Skip to main content
davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 16, 2026
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 258 - Shifting sands!

  • January 16, 2026
  • 30 replies
  • 1406 views

Thanks to everyone who took part in our previous 'Lucky New Year' challenge. There were some great ideas and very cleverly put together images.

 

This week, in world of constant change, I thought we might take a trip to this timeless beach at Balnakeil in north-west Scotland. In reality, of course, with any sandy beach it too is constantly changing. So, what can you make with it?

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).

 

SFTW258_Beach.jpg

 

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.

30 replies

Jill_C
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 24, 2026

The sunset and and the wildlife were imported from Antarctica.

SFTW258_Beach. Antarctica.jpg

 

Jill C., Forum Volunteer
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 25, 2026

Haha, you've turned the world on its head, Jill 🙂
Dave

AlanGilbertson
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 23, 2026

Sort of a blasty from the pasty, and homage to a favorite SciFi novel. Lots of fun with Camera Raw!SFTW258_Beach-Scene.jpg

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 25, 2026

I like it Alan. The colours fit well with that 1950s era novel. 
Dave

AlanGilbertson
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 25, 2026

Wyndham wrote some strange books. DIdn't the BBC do radio dramas of this one and The Kraken Wakes?

Community Expert
January 23, 2026

SFTW258_Beach_edit.jpg

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 24, 2026

So much for Climate Change.

 

BTW  When are they moving to the new forum software?  The forum has been playing up big time for me just recently.  Sometime it won't let me post, but if I refesh the page it then works.  Sometimes it hides the reply button.  This particular forum is taking ages to load.

War Unicorn
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 25, 2026

I'm having issues here and there where the page loads with an error. Not all the time, though.

Leslie Moak Murray
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 23, 2026

ADOBE-SFTW258_Beach.jpg

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 23, 2026

The swim ring creature shadow is very expressive, Leslie, with a wee smile on its face.

Leslie Moak Murray
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 24, 2026

Hee! Thanks, Jacob

daniellei4510
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 23, 2026

Prompt: Add a massive water-cooled AI data center to the lake in this image.

 

watercooled.jpg

Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 25, 2026

I hope that's not a vision of the future. All that industrial power, just to make up images 😞
Dave

January 23, 2026

SFTW258_Beach-1.jpg

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 25, 2026

Welcome to SFTW, Eric. He looks relaxed, I hope he doesn't get hungry 🙂
Dave

EuanWilliamson
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 23, 2026

Some months after Davos

SFTW258_Beach-out.jpg

 

 

Best regards, Euan.
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 25, 2026

Sadly, sinking fast, Euan! Nicely done.
Dave

War Unicorn
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 23, 2026

Bonus round!

SFTW258_Beach-bonus.jpg

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 23, 2026

After my earlier comments about your recognisable style, James, you have just proved that sometimes it is great to jump away from that style and just have some fun 🙂
Dave

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 21, 2026

 

Words of the sand, cool, white, wonderful, widening with withdrawing water,

reached different deserts.

 

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

 

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 21, 2026

 

It all started with the discovery of the sand by a few rugged ramblers

refusing to be chased away.

 

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

 

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 21, 2026

 

Eventually it led to an upgrading of the accomodation.

 

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

 

 

And here is the full picture.

 

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

War Unicorn
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 21, 2026

"Comfort"

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
January 21, 2026

Recognisably your style, James. I like it.
Dave