Okay If I'm ever going to figure out how to use this program I should at least attempt to enter this contest

This is my second post sort of since I did a arch thing yesterday. Not sure what I'll be adding but it'll include something in the center etc. This might be a smaller piece as the idea matures so after about 1.5 hours here it is




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This is a single multipass with shadows and particles only for testing now
Added second with different ground material

Cool. Keep going with it, John.

nice.
cant wait to see more

That's really nice john i can't wait to see what you add to the image.

Looking really good.

Jay

Man.. thats already looking great! I love the look to.. very ringworld. also kind of reminds me of an image from Isaac Asimov's Foundations Edge! whic I loved.

I need to read that book again.

Great to have you in the contest John. I'm glad I have some influence around here ;-)

maybe my avatar should be an image of Hotstuff.

You guys are making me look bad, but never fear. I will join this battle soon enough.

Reminds me of "Dagobah" from star wars... that swampy planet with Yoda.

"Ben?"
"Go to the Dagobah system"
"Dagobah?"
"Yes dammit! Dagobah!"
"What? Dagobah? Huh? Who... where... huh?"

I always thought Luke was really "whiny" and annoying in that scene.

-vern

Thanks for the laugh Vern..

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I'm trying out a central stuctural idea on this ..decided I don't like the ground material and will probably have to change the camera angle and of course lighting

etc sky etc overall detal of location etc etc but there is time

looking good John,

I like the peas soup fog to.

How big are those structures/bones? supposed to be? If they are supposed to be really big, I'm thinking you'll need something to show a since of scale. probably in the foregroud and the background.

Keep it going.

This is looking sweet! I really like how the central structure is turning out. And as Colin said, definitely need scale reference. Nice use of textures, too - that rust looks fantastic!

It's really starting to feel like a lost city .
- Michael

Colin I turned off the fog to help you see the scale
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My God, they're everywhere! *runs away in panic*

lol.. I'm starting to see where this is going. And I like it.

Sorry this was just a curve ball...have to keep you off balance

drat. I was hopen for some vast ancient political statement ;-) oh well. Nice curve by the way. I like a pitcher that can change it up a bit.

Great work John,
The texture on the arches and 'Vines' is really nice.Very otherworld feeling to it.

Jay

"You can't beat me Anakin! I have the higher ground! Now I know where Luke got his annoying personality."
"Who the heck is Luke?"
"Uh... never mind. Forget I said anything."


Sorry... couldn't resist.

Looks great!

-vern

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Okay I added something to get it heading toward the idea forming in my wrinkled brow

Thanks for the comments .. but there is much to do to get this close to anything really interesting.

ok ... It's a graveyard inside the belly of a whale, a metaphor that speaks of the universal truth that we all end up ultimately as gourmet fish food.

Feeling old John?

Very intriguing. You've certainly got my interest.

It's really looking very good - tres Lemkesque.

Since Colin is encouraging altering of the renders with other programs like Photoshop I decided to play a little with the last post. I decided that once I get the total idea in place I wil definitely render it in layers and compose after tweaking


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Groovy and far out. I like it. And yes I always encourage "playing" around.

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No fog but added another piece with "fog" and some lighting changes

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Need suggestions ...is there something that you ...like ....dislike ...or ?

I feel this needs something but not sure what yet besides maybe some clutter and maybe even a character

Might start playing with adding some postrender mods

I really like all these experiments - all very interesting elements, textures - creates a lot of wonder (like what is going on?) - and that's a very good thing.

What I would suggest in the composition is to avoid symmetry, perhaps start playing with more extreme camera angles, focal lengths -so that your horizon doesn't end up centered, and the placement of components aren't symmetrical. Try to vary the sizes of your elements - and have them make interesting patterns, that still lead the eye to a focal point - (perhaps doing it with gradated sizes?)

What you may feel is missing is perhaps a focal point ? - and some more elements to give us dodo heads more hints to the story ? - You know...the whacked out version that's probably rumbling around in your head. I know there's some story going on here (uh ...maybe the whacked out version is the one rumbling around in my head)

You've started with defining a focal point - (eg the globe, or the stand) - by making the lines lead the eye to it - If you want this to be it - then continue to add elements that tell the story of this globe - But if you want the globe to be background - then you will need some other components to distract the eye. You can use lighting, color, shapes, line to all lead the eye.

Adding a character(s) could help - if that's what is in the story (but might make the image less abstract - and may not be what you're after).

I love your playing around with this - keep it up. It's very intriguing. And it's great to watch.

This is looking pretty cool. What happened to the fog?

Fog shut off to speed render with new elements and test is its necessary. Nancy you make some good points and i guess i have to settle on what I am saying to get the focus correct. The symmetry is in part related to the location . I just have to add the story part and adjust.

All comments welcome since i usually do not attempt something like this ..its all Colins fault

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okay I added a character...grab old insect man for now ...found an old PS file I added to camera rotoscope ...adjusted some settings changed the lighting and redirected the camera...put the fog back in but reduced the render size.


Next play with damaged areas ..maybe add some "damaged pieces"...added simple displacement to the ground.. never get anything else done....actually thats not true...

thanks for looking

Whoah - this is looking seriously awesome! I'd love to see a higher-res render, though . The texturing looks fantastic! Keep it up. I cannot wait to see how this progresses.

- Michael

This is great John.My mind is racing as to what the story could be? I can't wait for the next update.

Jay

Wow - looks terrific - To save render times - you could make/paint an image of just the fog and then use that as a camera rotoscope that is placed ON top and play with the transparency - could also play with the alpha if so inclined...or of course make a layer that has the fog image..

Since this isn't a movie...CHEAT CHEAT CHEAT (and even if it were)

I have some pink fog in case you're interested...No? oh ok.

Thanks for the comments After I add some of the changes I'll render it larger. Nancy I plan to ren
der in layers with alpha then playa bit in Photoshop. Thanks Again

Just changed the material on the globe in the center..thouoght it should show more



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I don't really get what the image is supposed to be but I like the surrealistic look.

Mike

its an unknown lost world...lost world, lost life, lost hope and terribly unfinished I want to add some more too it because it pretty thin right now.



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Backed the camera up a bit to try and see what I want to do with the surrounding area

Hey John,

Try playing around with opening up the Camera angle. A wider angle could really start to make things look big and dynamic. I'm liking it allot.

How about a planet in the background or moon? You might also try some more directional lighting, or even a sunset in the back or foreground.

Keep it up

This is looking really good John,It's like a cathedral to the dead....But in space!....I like.

Jay

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Haven't looked at this for awhile but with additional time available trying out other possibilities ...sort of a lost in space fleet.

This is a really interesting scene. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I got lazy and haven't worked on this in a while so I went back a few steps so I can at least finish this. It needs a couple of things yet and some lighting tweaks etc but I should get it tpgether by the closing date. Tried a few new ideas too.

This is single pass just to update


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very very nice John - love your coloring, texturing choices. Composition, & view angle are also quite interesting. Good foggy moody effects also

Very arteeestic.

(and the pathos - lets not forget the pathos of the widdle martian fella-guy visiting the gravesite of a buddy?)

EDIT: Just to clarify - I REALLY REALLY Really like it - despite my silly pathos comment

Wha, way to put them experiments to use! Looking good!
(I'm getting completely rimmed in this competition xP)

Cheers,
J

Great composistion & texturing on the image John,really fires up the imagination.

Jay

Wow. This has gone through some changes!
Nice work, John, and good luck.

Sent mine to Colin tonight after a few tweaks in Photoshop.. good luck to everyone...I was just glad I got off my butt and entered.

Hi John
Nice to see you spend so much time on one image, it always makes a difference. Glad you stuck to it, great finished image.
Good luck

Nice work John! And very inventive as usual. You create some really amazing images and effects.