Z Challenge

[Ellen]

Here's another challenge opportunity. After Grant's much missed challenge (http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Welcome.html)there was this thread (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37091) about how it is missed. So let's see if we'd like another way to play and stretch and add to our pixel pushing skills. I find the challenges really help in learning.
So here's a shot from Chicago to mess around with.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Jh4Q5XUnTNOkXBqyNuUrfbXR95Yt_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Jh4Q5XUnTNOkXBqyNuUrfbXR95Yt)

If there's interest we'll need photos so send any you think would be fun to pht.challenge@gmail.com
Bill already did thanks Bill!

[swalkr]

Well, guess I'll go first.

Here is where the West meets the East - silver moose meets the silver Saratoga Springs thoroughbred!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/18wH7fKQUJmxOhK6sivBVPehib2a7P1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1gecWsxZcvjRid1xi9TPuA3x5VOX)

[kim2900]

Anyone remember Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris and Natasha? :p

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Rm4NOqQQXX7NpdHBlESpT0HfRi7e_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Rm4NOqQQXX7NpdHBlESpT0HfRi7e)

Kim

[Seachelle]

I thought I would put him back in the wild.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1KERZcoHoSGASiN6rRFGLy7BtSCJ_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1KERZcoHoSGASiN6rRFGLy7BtSCJ)

[robpendragon]

Moose Strikes Back
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1OTkzG123p28vhnfVfENpPLy9qoh_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1OTkzG123p28vhnfVfENpPLy9qoh)

[TonyW]

Been a while since I did one of these (or rather the previous Grant's Challenge) so thought I better get started on the new series - thanks for organizing again. Spotted this happy family while down in the woods today :)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1dfLn1ln3r3vHKR6DrT0p2rwafuRsY_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1dfLn1ln3r3vHKR6DrT0p2rwafuRsY)

Tony

[Ritage]

Ellen,

my thanks to you and Bill for getting this going, and an inviting starting image.

Rob, I like your robots.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1bDqtEg7hvUZc5EtZWY9F7pAZKdVRL_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bDqtEg7hvUZc5EtZWY9F7pAZKdVRL)

[wlc]

Here's my attempt at Moose . . . :)

http://members.cox.net/lwc1/PsychoMoose.jpg

[Red Sky]

Baling non ferrous metal.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1sxxWHjHmjLrvOSTMSxnzde7tvrLzU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1sxxWHjHmjLrvOSTMSxnzde7tvrLzU)

[Ritage]

Aaawww, Stephen, he was such a beauty!:)
Rita

[Mack]

Thanks Ellen you are the best!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/11wDDrvn32eLb4pHjmHL7eLbTDFmU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=11wDDrvn32eLb4pHjmHL7eLbTDFmU)

[mljrbg]

High atop Aspen Mountain. Thanks for starting or restarting this challenge.

Mary Lou

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1DCtFfAmOYdD4ZyDu2a5VTZT4UTX0_thumb.jpg

[kim2900]

Oh, Steven! The horror! The horror!

Seriously, that is a stroke of genius! And brilliantly done.

Kim

[wlc]

It is a good challenge, I had to make another one . . .

http://members.cox.net/lwc1/moosegolf.jpg

[vawitt]

I didn't realize I had such a stash of moose pix... :eek:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1A4AAEW81sIH5dwbffL5um6uGbyeji1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1A4AAEW81sIH5dwbffL5um6uGbyeji1)

~Val in cloudy, moose-free Illinois

[Chesney]

This was fun! Thanks for the challenge!
http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/1/8/7/4/9/moose_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=4551&c=5)

[mljrbg]

Any tips on removing the moose from the background or vice versa. I followed the instructions from another thread but it didn't go well!! I'm sure a lot of it is practice but if anyone has any good tips they'd like to share it would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Mary Lou

[lisabee]

strawberry moose ...... my favourite :D

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mCNhHMDpuYHlJBAB7Qk75wWu4FRtP_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mCNhHMDpuYHlJBAB7Qk75wWu4FRtP)

thanks Ellen and Bill for reviving the Challenge,

Lisa

[Ellen]

The moose is getting quite the workout. These have all been wonderful. I forgot to start a comment thread but will next time.

[vawitt]

Oooohhhh...I think this one is my fave....very cool reflection technique!

Ellen,

my thanks to you and Bill for getting this going, and an inviting starting image.

Rob, I like your robots.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1bDqtEg7hvUZc5EtZWY9F7pAZKdVRL_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bDqtEg7hvUZc5EtZWY9F7pAZKdVRL)

[vawitt]

Lisa!! LOL!! :D:D

strawberry moose ...... my favourite :D

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mCNhHMDpuYHlJBAB7Qk75wWu4FRtP_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mCNhHMDpuYHlJBAB7Qk75wWu4FRtP)

thanks Ellen and Bill for reviving the Challenge,

Lisa

[billz]

Wow ... what great response and imiginative entries! Congratulations to all of you, and huge thanks to Ellen for hosting the challenge. I can't wait to play with the image.

Bill

[GaryK]

Great start to a new challenge everybody.

This is how Steven's started.;)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ywHc4n5UnzYcMVYexroE1zyecU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ywHc4n5UnzYcMVYexroE1zyecU)

[Zeria]

Here's my attempt



http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1uAiKbQEdE3LJ0c4w1MaIsxHHimQC_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1uAiKbQEdE3LJ0c4w1MaIsxHHimQC)

[wlc]

http://members.cox.net/lwc1/moosestomp.gif

Sorry . . . :D

[billz]

wlc - ;)

I had to play twice this week. The first one is a tribute to Alex ... I hope we can track him down to play over here.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1KtCTGQVNvcKhQxCxWXJSlUXEkaYo5_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1KtCTGQVNvcKhQxCxWXJSlUXEkaYo5)

And the second was just for fun.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1UtF2J9gI7OuN1sddVNPE7h9oO2Rdm_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1UtF2J9gI7OuN1sddVNPE7h9oO2Rdm)

Bill

[emkayess65]

A visit to the Bean in the rain.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1njxyU3Lapjz048dEbDsAEblPGQK0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1njxyU3Lapjz048dEbDsAEblPGQK0)

mks

[wlc]

billz - Moose removal . . . that's great! :)

All of these reworks are mucho fun, I've enjoyed seeing every one of them.

[Bayla]

Well everyone has been focussing on the moose but I couldn't help noticing the rather lovely dress on the right and thought it might suit Gary!:) Could have done with a higher resolution image though.....

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1NN5zbtVtbWEMpPvYL0AbyyAwCj957_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1NN5zbtVtbWEMpPvYL0AbyyAwCj957)

Bayla

[Zeria]

My second attempt.
Ellen, I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your Crop Challenge #31 image. I could use advice/comments from the more experienced manipulators about reflections ---- Are there any rules or guides? On this sphere I used the reflected buildings in the background as a guide for the Transform>skew option. The size and placement of the reflection is a guess. Any suggestions?


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ixK2JAp2LfkpsEk9juGHMxu4lcm0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ixK2JAp2LfkpsEk9juGHMxu4lcm0)

[vawitt]

I think I SAW THIS SCENE driving in to see Sweeney Todd last week! :eek::D

Great shadow work!!

Here's my attempt



http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1uAiKbQEdE3LJ0c4w1MaIsxHHimQC_thumb.jpg (http://http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1uAiKbQEdE3LJ0c4w1MaIsxHHimQC_thumb.jpg)

[billz]

Well everyone has been focussing on the moose but I couldn't help noticing the rather lovely dress on the right ... Could have done with a higher resolution image though.....

Bayla

Bayla -

I noticed it too and played for a long time trying to make something with it but failed. Congratulations .. it's a natural!

Bill

[Red Sky]

This has been fun. Thanks BillZ and Ellen for reviving this; shouldn't it be the EZ Challenge?

Thanks Kim, for your kind comment!;)

[GaryK]

Bayla

I never thought that type would suit me.
I was wrong.:D:D

[TonyW]

One more - if cows can jump over the moon then surely a moose could too :D

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/14VSVw9D4amcY28eCxoqT3drT5Tyod_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=14VSVw9D4amcY28eCxoqT3drT5Tyod)

Tony

[Ellen]

They just keep getting better and better! Bayla, stay tuned, I couldn't decide between the moose or a different shot of the manikin from the same day. Remember if you've got a photo for us send it to pht.challenge@gmail.com

[kim2900]

I hate to single images out because every one of these are really unique and creative - but in addition to Steven's, I really like Pete's "moose crossing" and his reflection image is terrific! And who doesn't love Gary in a dress? ;) Tammy got more use out of her image from Bill's #133 photo theme. "Ride'em kitsch cowboy!" Gary, I'm fascinated by your implosion technique. Very cool!

[Byron Gale]

...BillZ and Ellen...; shouldn't it be the EZ Challenge?...YES!!...........

[Zeria]

This has been fun. Thanks Kim for the nice comments. All the interpretations are fun and interesting .......

Rob -- The Moose is a perfect fit
Kim -- Love the eyes....on the Moose :)
Rita -- That is poster quality
wlc --A clever animation
Steven -- I see that you took your camera to work again ...great image
Mack -- A gold Moose---wonder what it would be worth?

[BobWarren]

Ok -- here's version #1:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1BrfWMKj8Sj6rGWU8MQRICkPIcZ3UB1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1BrfWMKj8Sj6rGWU8MQRICkPIcZ3UB1)

[BobWarren]

And here's take #2:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1hLw9dcNKUBVctdKXjPf2jb9xK5YLY1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1hLw9dcNKUBVctdKXjPf2jb9xK5YLY1)

[sosdog]

Trying to get one in real quick. Think Trojan moose would have worked?

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1LqriNRoeUimYKWLRCUiOs4a3g1pGg0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1LqriNRoeUimYKWLRCUiOs4a3g1pGg0)

[kim2900]

Wow! I feel humbled by all the talent and imagination exhibited here! :o

Larry - I really like your image!

And I second Byron's enthusiastic "yes" to Steven's comment regarding the EZ Challenge! What better way to incorporate both hosts names to the challenge while also encouraging others to participate with the "easy" attached to the name? Great idea, Steven!

[sosdog]

Thanks Kim I appreciate the complement. I also like you are amazed by the quality of work done here. I also vote for ez-challenge. Great work everyone!!!

[vawitt]

Ditto - especially the great extraction work. My extraction kept giving my moose a sex-change operation :o:p (antlers came off = cow moose vs. bull moose) so I gave up.

Double-ditto on the name! Great idea!!

~Val in sunny IL

Wow! I feel humbled by all the talent and imagination exhibited here! :o

Larry - I really like your image!

And I second Byron's enthusiastic "yes" to Steven's comment regarding the EZ Challenge! What better way to incorporate both hosts names to the challenge while also encouraging others to participate with the "easy" attached to the name? Great idea, Steven!

[Cherie-Lynn]

My moose showed up in Nova Scotia. The valley will never be the same.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1bxVGxX3ciOCMQQH4bWG0yAz0mP2Rj_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bxVGxX3ciOCMQQH4bWG0yAz0mP2Rj)

[Ritage]

vawitt and Pete, thank you for your kind comments.

vawitt, your collage looks great. But if your selection got amputated you could just paint the missing bits back in with the Selection Brush. It's what I did.

Mack, I like that. Did you smudge first and then apply a gold gradient, or the other way around?

Bill, good job standing in for Alex. I share your fascination with his reconstructions.

Bayla, I too had a brief try at the dress, but I'm glad I discarded it. You did a much better job. (I hadn't even thought of Gary's finery)

Tony and Larry, love the Moon Jump and the Trojan Moose.

Rita

[Mack]

Thanks Rita,

Yep smudge and color blend mode. I remember a year or so ago Grant had posted a similar sculpture, a horse though I think, And Jody had used a similar technique. Mine of course doesn't come close to Jody's superb work. Where is Jody now days?

Don

[billz]

Thanks for taking the time to comment Rita. Trying to fill Alex's big shoes was quite daunting, and clearly the results were not up to his standards. The exercise made me appreciate his talent that much more. Thanks again.

I've got to say this one more time ... Congratulations to everyone for getting this challenge off to such a fantastic start. You've set the quality bar quite high!!! Thanks again Ellen.

Bill

[wlc]

Another moose and friend . . .

http://members.cox.net/lwc1/odd_couple.jpg

[lsweeney]

Thanks, Ellen, for hosting this challenge. It looks like it will be fun!

I located the moose walking along the Milwaukee shoreline during a recent visit.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Ql0mV7xtWSld79XuGYlZ6ILc1OpYY_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Ql0mV7xtWSld79XuGYlZ6ILc1OpYY)

[christellf]

Remember the Etch-a-Sketch.
Christell
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/17pDJ4YB1HfUYTJ9UgjYmVajppTq00_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=17pDJ4YB1HfUYTJ9UgjYmVajppTq00)

[Bayla]

Christell,

I just love it! What a clever and imaginitive idea!

Bayla

[christellf]

Thanks Bayla.If anyone wants the etch-a-sketch I got it here:
http://escrappers.com/Elements/etchasketch.png

Etch-a-sketch Tutorial is here:
http://escrappers.com/etch.html
Christell

[BobWarren]

Version #3:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1VSsoJ4KFbEF28QjjlBHyFEBpRc2_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1VSsoJ4KFbEF28QjjlBHyFEBpRc2)

[vawitt]

Looks like a Dr. Doolittle animal run amok... :eek::D

Another moose and friend . . .

http://members.cox.net/lwc1/odd_couple.jpg