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INTERVIEW: Community Virtual Photographer Zombie V

12 Feb 2023

INTERVIEW: Community Virtual Photographer Zombie V

INTERVIEW: Community Virtual Photographer Zombie V

Author: Gothic Wizard  /  Categories: Community Content, Interview  /  Rate this article:
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We come back to this side of the world, the UK, for our next interview. The wonderful Zombie who I've had some most excellent conversations with. Not only very talented as you will see below but she has a lot to say about her art and 2077. Comment below your feedback and any other artists, modders or notable folks in the community you'd like us to get for the community interviews. So buckle up, as she fires shots at all the Goro simps cheeky and enjoy. Please note some of the images at the end of the article of her work is NSFW, be warned if that is an issue for you.

First can you tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up and what attracted or inspired you to get into this art form?
I originally come from the land of Buckinghamshire where I would play Sega and draw if I wasn't playing outside. Having moved to the South West of the UK as a teenager, I started using computers, got into design, sign writing, carpentry and taking pictures with my camera. The thing that made me get into this art form was, by chance. I had been off social media sites for 3 years until one day I found a little thing called photo mode in a game called Cyberpunk2077, then signed up for Twitter to share my captures. A bit late to the party but hey ho, timing is everything and it certainly came at the right time in my life.

How did you learn this form of digital art?
Through alot of trial and error. Self taught and still learning as I go. Trying different apps to find the one that suits my style and personality. Mainly the Vํp community has a huge hand in helping me learn new ways and techniques to better my captures through their own work and amazing support. Inspiring me every day. Especially Lisa West VP and Akilles. They have been with me since day one of my adventure, giving me the confidence within myself, to enjoy gaming in a new way I never knew existed before. And that is priceless. Especially now I've gotten to know so many more amazing individuals along the way.

What drew you to cyberpunk 2077 or/and the cyberpunk genre as a whole?
As a huge science fiction fan, dealing with futuristic societies, upper hierarchy and advanced technologies such as AI, this game ticked all of my boxes. I've often thought about what the world would be like in a 100 years as technologies advance. I was excited at the prospect of creating a character in Night City and being a part of this story driven world. Having seen the articles and then the trailers (pre-ordered) for it's release date. I just couldn't wait to play!

What message, to you, does the cyberpunk genre imply or relay as a viewer, fan of that aesthetic?
I think we've all had that thought/dream of a dystopian world and the opportunities that may present itself, especially when it comes to the thought that immortality is a possibility. It's an idea that you can become anything you want to be, no matter the cost. There's just something about that world that intrigues me and always has.

What photo/GFX tools that are not in 2077 would you like to see in the sequel Project Orion?
More variety of poses, facial expressions, cyberware modifications, backdrops, changes in the weather, that sort of thing would be beneficial when playing on the console as I do. I think there's so much more potential in taking captures with more available to the players. As I've seen with the outstanding PC rendering I've begun to adore.  

What drew you to the 2077 game specifically? What keeps driving you to keep making content for it?
From it's release date to even now, I'm hooked by it's beauty, music and aesthetics. Regardless of the bugs, glitches and all that jazz since release. After one playthrough, I just seem to miss the characters that I've connected with. Once I've got all I can out of that lifepath, I want to play again. I take images from one playthrough to the next, and I've improved somewhat. See what I can do differently next time around. That also keeps me creating content. Although I'm not a city type of person in general, I absolutely love making a new V and delving into this world, imagining the places it would take me. Finding things I missed previously. This game saved my life in a way and for that I'm forever a merc by heart and a fan of CyberPunk2077.

What about the 2077 characters specifically got your interest? All time favorite NPC in 2077 and why?
Losing someone close to me had a major impact on my life and in the game with the loss of Jackie Welles around the same time the game was released, it highly resonated with me. I cried, connected in a way that it became a kind of therapy for me. Since that first playthrough I was hooked. The music also played a huge part as well. Chippin in and Like a Supreme have been on repeat on playlists. That is why I had to choose Kerry Eurodyne as my favourite NPC of all time. I've got a rockers soul like he has. It's a tough choice as I really like them all though. But something about his life, career, friendship with Johnny, his inevitable reunion, the music, how that with relationship with Johnny had changed and the reunion gig! The way he matures eventually with those life's loops too. Just awesome. I adore his missions and spending time with the Rocker legend, Us Cracks, and that throat!

What tools do you use to make your art? How long does it take to go from idea to posting a pic?
AirBrush, Snapseed, LightX to name a few and of course, my fingers. I'm always thinking about focus, angles, lighting, what's available to me in game, and what I'm feeling in that moment, combining it altogether. It can sometimes take from anywhere as 10 minutes from idea to snap, upload to edit, and then to share, but then I can sometimes spend hours just in one scene, reloading it over and over to get that shot that makes me go. "Ooooh, me likey".

How long have you been doing this art form?
Always been an artsy person but virtual photography began when I joined Twitter September 2021 and started editing last year. So not very long at all.

What attracted you to dabble in the the spicy side of digital art?
Seeing everyone one's creations on every platform. That and an inner battle of the voices of the, shall I shan't I once in the games certain scene's. So I decided why not. Be brave and create something out of my usual comfort zone.

I've seen a lot of memes from artists that imply if you do vanilla art you will hardly get any notice, but if you do spicy art you'll get tons of attention. Do you feel those memes are accurate for better or worse? What are your thoughts on that?
Well I've never heard the use of vanilla art before. Even in memes. I assume you meant as in, wearing full armour, riding a Unicorn into the sunset vanilla versus wearing nothing at all but walnut whips will get more likes. Most of the population prefer it I guess. I dabble in that side but for me personally I just share what I feel regardless of whether or not one or the other will be better for likes.

Do you think these are skills you'd like to make a career of on some level or you prefer it as a hobby?
Started as a hobby. Will keep it that way unless a situation arises where I can maybe print out a magazine about gaming Vํp and or make a living taking/editing pictures for those who created the games. I've thought about it alot.

And my most controversial question... Which of the following labels would you assign to whom (One use per label each)? ;)
Marry, BFF, FWB (friend with benefits), Casual Friend, Indifferent, Hate, Kill


Ugh dude, seriously. Let's ruffle some feathers here.

Marry Kerry
BFF Johnny
FWB (friend with benefits) River
Casual Friend Judy
Indifferent Panam
Hate Evelyn
Kill Goro

And finally what are the socials people can find you, and do you do commissions? Any final words to the readers? Thank you for your time!
I don't do commissions and I have no other social media sites to share at the moment. I'm still debating whether or not to further my reach on different sites but i can barely keep up with one and my photo mode addiction. For now, Twitter is my home.

For the readers. I've spent my life gaming, but taking it to the next level with photo mode has been eye-opening for sure. I will continue to create to the best of my ability. Thank you for all your continued support. I wouldn't be here without you.

And thank you for this opportunity.
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