I'm  a photomanipulator first, but I enjoy creating collages as well. It something I started doing a long  time ago just for fun, but only recently found mixing the two  gave me a way to create images I couldn't alone. To me, this is what digital collage is all about.

*hogret, of #ArtfulDodgers and #AlteredMixedCollages,  explains digital collage and how it differs from photomanipulation:  
"The basic definition of  Digital Collage is that it is a form of graphic art that uses virtual imagery and textures from different sources pieced and layered together (in a program such as Photoshop)  into one final assembled image. The difference between digital collage and photomanipulation is that in a digital collage the artist usually works to make it somewhat obvious that the finished image has been made by "pasting" different images together...Digital collages often also use various digital techniques to make the finished product look like it is put together using traditional collage methods (illusions of taped or pasted paper, frayed or torn edges, the hint of 3D dimension in placement of different images, rough-cut edges, etc.).  Photomanipulators, on the other hand, tend to aim at an illusion of seamlessly blended and merged reality (albeit a strange and surreal one!)."
Digital Collage

In addition, $techgnotic wrote a very insightful journal, The Enduring Enigma of Collage which ignited a 225 thread of comments and 485 favorites,  If you're interested, this is one of the best article on  the subject.

Still, there is a problem when it comes to submitting digital collages to deviantART. There is no direct category for digital collage as there is for it's traditional counterpart. Some deviants submit to photomanipulation, which is inaccurate. Others submit to mixed media, but this is also inaccurate. In 2007, `kuschelirmel wrote an journal that introduced mixed media to deviants. She stated, "If you mix traditional and digital art, you need to determine which of the two you used more and place your deviation accordingly. Neither the traditional nor the digital Mixed Media galleries are to be used to post traditional/digital mixes!"
Digital Art > Mixed Media gallery now online!

So where should digital collage go?  

I'm trying to help get digital collage as a proper submission category, therefore I've contacted both $Moonbeam13 and ^Aeirmid requesting for the category be added. I'm asking all creators of digital  collages to do the same.  

Below are a few digital collages that have been categorized as a photomanipulation or as a mixed media.

I want to first thank all of the participants of the challenge. With out you this wouldn't have been as successful as it was

Now, a big congratulations to the First, Second, and Third Place Winners of the Beginning category, and the Intermediate/Advance category of the challenge. Below are the winning entries with my choice of three deviations from their gallery.

Do you see the same stock being used over and over? Do you find that you do the same theme and technique over and over?  

No matter how you see a cliche (with the same stock, or continuous style), in the long run, such  images can become trite from being overly used.  Not that it's a bad thing to have your own particular "style" because it does make it easy to identify your deviations.  Still some photomanipulators do change their style and technique now and then to give their gallery a fresh look.

For me, the stock below are examples of stock that have been overly used. Editing or using them in a completely different way would "break" the cliche.

What would you do in an Anti-Cliche deviation?
Would you take overly used theme stock and place them in a different environment and edit them to look completely different?

Or, would you take the same theme stock that you always use, and create a photomanipulation using a different style and technique? 

The Anti-Cliche challenge is just that, finding a way to "break" away from the cliche.

Challenge begins February 1st, and ends February 28th, at 11:59 p.m., PST. Check the World Clock for the time in your area.

Must be a new deviation created specially for this challenge. All deviations must have been uploaded to deviantArt after February 1st.

Don't know where to start? You're welcome to use one or more of the above stock, or one or more from the stock at the links below.
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You may enter up to TWO deviations, but you can only win once.

Only traditional photomanipulations. No painting over stock or other mixed media.

No pre-made backgrounds.

All stock must be legitimate and given credit. I will verify the stock, so you must include direct links.

There are two categories: Beginners, and Intermediate/Advance. Any entry under Beginner that is obviously an Intermediate or Advance deviation will be disqualified.

Please state in your comments that the deviation  is for the "Anti-Cliche" Challenge at #CRPhotomanipulation and include the #CRPhotomanipulation's avatar. Also include the category you're entering under (Beginner or Intermediate/Advance), and why your entry is an Anti-Cliche deviation for  you.

When ready, upload your entry into the "Anti Cliche Challenge"  Folder at #CRPhotomanipulation.

JUDGES:
 

You'll Be Judged On:
Impact
Creativity
Originality
Exceeding expectations (Is this a stand-out piece from your gallery?)

PRIZES:
Each Category Will Receive Prizes for First, Second, and Third Place.
First Place: 3 Month Subscription And A Llama Plushie
Second Place: 500 points And A Small Print From =thefantasim Store.
Third Place: 300 points

Questions? Contact =thefantasim. 

Boo!

Boo!

Boo!

"I may not comment, but I'm loving what I see! Keep submitting those great images and I'll keep coming by to see what you've done. "

"I may not comment, but I'm loving what I see! Keep submitting those great images and I'll keep coming by to see what you've done. "

"I'm sorry I've been missing all of you by not visiting your account, looking through all of your wonderful deviations, and giving s to the ones that really speak to me. I've been busy with other projects that have cut into my time at dA. I even wanted to do more features for my Anniversary month, but didn't get to that either. So please forgive me if it seems like I've disappeared, that I've forgotten about all of my friends, and aren't ready to make some knew ones, because it's not true. Just busy some where else for awhile."

"I'm sorry I've been missing all of you by not visiting your account, looking through all of your wonderful deviations, and giving s to the ones that really speak to me. I've been busy with other projects that have cut into my time at dA. I even wanted to do more features for my Anniversary month, but didn't get to that either. So please forgive me if it seems like I've disappeared, that I've forgotten about all of my friends, and aren't ready to make some knew ones, because it's not true. Just busy some where else for awhile."

"Those of you who know me well, know I keep very busy at dA. So, please accept any favorite as a comment, because if I've given you a favorite (or even featured a deviation by you), I really do love your work. And when I get the chance to stop to comment, know that your deviation rocked my world."

"Those of you who know me well, know I keep very busy at dA. Unfortunately, this leaves very little time for me to comment, even though I would like to. I'm even behind on giving faves. So, accept any favorite as comments, because if I've given you a favorite (or even featured a deviation by you), I really do love your work. And when I get the chance to stop to comment, know that your deviation rocked my world."

"Those of you who know me well, know I keep very busy at dA. Unfortunately, this leaves very little time for me to comment, even though I would like to. I'm even behind on giving faves. So, accept any favorite as comments, because if I've given you a favorite (or even featured a deviation by you), I really do love your work. And when I get the chance to stop to comment, know that your deviation rocked my world."

"I'm sorry I've been missing all of you by not visiting your account, looking through all of your wonderful deviations, and giving s to the ones that really speak to me. I've been busy with other projects that have cut into my time at dA. I even wanted to do more features for my Anniversary month, but didn't get to that either. So please forgive me if it seems like I've disappeared, that I've forgotten about all of my friends, and aren't ready to make some knew ones, because it's not true. Just busy some where else for awhile."

I've got some new features coming on the on the first of June, so look out!

"I'm sorry I've been missing all of you by not visiting your account, looking through all of your wonderful deviations, and giving s to the ones that really speak to me. I've been busy with other projects that have cut into my time at dA. I even wanted to do more features for my Anniversary month, but didn't get to that either. So please forgive me if it seems like I've disappeared, that I've forgotten about all of my friends, and aren't ready to make some knew ones, because it's not true. Just busy some where else for awhile."

"I'm sorry I've been missing all of you by not visiting your account, looking through all of your wonderful deviations, and giving s to the ones that really speak to me. I've been busy with other projects that have cut into my time at dA. I even wanted to do more features for my Anniversary month, but didn't get to that either. So please forgive me if it seems like I've disappeared, that I've forgotten about all of my friends, and aren't ready to make some knew ones, because it's not true. Just busy some where else for awhile."