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davescm
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Jan 16, 2026 10:30 AM UTC
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 258 - Shifting sands!

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).

 

874871iC8E97A8AD5A0AFE3.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.

102 replies

Jill_C
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 24, 2026 1:10 AM UTC

The sunset and and the wildlife were imported from Antarctica.

876400iD8E0E52ECC86FBDE.jpg

 

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Jill C., Forum Volunteer
davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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Jan 25, 2026 11:42 AM UTC

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

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AlanGilbertson
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Jan 23, 2026 11:01 PM UTC

Sort of a blasty from the pasty, and homage to a favorite SciFi novel. Lots of fun with Camera Raw!876390i0C97D9C307B4FBC7.jpg

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davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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Jan 25, 2026 11:41 AM UTC

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

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AlanGilbertson
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Jan 25, 2026 6:48 PM UTC

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

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Community Expert
Jan 23, 2026 10:46 PM UTC

876389i749159789BCC00CD.jpg

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Trevor.Dennis
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Community Expert
Jan 24, 2026 12:46 AM UTC

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.

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War Unicorn
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Jan 25, 2026 12:24 AM UTC

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

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Leslie Moak Murray
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Jan 23, 2026 10:33 PM UTC

876387i6FB2F0A01F770A97.jpg

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Jacob Bugge
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Jan 23, 2026 11:30 PM UTC

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

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Leslie Moak Murray
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Community Expert
Jan 24, 2026 12:02 AM UTC

Hee! Thanks, Jacob

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daniellei4510
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Community Expert
Jan 23, 2026 9:42 PM UTC

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

 

876381i506AC7DF9865E4DA.jpg

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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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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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Jan 25, 2026 11:35 AM UTC

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

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Jan 23, 2026 9:35 PM UTC

876379i43BFB98D6EFC5B69.jpg

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davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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Jan 25, 2026 11:34 AM UTC

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

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EuanWilliamson
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Community Expert
Jan 23, 2026 3:39 PM UTC

Some months after Davos

876309i4156BD8DF3A9B361.jpg

 

 

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Best regards, Euan.
davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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Jan 25, 2026 11:32 AM UTC

Sadly, sinking fast, Euan! Nicely done.
Dave

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War Unicorn
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Jan 23, 2026 3:23 AM UTC

Bonus round!

876203i3908A5CBEA139CC1.jpg

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davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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Jan 23, 2026 12:06 PM UTC

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

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Jacob Bugge
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Community Expert
Jan 21, 2026 9:39 PM UTC

 

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

reached different deserts.

 

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

 

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Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 21, 2026 9:39 PM UTC

 

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

 

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Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 21, 2026 9:40 PM UTC

 

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

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War Unicorn
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Jan 21, 2026 1:46 AM UTC

"Comfort"

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davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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Jan 21, 2026 8:18 PM UTC

Recognisably your style, James. I like it.
Dave

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