Mountain Lake (First Render)

[BTilson]

Hey all. Just thought I'd upload and share my first "real" render made with TG2. There is some post work on this image, but nothing more than levels/contrast adjustment and such. I'd love some critique on what I could do to improve this image. Also, I currently only have the free version of TG2, hence the render only being 800x600.

Thanks!

[Henry Blewer]

Hi, welcome to the forum. The first thing which stands out is the wave size of the lake. It's much too large to go with the tree's scale. The only other thing I noticed was the contrast. It seems a little too extreme. This may be a monitor thing. My monitor is not good with contrasts.

[BTilson]

Thanks for the input. It is definitely contrasty. I always seem to overdo the contrast for some reason. (I am a photographer as well, and have the same problem with my photography) You are completely correct about the wave scale. Now that you mention it, I see it easily. Never would have noticed it otherwise though.

Thanks!

[Henry Blewer]

The sky is very nice. And I think the shading is good also. It could use a slight bit more variation of color perhaps.

All in all, this is a pretty good image you have shared. Nice work.

I don't see the elephant in the room in many of  my renders. I am usually concentrating on something and don't see the other.

[BTilson]

Thanks! I am pretty excited to finally be really digging into TG2. I used TG Classic for years and loved it, but life pulled me away from a lot of my hobbies (wife and kids will do that, ya know) but I'm finally finding time to start digging back into this stuff. I know I've seen some absolutely STUNNING images produced with TG2, and I look forward to the learning process involved in getting to that point myself!

[BTilson]

Here is the original render by the way, with no post work.

[Henry Blewer]

Yep, adding some more color to the slopes would help. They can be kind of brighter, since they are in shadow.

[Kadri]

This is a good first one BTilson.

Maybe this was what you wanted but i think if you rise the Sun a little more with more sunshine this would look better as it is.

Cheers.

Kadri.

[BTilson]

Thanks Kadri and njeneb. I am working on this render still. I have raised the sun up some and added another population of a different kind of pine tree. I also greatly reduced the wave scale as njeneb suggested. I really like this scene, and I want to work it to it's fullest potential! 

[domdib]

Welcome to the forum. One thought: - this kind of bare rock probably wouldn't have trees on it, without any underlying grass layer, so I'd suggest one - and that will probably also mean an underlying mud/soil layer too! But this is a very good start. Let us see the revision.

[BTilson]

Thanks domdib! I'm still working and tweaking the scene. That is a very good point about the trees growing out of the rock. Thanks for the input 

[Linda McCarthy]

I add my welcome to the forum!  I prefer the original render..and agree with most of the suggestions that have been offered, particularly reducing the size of the waves.  I do think the lighting is good, as is.  The population looks great.  Very nice 1st render!  Linda

[BTilson]

Thanks Linda! I am still working and tweaking the scene, as well as exploring some other angles around this lake. It's turning out to be a pretty picturesque scene I think!

I also started a little side project in an attempt to create a realistic looking rocky surface using the fake stone displacement shader. Results have been "ok" thus far, but as I said, I'm still very new to the program. I'd post up an example of my side project as well, but I'm posting currently from my in law's house while I wait on supper to finish!

Thanks!