Bruce (pushinfaders) Clayton Renaissance Man

From multi-forum moderator to featured DVD artist, Bruce (pushinfaders) Claytonâ€™s cyber fingerprints can be found throughout Renderosity. His artwork is featured in The Best of Renderosity 2003 DVD. He has contributed several articles to the Renderosity Magazine. Over the years he has been influential in creating and updating the current Renderosity Terms of Service. Bruceâ€™sÂ expertise also lies in hisÂ passion forÂ photography and computer graphics; which for the past six years he has willingly shared with community members.

I have known Bruce since 2001, when Renderosity was still in its infancy. He is a humble man, an outstanding artist, and one of the hardest working members of the Renderosity community. His continued dedication to Renderosity, exceptional leadership, compassion, and devotion has gained Bruce the respect and admiration of his peers, staff, and community members.

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Bruce, like most artists, your life is filled with many creative facets. Your 2005 Renderosity interview delved into the musical aspects of your life, and your position as an Audio Engineer at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino (located in Verona, New York).Â AsÂ moderator of the Photography Forum, I know our readers would also like to get to know Bruce, the photographer. When did you first discover a love for photography?

I really don't recall what type of camera it was. I was quite young and got an â€œinstamaticâ€ type camera. Today, we would call it a â€œpoint and shoot.â€ I would guess I was less than 10 years old. I think it shot 126 film.

Do you shoot with a digital camera or do you still use an SLR? What equipment do you have in your camera bag?

I just purchased a Canon Digital Rebel XTI. I'm getting used to it now. I still have a Konica 35mm Film Camera, and an Olympus â€œpoint and shootâ€ digital camera. Actually, I'm looking for a new camera bag and tripod. I live in such a small town. I have to either buy stuff online or make a 30 mile trip (one way) to a city with some decent stores.

Are you self-taught, or do you have formal artistic training?

Self-taught ... but really I have to credit many of the artists here at Renderosity for helping me. This site is a great resource for learning. Sure, there are great tutorials, but the forums are also rich with knowledge.

Your portfolio highlights your talent as a scenic photographer, with an eye for action shots. What is your all time favorite subject to shoot? What is your least favorite?

I'm really still discovering what I like to shoot. Landscapes are probably my favorite. People would be my least favorite, but. I'm working on that! I plan on spending more time exploring shooting different things. Our â€œgenreâ€ challenge in the Photo Forum is helping all of us to explore subjects that we wouldnâ€™t normally shoot.

The IcemanÂ Â© Bruce (pushinfaders) ClaytonÂ

Which is your favorite all time photograph?

Letâ€™s' see â€¦ last summer I discovered photographer Peter Lik. His photo,Â Angels Heart, just floored me (it's the fifth image in the group).

Wow! I can understand why you were fascinated with Peterâ€™s images. What about your photographs? Which of your photographs is your favorite?

Favorite of my own? HmmmÂ ... I'm not that great of a photographer. However, two images come to mind: Paris At Nightand Another Day At The Office.

I have to disagree with your statement Bruce. Not only is your photography impressive, but your work in Mojoworld is equally so. Have you also dabbled in traditional art (oil painting, sketching, watercolors)?

I drew stuff when I was a kid, but nothing really to speak of in years.

Has your work in MojoWorld influenced your landscape photographs? Or did your photographs influence your MojoWorld art?Â

A little of both I guess. I look at a subject, and thinking, how can I make this interesting? I'm convinced a good artist can take any subject, or object, and make something out of it.

More ExperimentsÂ andÂ Feeling Small Â© Bruce (pushinfaders) Clayton

What computer software (Photoshop, Painter, Paint Shop Pro) would you recommend to resize, manipulate, or enhance photographs?

Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, both are great programs.

Do you have a favorite artist or photographer, someone whose work you may have emulated over the years?

Emulated? How about dreamed aboutâ€”there is only one person Ansel Adams.

As an Audio Engineer by trade, how has music influenced your art?

I've been a music fan for as long as I can remember. I'm just not very good at playing an instrument. My work is mostly technical. In mixing audio, you take pieces (instruments and voices) and blend them together.

Art is much the same. In photography you choose a subject, work with the lighting, angles etc., then you put it all together. 3D art is much the same. You put all the elements together. Of course there are the â€œXâ€ factors: passion, desire, emotion. Those are the things that make any art great. You have to believe in what you are doing.Â Â

Turn ThreeÂ Â Â© Bruce (pushinfaders) Clayton

In 2001 you became a member of the Renderosity community. How did you first discover Renderosity, and why did you make it your cyber home?

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Bambam131, a drummer I was working with at the time, introduced me to 3D graphics and Renderosity.

Why Renderosity? Two things, The artists and the staff. There are some really talented people who post images at Renderosity. I've made great friends from all over the world via Renderosity. The staffâ€”the staff takes a lot of heat, but you know what, they are the best around. They spend a lot of time and effort keeping things running here.

On the subject of staff ... over the years you have been a Renderosity moderator in different forums. When did you join the Photography Forum team?Â Â

[Laughter] Letâ€™s see â€¦ this month is my fourth anniversary of being a Moderator. I was the first MojoWorld Forum Moderator, and the first Terragen Forum Moderator. I've spent time moderating the Off Topic Forum, and its replacement, â€œThe Den.â€

I've also moderated the Poser and Fractal forums for short periods of time. Mostly just helping out when staff members left. I did a short stint in the Photography Forum awhile back, again when that area was in need of help. Last year the Photo team was going through some changes and I helped out un-officially for awhile. I believe it was last June when it became official.

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I have always wanted to ask you, what is the story behind your Renderosity usernameâ€”pushinfaders?

The â€œslider controlsâ€ on soundboards are called faders. When I got the guts to post an image online, I needed a name and it just came to me [push in faders evolved into pushinfaders].

Besides music, photography, and computer graphics, what other interests or hobbies fill your days?

Spending time with my family.

Thank you so much Bruce, for taking the time away from your busy schedule to let our readers get to know you better. One last parting requestâ€”please share any last words of inspiration. [laughter] I can hear you moaningâ€”Oh No, not that question.

You got me. I thought I would get away with not answering that one [laughter]. Ok, here it goes:

Be True to yourself!

Be True to your art!

Screw what anyone else thinks!Â