Dead conifer tree, fallen.

AndyWelder · August 27, 2011, 10:14:42 AM

A WIP for Mood Piece #2.
This started as a scene in a dense bamboo forest with a lot of light play but I did use the terrain and camera position for this new project.
Looking at the roots of the dead conifer (by MGebhart) I think it's best to have it standing with most of its roots hidden in the soil: They're too smoothly curved for my likes.
The path needs some work too, I know; this type of path would fit better in a park, not in a rural scene like this one.

Credits: Larch trees and fake stones shader by dandelO

AndyWelder · September 04, 2011, 12:10:01 PM

Reworked the image.
Maybe I will get some comments/suggestions this time.

choronr · September 05, 2011, 01:38:19 AM

A very good low sun creation. Good composition balance. Like those tire tracks too. Gotta learn how to do that one of these days.

Dune · September 05, 2011, 02:42:00 AM

Maybe next time you specifically ask for C&C. Some people don't want it

Anyway, it's a great improvement, although I liked the fallen tree. In this version you notice the thick top of the trunk, which is a bit too thick IMO, although it's a minor thing. I'd add lots more grass, so it's a lush field with high and low grass, a bit translucent, perhaps with a nice reflective shine over it. Then the track better comes out. Perhaps some bushes as well.

TheBadger · September 05, 2011, 06:17:59 AM

I like the tree down better. Agree you should add more plant life. Try putting some grasses near the downed tree to make it look like its been there a good while. Its a good shot, worth working on, IMHO.

ajcgi · September 05, 2011, 07:33:09 AM

This has lots of potential. I like the viewpoint. Reminds me of walking round the Ashdown Forest.

Henry Blewer · September 05, 2011, 08:29:16 AM

I really like your lighting of the clouds. The second image is much better.
It could use some shrubbery. Nee!

mhaze · September 05, 2011, 11:23:00 AM

Good mood could do with some clumpy grass.

Mick

AndyWelder · September 05, 2011, 05:18:53 PM

Thank you all for the positive feedback!
Some more grass populations? Sure, that already did cross my mind; will probably be one of lightning's long grasses, modified to give it a dryer look.
Shrubbery? What about a couple of young conifers?

QuoteMaybe next time you specifically ask for C&C. Some people don't want it

I thought putting it up here meant one wanted C&C, Ulco?! If you don't want C&C post it in some gallery and disable comments!

QuoteLike those tire tracks too. Gotta learn how to do that one of these days.

Bob, I could send you the files, they're pretty self explanatory.

Will start working on a new render with all your suggestions in mind; found out they use Onyx Garden Suite at the Building Department at work and I'm free to use it to create some plants for myself

choronr · September 05, 2011, 06:23:42 PM

Hey Andy, thanks for the tracks offer. Thank you; and, I appreciate it.

Yes, adding some ground cover will definitely enhance your image. Try playing with the colors and shades of the leaves of bushes so as to better match the lighting and surroundings of your image. I do this most of the time with my stuff. A lot of trial and error; but, it really pays off.

inkydigit · September 06, 2011, 06:32:52 AM

very nice Andy, some thing to break up the uniformity of the grassy area would be good...i like the felled tree....

AndyWelder · September 10, 2011, 10:28:58 AM

Finally found the time to work on this file.
Did add a population of lightning's long grass (modified to fit the scene) and a population of young pines because "life goes on". Also did add a population of hawkweed, created with Plantstudio. Another change was the color and amount of the red sky decay.
Now that I did render on a larger size and with more detail I do think the fake stones do require some more displacement because they look too smooth IMO.

Artemis · September 24, 2011, 08:46:23 PM

I like what you did with the sky and the grasses, and yes, the tree is better down. Will you re-incorporate the tire tracks of the second shot?

Considering the ambiance of the locale, yes maybe a few rough edges to those rocks would work nicely.

An excellent job; I am hoping some day to develop some skill at this, once I learn what I'm doing.

Dune · September 25, 2011, 03:15:11 AM

What if you blend the grass population by a fractal, and increase the density. You'll get patches of grass, which IMO is nicer than quite evenly spread objects. Add another grass (or the same, but at half size and a darker color for that matter) with another fractal, and you'll get a more natural distribution of grasses.

AndyWelder · September 27, 2011, 09:18:20 AM

QuoteWill you re-incorporate the tire tracks of the second shot?

The tire tracks are still there, just not as well visible as in the other version because of the changed light. Also they're slightly more covered by the grass, even though I did use the tracks for an inverted mask.

QuoteWhat if you blend the grass population by a fractal, and increase the density. You'll get patches of grass, which IMO is nicer than quite evenly spread objects. Add another grass (or the same, but at half size and a darker color for that matter) with another fractal, and you'll get a more natural distribution of grasses.

I did use three populations of grass already; the problem is I know that and I see them (in the original image) but I tend to ignore the fact other viewers without this knowledge will probably not see them. Quod erat demonstrandum. I'll keep that in mind for the next version. And I'll try blending some/all grasses by a fractal.