Dead Red

[Markal]

I like this image but, I'm still looking for that WOW factor....it needs something.
Suggestions and ideas would be great! Yeah, I know, the cliffs are image mapped and need work....anyone have some cliff shader clip files they want to share???

Starfield background: moodflow
2Dead trees: TerrAde
tbh-rings: TheBlackHole
Thanks!

[Dune]

IMHO: you need a wider vista, not square, and perhaps from a lower POV, so you get detail right in front of you and look up to this immense spectacle.

[Markal]

Thanks Dune,
I totally agree with you. Sometimes you work so hard on an image that you loose site of the simple things.
I'm reworking this image with your suggestions and it's looking much better. Thanks for your honesty.
Still looking for other inputs....you guys know what makes an image work and what doesn't.

I still feel like an outsider here...almost unwelcome. I know many of you think I'm impatient, a bit aggressive and can be a pain. Well, your right...so?  Are any of us perfect? I'm really not a bad person, or an idiot...sometimes my words come out wrong and are misunderstood. Sorry for that.....
Mark

[dandelO]

Hey, man, there are no outsiders here! Don't feel unwelcome.

In your image, I'd probably lose the rock populations and replace the rocks with fake stones shaders, you'll have much more variation and control with those. And again, I don't really ever like image mapped mountain-scale features. It's a cool image though.

* And, I think those trees are maybe mine, not Ade's.

[Gooner]

Lighting plays a big part in any image. How about adding a sun casting a few shadows on the terrain?

[Pentagular Dark]

Lighting plays a big part in any image. How about adding a sun casting a few shadows on the terrain?

I was just thinking that! Except, there are shadows just the sunlight needs to be brighter, maybe adjust the heading so the shadows are to the right also. For some reason when I saw this I thought purple nebulae, maybe it's because the foreground and background are both brown, not enough contrast.

[TheBlackHole]

Maybe a crater or two? Definitely some purple nebulae. May I recommend this? http://forums.planetside.co.uk/index.php?topic=13086.0 </plug>

[Markal]

Phase 2 of Dead Red.
Thanks for all the suggestions and inputs. The wider view did open up the image. I tried a lower POV but, the trees were always in the way and blocked the view. A purple nebule was an excellent idea except for the title of the image....Dead Red. I know purple goes well with red anyway...I copied TBH's purple starfield and look forward to using it soon. Two opposing suns allow for little shadow and yes, I do understand that lighting is critical in landscape images. I am a contrast and sharpen freak and often over do it.....
I added NefariousDrO's blue starfield BMP as an image map to moodflows awesome starfield clip file. The blue didn't show but the red from the clipfile shined on DrO's BMP and I think looks pretty cool.
DandelO: Sorry about the 2 dead trees. Both you and TerreAde uploaded files as "Two Dead Trees" and I'll take your word that these are your TGO's. Thanks!
I thinks this has some Wow factor....do I need a phase 3 or should I move on???
Mark

[Dune]

Great improvement. I like it. It's weird, almost like an 'interstellar doll house'. Magical realism.

[Pentagular Dark]

As Father Gregori from Half-Life 2 would say, "Better and better," but I still think there should be a phase 3 just because of one thing the planet in the background looks Fractal-ly if that makes any sense. Sorry, I'm a Perfectionist when it comes to renders.

[:)]

haha look like lotro area called western mallenhad or close. just need warg