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Posted on 06/12/07 01:55:38 AM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply  |
"A New Beginning"
Hi there! I've been working on a contest entry for a Photoshop magazine the past couple days now and I would like to know what you guys think about the progress thus far. I'm reluctant to enter this as the final version since the deadline is weeks away. The contest theme is "A New Beginning" and the title of my entry is 'Utopia'. Please feel free to tear it apart if there's something you don't like! 
Higher-res version here: http://www.chrismartindesign.com/forum_images/New%20Beginning3copy_larger.jpg --Chris 
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Posted on 06/12/07 10:13:45 AM |
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maiden
Golden Gif Gagster Posts: 471 Reply  |
Re: "A New Beginning"
It would be very difficult to rip apart such a nicely designed and beautiful image but I am struggling with the concept of "Utopia" and the theme "A New Begining". Utopia is a false paradise where everything seems to be perfect but is anything but, like the Film Lost Horizon (1937) which showed us Shangri-La which is a fictional place as described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton, where it seems to be paradise but the people are indeed prsioners of their own fate as they could never leave Shagri-La else they would die of the old age that they were spared whilst they lived in the paradise. Your image depicts a somewhat fear-inducing rope bridge stretching to a dubious paradise of an Urban Cityscape which looks no less barren than the area the family are apparently leaving which although bleak has hope in the green grass they stand on so they appear to be looking to replace a natural habitat with a concrete jungle. This isn't a criticism this is very deep and meaningful in the way people see conveniences in Urban life as preferable over the more tangible yet much harder to fulfil greener lifestyle. So which in your picture is Utopia - The false Utopia of Urban City Life or the more natural but seemingly barren side where the family stand? Either way it's certainly food for thought and that in itself makes it a very wonderful image. Aesthetically the image is very well put together although, as I explained in my long-winded sort of way, I'm not sure a cityscape really conjures up the idea of a Utopian paradise nor does the area the Family appear to be leaving seem all that bleak - if indeed that was your intention. In the context "A New Begining." I see that the family seems to be short of a father, perhaps he left them or died and therefore the mother seeks to start a new life elsewhere, in that context the image works well. This image certainly inspires a lot of thought which is a very good thing indeed allowing the viewer to derive at their own conclusions. I like it. This is just my interpretation others may see it different. |
Posted on 06/12/07 10:22:24 AM |
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Wayne
Printer’s Devil Posts: 312 Reply  |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Hi Chris Nice work! I like the overall feel of it, the colours and the light. For what it's worth, there are three (minor) things I would do to improve it (feel free to disagree) First, the bridge seems to cut off a bit suddenly, the end looks like it's hanging in mid-air. (Maybe show the other end, even if it's shrouded in mist) The second thing is purely compositional. I would lose the cityscape on the left, showing the sea as horizon. Just because having only the distant city would give the viewer a clearer idea of the group's destination. Lastly, I would soften the outer glow of the lamps a little. Cheers Wayne |
Posted on 06/12/07 12:17:08 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3882 Reply  |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Hi Chris, I would probably agree with Wayne about the cityscape on the left. Losing it would give an idea of the distance still to travel. I'm not sure I like the lemony yellow of the lights and I do feel they could be softened to good effect while also reducing the 'brighter' part's diameter? Perhaps a little more red in the colour? A little more reflected glow on the kids might add some warmth. All very minor things but I like the image. Good luck with it. I'll raise my glass to you when you succeed in the comp. In fact, why wait? I'll raise my glass now. Gordon |
Posted on 06/12/07 8:12:21 PM |
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Progenic
** Posts: 104 Reply  |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Hi Chris Like maiden im struggling with the 'utopia' part of the theme. to be honest i like what you have done.....however If it were me i would lose one of the city scapes, either one. Then i would face the family the other way, as if leaving the dull, dreary looking urban metropolis and just off shot i would perhaps add a taster of what the family are really heading for 'their utopia'. You know the scene in pulp fiction where they open the briefcase and all you see is the golden glow but dont actually get to see whats in it ? something along those lines. But in general i like the image and at the end of the day its whats in your imagination that really counts. Hope you have great success in the comp 
Johnny |
Posted on 06/12/07 9:33:18 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Wow! Thanks guys! Fantastic replies!
Hmm...Maybe I should rethink the mountains and their purpose. It probably would work better if I added tropical vegitation on the larger mountain, and in the smaller mountain further away add a more tropical (paradise) setting. With some sandy beach, and waterfall mist? And remove the current cityscapes....to replace the far right one with a fantasy, tropical-type cityscape..
Your right on there. Although, he is actually running across the middle of the bridge, abandoning his family. He's much clearer on the original file, so the sizes I've posted doesn't do justice to the smaller objects.
I'll work on that. Originally, I had the entire bridge shown spanning across the mountainpass. I'll rework the blending for a more subtle transition.
Done. Although, I originally added that cityscape as an afterthought. The little girl looked like she was focusing on something, so I gave her something to look at
I got a bit lazy in the tiki torch lighting. They're pretty much placeholders right now until I can come up with something better...
Cheers, Gordon! And I tip my hat to you, Sir!  Thank you
That's a great idea, Jonny! What if I were to add a dreary-looking deserter on the bottom left of the image, cooking a piece of meat over a small fire... hmm... or something scary, like a nasty-looking snake instead... Thanks everyone for the inspirational advice. Keep `em coming! I'll post the revisions in a couple days. --Chris |
Posted on 06/12/07 9:51:35 PM |
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Progenic
** Posts: 104 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Chris ha ha im not sure about needing anything too scary, its meant to be utopia afterall
I guess the idea is that most people want to leave the city and escape somewhere far away from it all, i know i did when i lived in the big city. I dont want to haze your own ideas though so i want put anything else, sometimes too many cooks spoil the broth and all that mate. Its a well put together piece mate you should be proud of your work. Johnny |
Posted on 06/12/07 10:02:43 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Not at all! Feel free to post. The magazine showcases some of the top photoshop artists, so I'm looking to submit a complex & detailed entry, pulling out all the stops along the way. There's a tremendous amount of skill & talent with the other people entering. |
Posted on 06/12/07 10:59:01 PM |
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Eggbox
Ovoid Opportunist Posts: 797 Reply  |
Re: "A New Beginning"
I do like the overall picture Chris and understand what you want to convey. I would go along with the idea of losing the left hand city skyline and perhaps continue the lighting across the picture towards the 'final destination'. Should you not want to lose the left hand 'scape then maybe you could lower the sunset to back light it. Could a 'gentle etherial' being becon the family to cross to their Utopia? Ted PS: I'm fresh out of 'Gentle etherials' otherwise I would sent a sample. |
Posted on 07/12/07 03:12:19 AM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply  |
Re: "A New Beginning"
I thnik you have a lot of thoughts going into this. As Maiden, my first thing was Utopia and new beginning.... You know what I first thought of? Suitcases. Put suitcases on the ground next to the litlle family as if they are having a second thought.... Stange, huh? I like the idea of having a longer path illustrated by the lights; a long journey ahead, for a better world. On another note, I really enjoy your image(s). You put a lot of what I call "story telling" in it (and other posts you have). Just your avatar says a lot about that ability that you have. Cheers, I'll have my beer now. _________________ |
Posted on 12/12/07 02:28:02 AM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Thank you, Eggbox. I've tossed out both cityscapes and I'm in the process trying to paint a majestic sort of castle in place of the cityscape on the right...(At lease, that's the idea...  )
I'll also work on adding some faint sunrays peaking over the mountaintops and castle, which should be easier than the castle I hope! Pierre, Suitcases! That's a good one! Now, just to find my old set .. ... ....hmmm..... .. I really don't remember where I put them!? 
Thank you for the warm compliment. I never thought of myself as much of a storyteller.
Thanks everyone! I'll post some updates soon. I've gotten myself on a bit of a side-path learning the basics of After Effects. I think I'm gonna go count Keyframes for sheep tonight! --Chris |
Posted on 10/01/08 9:07:17 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Well, I kinda ran out of time to make all the changes I would have liked....But my final entry won! Largely due to the fantastic C&C I received here. Thanks so much everyone! Here's the final version:  |
Posted on 11/01/08 05:54:28 AM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3882 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Excellent, Chris. Well done. |
Posted on 12/01/08 02:52:20 AM |
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Neil O
Cartoon Contractor Posts: 389 Reply  |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Wow, Way to go Chris!! Good job and congratulations! 
Neil _________________ "If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward".... Thomas Edison |
Posted on 13/01/08 1:37:51 PM |
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Paul 2007 thru 2010
Lego Legend Posts: 361 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Congrats on winning. One question though. Why is the skyline so pointy? Buildings that shape would not be very practical |
Posted on 13/01/08 1:38:39 PM |
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Paul 2007 thru 2010
Lego Legend Posts: 361 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
OOPS Double post. |
Posted on 13/01/08 6:34:53 PM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Yay! Hurray for you! Glad you won! Eer... Did you win anything physical?  ...only glory?_________________ |
Posted on 17/01/08 7:53:49 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: "A New Beginning"
Thanks for the comments. The design will be published in the magazine next month along with a small paragraph about the piece. I believe it will be a small spot on one of the pages, but I'm happy regardless of the size. I believe I'll also get my website address printed, so that will be nice.
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