Fantasy Project (Photoshop Practice)

This is part of a photography project. I’m learning to use Photoshop. I’m horrible at it. I made this picture as part of one of my assignments. It worked because I tried to make it as fantasy-like as possible. Thus, supposed to look unrealistic (fake).

]]> http://involved2.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/46/feed/ 0 Galaxy Experimenting with Photo -Fantasy http://involved2.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/batbaby/ http://involved2.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/batbaby/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:11:38 +0000 Steph S. Mata http://involved2.wordpress.com/?p=37 ]]>

Inspiration for Ricky

I had to post this picture. I couldn’t help it. This little boy has been the inspiration for Ricky. He’s my boss’s grandbaby, and the first thing I see when I enter the office. I call him “Batbaby,” for obvious reasons. He’s so cute! He fits Ricky’s features, except maybe for skin tone, but he has gorgeous blue eyes, and brown hair. He’s also a few years younger than Ricky, but he’s just as adorable (again… stated by his picture).

Thanks to the girls who shared their experience with body issues. I hope you guys enjoy this, and that it might help anyone going through similar situations.

I had the pleasure to edit, direct, and co-write this short film.

Unedited: Hello! This draft is unedited. It was in my computer, saved somewhere. I was about to delete it, but thought otherwise. Hope you like it.

“What are you doing?” I asked suspiciously.

“I’m cooking,” he said simply, as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“I didn’t know you can cook,” I exclaimed. “Why didn’t I know this? Why did you let mom do all the cooking? Dad!”

“You’re mother is an excellent cook,” he replied, “that’s one of the reasons I married her.”

I sat there with Ricky on my lap, watching my father in the kitchen.

“Daddy, I can blackmail you,” I said.

“You can try,” he chuckled. He took a few grapes from the bridge and gave them to Ricky. “Ricky, why don’t you go check on Rex for me. I think he feels lonely, he’s old you know.”

“Okay”

My son hopped off my lap taking the grapes with him. When we were alone, my father made a few last preparations on his dish and put it in the oven.

I inhaled, “I’m just stupid, I can’t do anything right.”

“That’s not true,” my father said. He walked around the counter and sat facing me. “I’m very proud of you Stephanie. You stand up for yourself, and you don’t let anyone dictate your life.”

He smiled, taking a deep breath. “You’re also a very strong woman. Do I need to remind you of all you have gone through, and all the people you have helped? I think you live up to wonder woman’s standards.”

“Right,” I snorted, “because I’m so brave.”

“You are brave,” he retorted.

“Dad, if I was brave Ranger would know about his son,” I half whispered, “look at what happened today. All because…becau…”

“All because you’re in love, and it would have pained you if he rejected you?” my father interrupted, his voice firm. “We are all a little self-fish when it comes to love. I understand, even though I do wish you had told him about Ricky, instead of hiding him.”

“I was scared,” I explained. I felt like a little girl.”

“I’m not judging you, Pumpkin,” he said. “I don’t know what happened between you and Ranger. I don’t know what sort of relationship you had, so I respect your decisions.”

“Dad, what should I do?”

“Well, I need to know what happened between you and him,” he said firmly. “I don’t care if he’s a black man…”

“Cuban American”

“A Cuban-American man, and that he’s walking around charged with weapons,” he kept on, “but he loves you, he’s an honest man, and he treats you right. I know that you love him. He would probably make you very happy. Why were you scare to tell him, Pumpkin?”

I sighed before pouring my mind and heart to my father. I never had this sort of conversation with him, but it felt surprisingly liberated.

After a few hours, my father had conjured supper, delicious Italian food. I grunted. It wasn’t fair, everyone is able to cook except me. I think I’d need to keep my father around the house more often.

“You see,” he said handing me a piece of tiramisu, “that wasn’t so difficult.”

The Link Between Us

Rangers’ POV

The new owners of the bookstore wanted to learn about the company and the security cameras. RangeMan was proving security for the B&N for the first time. Apparently, their old security system wasn’t enough to stop people from stealing and vandalizing books. The real problem arrived when a woman was supposedly assaulted in the History isle.

After two hours of Q&A I set out to study the building to make sure the cameras could be placed strategically. I didn’t want any mistakes. The comics, Manga, and kids sections were the most vulnerable parts of the building. I studied the comics and the Manga section first. The children section was perfectly organized and decorated. I examined all the different places I thought cameras could be useful and took a few notes. However, I couldn’t help feeling that something wasn’t right. There was something strange about the picture. I have always been aware of my surroundings. Therefore, there’s something I know very clearly, young children find me (in my current attire) threatening.

I looked through the corner of my eyes. There was a kid staring up at me. He quickly turned his head away, putting his attention back on the picture book in front of him. I continued to write on my notepad for what seemed like a few seconds, and there he was again.

I raised a questioning brow, and I saw his eyes grow wide. Maybe he did feel threatened. The look in his eyes softened something in me.

“Sorry,” he said turning away from me. He was sitting on the floor, his feet laced underneath him. He resembled the child version of me. Actually, he was me when I was three years old.

I finished with my notes and glanced up at him before leaving. The mystery child was trying to reach up for a book, barely reaching it. I couldn’t help smiling when I saw the book he wanted.

“It’s a good book,” I said handing him the book.

“Thank you,” he said politely, scanning me.

“Where are your parents?”

“I’m here with my grandpa,” he replied, his eyes still on me. They were full of wonder, and I raised an eyebrow questionably. I almost grinned.

“Who are you?” he asked in awe. “What’s your name?”

“I’m security,” I replied a little taken back by the wonder and admiration in his voice. This kid was definitely not afraid of me.

“Oh, you look like somebody…” he said trailing off. He glanced at the new book in his hand and then up at me.

“What’s your name?” I asked, and he looked at me bewildered, as if he just remembered something.

“I can’t tell you,” he said firmly, “and I can’t talk to you. My mommy says not to talk to strangers.”

“Good,” I said. “Are you afraid of me?”

“No,” he said softly, “you’re cool.”

I glanced around the room in amazement.

“I like the picture, he’s in space,” he continued pointing at the cover. “I like space.”

“Yes, he’s in space,” I agreed taking another copy of the book from the shelf. I flipped through the pages. This book was definitely for older children. The mystery child was examining the picture in the book and glancing up at me with curiosity.

“Why’s he in space? Is he an astronut?” he asked me.

“A What?”

“An astronut,” he said innocently, “you know, the people who go to space. Grandpa gave me a book about it. Mommy reads it to me at night.”

“No,” I suppressed a chuckle before explaining. “He’s a prince, here it says ‘The Little Prince,’ and I think this book is a little big for you.”

“No, my mommy can read it to me,” he said defensively, “and I’m learning to read.”

“Where’s your grandpa?” I asked again, “you should be with him.”

“He told me to stay here,” he responded hurriedly. “He’ll be back for me, don’t worry.

What? Did he just tell me not to worry? I ran my hand over my face and stare at the child in front of me. He sat back on the floor, using his legs to prop the book on his lap.

“I’m security, I was just making sure,” I reminded him, and I turned to leave.

The Link Between Us