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davescm
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Jul 18, 2025 9:56 AM UTC
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 245 - Hiding in Plain Sight!

Hi,

Thanks to everyone who took the time to put forward an image in our previous 'Electric Avenue' challenge. The imagination in this group is excellent.

This week we have different challenge. Cellphone masts appear everywhere these days and sometimes they are bare masts but occasionally the cellphone companies disguise them with a few tree tree branches or similar. I got to thinking that the collective imagination around here could do better than that. So I bring you a undisguised mast, actually it is an an Adobe 3D asset that I textured, rendered, and added to a photograph of some trees near Loch Morlich in Scotland. How will you cunningly disguise it?

For this week can I add an additional request, when you post your response can you add just a few words on how you went about it. It may help others see the potential of different approaches, software, and tools to such a challenge.

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”.
  • The challenge is not limited to Photoshop. Any Adobe software can be used. 
  • 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

93 replies

Peru Bob
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Jul 24, 2025 1:09 AM UTC

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Leslie Moak Murray
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Jul 24, 2025 1:47 AM UTC

Love it!

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AlanGilbertson
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Jul 23, 2025 7:23 PM UTC

Okay, so I cheated a bit: Once I had the idea of a statue as a "disguise," I created a "crown" in Illustrator and exported it as a 3D model. The mast (same as yours), basic statue, and oxidized bronze material came from Substance 3D Assets, and  I assembled the whole in Stager, orienting the mast and lighting to match your original. Export as PSD for a clean, isolated statue.

That done, I removed the mast from the original image, replaced the sky with something a bit less Scottish, sandwiched Her Royal Statueship between sky and trees, and cropped to put her at a rule of thirds point.

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AlanGilbertson
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Jul 23, 2025 7:29 PM UTC

Forgot to mention adjusting the focal length of the Stager camera to 200mm to match the perspective.

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JR Boulay
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Jul 22, 2025 5:20 PM UTC

A few modifications would make it an effective tool in fighting forest fires.

 

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Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
davescm
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Jul 24, 2025 8:43 AM UTC

Another very clever idea, JR, and the water is nicely done.
Dave

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daniellei4510
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Jul 22, 2025 4:29 PM UTC

Two boys playing tetherball.

 

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Adobe Community Expert | I have miles to go before I sleep, but I'm all done on this end.
davescm
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Jul 24, 2025 8:42 AM UTC

If you can't get rid of the masts - use them. Clever idea Danielli. 🙂
Dave

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@mj
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Jul 22, 2025 4:12 PM UTC

Tx @davescm as always

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davescm
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Jul 24, 2025 8:41 AM UTC

They have some nasty biting wee midgies in Scotland, but fortunately I haven't seen anything that big!  🙂
Dave

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EuanWilliamson
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Jul 24, 2025 7:11 PM UTC

The ones you can't see are the worst!

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Best regards, Euan.
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Jul 22, 2025 3:00 PM UTC

 He’s Eternia’s streetlight in the dark.

“By the Pulse of the Grid… I HAVE THE POWER!”

 

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AlanGilbertson
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Jul 23, 2025 7:34 PM UTC

I dunno, Nick. He seems a little shy. 😹

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derekwatson
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Jul 22, 2025 11:10 AM UTC

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Derek Watson
davescm
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Jul 24, 2025 8:38 AM UTC

I hadn't realised these things were left over legs from 'them'...    🙂
Dave

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lambiloon
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Jul 22, 2025 4:33 AM UTC

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Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
davescm
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Jul 24, 2025 8:37 AM UTC

They're like moths to a lightbulb. 🙂

Dave

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War Unicorn
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Jul 21, 2025 7:25 PM UTC

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davescm
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Jul 21, 2025 7:27 PM UTC

No-one will notice it's a mast now, James. I love the texture.
Dave

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Jul 20, 2025 5:04 AM UTC

A different type of mast here.

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Jacob Bugge
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Jul 20, 2025 9:24 AM UTC

E.T. phone home, Dean?

 

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