Who has created all these fractal pictures?
It’s been me.
Where did you learn to create them?
There isn’t a special place where you go to learn how to create fractal pictures. I learned it by downloading a fractal generator, playing with it, and selecting options at random until I grasped what each feature was responsible for to replicate them later. The first generator I tried was Iterations, by Stephen C. Ferguson. From then on, I’ve kept learning by trying new things and different software. It’s kind of addictive sometimes. The fractal generator I still use the most is Tiera-Zon (also from Ferguson).
Any source of inspiration?
In terms of inspiration… well, I don’t know. Mostly, it’s what my mind visualizes while I change parameters and colors. Sometimes, it’s influenced by the music I might be listening to while working on the picture. It’s too many things to point out (and I think I’m not even conscious of half of them).
What programs do you use to make your fractals?
I’ve tried a lot of fractal generators, but I only use a handful of them. My all time favorite is Tiera-Zon as I said before, but I also like Fractal Explorer, Fractal Forge, and Sterling-ware a lot.
This site is very graphics-intensive. Do you use PhotoShop for anything?
Actually, no. PS is too expensive for my budget (even at current subscription plans), so I prefer to invest that money into something else. It’s a great application —possibly the best of its kind—, but I also enjoy using alternative means as part of the creation process. I do all my non-fractal graphics work in GNU Image Manipulation Program (aka GIMP) or PhotoScape v3.7. They are pretty good and both are freely available.
Where do I must go to learn how to make fractal pictures?
Just go home (if you’re not there already), connect to the Internet (if you’re reading this, you must be online already too), do a search for “fractal generators” or visit a downloading site, and pick up any proggy you find attractive. Start playing with it, and see what happens. Then keep playing with the menu options and such. You’ll see it’s something easy to pick up. If you really want to understand what’s going on, then learn something about the math behind the images.
And what do I need?
A computer, a tablet or even a smartphone will do; then get a fractal generator. Patience, time, and more patience and time will also be nice. Extra artistic abilities, creativity and a special love for abstract representations should be of help too.
Why did you stop making your fractals at higher resolution/larger size?
I haven’t stop doing high resolution pictures. Initially I thought the 640×480 resolution was enough for online display, and later upgraded to 800×600. Latest pictures are around 1280×964, sometimes even more.
Can I use your fractals in my site/program?
What kind of site/program do you have? It depends on your/its purpose. So please, I won’t mind if you ask me first. DON’T publish them anywhere without asking first (Hello!, let’s be down-to-earth: at least let me know that you plan to use it. I know most of you use it first, and later —if by chance— ask for permission).
There were several web sites using some of my images for decorative or display purposes; I don’t know if they still exist. Once there was even an online drawing tool named after one of my pictures (Phoebia from Vovoid Software & Multimedia), but I think it no longer exists, or changed its name or simply not available anymore.
I have a wallpaper site. Can I add your fractals to the collection?
It depends on your and your site’s purpose, but I will probably say no, sorry. Do you offer your wallpapers for free? That will be in your favor. Anyway, wouldn’t it be better if you direct your visitors to my website? Most of my fractal pictures aren’t suitable to use as wallpaper. They’re frequently too detailed or shockingly colored, and that can cause eye strain.
Can I link you?
Just answer the following question: Do you think it’s worth it? If your answer is YES, go ahead. Otherwise… yes, why not?
Would you link me?
Send me your url. I will visit it and see what’s in there. If I like it, or if there’s something worth sharing with the rest of the world (tutorials, tips and techniques, free software, news, interesting discussions, an interesting design, etc.), I’ll think about it.