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davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 9, 2025
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 240 - Prickly Issue

  • May 9, 2025
  • 40 replies
  • 7335 views

Hi,
Thanks to everyone who put forward an image for our last 'Misty Mountains' challenge. 

This week we stay outdoors and start with this prickly thistle. In the background are the walls of Dunstanburgh Castle on the North East Coast of England. What can you make from this week's image?

 

The “rules”:

  • Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
  • Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
  • Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humor and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
  • The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

 

To download the starter image, hover over the image and click on the circle with the arrows at the top right. Then, when the image opens in its own window, right click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar depending on your browser).

 

When posting back your image — please use the blue reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the top of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the grey reply button next to their image post.

 

Have fun!

 

Dave

40 replies

Participant
May 19, 2025

Here’s my take on the challenge – hope you enjoy this little nature-inspired piece!

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 20, 2025

The sun and cloud working together to make the thistle grow. Welcome to SFTW subhadra_mishra.
Dave

duuufner
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

The Last Of Thistle

duuufner
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 20, 2025

I bet she's a prickly character! 🙂
Dave

duuufner
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 20, 2025

Most definitely! 🤣

duuufner
Participating Frequently
May 19, 2025

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 20, 2025

Dusk finally arrives at Dunstanburgh!

Dave

derekwatson
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

Careful with that kilt Eugene!

Derek Watson
PaintedKitty
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 20, 2025

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack missile-ed over a thistle quick. 🙃

morgan_quinlan
Participating Frequently
May 19, 2025

Another thisle plant in a galaxy far, far away...

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 20, 2025

Nice colouring Morgan. 🙂
Dave

EuanWilliamson
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

 

 

There you go Dave, I've fixed it for you - you can see the castle clearly now. Be careful with that autofocus.

 

Best regards, Euan.
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

Haha - I knew I'd got it wrong 🙂
Dave

Participant
May 19, 2025

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

Now that's a proper nice job Hello, it's Ana!  I especially like how you have anchored the feet into the long grass.  You have even retained the shallow depth of field in the nearfield overlapping grass stems.  The shading is excellent...  Heck, there are so many classy details, I'd be typing all night to mention them all.   This is the most impressed I've been by a SFTW upload in a good while.

 

Just look at that detail guys.

May 19, 2025

Sir thorn at your service. Very cool

Participant
May 19, 2025

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

I love the idea, but I wonder if AI could make better faces?  🙂
Dave

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

Watch out, here comes the thistle drone 🙂
Dave

Participating Frequently
May 18, 2025

 Symbolism of the Thistle & a Scottish Prayer 🙂

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
May 19, 2025

A nice positive message, Leigh. 🙂
Dave