Mountain Castle

[ghotir]

The models are all from Ashundar.  Mostly I was messing with lighting.  This is still a work in progress.  I'm not 100% happy with the tree density, or the close mountains.  I think the Castle turned out good.

[rcallicotte]

Yeah, I like the castle and how everything looks, noting the exceptions you've made.  I think the clouds should be more realistic...more wispy or rounded or something.  They look flat...or are these 2D?

[EBAndrew]

Actually, you know... I kinda like the closed-in mountains. Makes the castle feel more like a fortress of some kind. Though I suppose they would make getting a target easier for the opposing archers  .

I like the tree density too. I mean, a slightly higher/more clumped density would be better, but I like how sparse they are. Feels like it's a harsh winter environment where plant growth is limited.

I agree with the clouds thing. they look too flat, both in color and vertical size.

I love the lighting!

[dhavalmistry]

I like where this is going....I agree with above posts and I would also like to add that the light in the castle is too bright...considering the scale implied in the image, the light will not reach as far as it has in the render...unless this is a ruin and archaeologists just found it and started exploring....in that case it would be artificial lights otherwise the torches are not bright enough to light up so much surroundings!

[monks]

Reminds me of Morrowind- the castle is guarding a pass then. 

monks

[EBAndrew]

Reminds me of Morrowind- the castle is guarding a pass then. 

I was thinking the same thing, but the fort north of Bruma in Oblivion. The... um, whatever the one was that held the emperor's secret order. Man, it's been too long since I've played that game.

[ghotir]

I took everyone's advice.  I worked on the clouds, and like them much better.  I made the scene darker to reflect the castle light more.  I added more trees which covered up the phony looking close mountains. 

[rcallicotte]

This is pretty nice.  I like the overall lighting.  I liked the close-up mountains like they were, since I thought their appearance brought depth to the picture.

[monks]

The lights are very atmospheric- how to make a cold stone box look welcoming!

monks

[ghotir]

I changed the camera position, and did more cloud and tree fixing.  I'm not sure if I like this one better or not.

[rcallicotte]

This angle would be cool, if more was going on from the right side of the image.

Both angles have merit.

[EBAndrew]

Yeah, I definitely like this one! I like the detail you see in the trees, and the clouds look more defined while still remaining puffy. The castle lighting looks pretty good too... I don't know if it's just the angle of the camera, or did you change it from the second post?

I agree with calico, there needs to be something happening on the right. It could be that it just needs more lighting? It sees like there could already be a cool chunk of terrrain/trees, but you can't see them very well.

[dhavalmistry]

I agree with calico...the balance of the image is on the left side...moving the tree on the left a little would do some good...

I like this angle better then any other....good job!

[Oshyan]

I like the new angle a good deal more, it has a much more realistic feel. I actually think the composition is pretty good as-is too. Yes it's weighted toward the left side more, but it gives me a feeling of a hidden fortress, with the empty mountains and forest beyond. It has a great feeling of "discovery" I think. Without the more empty right side it wouldn't be as evocative to me.

- Oshyan

[monks]

Love it! I agree with Osh on this.

monks