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1st place
The place where stories and legends comes alive by Inkeri

biffobear: A little Gnomes cottage..It's magic..R

Dunstickin: I really want to go in there!...Maybe not fit!...but I want to see!

Nicely shot and good luck

Nikoneer: In the basement working concourse of my office building, where all the offices are located, there is a bulletin board. Right now, as is often the case, a 22x36 inch piece of paper is out there and a "story" has been started. The idea is that as people walk by they write in each next sentence. It works best when there is an image to stimulate their creative juices. This photo of yours is that kind of image, with all the elements needed to create a story just by studying the image. Perhaps that would be a good thread? An interesting image like this one that visitors to the thread could leave a sentence or two and thereby collectively write a short story. And to think your photo started it. 8D

(btw - good luck in the contest)

-Nik

Inkeri received a 2 month membership in the Caedes Cadre.

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2nd place
Night Dreams by coram9

purmusic: Great composition, Chris.

Lighting is well done.


Caveats?

Lighting is well done, save for that of the figure lying down and engaged with the one fairy. The area looks over-processed to my eyes.

And ... you need better models.

... ...

... ...

Might have been tempted to lose the one fairy that is rising up. Without, all other elements kind of triangulate and guide viewer's eyes to the 'real' girl.


Apologies for being harsh in the above. Perhaps, some creative retooling is in order?

coram9 received a 1 month membership in the Caedes Cadre.

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3rd place
Isle of Wanderers by Akeraios

dreamer100: Grass, bark and trees all truly lovely in natural texture and softness. It tells a story of isolation and quest even without your narrative. Good one.

nuke88: love this could be that you will enter it into the new contest

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4th place
Dragon at the Gate by Tootles

Jimbobedsel: A well deserved placing in the contest. Very nice.

Joanie: Cool work girl!!! You've got a great imagination and I wish you good luck :-)

purmusic: Love.. it!


Lost count of the number of times I have come back to your image's page here, having first viewed it upon posting.

And I still can't get past the initial feeling evoked of a mischievous and benevolent dragon sneaking about, who is a friend to the king's son. (So, take this 'constructive critique' with a grain of salt. ;o) )


The posturing (stating the obvious here, perhaps) ... and that of the colour palette makes for a very inviting illustrative-like image. On the notes of what is transpiring within frame (telling a story, or parts of) and stimulating more imaginative twists and details.


The composition really sets this one up well, in my opinion. The somewhat lower perspective and looking upwards.. adds to the 'lighter sense of being' and 'airiness' (rest assured, it's a good good thing)imparted.

The lines of the castle itself, in conjunction with the 'flow' of the clouds, et al.. underscores the strength of this element.


Caveats?

Minor, at best.

Smoke emanating from the dragon's nostrils. Gets lost a bit against the backdrop and is not quite as polished (not sure how you created this facet ... or that of it's positioning, layer-wise).

... ...

Ahh, ok.. got it.

The one word descriptor that has been eluding me pea brain.. 'delightful'.

:o)

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5th place
...in the Forest of Ever After... by lilu103

purmusic: Nice work, Lisa.

And I can only imagine the creative time involved to composite an image as yours here.

Proportions/relative sizes and perspective for each of the animals, birds, butterflies, mushrooms.. are done well. And their placement within frame in the various visual nooks and crannies and overall, on the notes of Composition and that of Balance.. is good good.


Caveats?

The base forest image has some.. some, being the operative word ... exposure problems. In that some of the shadowed areas are just that. Details are blocked to a degree. What gives it away to my eyes is the Colour Balance leaning towards the cooler side of the spectrum (blues, magentas, et al.. a lil' bit more on this to follow).

Could be.. the White Balance setting selected in conjunction with how you set the Exposure for the scene.

Suggestion?

If your camera supports Auto-Bracketing.. shoot away to capture a few photos with the Exposure already changed automatically for you (or that of White Balance, ISO, etc..).

If your camera does not support Auto-Bracketing.. employ the Exposure Compensation option/function that I am sure your camera does have ... and shoot a few shots this way. Under/Over.. can then select the best or blend a couple (i.e. one is better exposed for the ground, one is better exposed for the sky).


Colour Balance.

As mentioned; the blues, magentas, etc.. are a bit more prominent.

Nothing wrong with this, nor to a large degree or extent.

My thoughts are that your image here is a great desktop/wallpaper for kids.. and adults that have not lost touch with their inner child.. and 'warmer' might be a tad better.

Suggestion?

Here you go, I simply googled these terms.. 'free Photoshop action Curves' and came up with these hits:

"Add-ons and Tools for Photoshop Elements" (the 'how to use actions' stuff can also be found on this linked page)

"30+ Must Have Photoshop Actions For Photo Touch-Ups"

... and a refinement with the search terms could probably produce better and more exacting results. (Russell Brown's site is quite good as well ... russellbrown.com ... might have to dig around though to find the stuff for older versions of Photoshop.)


Simply put (you may be aware of what actions do, I am merely elaborating here for the uninitiated), actions are preset various adjustments (could be Curves, Levels, and more complicated adjustments towards the end of a creative aim/technique ... i.e. 'vintage look').

A good good and fast way to edit your images, till 'you' (speaking generally here) become familiar with using the editing tools/options available to you. And many actions allow you to make further adjustments as they run.


Right, coming back to the point of 'warmer' colours.

Personal preference.

Well, add to that ... that 'we' attribute a 'feel and mood', given the overall colour palette that 'we' perceive. (<--- Think this is self-explanatory?)


Alllll that said..


Well done.. and best of luck with your entry here. :o)