GDD Interviews: Aeirmid on Photomanipulations

1. Why did you choose to become a CV? How long has it been, and is it what you expected it to be like?

I chose to become a CV because I wanted to make a difference for the photomanipulation community. I am a CV Mentor as well, which means I help train other CVs. It's even better than I expected it to be!

2. What would you say are the best and worst parts of the job?

The best part is the team itself-- there are so many amazing people with whom I get to interact everyday. Also, it's great that I have a bigger platform than most deviants for getting people exposed and recognized. The worst part is that people think I have "powers" and abilities that I do not have, like removing stolen work from dA.

3. How long have you been interested in Digital Art/Photo Manips, and has being a CV helped develop that passion, or has it made it more difficult to find time to create art?

I've been a photomanipulator for about 10 years. Being a CV has helped me learn what a "good" and "bad" piece of art looks like-- that is, I am a better artist from the perspective of knowing what lighting, composition, and perspective should look like. As a CV I don't have much time to create art, but really it is being a doctoral candidate that takes up most of my time!

4. What advice do you have when it comes to creating great photo-manips?

Learn the basics: composition, perspective, blending colors, and lighting. You may make a pretty picture without them, but you will have a hard time making good art.

5. Is lack of provided credit or legitimate stock sources for photo-manips a big problem here on DeviantART? Do you find yourself having to skip on potential DDs because of this issue?

Yes, and yes!!

Here are some of Aeirmid's works:

6. Do you have any suggestions for the many members who seek to receive daily deviations?

Do something different. Use your creativity and your artistic skills to create something unique to you. Also, it really helps if deviations have a message or deeper meaning.  

7. What advice do you have for members who want to become Community Volunteers?

Get involved in the community, and maintain your presence in the community over time. It is a sizable time commitment, and people need to be prepared for that. It's not just about giving DDs. It's about building a better community WITH the community members.

8. Why did you first join DeviantART, and are there any things you'd like to see change within the website and community?

I joined because I wanted to learn more about photomanipulation and share my own creations with other people. I would like to see the community be less DD-obsessed and more focused on personal and community growth.

9. If you had to give up Digital Art for some crazy inexplicable reason, which craft/art would you choose to replace it in your life?

Photography!

10. What is one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to being a Community Volunteer and Daily Deviations?

Answered above; people think we have powers we don't really have. As for DDs, people think it will bring you popularity, commissions, etc., and that is just not the case.

Previous editions:

GDD Interviews: Neurotype on Literature Hello everyone!
Welcome to the first of many Community Volunteer interviews! Community Volunteers are responsible for many things here on DA, one of them being Daily Deviations. Since Daily Deviations are the focus of this group, we thought you might enjoy interviews of the folks in control of the features! The first edition is with neurotype-on-discord, one of our literature CVs, we hope you'll enjoy the read!

1. Why did you choose to become a CV? Do you have any advice for members who'd like to become one?
It was like 'hey I'm pretty plugged into the community, I should do the thing.' (Okay, that makes me sound responsible. The truth is that I'd had a few beers, and namenotrequired tricked me with his fancy words.)
But, anyway, I don't think being a CV should be anyone's end goal on this site. It should be more like you're already almost at that point. The only stuff gallery CVs reall  GDD Interviews: Anoya on APN photographyHello everyone!
Welcome to the second of many Community Volunteer interviews! Community Volunteers are responsible for many things here on DA, one of them being Daily Deviations. Since Daily Deviations are the focus of this group, we thought you might enjoy interviews of the folks in control of the features! The second edition is with Anoya, our Animals, Plants, and Nature Photography CV, we hope you'll enjoy the read!
1. Why did you choose to become a CV? Has the experience been a positive one?
This is actually my second term, I was a CV 18 months before in 2010/2011 as well, so it's definitely been a positive one. Or two actually, haha. Why I chose to become a CV? I absolutely love APN photography and I also absolutely love dA and the APN community. In 2010 I read that they were looking for an APN CV (Or GM, Gallery Moderator, what it was called back then) and I read through the rules and what you had to do exactly and I felt like I was up f GDD Interviews: Thiefoworld on Digital ArtHello everyone!
Welcome to the third of many Community Volunteer interviews! Community Volunteers are responsible for many things here on DA, one of them being Daily Deviations. Since Daily Deviations are the focus of this group, we thought you might enjoy interviews of the folks in control of the features! The third edition is with Thiefoworld, our Digital Art CV, we hope you'll enjoy the read!
1. Why did you choose to become a CV? Is the job what you expected it would be?
Well this is actually my second time as a CV, the first time was back in 2009 for Comics & Cartoons, I went back in 2012 for Digital Art. In both cases it was because I love the community and wanted to contribute in some way, to give back a little of what it has given me. I love featuring people, making activities, posting articles, etc.
It was better than I expected, the team is incredibly friendly and embracing and we support each other and talk a GDD Interviews: Lyricanna on Fan ArtHello everyone!
Welcome to the fourth of many Community Volunteer interviews! Community Volunteers are responsible for many things here on DA, one of them being Daily Deviations. Since Daily Deviations are the focus of this group, we thought you might enjoy interviews of the folks in control of the features! The fourth edition is with Lyricanna, one of our Fan Art CVs, we hope you'll enjoy the read!
1. Why did you choose to become a CV? And why Fan Art in particular?
Sort of a long story answer, sorry When I first became a CV it was for the Digital Dolls category and I just really wanted to help promote the small community back then as well as give back to it. As my time as a CV lengthened and I got made a Mentor, I thought it would be best if someone else took over Dolls and I moved to Pixel Art and then eventually Fan Art in 2012. Fan Art was why I joined dA and has always been something I've lov