Arrakeen. ( probs getting detail in there :\ )

[ceenda]

http://www.apab03.dsl.pipex.com/desert_w_i_p.jpg

Been trying to add more details (like buildings, roads, airstrip etc. ) but everything I add seems break up the pic. Not sure if I should do any more with this one.

[I.was.ink]

If other things just clutter it up, then just leave it alone. I like this piece, I would just add at least a silhouet( i know thats no how you spell it) of the mountain on the left side. Like you can still see some of it behind the fog. It would be funny to have a little guy in the middle, really small waving at us. Just a thought anyways:D

[WerxOne]

i agree, it looks like a desolate place, maybe if you where to put in other buildings make them ruins. but i would be satisfied with leaving it the way it is, very nice

[Tedsuo]

You really captured the feeling of Dune with this one. The desert feels very looming, the rocks are almost like a tidal wave about to engulf the city. I agree that more roads and buildings would detract. I think it's done!

[Makafui]

heya nick, :) ur advice rocked...anyway um well in my position when i come across a problem like that i delve into the regions of why its the way it is, why are the buildings where they are, if its a case of defence then yes adda few ruined buildings just on the outskirts of the tower thingy. and twards the viewer u could put in a watchtowers slightly broken down.

[Dreamed-Reality]

Here are some ideas (other than what was already given), place some of those power converter things that was in the movie, in the offscirts of the picture, prolly silhoutted or loosley detailed, and put some more staggered rocks on the plane. Just a couple thoughts :)

My only complaint on the picture is the lighting on the tallest building, the light is in the correct spot (and size), but the angle is all wrong, because that angle looks like a 70* angle, when it should be less steep.

Hope these ideas and critique help :)

[MindCandyMan]

Perhaps add a caravan returning home? Just a thought. Looks totally awesome...great work man.

[Tekura]

Hey,
Beautiful image...very peaceful, maybe no need to add anything else...You have captured the mood with this, very very nice man....

T

[chukw]

I agree that the city is done, and done well! Very nice atmosphere- hot, dusty, washed in glaring sunlight. You just won't see that much detail from this far off, maybe just a few more shadows cast by small outstructures. Every good picture has a foreground, middleground and background, so why not add an element right up close? A person climbing that rock, or a flitter heading in to port. You can always paint it on another layer, and experiment with color- maybe put it in the shadow of an unseen peak, with contrasting cooler tones? Time for the fun to begin!

[Jason Manley]

Im actually in disagrement here.

1..i didnt even know it was a city.

2..you need to get some reference to work with if you want to add detail and get stuck.

3 look at the masters...how would bierstadt handle these things? how would frederick church or thomas moran handle them?

4 the image is simple...but it has to be pushed a lot farther.

you are WORRYING too much...you can never make a great picture without going through and messing things up a bit. save the file...rename another version...and demolish the thing...add in a ton of stuff....keep pushing...then keep the parts you like and toss out the parts you dont.

I dont think this image is to a professional level yet...and I can tell that you do not either...you must PUSH and try things...if you cant figure it out then go look at the masters and get reference.

paste the reference right in there to see what it will do?


it will be a nice image if you keep working on it...right now it looks like a big thumbnail

I find it rather monochromatic as well...which can work if your middle values are balanced against your harsher contrasting values. right now you have too much dark and too much light..and not enough middles for it to actually feel like how light looks. make it glow with light and value.


jason

[I.was.ink]

harsh! jason! but hey, it the truth!:)

[MindCandyMan]

That is one of the main reasons why Jason is so good...what he just did...he does to his own pieces in his head I'm sure. Constant re-evaluation...something I need to learn that's for sure.

[ceenda]

Thanks for your comments and critiques everyone.

Dreamed-Reality: Yeah! I was thinking about doing some shield generators, but they appeared too small so I took them out. But some power converters closer to the viewer might have been a good idea.

jason: It's funny you mention Albert Bierstadt as I have a ton of his pics (especially his seascapes). You're right though, I tend to "humm and haaa" about pics and most of them end in the trash can, I should probably stick in with them more. :)