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davescm
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Community Expert
September 25, 2026
StickyQuestion

Something for the Weekend - Part 268 - It's a mystery!

  • September 25, 2026
  • 111 replies
  • 748 views

Thanks to everyone who took part in our ‘Close shave’ challenge. There were some sharp entries over the last two weeks.

This week we take a trip into the woods where we find a mysterious pair of boots and a spade. Something is going on. Can you show us what it is?
 

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, 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.


For those interested I took the picture in Shin Forest, Scotland a few years ago. The spade and boots are Adobe 3D assets which I textured in Adobe Substance Painter before rendering in Blender 3D and compositing in Photoshop.


Have fun!

 

Dave.

 

 

    111 replies

    thomas_bredenfeld
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 29, 2026

    turned it to a spooky american night and added some firefly trails 😊
    AI gently removed the shovel and the boots 😁

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 29, 2026

    Welcome to SFTW, Thomas. Nice job turning day to night. Using the moon to keep the original shadows works well, as do the firefly trails.
    Dave 

    War Unicorn
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026
    “Everyone Makes Mistakes, Isn’t That Right?”

     

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 29, 2026

    James, this’ll be your take on Picasso's Blue Period? 

    I’d love to see a ghostly figure hovering above the gravestone.

    JR Boulay
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    60 years ago
     

     

    Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

    Jane

    JR Boulay
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 29, 2026

    Thank you Jane

    Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
    chanaart
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026
    chanaart
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026
    I lost my mind...

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 29, 2026

    Did you use Select and Mask for that? 😁
    Dave

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

    —Henry

     

     

    Beautiful photo and renders, Dave! 

    Jane

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    Thank you Jane.
    I didn’t know that quote and just looked it up. That’s a very nice tribute in your image.

    Dave

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    Thanks, Dave. It’s been my mantra ever since I was seventeen.

    Jane

    GeekyGirlRex7295714
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

     

    I finally caught DAVE making our assignment!
     

     

    Writer | Developer | Facilitator | Geek!
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    Haha. You’ve got it exactly ​@GeekyGirlRex7295714 , brilliant! 😂

     

    Dave

    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    Nice take!

    Adobe Community Expert | I have miles to go before I sleep, but I'm all done on this end.
    EuanWilliamson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    Alice did indeed think it was a mystery and pondered whether she had spilt some of that rather delicious drink me juice

     

    Best regards, Euan.
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    A nice connection between this week’s theme and the famous story, Euan.

    Dave

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 29, 2026

    ‘I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! For a very important date.’   Funny, I know the line, but can’t remember reading the book, or seeing the movie.

    derekwatson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    There’s Treasure in them that woods… Somewhere!

    Derek Watson
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    I do like that, Derek. Just keep digging…

    Dave

    lambiloon
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

     

    Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    September 28, 2026

    So that’s what Scotland looked like, many years ago. I fear the owner of the boots may have become lunch!

    Dave