Speed Challenge #56

[macmaam]

Here's an image with lots of room for improvement. *And, that's the challenge--to make a good-lookin' picture from this. *Crop, recolor, add extra parts, abstract it, turn it into a pattern, filter away. *The only guideline is that the original must be recognizable in your version. *I hope this will bring in some of those lurkers, who may not feel comfortable with compositing. *Jump on in and join the fun!

Winner will be announced next Sunday evening, Central Daylight Time. *

[kris10]

Okay, I wanted to be the first one this time dangit!* Here's mine....I might jjust have to do a more than one becuase this was quite fun if I do say so myself.**

[dc2]

Well I was not to far behind.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

dc2, Kris beat ya to this one.

[kris10]

Originally Posted by dc2

Well I was not to far behind.

But.....there's always a but....the key word is "behind".... .

Originally Posted by FocusingOnFlorida

dc2, Kris beat ya to this one.

Ahahahahaha....LMAO!!!!!* Sorry dc but that was funny* * * :P

Here's my second.* Slightly similar to the first but I tried to play with the Lighting Effects in PS.* Still haven't quite figured out how to work more that one light correctly.* It seema that one always ends up dominating and I can't seem to get the brightness on each the way I want it.* Dang it!* *

[macmaam]

Well, now, just look at all the beauties blooming here. Good entries so far. DC, you'd better keep a sharp eye out, or you'll lose your "Ever First to Post" crown!

Kris, you can set up your first light the way you like it, and then option (or alt) click on the light in the preview window, and drag a duplicate wherever you like. You may need to set your first light to less intensity than you think you want before you duplicate it, as the second one will blow it out if it's too bright.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

OK, Here's mine.

"A Match Made In Heaven"

[macmaam]

Oooooh, very sparkly!

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I've been working on bubbly as well. :

[kris10]

Oh, now that's too* cool Florida....** .* Is that another image or a background?*

You people that are good at this stuff need to be sharing the knowledge.* *:P* The bubble one looks like it might be hard to do* but if you say what you did....I might be able to figure it out....so share...LOL!.... ...

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I'm not as good with PhotoShop as I am with PhotoImpact. (I've used it longer and I happen to like the customer service MUCH better) In PhotoImpact 3-d bubbles are much easier to create. I can still hold my own on PhotoShop but if I can do it easier then I go for it. Plus it only costs about $520.00 US less.* There are actually presets that you can play with until you can make your own. I used both here.

[kris10]

Does photoimpact also have masking capabilities and stuff like that? My mom want's something a little more user friendly than PS. Maybe I should check that one out for her....

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Yes, it does have masking. Very similar to PhotoShop. I don't know if it is any easier to learn though. I used this product long before PhotoShop, so I just happen to know the ins and outs of the program. There is a very good manual that comes with it. It is a heck of a lot cheaper than Photoshop. There are a lot of preset functions that will get your mom started, then if you right click on the presets, you can choose to apply and modify. They do have a fully functional trial that can be downloaded. here is a link for more information.

I have converted many a PhotoShop user over to PhotoImpact at work for design purpose and for photo editing.

http://www.ulead.com/pi/runme.htm

[kris10]

Thanks.* I'm going to send her that link and tell her to try it out.* You won't convert me though...I"m addicted to PS!*

[ico00]

I named this one "Through the tears"

[ddkphotos]

OK - I gave it a try...

[dc2]

DDK thats nice ,glad to have you join in