Comment on Featured by FrozenStarART
I have seen MANY galleries on DA...and yours is at the top of "mind blowing" category. Also, that table above. Where did you get that stock?
I am humbled by your comment, thank you for the kind words 
Which table are you refering to though? Could you give me a direct link or title of the work? the comment appeared in my gallery featured folder
Which table are you refering to though? Could you give me a direct link or title of the work? the comment appeared in my gallery featured folder
The "Making of...coffee." She is sitting at a beautiful desk which is so polished and shiny. I was looking for a desk just like that; however, I found another not nearly as beautiful. One question...how do you find your stock for your creations? If I search for a specific image, I will get mostly nonsense I do not want. Thank you for your time. Your PM skills are off the charts!
The table came with the library background, I just photoshoped the model and desk clutter onto it. I originally bought it on PhotoXpress before it got bought up by Fotolia, but luckily I was able to trace it through its original ID number. Here it is eu.fotolia.com/id/4593270
As for stock, it's usually the very stock that inspires me. In this case it was the model stock that made me think of doing something like a steampunk workshop with her tinkering at a desk. I believe I just did a generic search for 'steampunk' and that was one of the results. I do probably spend an unhealthy amount of time scouring for that perfect stock sometimes, especially when I need a particular item to match a client's needs for commissions.
For my personal use I keep neatly organized Lightboxes on both Fotolia and Shutterstock (separate collections for models, backgrounds, objects, etc) and I save stock I find 'inspiring' in there that I later go back to buy for use, as was the with the model in my latest work.
As for stock, it's usually the very stock that inspires me. In this case it was the model stock that made me think of doing something like a steampunk workshop with her tinkering at a desk. I believe I just did a generic search for 'steampunk' and that was one of the results. I do probably spend an unhealthy amount of time scouring for that perfect stock sometimes, especially when I need a particular item to match a client's needs for commissions.
For my personal use I keep neatly organized Lightboxes on both Fotolia and Shutterstock (separate collections for models, backgrounds, objects, etc) and I save stock I find 'inspiring' in there that I later go back to buy for use, as was the with the model in my latest work.
That was so sweet to let me in on your thoughts of inspiration, etc. Also, I will have to look into your idea of keeping organized as my system is a bit dysfunctional at the moment. Your adjustment layers, lighting, images and placement is perfection. I have SO much to learn with photomanipulation. Do you use a tablet (Wacom or iPad) as well? Thanks for your time 
I do use a Tablet sometimes, I have a Wacom Intuos 4 medium I got as a Holiday contest prize maybe 6-7 years ago at Renderosity. The pen and tablet is mostly for painting details and getting light to look more natural once I've put all the canvas together, but I predominantly work with my mouse. It's how I first learned Photoshop and I just find it flows a bit easier for me for things like extraction, blending and positioning to this day.