the layer you are modifying. Make this new layer a solid, bright color that is not in the image.
FOUR
Overlay and Soft Light with Layers
Are both a quick way to change a shirt color or add a background pattern. These layers can be kept at 100% opacity and fill or lessened to whatever you think works best for what you are trying to accomplish.
FIVE
Kerning
This is the spaces between letters in a font. This is what will help make your text a little more readable. In photoshop you have two ways to increase and decrease this space. Sometimes you will need to use both. Sometimes you are going to decrease one but might increase the either. The “VA” on the character palette will change the kerning for all words/letters selected. The “V/A” (sometimes there will also be a little arrow under the “A” that’s pointed towards the “V”) is the option to change the kerning just between the two letters between the cursor.
Cursive fonts may even be set to negative kernings to make the letters actually connect correctly.
Questions? Leave them below.
Nicholas J. Finch Website – Updates
Nicholas J. Finch has a new Home Page!
Check it out and make sure to subscribe to get new posts and updates from Nicholas J. Finch.
Going with the travel theme … the one place you want to go?
Seven Days of Summer 2019: Sign Ups Closed
This is the last day to sign up! So if you’re interested in doing something for Sylum now is the time!!!
Sign Ups: May 1st – 15th
Banner Due Date: Title and a basic idea for Story Banner needs to be sent to taibhrigh no later than June 15th.
Due Date: Stories, artwork etc. should be in my inbox no later than June 25th.
What is Seven Days?
Seven Days is our Annual Summer Event. We accept Sylum Art, fanmixs, videos and stories. It’s not uncommon to see stories that are set up for future fics or Timestamps that relate to stories from Advent.
Start Date will be July 1st.
What do you need to do to participate?
You will need to sign up and state what your interested in doing.
REMINDER: All Sylum Stories will need to be approved by Bj Jones. If you’re interested in doing a Sylum Story contact Bj (sylumclan@yahoo.com). DO NOT write the story then send it, this makes the General very cranky.
How do I sign up?
Just click reply and let us know what your interested in doing, don’t forget to give us your contact info so we can get a hold of you.
Sign Ups close May 15th. If we do not get your request, by the 15th it will not be included.
Is there a deadline of when the Fic/Art needs to be Finished?
Yes!
– Posts will appear over the next months to check on everyone’s progress.
– All Fic/Art will need to finished and emailed to (sylumclan@yahoo.com) by June 25th.
I have questions?
– Drop a reply to this post with a “FLAIL” “HELP” with contact info and we’ll get back to you.
– Email: sylumclan@yahoo.com
International Sylum Day!
For International Sylum Day – we went to the Getty Villa, which is the inspiration for Nico’s Villa in Rome.
(all photos taken by Bj Jones aka The General)
Sylum Inspiration: Ardeth Bay
Medjai: Clan Leader
As long as there have been Medjai, Ardeth has been their commander. He doesn’t talk about his life before he met Viduus, jokingly stated he doesn’t remember that far back.
When asked, Viduus will tell you that Ardeth was a good man, a good negotiator, and always took care of those he loved.
(Dilios Note: Rick pointed out – nothing has changed over the years)
Random Post: National Eat What You Want Day
Everyone has the General’s Permission to eat whatever they want!!!