Challenge #136

[Grant]

Dave Dahlberg has submitted a very unique image. The main object is white
and screams to be coloured but there are also many other objects to play
with. As always have fun folks.


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Since my hard disk failure I have had some wonder Challenges
suggestions submitted by a few people . I need more suggestions from more
people to be able to mix up the choices. Please send me *your*
suggestions for the Challenges. Part of what makes the Challenge great
is your input. Also please don't forget he Photo Challenge as
presently I have only one suggestion although it is a great one but I do
need more.


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http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Challenges.html

Present and Past Challenges will remain Until tomorrow at 7:00 pm the then
the Present will be Past and new images will be posted.

* Important notice to all the new people in this forum. This is not a
close shop you are all invited to submit an image. If you don't think you
are good enough this is your first mistake, I think most have found that
working on the Challenge has improved their personal level. So young and
old, hot shots and cool dudes now is you time to post.
--
Grant

Home Pages: http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/index.html

Challenge Pages: http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Challenges.html

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Creativity is so delicate a flower that praise tends to make it bloom, while
discouragement often nips it in the bud. Any of us will put out more and
better ideas if our efforts are appreciated.

Alexander Osborn (1888 - 1966)

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[willpresley]

Oh My!!!!

[carmelnap]

you said right will! :D

Wow! That is some picture.

[CarolLHB]

:shock: :shock: Yikes!

[willpresley]

In spite of my initial reaction I have already sent #1 to Grant.

[ThomasT]

What exactly do we do with these images I am sort of confused :?

[willpresley]

Thomas your imagination is free to alter, change parts, copy parts, add colors and whatever else you can think of -- then submit them to the challenge page which you can access at the beginning of the thread. Some times people submit stuff that doesn't even begin to resemble the original -- Check out the challenge page for ideas.

[Jodi Frye]

looks like a bad hair day to me....there ya go...I just gave away an idea.

[ThomasT]

lol jodi I can so see that too but I have another Idea for it!

[Pauline]

Well I'm going to go with my initial reaction to what it reminded me of and have some fun. :lol:

[ThomasT]

I always look at the sea first! for some reason

[CarolLHB]

Boy, it's a good thing I just watched Dave's selection videos :lol:

Maybe I better watch them again :roll:

[Wendy]

Oh Myy Goodness :shock: :shock: :shock:

Now this one is going to be a real Challenge :)


Wendy

[Grant]

The first images are now posted.

Notes for viewing.

1). Clicking on the thumbnail will open a larger image.
2). Clicking on the larger image will advance you to the next larger image.
3). If you are using Internet explorer F11 will toggle a full screen view
... gives the images a view they deserve.

Grant

[Wendy]

Ummm ... I'm still getting last weeks Challenge. Can anyone else see the new ones?


Wendy

[Wendy]

Forget that last post the new entries are now there :)


Wendy

[Pauline]

Wendy, peeking already! That must mean you have your 3 done!!!

I got one done, and I'm debating doing another. Can't look if I want to do another one. :lol:

[Wendy]

Pauline ...

Yes my three are done :) ... I'm back to a theme again this week.


Wendy

[Pauline]

Wendy now you make me want to look!! Mine was just so simple, but a fun play. I learned a couple techniques, believe it or not. I will hold off looking tonight.

[CarolLHB]

Oh Pauline, that is great!

Wendy, oh just... Wendy...stunning as usual. :shock:

[Pauline]

Damn........I have to look now. Thanks a lot Carol!! :evil:

[Pauline]

Wendy!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW. Too cool.

[Wendy]

Why thank you .. I enjoyed playing with this one. Well apart from selecting the statue :(

I have been playing around with a tutorial on how to distort images to combine them ... in this case the shop, which started off life as a front view of a shop window. The tutorial also had some neat tips about gettting the colours in different images to look OK together.


Wendy

[CarolLHB]

Hi Wendy,
Hope you'll share it when you can, sounds great. The other part that really stood out for me was the "grafitti" on the far wall. And yes, this was definitely a selection challenge.

Oh, Pauline...don't be :evil: at me :roll: I couldn't help it... :wink: !

I only peeked because I had an idea already...which has already taken about five hours just to do one of the four parts I have in mind for one end product :(
This is a perfect example of how hard this can be to get your ideas into a finished product. I know there must be an easier way to do what I'm trying to do :evil: ! I'll keep plugging...bit when this is done I'm gonna have some questions :lol:

[Wendy]

Carol,

I found the tutorial Photoshop Elements by Example by Mark Clarkson ...now he uses a way to create graffiti that I hadn't used before. It was quite complex and I'm not sure that I would use it again.

If you want to know a simple to make graffiti then just let me know :)


Wendy

[Punkinsmom]

That thing looks dangerous!

[Pauline]

Last night as I was waiting to pick up my daughter at the show, I decided rather than work on something I would go and look at tutorials...................WELLLLLLLLLLLLL Wendy!! I think I was you last night. Up until 1 am!!! Didn't want to go to bed. My eyes were aching, but my mind was racing. When my husband is home, he is up very early and isn't very quiet. (he likes us to be up with him, but is in bed by 8 or 9!). There are just way too many tutorials for me to delve into now. I am finding that I am more comfortable with PSE and that the ps tutorials aren't so scary that I don't understand them.

I ended up saving quite a few to try out later, but I could have done that all night!! I did find one that fits in perfect with our scrap book challenge and can't wait to give it a try. I already know what I was going to do, but the tutorial will help me get a better result (I hope) :lol:

I also was checking out a book yesterday called "Surreal digital photography". Have you seen that one. The front cover is a pair of feet, with laces on them. I just love that kind of stuff.

[CarolLHB]

Dear Wendy...

You know I do!! Thanks for the warning about it being a tough one-my eyes and brain are aching from this weeks challenge...

[willpresley]

I tried another one -- I selected the main statue and added a bit of color and glow. But I went for the smaller statue on the right and used it more in the picture -- again with glow. Selecting the main statue is a rough one -- I used the magic wand set on tolerance 45 and still had to click in several places to get it to select.

[ThomasT]

Wondering Grant did you get my image yet, I am soo excited I keep checking your site! lol

Thomas

[Wendy]

Thomas ...

... it does take a little while for Grant to post them :)


Wendy

[GaryK]

Thomas

Grant has been working long hours lately so I think his posting schedule is a little off.
When did you send it too him?

[ThomasT]

This morning when I finished it! I know its going to take a while though lol I was just joking around!

Thomas

[GaryK]

Thomas

You will probably see it tonight :wink:
Grant is usually very punctual with the postings at least once a day and if he is too busy he usually posts something to let us know.

[ThomasT]

Thanks gary!

[GaryK]

If not tonight then tomorrow night.

It is very exciting to see. :)

[Wendy]

Thomas ...

Looking forward to seeing your entry :)


Wendy

[ThomasT]

Yep i know I really just took a stock image and made it look cool i think It looks cool! I dont know about everyone else! Just have to wait and see Gary!

[Wendy]

Thomas ...

Did you take a copy of the Challenge image on Grant's site?

Wendy

[ThomasT]

Yep..

[GaryK]

Thomas

You might have made a booboo :)
Did you use the image on Grants front page (this week it has those crazy sculptures)

[ThomasT]

Oh no I ment stock image that windows XP gives you, you know the sunset! yea I twisted that and added my crazy spin to grants image!

[Wendy]

Thomas ...

Sounds interesting :) :)


Wendy

[willpresley]

I just visited to see what was there and there are so many surprising variations -- some of it I can't tie into the main image; so some of my creative side is lacking -- but I enjoy looking at the works all the same.

[Grant]

I did and it is a grand one. it was posted late because I worked all day and then had to attend a Camera Guild board meeting directly after work and before supper. so now at 11 I will have a snack.

Grant

[Wendy]

Hi Grant ...

Thanks for letting us know ... you are a star :)


Wendy

[Pauline]

Thomas, just saw your "creation". Lovely job!! We have another talented member amongst us! :lol:

[Wendy]

I have just been to look at the images:

Aaron ... Once again two very nice imaginative entries. I especially like the second one.

Alex ... Well you haven't lost your touch with the animation. Love the way you have popped the Elephant in :)

Anne ... No 1 and 2 make beautiful patterns and I especially like the textures you have introduced into them ... but No 3 is amazing. How did you get that cross hatched effect ... its really good!

Ben ... Two nice images. Very good effects in there ... I especially like the way you have done the almost Neon effect in No 2.

Bill ... That did make me smile. Very funny theme and well done ... turning the smaller statue into ants is a brilliant idea :)

Bob ... Very imaginative use of the image. Great colours, good attention to detail but most of all just so well done!

Carol ... Nice blending of the images and what a great background you have created :)

Chris ... Hey what a brilliant light laser in No 1. How did you do that?? Its a good theme and great colours you have put into the image. No 2 is my favourite it makes a stunning image. No 3 is good to but its back to the scary theme again :) Its very effective and how did you do the light rays ?

Cliff ... Like the idea of turning it into a spider. Good idea ... its so effective! No 2 has a wonderful texture ... how did you do it?

Donald ... Clever idea and it works well. Excellent work on the reflections :)

Gary ... Now that is good it reminds me of old embossed leather. How did you do the ragged edge to it?

Gerald ... Lovely feel to your image. Great lighting effects and good textured look to the statue :)

Joanna ... Good shading of the colours and I do like the way you combined the image with the lightening. It works well!

Jodi ... That is just so unbelievable good. It is just stunning ... its an excellent effect, beautifully done and so imaginative :)

Kathy ... Your No1 has an almost illustrator quality to it ... nicely done and I do like the spotlight effect :) but my favourite has to be your No 2. Wonderful colours and an excellent effect.

Kevin ... Very nice cut out technique and well done.

Larry ... Love those eyes :). Very funny idea and well blended into the image :)

Linda ... What a great Christmas Candle it makes ... I also like the way you have done the background. It would make a good Christmas Card. Oh no is Christmas coming up on us again.

Malcolm ... What a stunning sunset and out statue looks as though it was really there. I really like the way the light is reflected underneath it. Good work!

Marilyn .. That is such a different take on the image. Some excellent little touches in there ... I especially like the crystal ball :). In No 2 what a master stroke making a belt out of it. Nice work :)

Mary lou ... it makes a nice space probe.. What a good idea and great flames you have done!! No 2 made me laugh ... what a funny idea. I do like the little clothes. Well done its so different.

Melissa ... Oh that is nice. How did you make it into a bird?. Well done

Nancy ... That is a stunning effect ... there is so much movement in the image. It is so well done!

Pauline ... Nice Christmas tree. Great idea using it for that. How did you do the tinsel and baubles? ... yet another one reminding me that Christmas is on its way:)

Rita ... Your image has an almost magic feel to it. The small ones remind me of fireflies dancing around. Very nice effect.

Bob ... Oh wonderful idea for No 1 and very nicely blended together. Do you think that Grant noticed?? No 2 is wonderful it has such an stunning iridescence ... how did you do it?

Tab ... Oh I do like that. Good use of the image ... I do like all those different sized ones dancing around and what a stunning frame you did! The I clicked on No 2 and the Christmas theme (nice one by the way) ... is someone trying to tell me something :) .:)

Thomas ... nice one. Good use of colour and movement ... makes a great image!!

Tom ... Oh that is good. Brilliant background and what an amazing effect you have achieved with the statue ... well done!!

Ward ... Nice use of colour in there, well blended together and an excellent startburst effect behind. I haven't stopped laughing at No 2 ... for some reason it reminds me of an aging hippy. It is really good !!

Will ... Lovely comic book effect. It looks really good ...do share how you did it. The radioactive No 2 is great and what a good pink outer glow you have one.

Wendy

[Jodi Frye]

Thanks Wendy...I was in that place while doing it...can't you tell ? I look at it now and think I'm glad i got out ;)

[Pauline]

Wendy, thanks. The tinsel was easy. It was a Scrappers guide brush for pipe cleaner. The balls..........well, can't really remember. Started out selecting circle, filling them in and then trying different filters to see if I got the right look. :oops:

[ThomasT]

Thanks Wendy I have 1 more on the way, everyone elses looks stunning next to mine lol! well thats why I am learning!

Thomas

[Wendy]

Thomas ...

... I have found the Challenge to be a brilliant way to learn ... it really stretches you :)


Wendy

[Kathy]

Wendy,

I just have to say again that you are simply an amazing person to take the time to study all the entries and comment on them ... you are one in a million!!!! :) Thank you ! I'm learning a lot because I just experiment and it's quite incredible what Elements can do ....... of course, I have the best tutors in the world here on this site.

Jodi,

Very happy to hear that you are out of "that place" . I had noticed the image reflected "that place" ....... but on the other hand, it is truly awesome. I had missed your amazing wit.

Kathy

[willpresley]

Wendy -- as you probably suspect it was the MacMerc plugin but it worked so well on that picture.

The outer glows are compliments of Jodi

[GaryK]

Wendy

Thanks ..I was trying something :lol:

I think the edges were just one of the shapes in the shapes menu.

[Pauline]

Will, you used the plug in for that!! I did one using the whole darn 7 pages of instructions!!!! I thought I should at least know what it was all about before downloading the plugin. :lol:

[willpresley]

Pauline -- I guess I should go do the tutorial as well just to see if I can do it -- at least I have a picture that it will work on and should turn out as well as the plugin results. 8)

[GaryK]

Will

I did the tut a while back. The problem for me, in the loooong tutorials, is that I just follow the instructions. I really don't grasp what I am doing or why.

I guess that's part of learning. :lol: :lol:

[Pauline]

I tell you it sure gives you a better appreciation for a plug in. You know when you wait for those seconds for it to finish!!! :lol: I didn't time myself doing this one, but it took a while and I had printed out the instructions so I wouldn't have to keep flipping back and forth!

[willpresley]

Yeah -- I have a problem with memory so a printed copy would be necessary; sometimes I get the tut and other times it gets me :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Wendy]

Will ...

That is always the way :)

Wendy

[Pauline]

believe it or not, I am considering doing the comic one again. The first time I was so busy doing the steps that I don't really think I followed the process. I think it's important to at least try to understand so that I won't forever be following other people's work, and perhaps can do my own. (because I knew how to create them, not because I accidently figured something out!!) :lol:

[willpresley]

Pauline -- you have a very good point there. I have printed out the tutorial but now am looking for a picture that will work well with it -- so I'm using the plug-in to locate a picture to work with, well it is better than working through the tutorial only to have one that doesn't look good after applying the effect.

[Wendy]

Will ...

That is a good idea :) ... and will save a lot of disappointment.

Wendy

[Pauline]

Will you should do one of each and see if there is a difference between the two. Doing it step by step gives you more control and once you see the process perhaps there would be some settings you would change that you couldn't while using the plug in. Sounds like a good experiment for today!! :lol:

[Wendy]

Just been to look at the Challenge images again:

Robin ... Oh that is funny. Nice fun theme and just how did you get the electric glow?

Thomas ... Like the way you have swirled it all around. Did you use liquify? and what beautiful colours you have in there. Well done :)

Wendy