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lessthanhuman β€” Devolution

Published: 2004-11-09 18:20:12 +0000 UTC; Views: 211722; Favourites: 2611; Downloads: 13718
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Description A tail is a characteristic that I feel clearly represents the majority of the animal kingdom. With few exceptions, nearly all other creatures have a tail in one form or another. Developmentally, all human embryos have tails which, for the vast majority of the population, are gone by birth.

I consider the back and spine to be one of the most aesthetically beautiful parts of the human body. In this piece, I tried to preserve that beauty despite the obvious addition of a tail. This piece was an experiment. When I took the stock photo, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with it. It took me several months, however, to muster up enough patience and time to sit down and try to build a tail. I had initially set out to build a thick, reptilian-style tail but as I drew the initial shape, I felt a smaller, thinner mammalian style tail would blend in more naturally with the model's physique. The most difficult part was matching the lighting but I feel like it ended up looking pretty natural…for a tail anyway.

I also pointed the model's ear and made other minor modifications. Expect minor revisions.

Manipulated with Photoshop 7.0.

Stock photography from my personal collection.

***Update***

Several people have pointed out that the tail was positioned too high on the model's back. This is something that I was aware of when I posted the image. My rationale, other than the fact that this image is an experiment, was that clothing covers the actual end of the model's spine, where a tail would sprout. Despite this, however, I have managed to lower the tail as much as possible and am overall pleased with the results.

Please Full-view...you'll miss detail if you don't!
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Comments: 1283

lessthanhuman In reply to ??? [2004-11-22 13:22:25 +0000 UTC]

Isn't it though.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

aLeEcat In reply to ??? [2004-11-19 20:09:29 +0000 UTC]

Whoaaaaaaa, this is waaaay cool, and extremely well done!! I think the tail is fine, but boy, is she bony!

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lessthanhuman In reply to aLeEcat [2004-11-19 20:25:35 +0000 UTC]

The bony, emaciated look is also manipulation.

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aLeEcat In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-19 20:29:22 +0000 UTC]

Cool!

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neorotic In reply to ??? [2004-11-17 06:09:56 +0000 UTC]

how do you do it? it blows all my skills away, amazing work!

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lessthanhuman In reply to neorotic [2004-11-17 14:08:55 +0000 UTC]

Thank you...just takes time and patience to learn.

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neorotic In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-17 14:34:39 +0000 UTC]

yeah, still i'm a emotional abstract person. still working on manipulation

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lessthanhuman In reply to neorotic [2004-11-17 14:36:14 +0000 UTC]

good luck

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absolutedrivel In reply to ??? [2004-11-17 03:19:59 +0000 UTC]

Whoa...I didn't even notice that you'd changed anything about her body shape (though she did look a little anorexic...); amazing job!

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lessthanhuman In reply to absolutedrivel [2004-11-17 14:09:14 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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absolutedrivel In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-19 04:28:20 +0000 UTC]

Indeed.

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KoontzPhotography In reply to ??? [2004-11-16 18:08:48 +0000 UTC]

Okay so I didn't comment on this before because it was just too creepy, and that just being how skinny she is. She looks famished. FEED HER!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

lessthanhuman In reply to KoontzPhotography [2004-11-16 18:19:20 +0000 UTC]

I made some minor modifications to her ribs and spine using shadows and highlights before adding the tail I really wanted her skeleton to stick out, as if her skin was growing tigher as she began to change.

I also exaggerated the typical female hourglass shape. The model isn't that skinny...that wouldn't be healthy.

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KoontzPhotography In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-16 18:39:10 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I didn't think so. It just looks SO REAL!

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lessthanhuman In reply to KoontzPhotography [2004-11-16 18:43:57 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad to hear that it looks real...that's my goal

And yes, it's really creepy!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

watermonster In reply to ??? [2004-11-16 17:58:46 +0000 UTC]

Yup, you lowered it nicely, although a little bit higher than supposed in most cases. But kudos!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

lessthanhuman In reply to watermonster [2004-11-16 18:01:52 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, well it was the lowest I could go without having to reshoot the photo.

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but-ter In reply to ??? [2004-11-16 15:39:48 +0000 UTC]

freaking....scaring!
i like it!!

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lessthanhuman In reply to but-ter [2004-11-16 15:42:36 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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Polarkeet In reply to ??? [2004-11-16 07:33:45 +0000 UTC]

This is incredibly creative!
The back is indeed one of the most beautiful parts of the body, and you've totally captured that beauty here.
and I think you captured the light source very well, actually ;3 good job at matching the tail, too! This is.great.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

lessthanhuman In reply to Polarkeet [2004-11-16 13:21:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your comments. I'm glad you enjoy this piece.

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Polarkeet In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-17 19:16:34 +0000 UTC]

The extra tweaking of hair/tail just made it that much better X)
Enjoyed the piece, enjoyed your replies.. I'm overall joyed.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

lessthanhuman In reply to Polarkeet [2004-11-17 19:18:53 +0000 UTC]

Well thank you! I'm pleased that you are so joyed

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Little-Katydid In reply to ??? [2004-11-14 01:37:39 +0000 UTC]

Great job on the tail! The lighting is perfect.

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lessthanhuman In reply to Little-Katydid [2004-11-15 13:10:37 +0000 UTC]

Thanks...the lighting might be a bit off but I think it adds emphasis to the tail so it works

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Little-Katydid In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-16 07:18:00 +0000 UTC]

The tails still looks fine to me but maybe thats just me. Anyways your welcome.

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lessthanhuman In reply to Little-Katydid [2004-11-16 13:19:59 +0000 UTC]

Glad you like it

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evilgod84 In reply to ??? [2004-11-13 21:42:05 +0000 UTC]

Genetic engineering has gone too far!
Kidding!

Great Manip!

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lessthanhuman In reply to evilgod84 [2004-11-15 13:10:03 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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AnvilandHammer In reply to ??? [2004-11-13 18:35:43 +0000 UTC]

Wow, good job with the tail! Extra appendages can be hard to make look real but that looks great!

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lessthanhuman In reply to AnvilandHammer [2004-11-13 18:37:41 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch! Glad you think so.

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ActsOfDementia In reply to ??? [2004-11-13 17:34:20 +0000 UTC]

Thats wonderful. its defferent and odd and really great.

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lessthanhuman In reply to ActsOfDementia [2004-11-13 18:57:21 +0000 UTC]

Thank you...it's nice to hear it is all those things

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Mabruk In reply to ??? [2004-11-13 17:25:02 +0000 UTC]

I must watch your every move

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lessthanhuman In reply to Mabruk [2004-11-13 18:57:59 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for watching!

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JoshClarkeDraws In reply to ??? [2004-11-13 16:35:18 +0000 UTC]

... Okay, I'm glad I took a second look at this!

Picky point though; shouldn't it be nearer the base of the spine?

And oh, about your lighting -- The tail looks lit from the right, but the lack of shadow on the model indicates a light source from almost directly above.

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lessthanhuman In reply to JoshClarkeDraws [2004-11-15 13:12:47 +0000 UTC]

You're right about the tail position, it should be lower. It's something I am working on.

About the lighting...again, you're correct...unfortunatly, the tail doesn't seem to stand out much when the correct lighting is matched so I used a bit more highlight/shadow to bring it out.

I plan to update the image soon, I will let you know when I do. Thanks for the comment

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JoshClarkeDraws In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-15 13:16:45 +0000 UTC]

Its no prob. trial and error, you're doing good

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lessthanhuman In reply to JoshClarkeDraws [2004-11-16 16:57:34 +0000 UTC]

Attempted to lower the tail a bit...what do you think now? Better?

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JoshClarkeDraws In reply to lessthanhuman [2004-11-16 22:34:05 +0000 UTC]

Oh yes! Just where I imagined it should be from the first effort.

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lessthanhuman In reply to JoshClarkeDraws [2004-11-17 14:10:40 +0000 UTC]

Glad to hear it! Thanks!

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ghaib In reply to ??? [2004-11-13 16:28:28 +0000 UTC]

this is creepy shit!

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LightEcoFreak In reply to ??? [2004-11-13 16:04:58 +0000 UTC]

Scary...O_o

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OLoboCanta In reply to ??? [2004-11-12 22:15:12 +0000 UTC]

it's wonderful how you made that tail look so real! great work!

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lessthanhuman In reply to OLoboCanta [2004-11-13 14:08:07 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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deadpossum In reply to ??? [2004-11-12 13:44:45 +0000 UTC]

As always, you bring to life the imagination of transformations Great job, very well done.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

lessthanhuman In reply to deadpossum [2004-11-12 13:53:22 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I try

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oddlylacking In reply to ??? [2004-11-12 06:06:50 +0000 UTC]

Expertly crafted.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

lessthanhuman In reply to oddlylacking [2004-11-12 13:08:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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lunalopus In reply to ??? [2004-11-12 05:49:50 +0000 UTC]

Her feet seem oddly big to me, other than that this is an amazing piece. The tail must of really taken a long time, but it came out so well. Great job!

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