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davescm
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February 28, 2025
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 235 - Rocky X

  • February 28, 2025
  • 50 replies
  • 15180 views

Thanks to all who took part in our previous challenges. For the last two challenges we started with small objects, first a spark plug then a dried clove, so I thought this week we should go large. Most artists like a blank canvas and today our canvas is a dry, rocky, and barren landscape. What you put in it, to tell us a story, is up to you.

 

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”.
  • 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

50 replies

Jeff Arola
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March 3, 2025

davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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March 3, 2025

I like the dark atmosphere in this, Jeff. Are those rockets? If so, you've added a whole arsenal there!

Dave

Trevor.Dennis
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March 3, 2025

I wondered if they were some sort of otherworldly bluebells or snowdrops. It's very atmospheric and it definitely draws you in.

Trevor.Dennis
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Community Expert
March 3, 2025

[EDITED] After reading Dave's comment about Earth's shading.  Zero Ai

Ashraful_Islam
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March 3, 2025

This turned out great. Everything matched perfectly. Nice work, Trevor.

Trevor.Dennis
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March 3, 2025

Bottom left golf green is Gen fill.

davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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March 3, 2025

Haha. They appear everywhere don't they? I hope the golf buggy has four wheel drive to get across those rocks. 🙂

Dave

Trevor.Dennis
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March 2, 2025

Zero Ai

davescm
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March 3, 2025

I didn't realise I was modelling Tracy Island, Trevor. This should be on Blue Peter 🙂

Dave

AlanGilbertson
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March 3, 2025

Blue Peter? Blimey! The last time I saw that was in the very early '60s. I just discovered it's still going! Longest-running children's TV show in the world, according What-I-Know-Is-Pedia. Longer than Coronation Street! (Not as long as The Archers, whose signature earworm I can still remember clearly, after more than 50 years outside the UK.)

EuanWilliamson
Community Expert
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March 2, 2025

Coming to a cinema near you soon . . .

 

 

Best regards, Euan.
AlanGilbertson
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March 2, 2025

Why does that face look so much like Kevin Bacon? 😹

Ashraful_Islam
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March 2, 2025

fbeaume
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March 10, 2025

Nice style!
Did you use firefly composition reference?

Ashraful_Islam
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March 20, 2025

Thanks. I used Photoshop to create this. 

Greg_S.
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March 2, 2025

Ashraful_Islam
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March 2, 2025

It's a cool sport in a cold environment.

Community Expert
March 2, 2025

Something lurking from underground.

davescm
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March 2, 2025

It explains why there was no-one around, Dean. 🙂

Dave

jane-e
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February 28, 2025

It can be difficult to tell your renders from your photos, Dave, but in this case you gave us a small clue: if it had been a photo you would have told us the location. Since you didn't, it's a render.

 

Very nice work and I'm starting to think up a few ideas!

 

Jane

davescm
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March 1, 2025

Good sluething Jane! You're absolutely right, it is a render. I created the terrain in World Creator, exported it as a height map and used that as a displacement map in Blender. Textures came from Adobe Substance Painter, before lighting and rendering in Blender. I was going to add a bit of grass and foliage but decided to leave it barren.


Dave

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March 2, 2025

Great work Dave - as always.

Jacob Bugge
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Community Expert
February 28, 2025

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

davescm
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February 28, 2025

Haha. I hadn't seen the face in there, but now I can't unsee it. 🙂
Dave