VP Interview: Ghostly Fog Crawler

 

The world of virtual photography is as diverse as any art form. People take to it for different reasons and also have various ways of approaching the hobby. Today we have an interview with Ghostly Fog Crawler who was featured for both her Fallout 76 work here and her Red Dead Redemption Online shots here. 

Below we get a greater insight into the person behind the shots and discover what drives that creativity!

All shots on this page were taken by Ghostly Fog Crawler for more of her wonderful work check out her page here.

Fallout 76

What got you into Virtual Photography and why does it mean so much to you?

I was not into virtual photography as my page was starting off as a story platform. Later on I took more photos rather than wrote. I was told the Fallout 76 is an ugly game so I decided to prove them wrong. Now I have found an amazing amount of stunning scenes in other games too, which has got me to expand my page into other games too.

Most of your shots come from online games with a lack of photo mode. How do you get past that obstacle and embrace the medium of virtual photography?

I take screenshots with no visible hud if no photo mode, or if there is a cinematic mode. They usually provide nice angles for shots. I end up using these sometimes even there would be a photo mode! Again it requires me to explore the world with friends or alone, and the situation I feel would be great for a photo happens along the way.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Online

Out of all the games you have played and shot. Which mean the most to you and why?

Fallout 76 most likely on this account means most, as my page was built around the characters in it. The game is really much fun with friends and the community amazes me daily with stunning shots.

Later came other more aesthetic games like Red Dead Redemption 2 (the Online version), and then also the Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint with amazing photo mode and scenery, which I do adore a lot.

Ghost Recon: Breakpoint

It is clear that you have a love for Fallout 76, How has the journey as a photographer and a gamer treated you in the post-apocalyptic world?

Very nicely. I get all my ideas for my photos as we quest or mess around with friends. Luckily I am also surrounded with people with similar interests, and they allow me to just suddenly 'hop' off from the main event and go taking photos.

Currently the actual virtual photography has become more and more stressful, so I'll be going back to my story telling. It was fun while it lasted, but I need to enjoy this hobby rather than start feeling anxiety over every post I make.

What draws you into creating your own characters and narratives within the worlds you play in and out of all of your original characters, who is your favourite?

I love writing stories, starting the Fallout 76 story page was something I had never done, as previous stories I had written were not in English, but in Finnish as the MMORPG I played contained a massive amount of my countrymen. (1200 people in the guild I was in). So also this 'new' way of finding a way to play with words in this foreign language, has been a challenge, and a joy to do. 

I fail often, and am grateful to some of the people in the community to point them out, allowing my grammar to grow in the right direction, and motivating me to write more. I enjoy bringing my characters to life and getting many messages of inspiring people to start writing their own stories also warms my heart tremendously.

My all time favourite character is - who else - than Aster. I also had worked the longest with my Enclavist Julia, and fell for my Communist sisters Lilith and Svetlana. But still Aster holds a special place in my heart and therefore she is the most commonly written character of my stories. In the PDF book I am working on, all my characters will be working together/against each other, around Aster's story, who is starring it. We'll see how that works out.

Are there any other games that you would like to explore or any that you are looking forward to the release of?

I am currently playing Borderlands 3, continuing my Forza Horizon enthusiasm in the 4th game, Ghost Recon, and soon diving into Sea of Thieves too as some of my friends are playing it. 

The only release date I have been keeping my eye out is for Diablo IV. I will have to actually most likely take a time off from Instagram as it comes out, and just feast on the new chapter of the legendary tales.

Being an avid virtual photographer who doesn't use a photo mode often, do you have any advice for those who are reluctant to explore without that kind of setting?

Many games nowadays have the actual photo mode, of some sort, but the ones that have not, usually the HUD is hideable, which allows you to take clean screenshots of even action moments, views, sunsets, starry skies only the sky's the limit!

Playing on consoles sometimes the HUD is not completely hidden, so skills in cropping and having high quality photos is sometimes needed in games where photo mode is not a thing. Also patience and exploring the possibilities of the game is always good for the skills on virtual photography, even when using the photo mode.

I play through all platforms Fallout 76 and Red Dead Redemption 2. So what I have learned is that on PC (as my PC is getting old) and I have no 4k screen on it yet.The photos taken on PC require a lot eye for lighting and backgrounds to make the character or item to pop out even remotely clear. As I do not mod any other than Minecraft from my games on PC, I have to really work for the photos. Sometimes I might get lost for hours on trying to get exactly the photo I want even on my PS4 and XBox One, which requires my friends to have a lot of patience when it comes to taking photos with me, and I am blessed to have such friends. I just can not take a pose and snap a photo. I mean I can, but it usually ends up something I don't feel good about. 

So whatever platforms you're playing I am sure the photos you come up with are amazing! The Fallout Community has phenomenal, actual virtual photographers, who most likely could give tips on editing and apps to use, as I don't use anything else than my phone's photo gallery edits to mainly crop if ever needed.

Assassin's Creed: Odyssey - Atom X

 

I featured Atom X some time ago in a showcase for his comic-book Fallout 76 shots. You'll be pleased to know now he has made a return to the blog. Recently featured on Ubisoft Quebec's Fan of the Month today I feature his photography from Assassin's Creed: Odyssey.

Each holds a dream-like quality, a soft focus giving it them mystical, distant and heroic feel. Not only does this portray the epic nature of the game, but also the nice costume change of Alexios old, blindfolded and grey haired, gives the impression of the hero long after his quest has ended. 

Perhaps giving us an impression on what could have become of the hero had the fates been different. 

For more of his stunning work check out his Instagram page here.

Read Dead Redemption Online: Ghosty Fog Crawler

 

Last week I featured the work of Ghostly Fog Crawler and I thought it would be good to do another showcase before an upcoming VP interview. Here we have her Read Dead Online photography. A truly beautiful work of art, the game allows virtual photographers to capture a real period of history. 

Ghostly Fog Crawler showcases a range of beautifully serene shots with her character Rozella-Ann and horse, moseying across the landscape. Each shot showing the bond between the pair as they venture through the world together.

The lighting and positioning is wonderful for an online game lacking a photo mode. Hopefully one day we will see the Rockstar Editor land for RDR2.  Until that day we have the delights of accounts like Ghostly Fog Crawler to keep us topped up with the beauty of the virtual western world. 

To see more of their work check out Ghostly Fog Crawler here on Instagram.

Metro Exodus: Orbot

Orbot's Instagram gallery is full of wonderful content. His use of light and shadow is as strong as the composition of each virtual photograph. 

These shots from Metro Exodus show just that. All are very different in subject from each other, yet as a group they all show the consistency of his work. 

No matter whether Orbot shoots cars from Need For Speed, landscapes in Red Dead Redemption or monstrous creatures in God of War, his style shines through. I implore you to check out his gallery here.

Control: Titanusgojira

 

Titanusgojira was a new profile to me only last week. One thing I love about Instagram is constantly bumping into new talent and skill sets. Everyone shoots games differently and that is what keeps me there. Inspiration and variation to me are key.

Titanusgojira aka Tom, shows us a wide wealth of vibrant content from a selection of photo mode games. Constantly positing new and varied content he is one to follow. 

I especially like the impact of his Control shots. Turning away from the typical dreamy, Lynchian dreamscapes and moving into brighter pastures. Each shots brings a punch of colour and sheds a different perspective on the Control experience. Frenetic action coupled with immense power. Sheer beauty. 

For more of Titanusgojira's work check out his page here. 

Fallout 76: Ghostly Fog Crawler

Ghostly Fog Crawler is easily one of my favourite Fallout photographers. Fallout 76 was not well received but despite this it has a solid fan base that embrace it with all their heart. 

In her work we can see just how much Ghostly Fog Crawler adores the world and the characters that she has created. 

Each shot brings with it both the grit of the post apocalyptic setting but also juxtaposes this with bright and vibrant colours, giving it a powerful comic book feel.

A lot of virtual photographers shoot the fallout worlds drab and depressing or the opposite and make it totally madcap and silly. Both of course are cool, but what makes Ghostly Fog Crawler stand out is that she turns it into a vibrant and slick world that I would want to be a part of.  

For more of their work check out the Instagram profile here.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - Jet Black Gaming

Jet_black_gaming excels at portraiture. Across their virtual photography gallery you see not only a whole host of photo mode content games, but also an array of amazing characters shot in many different locations, atmospheres and poses. 

Today's feature focuses on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and like many of his followers, I would have to say that Jet Black's shots of Chloe really are the best out there. From treasure hunter to cover model, we see Chloe in a variety of provocative poses drenched in water. For more of Jet Black's work check out their page here.

Plat Runner 08: Fall Guys

Fall Guys for all of us with a PS Plus membership was a free delight. While it may still be having teething problems Mediatonic expected, at a best case scenario to have 100,000 users on at once and at day one the PS4 had 300,000. Servers were unstable and it was near impossible at times to get a game. 

Despite this Fall Guys is not only a real joy to play but the perfect battle royal game for all ages. It is cute, fast, fun and rewarding. The customisation is perfect and the trophies for the most part attainable.

So far only a handful of people have the platinum, a platinum of which I shall probably never attain. However those that have achieved the hardest trophy: Infalillible say that it actually was not too bad.

Infalillible How to Guide: 

• What you need for the unlock is win 5 games in a row.

• After the first win all you gotta do is leave the game before getting eliminated so it doesnt count as losing. 

• Then just win the last 4 games and you are done.

• Beware there are some game modes that can be very hard to leave before getting eliminated like jump club or jinxed.

• Only go for the most comfortable starts.

• Also you can have your party members sabotage others so you have better chance of winning.

As far as getting all the trophies in the game as fast as possible check out the advice from Antivist, self proclaimed no-lifer, who has already done it all. 

His guide is here.

For those of you attempting this long road I wish you the best of luck. Sooner is better for the Platinum as the longer you leave it the better everyone will get at the game.

Battlefield V: p0nsy_gc

p0nsy may only have been active on Instagram in his VP account since April but within that short space of time he has shown that he is as diverse as he is enthusiastic. 

His ability to capture wonderful shots even from games without a photo mode such as Battlefield V, immediately perked my interest. Not only does p0nsy do this well, but is proof that you do not need a solid photo mode to be creative and take pictures within a game you love and adore. 

The mood, energy and colour captured are brilliant and I implore you to give him a follow. If like me perhaps you wear thin of the constant barrage of certain photo mode games eating up your feed, p0nsy's work makes for a welcome and beautiful change of pace.

To see more of his work, check out his page here.

The Last of Us Part 2: Gr8gamingshots

As The Last of Us showcases continue today we have the shots of Gr8gamingshots. Thrilled to have him on board with the showcase, he has always been an inspiration to me. From the first day I made my account I followed him and I have been an avid support of his work ever since.

Today in this host of early The Last of Us Part 2 content we see Ellie at the start of the new road ahead. Being a virtual photographer that spends his time exclusively shooting from PS4 games with a decent photo mode, he has honed his skills and knows how to find and capture set pieces. This is especially relevant in his pursuit of Spider-Man and the effective use of locations and remote areas to get exactly what he desires.

Many virtual photographers shy away from backgrounds when it comes to portraiture, but Gr8gamingshots always takes in into consideration to tell the story within the shots. 

Since he sent me these pictures Gr8gamingshots has uploaded more. To see those and plenty of other games check out his page here.

The Last of Us Part 2 by Leonardoxangel

The Last of Us Part 2 by Leonardoxangel

Leo has been featured on this blog prior to this showcase and was interviewed about his virtual photography a few months ago. Now he is back with his Last of Us 2 photography.

The Last of Us Part 2 by Leonardoxangel

Having fallen for the framing and cinematic option in Deathstranding, Leonardoxangel showcases his new found passion with these shots from the Last of Us 2.

The Last of Us Part 2 by Leonardoxangel

I think you will agree that he has come on leaps and bounds from his older work. Like any good creative he has proven that with a constant pursuit of his hobby and being adventurous, improvement comes naturally. 

The Last of Us Part 2 by Leonardoxangel

What started out as a page mainly of elegant portrait pictures has now developed into a far more ambitious and cinematic spectacle. I love seeing creativity develop and the creatives go into new territories that they previously did not explore. For more of his fantastic work check out his profile here.

 

The Last of Us: Gamevnom

The Last of Us by Gamevnom

Despite being a relatively new account on Instagram, Gamevnom aka Sebastian pulls no punches. His shots are vivid, bright and full of impact. Even in a dark and sinister game like The Last of Us, he injects with life and colour, capturing the vibrancy of the game and yet retaining the gritty drama.

The Last of Us by Gamevnom

I recommend Sebastian's work for anyone who is into decent and diverse virtual photography. Having only started his account in May he is one to watch as I am sure we have plenty more beauty to come. Click here to see more on his account.

The Last of Us by Gamevnom