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She Smiled First - No AI
3D Render by slofkoskyMaisha had always dreamed of owning beautiful things, the kind that made a home feel elegant, expensive and important.
So when she found the old mirror leaning beside a dumpster, its ornate frame barely scratched, she couldn't believe her luck.
It looked perfect in her bathroom.
At least until one night, the reflection stopped doing what she did.
NOTES:
Started this when I first saw the upcoming contest. Someone already beat me to the punch and I'm sure it's not going to be the last of this type of scene.
Was exploring a bloody version, shown in slot #2. But, the psychological, non-blood, version won out for me.
NO AI, just manual edits in the free Affinity Canva and Google Snapseed.
So when she found the old mirror leaning beside a dumpster, its ornate frame barely scratched, she couldn't believe her luck.
It looked perfect in her bathroom.
At least until one night, the reflection stopped doing what she did.
NOTES:
Started this when I first saw the upcoming contest. Someone already beat me to the punch and I'm sure it's not going to be the last of this type of scene.
Was exploring a bloody version, shown in slot #2. But, the psychological, non-blood, version won out for me.
NO AI, just manual edits in the free Affinity Canva and Google Snapseed.
Hey, friend, what I find the creepiest is that she's actually behind the mirror! It reminds me of the *Insidious* movies.
Otherwise, she'd need to look at stereograms-her gaze is unsettling, and that would correct her vision.
Do you think it's unsettling when you're the bad guy, and yet the other side is concerned about your vision problem without reacting to how threatening you look?
There, I've said all my silly stuff
Great scene-you really nail the expressions on top of everything else 
Otherwise, she'd need to look at stereograms-her gaze is unsettling, and that would correct her vision.
Do you think it's unsettling when you're the bad guy, and yet the other side is concerned about your vision problem without reacting to how threatening you look?
There, I've said all my silly stuff
Great scene-you really nail the expressions on top of everything else 
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slofkosky
I've tried so many renders trying to correct her eyesight lining up. This one is programmatically told to point exactly at the other females eyes and they still seem off. DOH! So, I just went with it. Might go back and try to re-render it... but probably not as I've started another render. And we all know, when you start another, it's all there is in your world.
Thanks Keld, my friend. You rock and I appreciate you commenting!
Karma: 13,851
Wed, Sep 09
I've tried so many renders trying to correct her eyesight lining up. This one is programmatically told to point exactly at the other females eyes and they still seem off. DOH! So, I just went with it. Might go back and try to re-render it... but probably not as I've started another render. And we all know, when you start another, it's all there is in your world.Thanks Keld, my friend. You rock and I appreciate you commenting!
signshop
Karma: 4,609
Wed, Sep 09Hey Thomas,..excellent concept, love the lighting and particularly enjoyed the more bloodied version with the animation at the end looking quite ghostly when reversing the view of your characters. Good luck my friend 

Keld
Karma: 1,693
Wed, Sep 09So, don’t worry about the gaze! As for the main subject, it’s perfect in spirit—I love it, don’t change a thing. It’s the one with her back to us that’s bothering you—have you tried forcing her gaze toward a null object? Sometimes that helps create a natural-looking gaze even when it’s not focused on the subject at all 

slofkosky
Karma: 13,851
19 Hours agosignshop! Thank you so very kindly my friend. You like the bloodier version... yeah, I kind of digged it too. Just a tinsy bit more for the non-bloody. My biggest problem with reversing the characters is that I should have moved the hair to the same side.... DOH! Thanks a million!
slofkosky
Karma: 13,851
19 Hours agoAah, I get it. Yeah, I kept messing with their gaze to make the eye bigger, or fit a certain way AND have her face in the image. So yeah, it looks off and wrong. I hear you. I started with a straight on look from the back to us gal, but then found it missed something. So now it kind of looks... off.
May go back again. Just no time with the next horror I'm moving on to. Question if I will even finish it in time these days. We'll see. Thanks for the clarification and I see what you see.
May go back again. Just no time with the next horror I'm moving on to. Question if I will even finish it in time these days. We'll see. Thanks for the clarification and I see what you see.
signshop
Karma: 4,609
17 Hours agoOh, I think you can get away with the Hair being different, as the character in the mirror is different anyway...awesome though 

Nicely done! Super creepy!
I really love the unsettling expression on the 'mirror girl's face, I just hope she stays behind the mirror!
I really love the unsettling expression on the 'mirror girl's face, I just hope she stays behind the mirror!
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Fantastic work! Now I can see what you meant when you mentioned your mirror concept - and you were absolutely right, it has a completely different atmosphere and story. I really like your interpretation and the unsettling mood you've created. Great job, and best of luck in the contest!
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