Alius is the perfect integration of photographic capture and artistic interpretation. Alius photo rendering is a whole new art form; one that appears too accurate to be hand artwork and too interpretive to be strictly photographic. In truth, it is the perfect nexus of the two. Every art form has its unique set of tools and processes, and Alius is certainly no exception. The Alius tool chest of controls incorporates all of the traditional controls found in the best image processing software PLUS a significant number of unique controls found ONLY on the Alius workstation.

 

The Alius interpretation of photographic images literally cannot be duplicated by any other process in the imaging industry. There are many posterization-type tools and controls available in several high-end products but even the most elaborate of these cannot match the precision, versatility, control, and extreme enlargement capabilities of Alius. There is only one Alius workstation in existence and only one resource for Alius Art on the planet, and that resource is found only on this site.

 

Form and Uniqueness

 

 

Not every digital image is a candidate for this interpretive process. In fact, less than 20% of the images considered even meet the elemental requirements necessary to produce the Alius magic. This realization came as a major disappointment early in the development of the software.

 

Each Alius image goes through a multi-stage process involving preliminary adjustments to the image's luminance and chroma values. Next, the resolution of each image is optimized using a proprietary algorithm. Then, the internal contrast of the image is carefully shaped before is loaded into the workstation. Only then can the image begin the Alius sculpting process.

 

Once on the workstation, the image is continuously viewed in both original and evolving states. Eleven unique tone and chroma adjustments are made to each image with interactive precision until the best combination of tweaks produces the desired result.

 

One of the most unique traits of Alius art is the signature outline effect found in most images. But even these outlines are unique. The Alius process allows the operator to vary not only the thickness and frequency of these outlines, but even the color, matching the tonal shifts with the appropriate intermediary color gradations.

 

All of these minute alterations are applied in "real time;" meaning that changes are evaluated and updated in non-linear fashion. If the alteration doesn't produce the desired effect, changes can be made at any stage interactively. Images are tweaked until they are right. There are no "accidents" or "good enough" Alius images.

But after all this preparation, the process isn't finished yet. In most cases, multiple versions of each image are produced before being blended into a single composite image, involving up to a dozen more iterations. Finally, the image is evaluated for background interpretation. Most times, an Alius image includes quite intricate masking and mixing of visual treatments between the subject and the background. Occasionally more than a dozen different layer adjustments are involved before the final product is considered finished.

 

Even then, after all this work, only 45% of all Alius projects are approved or are ever seen by the public. The rest simply get thrown away.

 

If you purchase a piece of Alius art as a digital file, it represents many hours, perhaps even days of intense adjustments and scrutiny. This is an art form that cannot be duplicated by any other process. It is unique in its bold crisp appearance and its ability to be accurately reproduced in extreme sizes. Alius art has been produced accurately on walls and even buildings. There is only one Alius, and you can own a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

 

A limited number output files of each image are prepared, and when the maximum is reached, the image is retired. Chances are slim that you will ever see this image in print form more than once. Each image is custom printed and no prints are produced before the order is placed. We ONLY sell images, not prints. Your print will remain unique to you.