Hello LMAC and Hive members. I wanted to share with you my current collage with a theme that entails the finer things. My style of collage is a Freestyle. Although I usually do, I wasn't required to utilize any contest photo in my design. However, if you'd like to join in visit the LMAC Community page for details on the current contest.
Through my life experiences, I've come to understand that society as a whole appreciates the "finer things". The meaning of the phrase is subjective and depends on the context. This term is often defined as enjoying a higher quality of life, whether it be exquisite dining; luxury items such as material possessions (homes, vehicles, yachts, artwork, clothing); exotic travel locations; or participation in or consumer of the fine arts.
The term is used in certain cultures to include "the finer things in life". Often individuals who enjoy and indulge in the finer things in life are referred to connoisseurs, gourmets, Bon vivants, or epicureans. These individuals are viewed by others as being elegant.
I remember a popular television series titled in the U.S. called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." In the show, the lifestyles of individuals were showcased. Often, the show presented the material possessions of the owners.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this lifestyle if one can afford it.
I have personally known people who aspire to live what we refer to as "above their means". Simply put, it means individuals who don't have the means to enjoy the finer things, but attempt to do so at great financial risk. Whether the quest is derived from envy or simply a desire to be viewed as being elevated above their status, chasing the finer thing in life can be stressful.
However, not everyone in society is graced with the resources to possess expensive, materialistic items or be in a position to enjoy high quality lifestyles. That doesn't mean one can't still enjoy life at a comfortable level according to their particular ability to do so financially. One may choose to indulge themselves on special occasions.
From one's subjective point of view, the finer things in life may be viewed as a more personal experience that doesn't involved a public profile or display so that others can see your wealth or status and label you accordingly.
Still another viewpoint I've heard is the phrase "you might as well enjoy yourself because you can't take it with you when you die." The latter part of this statement is definitely true. However, the first part I feel requires some restraint unless one want to struggle throughout life in deep financial debt attempting to search for the finer things. Again, there is nothing wrong with enjoying one's self only if affordable.
These individuals are content to live a quieter lifestyle while still appreciating and indulging themselves to an extent, if not all, of the finer thing in life.
For instance, finer things can be anything individuals value or appreciate that brings pleasure, excitement, or peace to their lives. Such endeavors can be enjoying classical music, attending art or other festivals, and attending operas.
Now, I fall into this category. I once attended an opera and didn't know that I would enjoy it. I came away with an appreciation and then joined the local opera under a family plan so that I could share my experience. A spa session, planned special vacation destination. A trip to the area beach to watch the sunset or waves cresting at the shoreline as I look out over the water.
What do you consider the "finer things" in life?
In preparing my collage theme, I envisioned a simple image of a female and discovered one in which the silhouette is white outline. Simple but elegant. Other images surround the female with various luxuries to indulge in.
I then utilized Canva to blend the different type images. Below are my steps in which I began with a blank, white canvas, then added layers of elements, removing backgrounds, resizing, duplicating, detaching elements from their backgrounds, colorizing, and repositioning items as needed incorporating the tools at my disposal in my Annual Pro Membership Subscription.
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Below are the images I included in my collage:
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| Item | Contributor | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Grain Background | Pixabay | Link |
| Female in black and white | Pixabay | Link |
| Desert Sand Texture | Pixabay | Link |
| Blue Abstract pattern | Pixabay | Link |
| Billard stick | PurePNG | Link |
| Fine Dining | Pixabay | Link |
| Olive Fractal Rose | Pixabay | Link |
| Wine Glasses | Pixabay | Link |
| White Dinosaur with a moon | Contributed to #LIL-@alex2alex | Link |
| Dancing couple | Contributed to #LIL- @alex2alex | Link |
| Man With Head on Rock - Public Art from "Sculptures Garden" in Tel Hashomer | Contributed to #LIL- @alex2alex | Link |
| Iron Statute - Public Art from "Sculptures Garden" in Tel Hashomer | Contributed to #LIL- @alex2alex | Link |
| Beautiful female surrounded by abstract flowers | Pixabay | Link |
| Gray Abstract Flowers | Pixabay | Link |
| Female With Abstract Colorful Flowers | Pixabay | Link |
Below is my completed collage:
Thanks for your visit. I appreciate it. I hope you like my freestyle collage theme.
CONTEST RULES
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
| What is Let's Make a Collage? | It is a photography and collage contest where entries can be submitted. |
|---|---|
| Who created the contest? | @quantumg is the contest owner. |
| What type of contest is it? | This Contest utilizes a single photo provided by the contest owner as the basis for you to create your own photo collages by adding to the photo provided. |
| What are the rules? | 1. Use as your starting point for your collage the photography provided by the contest owner. It is located on the contest owner's post for free use without any copyright protection. |
| 2. Entries are required to be posted to the LMAC community and must contain a link to the contest post. | |
| 3. Entries need to set the LMAC account (@lmac) as 20% beneficiary to be eligible for the dynamic component of the prize pool.; | |
| 4. Extra support with the LMAC trail to all collages where LIL assets have been included AND the respective LIL-contributors set as 2% beneficiaries; | |
| 5. By submitting your contribution you agree that your artwork remains public domain and that it can be copied, modified and distributed, even for commercial purposes, without requiring further permission. | |
| 6. Any graphical element that is added to the photography either needs to be your own original work (e.g. own artwork or photography) OR needs to derive from sites whitelisted by LMAC. | |
| 7. IMPORTANT: Indicate the source of all materials used in your accompanying post. Otherwise your entry can NOT be put up for the final vote. | |
| 8. All sort of editing, modification and/or manipulation is allowed as long as no copyright is affected. | |
| What do you win? | Prizes listed on the contest owner's post. |
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
