glitter/fated covers [Making Of]

[XxCaRoLcHaNxX]

wow..and to think i thought the city was photoshopped.

[kirei_ayumi]

sugoi! I knew it was a real background

[taskinillusion]

Oh my gosh! These are awesome! I really love the perspective of that first one!

It's funny to see justification of the fact that people just don't quite get it. Lots of money = the ability to get the best of the best. The best photographers, the best lighting, the best makeup. Of course the best Photoshoppers come with that, as well. But still it baffles me how so few people actually understand how all of this works: skillful raw materials can get you 90% there. Has nobody ever seen live theatre? Well-produced live theatre looks like a moving painting because of the well-done lighting, costuming, makeup, and direction -- and there's no Photoshop going on there, now is there?

So while, certainly, Ayu and the Hong Kong skyline don't, in person, look quite as dreamy they do in these images (this is show business, after all), it's not just because some digigeek is smudging away in Photoshop. It's because they are using the same tricks that photographers, filmmakers, and theatre directors have been using for a century.

That all being said, Photoshopped or otherwise, I don't care, so long as the photo has a concept. And these photos have a fantastic and beautifully-executed concept. They beat lots of the other miscellaneous junk that Ayu has put out recently.

[taskinillusion]

Originally Posted by evolusean

It's funny to see justification of the fact that people just don't quite get it. Lots of money = the ability to get the best of the best. The best photographers, the best lighting, the best makeup. Of course the best Photoshoppers come with that, as well. But still it baffles me how so few people actually understand how all of this works: skillful raw materials can get you 90% there. Has nobody ever seen live theatre? Well-produced live theatre looks like a moving painting because of the well-done lighting, costuming, makeup, and direction -- and there's no Photoshop going on there, now is there?

So while, certainly, Ayu and the Hong Kong skyline don't, in person, look quite as dreamy they do in these images (this is show business, after all), it's not just because some digigeek is smudging away in Photoshop. It's because they are using the same tricks that photographers, filmmakers, and theatre directors have been using for a century.

That all being said, Photoshopped or otherwise, I don't care, so long as the photo has a concept. And these photos have a fantastic and beautifully-executed concept. They beat lots of the other miscellaneous junk that Ayu has put out recently.

Beautifully said!!!

[Raleigh]

^ I fully agree with you over there

[truehappiness]

Well, 2006's singles were certainly very.. miscellaneous. XD

Black background fuzzqueen Ayu and Ayu on some beds. D:

[Raleigh]

I think they were awesome. Both fit the theme well so I have no complaints. Better than 2005 covers anyhow.

[ayumisrael]

Originally Posted by evolusean

It's funny to see justification of the fact that people just don't quite get it. Lots of money = the ability to get the best of the best. The best photographers, the best lighting, the best makeup. Of course the best Photoshoppers come with that, as well. But still it baffles me how so few people actually understand how all of this works: skillful raw materials can get you 90% there. Has nobody ever seen live theatre? Well-produced live theatre looks like a moving painting because of the well-done lighting, costuming, makeup, and direction -- and there's no Photoshop going on there, now is there?

So while, certainly, Ayu and the Hong Kong skyline don't, in person, look quite as dreamy they do in these images (this is show business, after all), it's not just because some digigeek is smudging away in Photoshop. It's because they are using the same tricks that photographers, filmmakers, and theatre directors have been using for a century.

That all being said, Photoshopped or otherwise, I don't care, so long as the photo has a concept. And these photos have a fantastic and beautifully-executed concept. They beat lots of the other miscellaneous junk that Ayu has put out recently.

Couldn't say it better...
I'll just add what I already said.

You like how the picture look or you don't like how the picture look that's all.
You don't have to be a photoshop expert to know if you like it or not...
Yet the photoshop issue isn't new or surprising xD

[[ Melinda ]]

Originally Posted by evolusean

It's funny to see justification of the fact that people just don't quite get it. Lots of money = the ability to get the best of the best. The best photographers, the best lighting, the best makeup. Of course the best Photoshoppers come with that, as well. But still it baffles me how so few people actually understand how all of this works: skillful raw materials can get you 90% there. Has nobody ever seen live theatre? Well-produced live theatre looks like a moving painting because of the well-done lighting, costuming, makeup, and direction -- and there's no Photoshop going on there, now is there?

So while, certainly, Ayu and the Hong Kong skyline don't, in person, look quite as dreamy they do in these images (this is show business, after all), it's not just because some digigeek is smudging away in Photoshop. It's because they are using the same tricks that photographers, filmmakers, and theatre directors have been using for a century.

Exactly, 100% agreed. It feels like I've heard too much "This is photoshopped like crazy"-comments lately, and not just on Ayu.

[cloud♥honey]

Originally Posted by evolusean

It's funny to see justification of the fact that people just don't quite get it. Lots of money = the ability to get the best of the best. The best photographers, the best lighting, the best makeup. Of course the best Photoshoppers come with that, as well. But still it baffles me how so few people actually understand how all of this works: skillful raw materials can get you 90% there. Has nobody ever seen live theatre? Well-produced live theatre looks like a moving painting because of the well-done lighting, costuming, makeup, and direction -- and there's no Photoshop going on there, now is there?

So while, certainly, Ayu and the Hong Kong skyline don't, in person, look quite as dreamy they do in these images (this is show business, after all), it's not just because some digigeek is smudging away in Photoshop. It's because they are using the same tricks that photographers, filmmakers, and theatre directors have been using for a century.

That all being said, Photoshopped or otherwise, I don't care, so long as the photo has a concept. And these photos have a fantastic and beautifully-executed concept. They beat lots of the other miscellaneous junk that Ayu has put out recently.

I totally agree

[Chibi_Venus]

I love the third one! It's like exotic Hong Kong at night, a goddess appearing out of the water, and then the goddess looking at her pictures on an Apple laptop.

Hong Kong looks so beautiful! Thank you for the pictures!

[voltron]

Those pictures should be reason enough why Ayu needs to stop letting people over-photoshop her. She's more gorgeous when she actually looks real!

[Chandrachan]

The first pic is lovely!!
Arigatou for the pics!! ^^

[angelwing886]

Ayu looks beautiful, thanks for sharing.

[odyayumi]

Originally Posted by AyUmIXx

where did they took place?
it was not on a hotel's pool...but a public pool, wasn't it?

it was shot at the rooftop at intercontinental hong kong hotel

Originally Posted by miniayumi

wahahah the guy's feet looks like monkey's feet. clenching the ledge of the pool~ haha.

anyways, Hong Kong's skyline is UNREAL. TRULY breathtaking. This city really knows how to "WOW". I forgot what day (or is it every day of the week now) at 8pm (My memory is so foggy!) there is a light show on nearly every skyscraper. It happens nightly/weekly (Hong Kongers clarify this, please! - I think they recently changed it). The skyline lights up in a miasma (am I using this word right?) of lights and lasers. This is why Ayu loves Hong Kong.

I think Ayu's photographer caught the skyline right when it had the light shows.

yup... at 8pm .. and the show is called "A Symphony of Lights".. You can check that out at this site : http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...ng/index.jhtml

[Kumichan]

I love first pic. Thank U so much!

[Dgirl]

THANKS FOR SHARING

[Barbarellacult]

Wow! I really thought everything was photoshopped. I've been proved wrong. At least with the background. She looks lovely in these. Wish they had used the second one.

[Tarot Warrior]

Um... what are the two people submerged i nthe water even doing there O.o?