#Image Manipulation Service Provider

[photographyeditsblog]

How can Image Manipulation Services enhance my photos?

In the digital age, where visuals reign supreme, the art of image manipulation serves as a gateway to unlocking the full potential of your photographs. Whether you're a professional photographer, a social media influencer, or an avid enthusiast, understanding the diverse techniques and services available can elevate your images from ordinary to extraordinary. 

In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the realm of image editing, exploring various techniques, specialized services, software tools, workflow strategies, ethical considerations, and emerging trends.

Image Editing Techniques: Crafting Perfection Pixel by Pixel

Color Correction: The Foundation of Visual Harmony

Adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, and color balance to achieve the desired mood and aesthetic.

Balancing tones and hues to enhance the overall vibrancy and realism of the image.

Retouching: Embracing Flawlessness with Finesse

Eradicating blemishes, wrinkles, and imperfections to reveal the true beauty of subjects.

Striking a delicate balance between preserving natural features and enhancing visual appeal.

Sharpening: Unveiling Crispness and Clarity

Enhancing image sharpness and detail to ensure every pixel tells a story.

Fine-tuning edges and textures for a polished and professional finish.

Noise Reduction: Silencing Digital Distractions

Minimizing grain and artifacts to achieve smoother and more refined images.

Employing advanced algorithms to maintain image integrity while reducing visual distractions.

Crop and Resize: Redefining Composition and Scale

Tailoring image dimensions and framing to accentuate focal points and eliminate distractions.

Optimizing images for various platforms and mediums while preserving visual integrity.

Background Removal: Liberating Subjects with Precision

Extracting subjects from backgrounds or replacing backgrounds to enhance focus and impact.

Seamlessly integrating subjects into new environments while maintaining realism and coherence.

HDR Imaging: Unleashing Dynamic Range and Depth

Merging multiple exposures to capture a wider range of tones and details.

Achieving stunning visual effects that mimic the nuances of human perception.

Clipping Path: Mastering Precision and Control

Creating intricate paths to isolate objects for targeted manipulation and enhancement.

Facilitating complex editing workflows with surgical precision and efficiency.

Specialized Editing Services: Tailoring Solutions to Unique Needs

Portrait Retouching: Capturing Timeless Beauty

Enhancing facial features, skin tone, and texture while preserving natural essence and character.

Striving for authenticity and emotional resonance in every portrait.

Product Retouching: Elevating Brands with Visual Brilliance

Showcasing products in the best possible light through meticulous editing and enhancement.

Creating compelling visuals that inspire trust and desire in consumers.

Real Estate Photo Enhancement: Transforming Properties into Dreams

Enhancing property images to highlight key features and attract potential buyers.

Creating immersive visual experiences that resonate with clients and customers.

Fashion Photo Editing: Redefining Style and Elegance

Perfecting colors, removing distractions, and enhancing textures to elevate fashion imagery.

Creating captivating visuals that inspire creativity and evoke emotion.

Event Photo Editing: Preserving Moments with Precision

Enhancing photos from weddings, parties, and other special occasions to immortalize cherished memories.

Capturing the essence of each moment with authenticity and artistry.

Photomontage and Composite Editing: Blending Realities with Imagination

Seamlessly combining multiple images to create compelling narratives and visual stories.

Pushing the boundaries of creativity and storytelling through imaginative compositions.

Software and Tools: Empowering Creativity with Cutting-Edge Solutions

Adobe Photoshop: The Gold Standard of Image Manipulation

Harnessing the power of industry-leading tools and features for unparalleled creative control.

Pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling with endless possibilities for innovation.

Adobe Lightroom: Streamlining Editing Workflows with Precision

Leveraging non-destructive editing and batch processing capabilities for efficient workflow management.

Optimizing image organization and management for seamless collaboration and productivity.

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): Embracing Open-Source Innovation

Accessing a rich array of editing tools and functionalities without the constraints of proprietary software.

Contributing to a vibrant community of artists and developers dedicated to advancing the art of image manipulation.

Capture One: Unleashing the Power of Professional Editing

Harnessing specialized tools and workflows for professional photo editing and raw processing.

Achieving superior image quality and fidelity with precision-engineered editing solutions.

Affinity Photo: Redefining Creative Possibilities

Exploring powerful editing capabilities comparable to industry giants like Photoshop.

Empowering artists and designers with intuitive tools and workflows for limitless creativity.

Workflow and Process: Navigating the Path to Perfection

Client Communication: Understanding Needs and Expectations

Collaborating closely with clients to ensure a clear understanding of project goals and requirements.

Establishing open lines of communication to facilitate feedback and revisions throughout the editing process.

File Management: Organizing Chaos with Structure

Implementing efficient file organization systems to streamline workflow management and maximize productivity.

Ensuring seamless access to assets and resources for enhanced collaboration and efficiency.

Quality Control: Striving for Excellence in Every Detail

Implementing rigorous quality control measures to maintain consistency and accuracy in edits.

Conducting thorough reviews and revisions to ensure final deliverables meet or exceed client expectations.

Efficiency Techniques: Optimizing Productivity with Precision

Leveraging shortcuts, automation tools, and workflow optimizations to expedite editing processes.

Maximizing efficiency without compromising on quality or attention to detail.

Version Control: Safeguarding Against Errors and Revisions

Establishing robust version control systems to track and manage edits throughout the editing process.

Preserving the integrity of original files while facilitating seamless collaboration and iteration.

Ethical Considerations: Navigating the Complexities of Integrity and Responsibility

Authenticity: Preserving the Integrity of the Original Image

Upholding the authenticity and integrity of images through transparent and ethical editing practices.

Striving to maintain fidelity to reality while enhancing visual appeal and storytelling.

Disclosure: Communicating Transparently with Audiences

Providing clear and honest disclosure regarding any manipulations or alterations made to images.

Fostering trust and credibility with audiences through transparency and integrity.

Respecting Privacy: Safeguarding Sensitive Information

Respecting the privacy and dignity of individuals depicted in images by obtaining appropriate consent and permissions.

Exercising discretion and sensitivity when handling personal or sensitive images.

Copyright and Licensing: Respecting Intellectual Property Rights

Adhering to copyright laws and licensing agreements to protect the rights of content creators and copyright holders.

Obtaining necessary permissions and licenses for the use of copyrighted materials in accordance with legal requirements.

Trends and Innovations: Embracing the Future of Image Manipulation

AI-Powered Editing: Embracing the Rise of Automation

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for automated edits and enhancements.

Expanding creative horizons with AI-driven innovation.

In conclusion, the world of image manipulation offers a vast array of tools, techniques, and services aimed at enhancing the quality and appeal of photographs. Whether you're a professional photographer, a business owner, or an individual looking to elevate your visual content, understanding the intricacies of image manipulation is essential.

From basic editing techniques to specialized services tailored to specific needs, there's a solution for every scenario. By embracing ethical considerations, staying abreast of emerging trends, and optimizing workflow efficiency, individuals and businesses can unlock the full potential of their images. As technology continues to evolve, so too does the art of image manipulation, promising endless possibilities for creativity and innovation.

So, whether you're retouching portraits, enhancing product photos, or creating composite images, remember that with the right tools and knowledge, you can transform ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art.

FAQs on Image Manipulation Services

1. What are image manipulation services?

Image manipulation services encompass a range of techniques and processes aimed at enhancing and refining digital images. These services can include color correction, retouching, background removal, and more.

2. How can image editing techniques enhance my photos?

Image editing techniques like color correction, retouching, and sharpening can significantly improve the visual appeal and quality of your photos. They allow you to adjust brightness, remove imperfections, enhance details, and create a more polished final product.

3. What specialized editing services are available?

Specialized editing services cater to specific needs such as portrait retouching, product retouching, real estate photo enhancement, fashion photo editing, event photo editing, and photomontage/composite editing. These services ensure that your photos meet the requirements of various industries and purposes.

4. What software and tools are commonly used for image manipulation?

Popular software and tools for image manipulation include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), Capture One, and Affinity Photo. These tools offer a wide range of features and capabilities to suit different editing needs and preferences.

5. What is the importance of workflow and process in image manipulation?

Efficient workflow and process are essential for managing large volumes of image files, ensuring consistency and accuracy in edits, and optimizing productivity. Proper workflow management involves client communication, file management, quality control, efficiency techniques, and version control.

6. What ethical considerations should I keep in mind when manipulating images?

Ethical considerations in image manipulation include maintaining the authenticity of the original image, disclosing any alterations made, respecting privacy and consent, and adhering to copyright and licensing laws. Upholding ethical standards ensures transparency, integrity, and respect for individuals' rights.

7. What are some emerging trends in image manipulation? Emerging trends in image manipulation include the use of AI-powered editing tools for automated edits, augmented reality filters for interactive effects, non-destructive editing techniques for preserving the original image, and the rise of mobile editing apps for on-the-go editing convenience. These trends reflect advancements in technology and changing consumer preferences.

[cre8iveskills]

Let's explore the artistry of photo manipulation services and how they transform ordinary images into extraordinary masterpieces using photo editing techniques such as image masking, color correction, and image retouching.

[clippinggenius]

clipping genius is all set to provide a whole new experience in the field of image manipulation, Ghost mannequin, Neck joint service, Photo retouching, Cloth composite services.

[creativeclippingpathltd]

Exposure Correction Services

It's your goal to get picture-perfect moments. As a photographer, it is not required of you to use your artistic talents for taking perfect photos rather capture the perfect moments. For all those technical issues which require countless hours of editing, we have a professional graphical design team. Our experts are able to make up for the inability of cameras to truly capture a moment. Our goal is to enhance your creativity by providing you with the perfect image they were meant to be.

We have over 400+ skilled professionals who work 24/7 for providing full support and services online. Learn more about all our photo editing services such as photo restoration, Exposure correction, color correction, retouching, image manipulation, clipping, and more.

For More Information: https://www.creativeclippingpath.com/exposure-correction-service

[jointherebellion215]

If It's True

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen x female!reader

Summary: When an unexpected guest crashes your House's welcome feast for the Harkonnens, your life unknowingly becomes the start of a sad, sad song.

Word Count: 872

TW: Manipulation, Dark!Feyd-Rautha (so Regular Feyd-Rautha), she/her pronouns, AFAB reader, songfic

A/N: Hi, it's your friendly neighborhood shitposter. I'm taking a huge leap of faith with this fic, because I truly haven't written anything in YEARS. This idea has been bouncing around in my head for days, thus "the trilogy was born". This is meant to be Part One of a three part series, based on different songs from the musical Hadestown. I've obviously written this with very very dark interpretations of the songs and the themes. If enough people like it, I'll post parts two and three. Please let me know if it's any good, I'd love some feedback :)

AO3

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Dune properties, characters, or storylines-- nor do I own anything related to Hadestown. The images used in this are not my own, and any similarities to stories other than what I derive inspiration from are strictly coincidence.

What’s the use of his backbone

If he never stands upright?

“We welcome you to Kolhar, my lords Baron and na-Baron. Our House humbly offers our services and facilities to your use. I toast to our continued cooperation and to the strength of our Houses.”

As your father raised his cup, others of our House followed suit. The official welcome feast was well underway, though House Harkonnen had been planetside for at least a week already. The past few days had been for inspecting our mines and factories, ensuring that our production of their ships and swords were up to standard. 

Now? Pure pageantry. You found it a bit redundant, but it was necessary to ensure your good standing among the Houses of the Imperium. It was a grand occasion, in which the leaders of your father’s council were present, as well as the highest ranked mine workers. 

The doors to the large hall slam open, a familiar figure storming in. Your heart flutters at the sight of your beloved parting the crowds before him. The man who you had met by complete coincidence, one of the workers in a local steel mine, who you had spent the better part of a year meeting in secret—had crashed the court. You noticed a bruise growing on his cheek and blood trickling down his temple, indicating that his journey to enter through the doors was easier said than done. His voice soon bellowed throughout the hall. 

“My Lord Duke, I refuse to let your daughter’s hand be taken by the na-Baron. She cannot marry him.” 

The crowd gasps, as do you. You had spent the past week showing the na-Baron Feyd-Rautha around the grounds, the training of your most fierce warriors, and the best of your planet’s culture. You had shared a laugh or two and shown your prowess as a leader. Yes, you’d spent quite a bit of time with him, but marriage? This was news to you. 

You turn to your father, who gives you an apologetic grimace. Several Harkonnen guards step forward to seize the love of your life. You quickly stand to protest, but the na-Baron stops the guards in their track with a single snap of his fingers. He offers a hand to calm the crowd, an eerie stillness in his form.

“It is true, I have offered my hand to the Lady.”

I believe that with each other, 

we are stronger than we know.

“There must be a way around this. Even if this is in defiance of the court, they can’t punish all of us! We work their mines; they couldn’t truly function without us. We are the ones who truly hold the power! I implore you to stand with me, show them our strength!”

Your love stands strong, chin raised in the crowd, voice pleading with his brothers and sisters to stand beside him. He was convinced that this moment could provide a great revelation, that somehow your situation was different. That the consensus of a crowd could make the na-Baron stand down. Surely, your story could convince even the coldest of hearts that love can conquer all. He must have some sentimentality that resonates within him.

That's one of the main reasons why you fell in love with him. He's always so full of hope. Always willing to see the world as it could be, in spite of the way that it actually is.

But you knew better.

“This is treason.” Someone whispers in the room. Murmurs of assent soon follow, and your heart drops. The crowd around him quickly dissipates, as if the mere act of touching him promises death. 

And the ones who deal the cards

Are the ones who take the tricks

With their hands over their hearts

While we play the game they fix

You start to plead with your father to spare your lover. He doesn’t know any better, he wasn’t raised in the ways of politics or court. It’s purely out of his love and devotion to you, so please—

Feyd-Rautha stands up and the room is immediately devoid of sound. He cranes his neck to look at you.

“You love him?”

You swallow harshly, lifting your chin. “I do.” You went to your lover, making a bold statement in linking your fingers together. Presenting a united front. Hoping that somehow, your kind attitude the past week towards the na-Baron would allow this leniency.

A gleam flashes through his eyes, almost imperceptible. He gives a blackened smile, making show of placing his hand over his heart. Confusion fills you. He slithers down the steps towards the pair of you, boots echoing in the Feasting Hall, each step making your lover’s hand give a slight tremor. Your mind stands strong in its conviction, in the thought that you’ll have to fight for what you want. But a small tendril in the back of your mind gives the slightest hesitation. The smallest indication of hope. Maybe…

Piter leans towards his Baron, whispering concerns in his ears, but is quickly paused by the Baron’s hand. Vladimir gives a slow, menacing grin. He responds to his Mentat in a low voice,

“Don’t bother. You know that my nephew loves to play with his food.”

Is this how the world is?

[cjrae]

Stunted Love. Or: The Theme of MaoMao's little finger.

Maomao's little finger is a recurring motif in the Apothecary Diaries, and it receives even more emphasis in the anime's first season - it represents her belief that romantic love leads to pain and destruction. Spoilers primarily for the anime, but also the epilogue of light novel four and Chapter 15 of light novel six below.

Love In A Cage

The motif is first introduced in "The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit" - Concubine Fuyou's story. Maomao has already noted the parallels between the red light district and the Inner Palace, but here we see what happens when romantic love is introduced into the mix. On paper, Concubine Fuyou is a literal object of pity. Her personhood is being gifted to an officer who recently distinguished himself on the front lines, discarded after having failed to please the Emperor. It's telling that this is one of the first times we see Jinshi interacting with a consort where he is completely serious, without bringing his charm to bear. We never hear him say anything, but it's clear that he's communicating the Emperor's order with respect and understanding the gravity of the consequences for Fuyou.

As the events of the episode unfold, the parallels between courtesans and consorts get stronger as Maomao introduces the concept of having a contract bought out - if a man wants a courtesan enough, she is also an object to be purchased, albeit at potentially astronomical price. At first glance, it would seem like these women have absolutely no power in these scenarios - but by the end of the episode, Maomao shows us the feminine side of this transaction - how a woman can manipulate the system she is trapped by in order to get what she wants. All she has to do is lower her value - a rather counterintuitive measure that can go horribly wrong all too easily, as we see later.

And what Concubine Fuyou wants is to escape the Inner Palace to be with the man she loves - a task that she succeeds at. She has played a long, patient game in the service of freedom. Trapped in the cage of the Inner Palace herself, Maomao holds her scarred finger against the freedom of the sky and wonders what kind of medicine love would make.

Devotion

We see further flashbacks to Maomao's past through multiple episodes, but the next time the concept of love is brought up is when Fengming is confessing her role in the death of Consort Ah-Duo's baby in "Honey" (episode 11). Maomao is brought up short by Fengming's confession - she flat out says to the audience that she's never loved anyone with that depth of devotion Fengming displays toward Ah-Duo, so she doesn't know how Fengming feels. But if she doesn't have empathy to offer, she does have a rough kindness. Another person might have said that Ah-Duo deserved to know why her son died, that the knowledge might have provided closure. Maomao, however, believes that knowing the baby's cause of death would only cause more pain (it's never the crime and always about the cover-up) without providing any actual benefit.

With these two episodes framing her early character development we see that, whatever Maomao's natural inclinations are (and I will leave discussion of neuro divergency to those better qualified to discuss it), there is a certain distance between Maomao and her emotions most of the time. It is implied that this distancing from her emotions is a trauma response as the image of a woman holding a knife above her head while kneeling on a bed is shown but not explained (it is the only recurring image during the montage before the discussion about her potential execution with Jinshi).

Lakan and Fengxian

In "Lakan" (episode 18) the motif begins recurring more often as Maomao's parentage is revealed. We've caught glimpses of the sick woman in the annex before, but as the camera pans over the bed, it's clear that this is Maomao's mother (as always in anime, the hair is a dead giveaway). We've seen Maomao in this room, always curled in a fetal position, staring with blank eyes, but here we see Maomao actually caring for a woman who she describes as driving her out over and over again. The camera's focus is on Maomao's eyes as she watches her mother continuing to deteriorate - they're blank yet again, echoing her earlier line of "This is stupid. She's gone."

This is not the look of a girl who genuinely doesn't care about her mother. The image of her mother with the knife upraised is straight out of recurring nightmares that wake her gasping with terror and continue to haunt her after she's returned to work. While there is no AFFECTION involved, there are certainly very strong emotions here. Later, in the bath with Meimei, Maomao wonders if Meimei's in love - and immediately shies away from the thought, insisting that "love is an emotion I'm sure I left behind in the womb."

Interestingly, this is immediately belied as the Three Princesses (the women who took on the maternal role that her mother discarded) begin to pamper Maomao in the bath, and she relaxes into their touch, flushed with belonging and pleasure at their attention.

Confrontation

In "Blue Roses," (episode 22), everything has built to a head. By hiding Maomao back into the Rear Palace, Jinshi is acting as her shield - and Lakan responds with a power play. Both he and Jinshi are aware that Lakan knows his true identity, so Lakan provokes Jinshi with a political test. "Nothing is impossible" for a man with Jinshi's power - so providing some blue roses at a garden party in early spring should be simple, right? It's a near impossible task and Lakan knows it - even if Jinshi were to figure out how to dye the roses to be the appropriate color, they're still out of season.

Up until now, Maomao's response to Lakan has been to hide. But, with Jinshi's reputation on the line and seeing how worn out he is, Maomao has finally had enough. So she takes Lakan's challenge on and, while she's in the process of growing the hothouse roses so that Jinshi can best Lakan, she diverts unwanted attention from the Crystal Palace's handmaidens by showing Xiaolan how to do a manicure - something that draws attention to the deformed pinky on her hand and changes her perspective of the damage to the finger.

The art should be paid attention to here - we see close up shots of two other people's hands after having the manicure done - Xiaolan and Consort Lihua. In both of these shots, there's some subtle detail paid to their little fingers as well - Xiaolan's is ever so slightly crooked rather than perfectly straight, while Lihua flexes her fingers so that the pinky is extended as she looks at her hands. In the next shot, Maomao has done her nails as well - and when Jinshi draws attention to the fact that he's surprised she would do her nails (like Hongiang, Maomao usually prefers work over fashion), she looks at the finger and remarks that, even though her little finger is twisted and scarred, it looks better than it did before - an acknowledgement that the finger is not actually a hindrance, but a piece of her identity.

Healing

Giving Lakan the opportunity to finally do right by Fengxian is the most grace and forgiveness that Maomao can extend to either of her parents. Their romantic love is certainly sympathetic to an outsider, but Maomao was shaped by the consequences. Lakan's carelessness and Fengxian's willingness to break the rules of the pleasure district in order to deliberately lower her value so that she could be with the man she loved, is the guiding cautionary tale of her life.

But Maomao has also grown over the season. She is neither the terrified little girl, abandoned by mother and father alike (however unintentionally on Lakan's part) nor a teenager full of fear fueled rage at Lakan's persistence. She is Luomen's daughter and proud of that fact - she has found her family and a place in the world. It is with that more adult understanding of the world around her that she dances atop the wall of the Rear Palace, giving her parents the only thing she can, which is her blessing and best wishes for their short future, as she sends her mother off.

Sure enough, who is watching her as she takes a step toward a more mature identity but Jinshi? Other characters have provided a shield between Maomao and Lakan - Verdigris' madam, Meimei and even Luomen. But it is on Jinshi's behalf that Maomao decided to face Lakan herself. She loves her adoptive dad and granny and sisters with all the affection she never received from Fengxian, but Maomao's actions have always spoken much louder than her words - Jinshi protected her and she, in turn, chose to face her childhood bogeyman to help him.

Is it stating the obvious that Maomao tripping and Jinshi catching her is an obvious metaphor for falling in love?

As she dances on the wall, we see the two seemingly disparate sides of her identity coalesce into a whole. The moment she lets down her hair is a uniquely Japanese moment of eroticism (this is why maiko and geisha use the oshiroi that bare the nape of their necks), even as she's also deliberately reapplied her freckles.

The moment she realizes that Jinshi truly sees all of her in a uniquely emotional moment, she trips and is made terrifyingly vulnerable as she nearly goes over the edge - only to be caught safely in Jinshi's arms.

Safely back atop the wall, the little finger comes up one more time - except that this time, instead of looking at the damage inflicted and seeing the scar, Maomao looks at her pinky and shows it to Jinshi, telling him what sounds like a strangely gruesome medical fact. That a fingertip can regrow if cut off. For all the trauma that her biological parents caused her, for all that her pinky will be scarred for the rest of her life, the wound did heal. Maomao has healed - she is capable of friendship, loyalty and love that can inspire devotion - even if she rarely displays open affection.

Love Creates Fear

This motif comes back again, at the end of light novel 4 (what will be the end of Season 2, if the studio continues to stick to two light novels a season for pacing, which I expect they will). Jinshi has officially cast aside his cover as a eunuch and stepped into the political limelight as the Imperial Brother. Maomao, as a result of their adventures, has returned home, to her apothecary shop and, as she works she thinks about how everything has changed.

"Jinshi must have finally gone back to being whoever he really was. Maomao didn't know his real name: she couldn't have used it even if she did. The worlds they lived in were simply too different…Anyway, now that Jinshi was no longer a eunuch, he couldn't get away with keeping some lowborn girl around him…So it was for the best, really, that Maomao had come back to the apothecary's shop in the pleasure district."

As Maomao ruminates to herself about how she will never see Jinshi again, she retreats to what she knows best - medicine. She's got her emotions under lock and key and she's begun experimenting, working on creating a more potent painkiller. However, her pain tolerance is too high to work with her previous methods.

Or, to lay the metaphor bare, Maomao has dealt with abandonment before, but not like this. Her usual methods aren't working - so it's time to up the ante. What she does next is extremely telling.

"'Got to cut deeper if I want to be sure'. Maomao looked at her left hand, then tied some string firmly around her pinky. She stood and took a small knife from a cabinet. 'Here goes!'

Just as she was about to bring the knife down, a beautiful voice interrupted her: 'WHAT are you doing?'

Without a word, she turned to see a man in an unusual mask standing in the entryway of the shop…'Done with all your work?' Maomao asked, undoing the string around her finger and putting the knife back in the cabinet."

The thought that she and Jinshi are now living in such different worlds that they will never see each other again is painful enough that cutting her finger off in a thinly justified experiment is preferable to feeling her own emotions. What Maomao wants in this moment is a return to the emotional numbness of the past - only this time, she will do the damage herself.

But Jinshi is not Lakan and abandoning Maomao for any reason is simply not an option. Just as he caught her on the wall, Jinshi catches her again. A prince is standing in an apothecary shop on the edges of the red-light district, a place where he should not be - except for the fact that it's where Maomao is.

Connection and Communication

Finally, as a callback toward the end of light novel six, Jinshi and Maomao are beginning to reconnect after Jinshi screwed up and lost a lot of emotional ground in light novel five's epilogue, and he does the following.

"She reached out for the package, which Jinshi had put behind his back, but he planted a palm on her belly to keep her from sitting up and she couldn't reach it. She kicked her legs from sheer frustration and this time he grabbed her ankle. She was just trying to decide what he might be planning when he brushed the tip of his pinky finger along the back of her foot.

'Hrk?!' Maomao choked, squirming...The back of her foot, and her back as well, were hopelessly vulnerable to a gentle brush of the fingers.

'M-Master Jinshi...That's...not...fair!'"

While Jinshi is still the instigator in this scene, this is the the first instance of romantic and sexual contact that Maomao accepts, eventually bursting out laughing - and when he gets that laughter, Jinshi also immediately backs off, accepting that he has pushed her as far as she can go right now. But that first contact was via that tiny fingertip representing love.

His hard-learned patience is rewarded when Maomao is finally willing to speak to Jinshi about how she's feeling about his desire to marry her, first obliquely as they discuss the plot of a very familiar tragic romance, before she addresses the issue directly.

"Instead of answering, she murmured, 'I don't want to be an enemy.' Jinshi gave her a sidelong look as if to ask whose enemy she meant. 'To Empress Gyokuyou,' she said.

Would Jinshi understand what she was saying? If not, that was fine, Maomao thought. There were things even he didn't know.

'You - '

He seemed about to ask her something else when a horse whinnied outside..."

Maomao may be hesitant, she may feel very confused, but she finally gives Jinshi something to work with here - communicating to him not that she simply doesn't care about him that way, but that she has a very real, concrete fear about what a romantic relationship with him would mean, not only for them, but for everyone else around them.

That's a lot to balance on the tip of a pinky.

[rainydetectiveglitter]

𝒩𝐸𝒫𝒯𝒰𝒩𝐸 𝒯𝐻𝑅𝒪𝒰𝒢𝐻 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝐻𝒪𝒰𝒮𝐸𝒮: 𝐸𝒩𝒞𝐻𝒜𝒩𝒯𝑀𝐸𝒩𝒯 𝒜𝒩𝒟 𝒮𝐻𝒜𝒟𝒪𝒲𝒮

✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥

Neptune, the dreamy and mystical planet, brings both enchantment and shadows as it journeys through the astrological houses. Its influence can evoke a sense of magic, spirituality, and creativity, but it also has the potential to cast a fog of confusion, delusion, and escapism.

✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥

✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥

Neptune in the 1st House - House of Self

The enchantment of Neptune in the 1st house can be enticing, but its shadow side can manifest as identity issues and an inclination to escape from the harsh realities of life. Individuals with this placement may struggle to establish clear boundaries, often absorbing the emotions and issues of those around them. This can lead to a sense of confusion about their own identity, as they become chameleonic, adapting to others' expectations. The allure of substances or daydreaming might provide temporary relief, but it can lead to a pervasive sense of self-deception and disconnection from their true selves.

Neptune in the 2nd House - House of Values

While Neptune in the 2nd house adds a touch of glamour to one's values and possessions, it can also lead to financial instability due to idealized financial decisions. The shadow side may involve a tendency to overspend on escapist pleasures, such as lavish vacations or excessive indulgence. Money can become a source of confusion and escapism, rather than a means of practical security. Beware of deceptive financial schemes or unwise investments that can lead to substantial losses.

Neptune in the 3rd House - House of Communication

Neptune's influence in the 3rd house can foster creativity in communication but can also result in a propensity for misunderstanding and deceit. The shadow side can lead to a struggle with truthfulness, as individuals with this placement may resort to white lies or delusions to avoid confrontations or preserve their idealized self-image. They might find it challenging to express themselves clearly, often resorting to vague or cryptic communication, which can create confusion and mistrust in relationships.

Neptune in the 4th House - House of Home and Family

The dreamy allure of Neptune in the 4th house can infuse the home environment with a sense of enchantment and creativity. However, the shadow side may involve unresolved family issues, secrets, or addiction problems that are concealed behind a façade of tranquility. Individuals with this placement might struggle to establish emotional boundaries with family members, leading to emotional overwhelm and escapism through emotional numbing or substance abuse.

Neptune in the 5th House - House of Creativity and Pleasure

In the realm of creative expression and pleasure, Neptune in the 5th house can inspire artistic endeavors and romantic ideals. However, the shadow side may manifest as unrealistic romantic fantasies or creative blocks stemming from self-doubt and a fear of rejection. Individuals with this placement might find themselves caught in a cycle of seeking unattainable romantic partners or escaping reality through indulgent and potentially harmful pleasures.

Neptune in the 6th House - House of Service and Health

Neptune in the 6th house can lead to a strong desire to help others but may also result in blurred boundaries and a tendency to sacrifice one's well-being for others. The shadow side can involve a susceptibility to unhealthy work environments, where individuals become enablers or victims of manipulation. They might struggle with self-neglect, pursuing self-destructive habits or substance abuse as a means of escape from the pressures of daily life.

Neptune in the 7th House - House of Relationships

In the realm of partnerships and relationships, Neptune in the 7th house can create an idealized view of love and a longing for soulful connections. However, the shadow side may involve a tendency to attract or idealize partners who are emotionally unavailable, deceptive, or even addictive. Individuals with this placement might find themselves entangled in codependent relationships, where they sacrifice their own needs and boundaries for the sake of an illusory love.

Neptune in the 8th House - House of Transformation

Neptune in the 8th house can deepen one's connection to the mysteries of life but may also lead to an obsession with hidden truths and secrets. The shadow side can manifest as a preoccupation with dark or taboo subjects and an inclination toward manipulation or deceit in matters of shared resources. There is a potential for individuals with this placement to be deceived or financially exploited by others, leading to financial instability and emotional turmoil.

Neptune in the 9th House - House of Philosophy and Higher Learning

While Neptune in the 9th house can foster a spiritual and philosophical outlook on life, its shadow side may involve a susceptibility to cult-like beliefs or dogma. Individuals with this placement might become lost in a world of delusions and spiritual escapism, where they reject practical realities in favor of idealized spiritual pursuits. This can lead to a sense of disillusionment and isolation from grounded wisdom.

Neptune in the 10th House - House of Career and Public Image

In the realm of career and public image, Neptune in the 10th house can create an aura of mystique but may also lead to confusion regarding one's professional path. The shadow side may involve a tendency to deceive or be deceived in the workplace, leading to career setbacks and a loss of reputation. Individuals with this placement might struggle to distinguish between their authentic professional aspirations and illusory ambitions.

Neptune in the 11th House - House of Friends and Social Groups

While Neptune in the 11th house can foster empathy and idealism within social circles, its shadow side may involve a susceptibility to deception or disillusionment in friendships and group affiliations. Individuals with this placement might idealize friends or become entangled in deceptive group dynamics, ultimately leading to feelings of betrayal or isolation. The allure of escapism through social activities can be particularly pronounced.

Neptune in the 12th House - House of the Subconscious

Neptune's natural domain in the 12th house deepens one's connection to the subconscious but may also lead to profound emotional struggles. The shadow side can involve a tendency to escape from reality through addiction or spiritual delusions, creating a sense of inner chaos and isolation. Individuals with this placement might grapple with unresolved trauma or psychic wounds that require careful attention and healing.

✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥

✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥༻∞✧༺♥

Navigating Neptune's darker aspects through the houses is a profound journey, one that demands self-awareness and a commitment to confronting illusions and delusions. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, individuals can harness the transformative and spiritual power of Neptune while navigating the shadows of self-deception

(this is intended to appear somewhat disorienting)

[coochiequeens]

Another sex offender TIM released into the public.........and given a laptop

Daughter's fury as paedophile father who abused and shared images of her with other sick perverts online before changing gender in prison is quietly released (...and given a laptop by an offender's charity)

By ROSS SLATER

PUBLISHED: 10:47 EDT, 16 July 2023 | UPDATED: 10:49 EDT, 16 July 2023

A paedophile who changed gender while in prison for sexually abusing her own daughter as a child and sending explicit photos of her to perverts online has been quietly released back into the community - and given a laptop by a do-gooding charity.

Claire Fox, 61, who was previously known as Clive Bundy, a father of six, served just seven years of a 15-year jail sentence, before being settled into a tiny market town on the Welsh borders.

Fox, who wears a black wig and floral dresses told neighbours, who knew nothing of her sordid past, that she was an electrician from Bangor as they helped her get settled into her new surroundings and helped her furnish her flat.

Fox's release from prison has appalled her daughter Ceri-Lee Galvin, who bravely waived her right to anonymity, having been abused by her father for nine years from the age of eight.

Revealing her astonishment, Ceri-Lee, 24, told MailOnline: 'My father is not a woman and I refuse to recognise him as such. He changed his gender in prison to make his life there easier.

But now he is out and already up to his usual tricks – conning everyone he meets. 

'The fact he is now dressed as a woman makes him more dangerous as young girls are his thing and he has never shown any remorse.

'My father is a highly manipulative man who has attended no sexual offender rehabilitation programmes, shown no remorse for what he has done and openly admits finding children attractive.

'There have been no meetings I'm aware of to tell local schools about his presence, he has no tag and no curfew. He has just been put into this community and given all he could wish for – food, furniture, a home and a laptop.'

Ceri-Lee, now a student paramedic, added: 'I am in no way transphobic and I feel incredibly sorry for people who genuinely need to transition. They face stigma and worse because of cases like this.

'But it should just not be an option for those convicted of sexual offences against children to suddenly say that they want to be a woman.

'This only arose at the end of 2021 when he was due to be moved to an open prison but then had a fight with a fellow prisoner that was serious enough to stop the move.

'That is when he went for the gender change – when he was almost 60, having been a macho man all his life and having had eight children and having never mentioned gender dysphoria before.

'Now he is being indulged by everyone. The prison service gave him make-up and women's clothes and now a charity for the armed forces have provided him with so much stuff when all he did was a short stint in the Territorial Army in his 20s.

He has conned them. He was never a soldier. The whole thing is outrageous.'

Fox arrived in a sheltered accommodation block for older people in a tiny town at the start of June.

She was given new furniture, a television, printer, washing machine, crockery and a laptop by the armed forces charity SSAFA because she had once been in the Territorial Army.

Fox's neighbour Lyn Robinson, 74, said: 'My first impression was that this person was very cheerful and amenable, assuring all us older people that they'd be no trouble. They seemed very confident despite the outlandish appearance.

'I thought she might find it difficult fitting in so I really took care of her. I gave her clothes and even lent her £70, which is a lot for a pensioner.

'I took her to the food bank at the Baptist Church where she was given loads of stuff including vouchers for a butcher in town and for a coffee shop.

'And we went to a concert at St Edward's Church where I introduced her to the vicar. I had no idea of her history.

Fox's decision to change gender before being released from prison, provoked a storm of protest when it was revealed in April.

She chose the same name as gender-critical campaigner and media pundit Claire Fox, now sitting in the House of Lords as Baroness Fox of Buckley.

Campaign groups fear that by changing their gender, sex offenders can effectively whitewash their past and could avoid detection under the Home Office's Disclosure and Barring Service, set up to protect children from abusers.

DBS uses official paperwork such as a passport or driving licence to carry out their checks, both of which can prove difficult to check after choosing a new name and gender.

The potential loophole is provided by the Gender Recognition Act (2004), which created a 'sensitive applications route' for trans people.

Ceri-Lee added: 'The victim liaison officer told me the only reason I was being informed about the name and gender change was because he had given permission for this to happen.

'It's allowing him to say that Clive Bundy never existed, that my abuse never existed and it is clearly a danger to children which is why I decided to speak out.' 

Fox is not the first sex offender to change gender while in prison

A rapist who carried out sexual attacks as a man named Adam Graham in 2016 and 2019 sparked a heated debate earlier this year after changing gender and name to Isla Bryson while waiting to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

And in 2018, convicted rapist 'Karen White' – branded a 'highly manipulative' predator by a judge – was moved to HMP New Hall in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and sexually assaulted two women inmates.

Fox was arrested after police discovered images of Ceri-Lee online that the abuser had been trading with other pedophiles.

She was later charged with and admitted to several counts of sexual activity with Ceri-Lee, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and distributing indecent images.

In 2016 she was sentenced to 15 years in prison. It was not until the end of 2021 that she told the authorities she wanted to change gender.

A SSAFA spokesperson, said: 'SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity provides practical, emotional and financial assistance to serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families in their time of need. Due to data protection laws and our need to protect our beneficiaries' and employees' confidentiality, we cannot comment on individuals or their circumstances.'

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 'In line with national guidelines we can neither confirm nor deny the information you have provided.

'However, we can confirm that Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements are utilised throughout the entire force area to manage appropriate offenders living in the community and they will be closely supervised by local officers to minimise any risk.'

[cre8iveskills]

How Do Photo Manipulation Services Shape the Perception of Digital Art?

In recent times, our lives have been inundated with visuals. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed again, we find them everywhere, whether it's on our phones, laptops, televisions, posters, billboards, print media, and so on.! The undeniable fact is that the fast pace of modern life has significantly shortened the attention span of humans. So, when tons of information bombards us every moment, who cares about understanding concepts and ideas that fail to make an impression within seconds?

This is where the true power of clear, well-composed, and visually appealing images shines through. With their excellent composition, sharpness, clarity, proper exposure, and brilliant colors, these sorts of images help onlookers understand the subject matter easily and convey complex narratives, thoughts, and experiences in more intriguing ways. As a result, they have become universal tools for communication, connection, and expression in marketing, social media, news, and other forms of content.

Here, the adept application of photo manipulation techniques can help create sharp and refined images, add a specific atmosphere and mood, and push them to the status of art by enhancing their overall visual appeal and narrative effectiveness. 

What Exactly Is the Image Manipulation?

Photos always have something to say. Whether it's moments of pleasure, frenzy, or a message of hope, love, or even dreadfulness, they possess the power to evoke strong emotions and reactions. In this context, photo or image manipulation can be defined as a process in which, using the latest and most advanced graphic software, images undergo simple to dramatic changes to make them suitable for practical, aesthetic, or decorative purposes.

you can experience the prevalence of this method for images everywhere. Some of the most frequent editing techniques include

Image Masking

This is one of the most commonly used and fundamental techniques for isolating or hiding certain parts of a picture. Making use of layers, manipulators use this method to make detailed and non-destructive changes to specific areas of a photograph. Image masking includes the ability to create complex compositions, remove backgrounds, and highlight objects without affecting the rest of the photo.

Color Correction

The key to realistic-looking photos is getting the color balance just right. The interplay of complementary colors adds drama and excitement to photos, and color correction serves as a fundamental technique that lets graphic artists adjust contrast, saturation, and brightness to make them look more accurate or appealing.

Image Retouching

Perhaps you are familiar with the feeling of disappointment when you come to realize that your eye is more drawn to an unwelcome object in a photograph of a stunning landscape that you have taken with your camera. It's one of the most frustrating common issues, and in such scenarios, the photo retouching technique proves extremely helpful in making pictures look more polished and perfect by adding, removing, or altering unwanted objects and getting rid of any kind of imperfections.

Effects And Filters

This technique is another popular way to dramatically change the look of images. The technique involves adding objects to pictures to achieve a variety of artistic effects on them, such as sharpening, blurring, HDR, tilt-shift, texture, vignetting, etc. Also, advanced and AI-powered software offers realistic and creative effects with minimal input to make photos more realistic, abstract, or surreal.

The Factors Driving Demand For Photo Editing Services? 

Visual-Centric Digital Culture 

As discussed, in visual-centric digital culture, we are constantly getting bombarded with pictures. They wonderfully tell stories, express emotions, and make lasting impressions. As a result, whether it's for self-expression, branding, or even just grabbing attention, people, groups, and organizations see images as a powerful tool and are becoming more careful of how they use them to achieve their objectives. This increases their chances of using image manipulation services.

Increasing Prevalence of Visualization In Marketing And Branding

Visual marketing is more powerful than ever, and photos, being one of the most crucial aspects of it, help businesses cut through the noise by grabbing attention and drawing viewers in. High-quality, well-composed, and sharp product images hold the power to ignite emotions, engage, and persuade the viewer to explore more.

Realizing this, local businesses, brands, and influencers seem to be increasingly using creative, sharp, and visually striking images to promote products, services, and even lifestyles. This is particularly true in industries where aesthetics and design matter, such as e-commerce, food, interior design, fashion, and so on. Investing in professional photo editing services helps them increase engagement, build trust, and overall yield significant benefits for their marketing efforts. 

Creative Expression

What could be a better way to tell the story of everyday life, and share experiences that provoke thoughts and emotions, than with photos? Still, our relentless pursuit of aesthetic perfection and the need for visual communication compels us to add a touch of elegance to them.

This is particularly evident in today's digital landscape and social media-centric culture, where photos are more than just snapshots. In the truest sense, they are a form of creative expression. Whether on Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook, you can see how people are getting increasingly drawn to curating their online presence, sharing their interests, passions, and showcasing adventure and lifestyle through captivating and emotion-provoking pictures.

From artistic exploration to storytelling, image manipulation techniques offer a wide range of possibilities for self-expression.

The Significance of Professional Photo Manipulation Service Providers

Sharp, detailed, thought-provoking, and inspiring—we just explored how these kinds of images are increasingly gaining significance from different perspectives and how photo manipulation helps to maximize their impact. Furthermore, with its vast experience, expertise, and efficiency, well-established image manipulation service providers make a huge difference. 

Here are some reasons why partnering with them can be highly advantageous for you:

Experience, Expertise, And Infrastructure

Studios or production units of well-established photo manipulation service providers invest in the most advanced software and they employ highly competent image manipulation professionals with. These experts effectively amalgamate their skills and experience with the technological prowess of the most advanced and AI-powered graphic software and tools to perform high-quality edits.

From carefully adjusting the lighting and colors to combining different elements, they deliver high-quality images that are just what you need. 

Realistic And special effects

Perhaps you have a photo of a scenic landscape that lacks the drama of a stormy sky, or you simply want to add a touch of vintage or retro to your snaps. Here, proficient image manipulators, by combining digital techniques with their expertise, can help you achieve those desired effects, from realism to impressionism. 

Digital Paintings And Limitless Creative Possibilities

Fascinating and enticing, digital paintings are now widely recognized as a versatile form of visual art that appeals to audiences looking for fresh and creative visuals. To help you in this, these vendors offer expertise, and access to the latest photo manipulation technology, and encourage collaboration between you and their creative team graphic artists to unlock limitless creative possibilities in digital painting projects.

The role of digital painting experts is crucial during the entire process, as they act as creative problem solvers who take your concepts and ideas and figure out the most effective ways to execute them effectively, no matter how challenging they may be or whether they involve complex and unconventional manipulations. 

Considerations for Selecting An Image Manipulation Vendors

Check Out Your Requirements 

Do the photos simply require adding and removing objects from their backgrounds, or do you need to apply some intricate creative effects? If you need a lot of adjustments made to them and want to achieve something complex. In that case, it is always good to go with a photo manipulation service provider who has extensive industry knowledge and a high level of expertise. 

Research And Contact With Potential Providers 

Once you've carefully considered your needs, it's time to start researching potential service providers using various online and offline resources. After you've narrowed your choices to a few vendors that you feel good about, contact them and begin gathering information. Ask about their procedures, revision policies, turnaround times, and quotes. 

Look For Portfolio And Work Samples

In addition to the essential information, reviewing the portfolio and work gives you insight into the range of services and editing tasks that the provider is capable of handling. For example, you can ask for previously executed samples of their work in the portfolio, which can give you a clear idea of their skills and proficiency. Furthermore, this helps you determine if the service provider can produce the result you desire.

Evaluate Expertise, Expertise, And Efficiency

After looking at the portfolios of multiple photo editing service providers, and comparing their work side-by-side, this is the fundamental step of the entire selection process. By meticulously evaluating these three aspects, you increase the chances of selecting a vendor who will be a valuable partner who is highly aligned with your project requirements.

This ensures the highest quality results, meeting project deadlines, minimizing potential setbacks, and ensuring smooth communication to guarantee the overall success of your manipulation projects.

Wrapping It Up

In the age of information overload and social media, we're seeing images become more powerful than ever before. Especially, photos that are clear, realistic, and creative are gaining increasing significance because of their exceptional qualities to cut through the noise and capture attention. From this perspective, image manipulation or photo editing services have become indispensable aspects, whether they are for businesses, marketing products and services, social media influencers, or simply someone who wants to share photos with the world.

In this regard, well-established photo editing service providers act as versatile experts, helping individuals and businesses across various industries to achieve stunning and engaging photos for their desired purposes. Particularly our proficient image manipulators always stay a step ahead and use the latest photo editing software at Cre8iveSkill to perfectly combine their in-depth knowledge and creative capabilities to add effects to images that will impress masterfully.

So, If you need photographs that are sure to WOW you and your audience, get in touch with expertise of Cre8iveSkill right away!

Source: https://www.cre8iveskill.com/blog/what-is-photo-manipulation-services-and-why-is-it-trending-nowadays

[egg-emperor]

Since eggy paid off his debt with vector with his booty, it makes one wonder how many other debts he paid off or how many pickles he got out of that way 👀

That's literally one of my favorite concepts ever lol so yeah I certainly like to imagine he has done it multiple times over the years 🥴

As a villain and mastermind, he of course has many options in getting what he wants/refusing to repay any kind of debt etc both violent and smart and he also enjoys them a ton but in desperate horny times, he'll take the much naughtier option and offer himself. With a big plump butt and large mouth with big tongue like his, I imagine most people he offers such services to are interested in giving him a try, even if they were acting like they can't stand him. He finds many are secretly fascinated and curious 👀

This being a solid go to method he's used a few times is his excuse for why he really knows what he's doing and is clearly experienced in getting on his knees for someone and servicing them. Not only does he satisfy them and get out of tricky situations, he also uses it as his excuse to be a slut lol. Hoping that they'll see it as something he only does out of pure desperation at his limit because he doesn't often wanna admit to himself and others that he can enjoy being in the more submissive position

But he seems to enjoy it a little bit too much, the way he'll really exaggerate and play up the act of being vulnerable and desperate and at his wit's end on what else to do, even though they know he's way more dangerous and smarter than that and definitely has other options. XD He seems too into it with the way he'll beg and plead, takes his glasses off and bats his lashes at them while saying "ohhh please, I'll do anything else you want to repay you!" as he throws himself back, or gets down on his knees, or practically throws himself into their arms.

This dramatic fucking gay ass pose that I can't stop thinking about all the time is literally a prime example of what I think of lol it's so good

That is an absolute faggot I cannot put it lightly ahfoahdghakf

He's very manipulative and a good actor but they don't expect him to use it in this way, in such an unexpected situation for him. They know he's trying to be sweet and persuasive and really trying to play into and appeal to a fantasy but he definitely seems waaay too enthusiastic about it for it to all only be an act. There's definitely some truth to it and they don't believe that he's this good at it just by the amount of times he's decided to use it as a way out of situations like this... Though he has also done just that a good few times and likes it hehe ;)

I also see him pulling this same tactic even when he doesn't owe them anything, such as when he's on the ground defeated and an enemy walks over to him supposedly to finish him off, he'll be like "Ohh please don't kill me, surely there's some other way you can take out your frustrations on me and find some release!" And well he's not exactly very subtle in what he's trying to suggest with that when all they can see of him when approaching is his big fat ass in the air with legs spread and presenting to them when he's lay there like this lol

I'm just obsessed with using these two images and happy to bring them out again to provide some visuals fhsngksjgjs

[thepastisalreadywritten]

(CNN) — Jack Latham was on a mission to photograph farms in Vietnam — not the country’s sprawling plantations or rice terraces but its “click farms.”

Last year, the British photographer spent a month in the capital Hanoi documenting some of the shadowy enterprises that help clients artificially boost online traffic and social media engagement in the hope of manipulating algorithms and user perceptions.

The resulting images, which feature in his new book “Beggar’s Honey,” provide rare insight into the workshops that hire low-paid workers to cultivate likes, comments and shares for businesses and individuals globally.

“When most people are on social media, they want nothing but attention — they’re begging for it,” Latham said in a phone interview, explaining his book’s title.

“With social media, our attention is a product for advertisers and marketers.”

In the 2000s, the growing popularity of social media sites — including Facebook and Twitter, now called X — created a new market for well-curated digital profiles, with companies and brands vying to maximize visibility and influence.

Though it is unclear when click farms began proliferating, tech experts warned about “virtual gang masters” operating them from low-income countries as early as 2007.

In the following decades, click farms exploded in number — particularly in Asia, where they can be found across India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and beyond.

Regulations have often failed to keep pace: While some countries, like China, have attempted to crack down on operations (the China Advertising Association banned the use of click farms for commercial gain in 2020), they continue to flourish around the continent, especially in places where low labor and electricity costs make it affordable to power hundreds of devices simultaneously.

‘Like Silicon Valley startups’

Latham’s project took him to five click farms in Vietnam.

(The click farmers he hoped to photograph in Hong Kong “got cold feet,” he said, and pandemic-related travel restrictions dashed his plans to document the practice in mainland China).

On the outskirts of Hanoi, Latham visited workshops operating from residential properties and hotels.

Some had a traditional setup with hundreds of manually operated phones, while others used a newer, compact method called “box farming” — a phrase used by the click farmers Latham visited — where several phones, without screens and batteries, are wired together and linked to a computer interface.

Latham said one of the click farms he visited was a family-run business, though the others appeared more like a tech companies.

Most workers were in their 20s and 30s, he added.

“They all looked like Silicon Valley startups,” he said. “There was a tremendous amount of hardware … whole walls of phones.”

Some of Latham’s photos depict — albeit anonymously — workers tasked with harvesting clicks.

In one image, a man is seen stationed amid a sea of gadgets in what appears to be a lonely and monotonous task.

“It only takes one person to control large amounts of phones,” Latham said. “One person can very quickly (do the work of) 10,000. It’s both solitary and crowded.”

At the farms Lathan visited, individuals were usually in charge of a particular social media platforms.

For instance, one “farmer” would be responsible for mass posting and commenting on Facebook accounts, or setting up YouTube platforms where they post and watch videos on loop.

The photographer added that TikTok is now the most popular platform at the click farms he visited.

The click farmers Latham spoke to mostly advertised their services online for less than one cent per click, view or interaction.

And despite the fraudulent nature of their tasks, they seemed to treat it like just another job, the photographer said.

‘There was an understanding they were just providing a service,” he added. “There wasn’t a shadiness. What they’re offering is shortcuts.”

Deceptive perception

Across its 134 pages, “Beggar’s Honey” includes a collection of abstract photographs — some seductive, others contemplative — depicting videos that appeared on Latham’s TikTok feed.

He included them in the book to represent the kind of content he saw being boosted by click farms.

But many of his photos focus on the hardware used to manipulate social media —webs of wires, phones and computers.

“A lot of my work is about conspiracies,” Latham said. ” Trying to ‘document the machines used to spread disinformation’ is the tagline of the project. The bigger picture is often the thing we don’t see.”

Click farms around the world are also used to amplify political messages and spread disinformation during elections.

In 2016, Cambodia’s then-prime minister Hun Sen was accused of buying Facebook friends and likes, which according to the BBC he denied, while shadowy operations in North Macedonia were found to have spread pro-Donald Trump posts and articles during that year’s US presidential election.

While researching, Latham said he found that algorithms — a topic of his previous book, “Latent Bloom” — often recommended videos that he said got increasingly “extreme” with each click.

“If you only digest a diet of that, it’s a matter of time you become diabetically conspiratorial,” he said.

“The spreading of disinformation is the worst thing. It happens in your pocket, not newspapers, and it’s terrifying that it’s tailored to your kind of neurosis.”

Hoping to raise awareness of the phenomenon and its dangers, Latham is planning to exhibit his own home version of a click farm — a small box with several phones attached to a computer interface — at the 2024 Images Vevey Festival in Switzerland.

He bought the gadget in Vietnam for the equivalent of about $1,000 and has occasionally experimented with it on his social media accounts.

On Instagram, Latham’s photos usually attract anywhere from a few dozen to couple hundred likes.

But when he deployed his personal click farm to announce his latest book, the post generated more than 6,600 likes.

The photographer wants people to realize that there’s more to what they see on social media — and that metrics aren’t a measurement of authenticity.

“When people are better equipped with knowledge of how things work, they can make more informed decisions,” he said.

“Beggar’s Honey,” co-published by Here Press and Images Vevey, is available now.

[mariacallous]

Warning: This article discusses explicit adult content and child sexual abuse material (CSAM)

One of the world’s largest online video game marketplaces says it has referred user accounts to legal authorities after a Bellingcat investigation found tokens to create nonconsensual pornographic deepfakes were being surreptitiously sold on the site.

Accounts on G2A were being used to collect payments for Clothoff, one of the most popular and controversial nonconsensual pornographic deepfake sites on the internet. Clothoff disguised the sales as if they were for downloadable gaming content.

“Security is one of our top priorities that we never compromise on, hence we have taken immediate action and suspended the sellers in question until we have investigated it fully,” G2A said, in a statement. “We also decided to report the case to the appropriate authorities.” (G2A said it was reporting the accounts and the companies affiliated with them to authorities in the “companies’ countries of origin” which, as this story outlines below, varies but includes the US and New Zealand.)

Clothoff is part of a loosely affiliated network of similar platforms uncovered in Bellingcat’s investigation.

The network, which also includes the sites Nudify, Undress, and DrawNudes, has variously manipulated financial and online service providers that ban adult content and non-consensual deep fakes by disguising their activities to evade crackdowns. Other services they have tried to exploit include Coinbase, Patreon, Paypal, Shopify, Steam and Stripe.

Behind one G2A account that was selling tokens for Clothoff is an IT solutions firm called Aurora Borealis Limited Liability Company, listed on the account’s contact page. On its website, Aurora Borealis claims G2A is one of its partners, which the gaming marketplace said is false.

Aurora’s CEO, a Valencia-based entrepreneur named Vitalii Ionov, did not reply to a request for comment, nor did his company. Ionov, as this investigation details, is affiliated with multiple entities that overlap with Clothoff and the network of deepfake porn sites. Another company he is listed as the CEO of has also falsely claimed to be partners with other companies, including Microsoft.

This investigation also uncovered a fake Clothoff CEO who was, in fact, an AI-generated image. The fake CEO notwithstanding, a trail of open source records reveals a loose network of real companies with real people attached to them behind Clothoff, Nudify, Undress, and DrawNudes.

The rapid proliferation of non-consensual pornographic deepfakes is an alarming phenomenon. Legislators in the UK recently made sharing such images illegal, while a bipartisan group of US Senators have proposed a law that would allow people to sue over them. Images of underage girls generated by Clothoff are currently the subject of a Spanish police investigation.

A recent report by independent research group Graphika said that there was a 2,408 per cent increase in referral links to nonconsensual pornographic deepfake sites across Reddit and X in 2023. A 2019 report by Sensity, a company that detects and monitors deepfakes, found that 96 per cent of deepfakes are non-consensual porn and, of those, 99 per cent are of women.

In this story, we take you through how we linked some of the biggest AI deepfake domains together, how we traced their illicit financial networks, and how we discovered the people operating in the shadows behind them.

[anime-addictt]

Enneagram 2

Need: To be loved. 

Belongs to:  Heart triad. The compliant heart triad that caters to others’ needs to fill their sense of pride and make themselves feel loved. 

Kind, sweet and caring are one way to describe enneagram 2. However, something that a lot of people overlook when it comes to this type is their pride. It’s interesting because type 2s genuinely approach people and try to convince one to love them from a position of rejection and shame. However, on receiving love, to avoid rejection, they start taking pride in how others need them. 

2s are also quite aggressive in how they try to attain love. In unhealthy versions, they can be extremely manipulative; they can guilt-trip you into providing them with the love they think they deserve by bringing up all the times they made sure you were loved and taken care of (if you notice, you can see how much pride they take in taking care of people and in people needing them)

Like the other heart types, 2s create a persona to navigate this world. This is the caring, motherly, “what would you be without me” version. They understand the manipulation behind giving and receiving love to the point that they can perfectly execute a version of themself that would be fit for loving. This persona of their would differ based on their dominant instinctual variant. 

2s as children were rejected, so they taught themselves to earn love through manipulation and persona. This includes providing service, seduction, innocence, etc. 

Wings: 

2w1: The 2 that enjoys receiving and giving love “moralistically”. Along with rejection, they have this inner anger, which makes them mold their “love” to perfection. They also believe that they wouldn’t be able to convince people of their love if it isn’t for the right/good/perfect cause. 

2w3: Being a double-image type, these types really really care about being loveable. Bit less moralistic, more concerned about self-image, have an essence of vanity that threes would have, but this would be more centered towards the amount of love they receive. Can have the “notice me senpai” feeling to them.

Subtypes:

Sp: Since this subtype is more about preserving oneself, the 2 in this case would go about trying to present a persona that can be protected and loved. They might portray themselves as this weak, cute, soft and caring person who will be loved because they’re harmless, and can be cared for.

Sx: They are your typical “dark femme”, “seductress”, “man eater” persona since they manipulate the sx attraction and make it something that can be used for being admired, loved and worshipped. Once merged, they would do anything to maintain that image of love that they initially displayed to their object of interest.

So: Your typical, mother-hen, goddess, savior. Will create an external structure or society that is built out of their persona of wanting to protect. However, like every other subtype, this “giving” stems from a lack of receiving, and from the hopes that on wanting to protect, they might find love. 

One of the biggest misconception of enneagram 2 is that people believe that they’re self-sacrificing, kind, caring, etc. They assign 2 with these trait to depict how they receive love. We must remember that 2 belongs to the heart triad, who have concerns around shame and being accepted for who they are. Since it is all about shame and struggle with self-acceptance, your typical 2 is more likely to create a persona that they know will be loved. So try viewing 2s, or all the heart triads from a position of image. Yes, they might show love by doing everything for you, but they can also show love by being a strict ruler who treats her subjects as her kids (Daenerys Targaryen), by being the unattainable confident bad-ass who only serves herself, cause she loves the attention she gets (Maddy Perez), or by being the cute girl next door who wishes to be protected (Historia Reiss).  

2s infact know what exactly they want and far-from sacrificing. So differentiate them from other types as someone who is concerned about obtaining love by creating an image that can be loved..

Common Mistypes: So 9, Sx 9, So 6, So 7, So 8 

[rainydetectiveglitter]

How Pluto's Obsessions Can Kill

The effects of Pluto's obsessions on each house can be quite impactful, potentially leading to challenging outcomes. As Pluto represents transformation, power, and intense desires, its influence can trigger a process of deep change and regeneration. However, when obsessions take hold, they can lead to destructive tendencies or extreme behaviors. Let's explore how Pluto's influence might manifest in each house:

First House (Self-Identity)

Obsessions in the first house could lead to an intense preoccupation with self-image, appearance, or personal identity. While this might drive personal growth, it could also result in self-destructive behavior if taken to the extreme.

Second House (Finances and Values)

Obsessions in the second house could revolve around material possessions, financial security, or personal values. This may lead to a relentless pursuit of wealth or possessions, potentially at the expense of other aspects of life.

Third House (Communication and Learning)

Obsessions in the third house might manifest as a need for control over communication or a fixation on learning and knowledge. While this can lead to intellectual depth, it may also result in an inability to listen or communicate effectively with others.

Fourth House (Home and Family)

Obsessions in the fourth house could center on family dynamics, home life, or emotional security. This might lead to power struggles within the family unit or an intense need for control over one's living environment.

Fifth House (Creativity and Romance)

Obsessions in the fifth house may involve creative self-expression, romance, or personal passions. While this can drive artistic achievements, it could also lead to volatile relationships or risky behaviors.

Sixth House (Health and Service)

Obsessions in the sixth house might manifest as an intense focus on health, routines, or service to others. This could lead to health-related anxieties or a compulsion to control every aspect of daily life.

Seventh House (Partnerships)

Obsessions in the seventh house could involve partnerships, relationships, or collaboration. This might lead to power struggles or an intense need for control within relationships.

Eighth House (Transformation and Intimacy)

Obsessions in the eighth house may center around shared resources, intimacy, or deep psychological exploration. This might lead to issues of manipulation, control, or a preoccupation with taboo subjects.

Ninth House (Travel and Philosophy)

Obsessions in the ninth house could revolve around travel, higher education, or philosophical beliefs. While this may drive a quest for knowledge, it could also lead to rigid beliefs or fanatical ideologies.

Tenth House (Career and Public Image)

Obsessions in the tenth house might involve career ambitions, public image, or status. This could lead to a relentless pursuit of success, potentially at the expense of personal well-being.

Eleventh House (Community and Friendships)

Obsessions in the eleventh house could manifest as a need for control within friendships or a fixation on social causes. This may result in power struggles within social circles or an intense desire to influence group dynamics.

Twelfth House (Spirituality and Isolation)

Obsessions in the twelfth house might involve spirituality, subconscious patterns, or isolation. While this can lead to profound spiritual growth, it may also result in a retreat from reality or an unhealthy preoccupation with the unseen.

Always keep in mind that astrology provides valuable insights, yet our actions and choices are shaped by a myriad of factors. While Pluto's influence in each house can spark intense interests, it's essential to strike a balance. Embracing self-awareness, practicing moderation, and seeking guidance from professionals can help us navigate any tendencies towards obsessions that might arise from Pluto's energy in our lives. Remember, we're all on a unique journey, and understanding ourselves better is a step toward growth and harmony.

[homosexuhauls]

UK feminists, did you know that there are crisis pregnancy centres operating throughout the UK?

I didn't, until last night's (27/02/23) BBC Panorama special. After this I googled "crisis pregnancy centres UK" and discovered that not only do dozens of these places exist, but one of them is operating less than ten minutes from my own home. Maybe it's my own naivety, but I honestly assumed that these were a US-only nightmare.

For those unaware, crisis pregnancy centres typically operate under the guise of a normal women's health or pregnancy/abortion/miscarriage support service. Almost all of these centres obscure or withhold entirely their Christian origins and anti-abortion stance. Their websites describe non-judgemental environments, licensed councillors/therapists, and impartial advice. Pregnant women go to them, believing they will receive unbiased, medically accurate information, resources, and support regarding the termination of their pregnancy. Instead, they are guilt-tripped, isolated, coerced, manipulated into have unnecessary scans, shown traumatising images, and given medical misinformation. Specifically, these centres promote the widely discredited concept of Post Abortion Syndrome as an unavoidable consequence of abortion.

Shockingly, most of these crisis pregnancy centres are operating as official charities, registered with The Charity Commission. Not only does this give them undeserved credibility, it enables them other benefits like tax relief and potentially access to charitable trusts and grants. According to the BBC,

"The Charity Commission in Northern Ireland told Panorama it is already looking into Stanton Healthcare. The Charity Commission in England said it is assessing information provided by the programme."

However, with the number of centres currently operating (up to 57, from the BBC article) I worry that The Charity Commission will not adequately investigate them all.

Unfortunately, the BBC has not published a full list of the centres active in the UK. I might try to compile a list and add it to this post, but I would encourage everyone in the UK to have a browse and see if any such centres pop up near you. You can make a complaint to The Charity Commission (if they are a registered charity), although without specific proof I have no idea how successful this may be. Equally though, you can make everyone in your local area aware of the damage these places cause and the misinformation they spread.

Many crisis pregnancy centres seem to target vulnerable populations of pregnant women such as homeless women and those escaping domestic abuse. If you work with any groups supporting vulnerable women, make sure they are aware of these centres and the risk they pose. It may also be worth organising local protests or awareness campaigns. I'm sure it's not just me who was woefully uninformed about the prevalence of these centres in the UK.

Learn more about the BBC Panorama investigation here (including where to watch it, UK only unfortunately)

Make a complaint to The Chairty Commission here

Join the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) campaign against crisis pregnancy centres here

[yandere-toons]

MARK BEAKS

Platonic & Romantic Headcanons – Yandere

WARNING: cyberstalking, psychological manipulation.

A.N. - Brushing the dust off my DuckTales skills.

PLATONIC:

It is tough to sleep when the phone is vibrating and ringing every minute of every hour of every day. Unhooking it from the cradle or putting it in silent mode is the best route to take, for Mark Beaks is running on artisanal cold-pressed coffee and spring rolls as he types from his makeshift bed in his Waddle office.

The messages he sends tend to insult Glomgold Industries and McDuck Enterprises, complain about his parents, and give summaries of what he happens to be avoiding doing at work. Answering any of his calls leads to Mark talking for as long as the call is not dropped or hung up.

Every time his number gets blocked, he just tosses the phone onto a pile behind his desk and pulls out a new one. Mark cannot take no for an answer, and it never occurs to him that he may need to stop and rethink his actions when he keeps getting rejected.

He pushes Waddle merchandise as a way to sneak trackers into everyday life. If his plot is ever discovered, Mark has a dozen or so throwaway excuses about it enabling him to send his messages faster and provide better service. These lies are then repeated by him with the casual and dismissive attitude of someone commenting on taking out the trash.

It would take screaming at him in layman's terms for Mark to understand that the interest is not mutual. Even then, there is a fifty-fifty chance of Mark assuming that some kind of secret respect or affection for him is held and appearances are merely being kept up when he is told to quit pinging the phone.

Mark tends to thrust his opinions into the open with little provocation, and the topics he switches between range from vaguely connected to completely unrelated. He expects it all to be parroted regardless of whether he is destroying someone's social life or hyping BeaksCoin.

Getting tagged in a photo without being a part of it is a common occurrence, which Mark claims is a way to ensure that the post gets seen and liked. Not hitting the like button on one of his posts is viewed as a grave injustice and is rewarded with pushy phone calls, incessant messages, and copious notifications of the post being reposted to force it to start trending and be at the top of the feeds.

ROMANTIC:

According to himself, Mark Beaks is the most remarkable person in the world, and if anything or anyone takes attention away from him, it needs to be removed from the picture.

It is impossible to survive a social outing without Mark acting passive-aggressive towards the chosen company. He engages in everything from pretending not to hear when someone addresses him to interrupting people with off-topic comments if the conversation no longer focuses on him.

It does not help that Mark often has dubstep blasting out of his headphones or cell phone as a way to encourage other people to leave, after which he quiets the music and acts like he did not just clear the room on purpose.

Going home reveals that Mark has lambasted everyone else in the group on social media and posted multiple selfies of himself looking sad and rolling his eyes while others have fun in the background. These images are packed with accusatory hashtags and melodramatic captions, which draw gales of outspoken sympathy and support from his online followers.

Gyro Gearloose is always looking for the next reason to decry Mark, so if a phone needs to be wiped of Waddle spyware, Gyro will gladly assist and erase all layers of a digital footprint. Gandra Dee will launch a DDoS attack against the Waddle network if Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera informs her of the effort, while Fenton offers a burner phone in the meantime.

Pettiness is Mark's watchword. He believes that the free rides in his private helicopters and complimentary snow cones are enough to warrant devotion, and not responding to his messages or returning his calls within a few minutes is met with vengeful spamming.

Even though Mark is not one for physical combat and will cower if threatened with it, all it takes is a brief hug or a friendly compliment for his jealousy to spike. His version of asserting himself is to defame the source of his insecurity by way of a sea of incriminating gossip and fake news online.

Do anything you want with my work, but never make me boring!