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davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 28, 2026
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 266 - Move closer

  • August 28, 2026
  • 96 replies
  • 618 views

Thanks to all who took part in our last, ‘Holy Island’, challenge. There were some great entries that showed the imagination and skill of this community.

The regulars in these challenges will know that sometimes we start with a scene and sometimes an object. This week we have two starter images, the first with a magnifying glass and a paper. The second is the same magnifying glass but with a transparent background. You can use either, or both, to start your entry. The scene was created and rendered in Blender 3D with Adobe Substance 3D Designer and Adobe Substance 3D Painter used for textures.

How imaginative can you get with this simple scene, or object?

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 either of the starter images, click it, 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 reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the bottom of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the reply button next to their image post.

 

Have fun!

 

Dave.

    96 replies

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 3, 2026

     

    THE MOST WANTED FILTER
    Version 2.6.6 SFTW

    ALWAYS AT HAND
    ANYWHERE
    ANY TIME

    SEE THE NUMBER OR THE MESSAGE

    First available version since 2.0.3 SFTW

     

     

    Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

     

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 6, 2026

    Jacob, is it just me, or is there an abbreviated rude message mesage in that rego?

    EuanWilliamson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 3, 2026

    My .png seems defective?

     

    Best regards, Euan.
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 3, 2026

    What do the rickshaw icons signify Euan?

    EuanWilliamson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 5, 2026

    I run the local chapter of

    https://cyclingwithoutage.org

    it’s the map of the 100 chapters here in Scotland. 
    Have a search, they are in over 50 countries with ~ 50k volunteers 

    Best regards, Euan.
    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    @davescm wrote: “Move closer”

     

    Did I get this one right, Dave? Is this what you were thinking with “Move closer”?

    Jane

     

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    Ah hah!  I had to scroll down the thread to understand the reference Jane.  It’s one of those ‘I see what you did there’ moments.  I wonder where that phrase comes from?

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    I’m always intrigued by Dave’s subject lines, Trevor. They’re usually a reference to something.

    “Something for the Weekend - Part 266 - Move closer”

    GeekyGirlRex7295714
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026
    What pretty eyes you have, my dear kitty!

     

    Writer | Developer | Facilitator | Geek!
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 3, 2026

    I am always intrigued by the different shaped pupils in feline eyes. Nice fit with the magnifier, GeekyGirlRex.

    Dave

    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    What you lookin’ at?

     

    Adobe Community Expert | I have miles to go before I sleep, but I'm all done on this end.
    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    Very clever, ​@daniellei4510 — I love this!

    Jane

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    It’s those big bulging eyes.  They give the bug a surreal look that Ged would be proud of.  I like how right it is as well. Really nice shadow under the bug. Those details make an image work.

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    You have to have at least one with zero AI to play fair. 

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    Great use of the magnifying glass Trevor, I hadn’t thought of a monocle. 😊
    Dave

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    I think the stock image I used comes from a game.  It already had a monocle, but it looked totally fake to me. 

     

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

     Dave’s new band and their latest album.

     

    The even more obviously AI version

    These both used Gemini.  I’d expected the Flux models do well because of the text, but it was totally pants.  Exactly the same prompt in all cases.

    From top left going clockwise:

    Gemini 3.1, Firefly 5, Flux Kontext Pro, Flux2 Pro.   

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    I like them both, Trevor, now we just need the music 😀
    Dave

    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 2, 2026

    At first I couldn’t see the glass. I was looking all over the bicycle, then I looked closely at the sign. Very clever, Bob.
    Dave

    fbeaume
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 1, 2026

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 1, 2026

    Haha - it reminds me of the ‘X-Ray glasses’ that used to be advertised in the back of comics and magazines in the 60s and 70s. 😀
    Dave

    War Unicorn
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 1, 2026
    “Where is my food, Can Opener?!?”

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 1, 2026

    A different style from you this week James. Cross cat! 😊
    Dave