I think I've got this how I want, but I'm open to critique/suggestions. Here's a large test render, trying to make sure the details work well.
The large tree trunks do look square. Soft shadows turned on?
Did some tweaking. Soft shadows didn't fix the problen, although it did about double the render time :/ I'll probably skip out on that for the final and find a different solution. Here's one with soft shadows on.
They are really square it seems, so best would be to replace them. It's worth it. Maybe one or two fish in the shallows? Or one or two submerged rocks. I do like this setup.
I really like it, except the already mentioned tree trunks. They are really ruining this image.
Yes - I think you'll need other trees.
And perhaps some (fake-) stones at the water line?
But in general very inspiring and nice image!
This isn't a final. Changed POV, not sure which I like better. Made a cheap fix for the tree by covering it up. I plan to put in a different model, probably multiple models for some variation. I like the overall form of that tree though so I wanted a decent image with it before I cut it out.
I like this POV! and LOL on the cover up.
Changed quite a bit. I kept the old version with the square tress but also saved a new one where I've gone with a pine forest. Sticking with the previous pov for the final but I made a second render camera to better tweak this canoe, and I like this angle as well... so maybe I'll come back to this viewpoint eventually for something higher quality.
I liked the first version best. You do work rather dark. If the trees are an obj, you could try taking them through Poseray and subdivide. If you don't want the leaves ssubdivided as well, there a possibility to take it through twice; in each occasion dump one part (leaves or trunk), subdivide (or not), weld verices, smooth normals, save as, then load again and merge with previously changed part.
Here's larger with the pine woods. Not sure which I like better, both have a different feel to me.
I like both ;D
I quite like the progress of your image. Nice.
I think this will be a final, at least for this angle. I still see possibilities in this scene though, but that will be for another time. Need to work on a different project for a bit :P
Great finish.
I just love the atmosphere of this image!
Well done and a fine finish. I'd be more than pleased had I done this pic. *****
Very natural. A bit too crisp to my taste, but great image.
Thanks guys! I'm pretty happy with this one... always somewhere to improve upon though, I could probably keep tweaking forever :D In this case I've gotten other ideas from this image, so now my ADD is kicking in and I keep hopping back and forth between several projects. Too bad I cant do everything at once haha.
Now for a different look, different season.
I like this also, perhaps even better, except for the colored dots (which would IMHO only appear if you photograph into the sun, more or less).