Unsung Heroes of Fandom Part Two

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

Unsung Heroes of Fandom Part One can be found here.

I've been putting off this particular post because I wasn't sure I had the skills to set it up properly.  :-)  I had to say something about an aspect of fandom that brings me joy every single day, however.

Icons.

You have to admit, skillful icon making is an achievement all on its own, separate from screencapping, gif making, or photomanipulation, even though it often uses these elements as well.  A great icon tells a story much in the way that a terrific drabble does, and some people excel in this art while others, like myself, only manage to play at it.

My very first icon was snagged off a Joe Flanigan appreciation fan site--I had no idea what an icon was, I only knew I'd fallen in love with the picture and wanted it on my PC.  You can imagine my surprise (and disappointment) when it turned out to be this little bitty thing and I had no way of enlarging it.  It sat on my hard drive literally for *years* until I joined LJ and discovered how an icon was meant to be used.  *facepalm*

Since then, I've become an icon slut.  Icons capture my attention when I read someone's comments.  I also play this little game where I try to match the icon in my response comment to that of the person who commented in the first place. Someone anonymously gifted me with a gazillion extra user pics and I have been carefully filling up my slots, jealously deciding if an icon is worthy enough to hold one of the last remaining places.  Some I use daily.  Some I use rarely, but are so perfect for what I am trying to convey that I keep them on the lists anyway.  Some I never seem to use, but are so beautiful I know that I will some day.

I share some of mine here with you:  If you see one that is yours and is not credited properly, please let me know so I can fix that!  I invite you to check out my user pics and ask me to comment on any that I have.  I invite you to share your favorite icons and icon makers with me.



Okay, I had to stop.  I could have just posted all 150 or so of my icons here.  You get the picture.  :-)

Comments

[em_kellesvig]

Icon making is a lot of fun!

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

Frankly, I suck at it. I keep trying though. :-)

You, on the other hand, are easily one of my favorite icon makers. The numbers speak for themselves! :-)

[em_kellesvig]

I need to get back to icon making now that my brain is clearing up and my creativity is coming back. I hate med changes.

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

I've still got a few slots left. Just sayin'.

:-)

[stella-pegasi.livejournal.com]

I am an icon slut. (Love that description...it's so apt.)

I know the first step to overcoming an addition is to admit it. However, who would want to get over an addiction of making icons of SGA and a particularly pleasant subject, John Sheppard. I am perfectly happy the way I am.

I am in awe of several icon makers...I am almost afraid to list them for fear of missing one of them. However, with apologies that I have I missed someone, here are a few of my faves.

mischief5 Look at the icon used in the comment...clever, adorable. What's not to love.

ga_unicorn Consistently superb, very innovative.

casset

diek09

ailurophile6

And of course...sgamadison It appears we have similar taste...if you will check out the icon I used here.


I am going to stop there not because the list is complete, it is not...it's who I could think of off the top of my head.

I will try to find examples of these icon makers work and try to remember others,adding to this comment. I'll put up a few of mine as well just for fun.

Icon making is fun...that if you haven't made icons...give it try. You don't have to know the fancy techniques from Photoshop, just make what catches your fancy and enjoy.

But be careful; it's addicting.

[em_kellesvig]

There are so many terrific icon makers out there that it's hard to list them all. I tend to look at their work and think, "How did they do that?" Then I use it as a springboard for experimenting with Photoshop and coming up with new ideas of my own. Lots of fun and challenges for me!

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

I have tried--I'm just not that good at it. I don't have Photoshop--I've been working with Infranview--but the truth of the matter is I'm self-taught when it comes to anything on the computer and sometimes I come across big gaps in my education that can only be fixed with hours of noodling around on my own.

Which brings us back to the default icon here, which ironically, I used for quite some time before I realized just how apt it was to describe my life! Seriously. Never noticed for *months*. *headdesk*

But yay for your list here--now I have some more people to check out!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

I also play this little game where I try to match the icon in my response comment to that of the person who commented in the first place.

Me, too! LOL

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

It's fun, isn't it? :-)

Some days it's easier than others...

[mezzo-cammin.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, an icon says exactly what you're feeling, better than you can put into words. Other times, they're just so pretty you use them just because, well...they're so pretty you want to look at them again.

I find myself dilly-dallying over which ones to use with every comment I post nowadays.

They do add a lot to the fandom experience - unsung heroes, indeed! :o)

Hmmm....which to use, which to use....?

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

I find I tend to use a very small number all the time, a handful infrequently and many on only rare occasions. But I like keeping my options open!

I'm reaching a point now, though, where I have to pick and choose which can stay on the list and which should be demoted to make room for others. :-)