Damn! That looks real! I had to open it full-screen, then examine it closely to tell the difference. I like the placement of the splash of red in the image, and the tan bridge works well also. The sloping mountain and the curve of the ridgeline really makes this a danged-near perfect image.

Wow...it is quite amazing. I thought it was a photo as well. I think the one and only thing that bothers me is the stark contrast between the snowy mountain and the forefront to the left. I do love the red and tan bridge. Really nice Peter. Vue 5, huh?.....must go find.....

This is such a mysterious looking artwork. I thought it was a combination of a photo and some manipulation...The bridge and gate certainly give a certain aura...making one wonder where it leads...a very very dramatic creation indeed. I like the glow of light that shines over the whole thing...beginning to the right...and stroking across. It softens the harshness of the mountain so nicely. But at the same token it also makes one realize the very frigid feelings of the snow. A very good compostion Peter...

The colorful forefront is very well done, the sunny and shady parts to the left, the trees and the tan bridge..the b/w background is also photo-like, but, as Tracy said, maybe the contrast between the two part is a bit too stark. Anyway, a great job. 9/10

Wow Peter...I can't help but by swept along on this journey...I too thought it was a photo at first...the harsh topography, the colors, the misty mountains, and of course the mystery of where that little bridge leads to is all so captivating and realistic looking...top marks from me and thanks for sharing...looking forward to what lies ahead.:Pat.

WOW!! Great job on this from the thumbnail I thought it was a photograph!! There is so much detail, you spent a lot of time on this didn't you?? Great job!!

Thank you all for your comments. I have to agree with TracyJTZ as well. There are boundry issues in Vue5 Infinite that I haven't quite solved yet. I need to have the snow fade out as the altitude decreases. I'm thinking of creating an altituded mediated snow/grass gradient, but haven't figured out technically how to do it yet. My biggest problem was figuring out how to create realistic/majestic snowy mountains because the normal ones just didn't do it for me. I've created custom textures to get the rocks looking more realistic. The mountains and clouds are made up of many layers. Hopefully you can feel the wind up there in the crags. You all certainly encourage me. I've been working on this image on and off for 2 months and I may post some related ones as I get them where I want them.

Oooh, I do like this one Peter...I think the little detaily bits and textures are extraordinarily realistic and there's some good lighting throughout, especially in the foreground of this piece.
The only thing I would criticise is prominence of the foreground, though to be honest, I don't really see any way of solving that one because softening it might look silly and may cause some of the realism to be lost, also.
But on the whole, I think this a very well composed piece and it definately has that element of spiritual calm that you're trying to get across...I like the little japanese style bench at the end of the bridge, too...you can just imagine flopping down on there after the tiring trek up the mountain ^_^
Well done!

Very very good.. I also thought is was a photo, till I looked close.. I am just learning to do this kind of thing.. This gives me the inspiration to go further..

It is an incredible render. I agree with Tracy too. I think it should all be rendered in the grassy terrain. Still way cool!

Interestingly the dark terrain that stands out so much is a middle ground object rendered in mostly grass and rock ,but you can't see it because it's in the shadow of another mountain. I'm working on brining out the texture here by cheating a little ambient light. I'm also experimenting with shooting this scene in heavy volumetric fog...it looks really erie.

This is just beautiful. The dimensions are perfect and the mist adds just the right depth.
You could call this shambala .

This scene actually took me several weeks and many iterations to figure out how to make the mountains look more realistic and have the snow look like it's covering the rocks and to be honest I don't like any of the stock rock textures in Vue. I created custom rock textures with the grass being planted in the flatter areas automatically. I think it worked fairly well. I'm working out how to add scrub brush into the grass texture without it looking too contrived.

Actually, that's not a bench...its a gate to a temple. can't remember what they are called tho...

IT's a Tori Gate Akshully <grin>.

Well done, Pete. I think the contrast actually works well for the overall fantasy aspect of your image.

WOW! Definately a piece that can be used by a novice like myself and others to look upon as a guide to attain one day, especially with respect to the incredible quality, crystal clear definition, and unbelievable realism.

A stunning image Peter! When I first took a look it, I thought it was an actual capture. To my surprise this is a render. Excellent!

Hi Peter and thx for your nice comments about my work. You have a lot of nice pics yourself, this photo of Tori Gate is stunning. Looking forward to more from you.

marti

Garaughty, I'm flattered that you thought this was a photo. It was actually hand crafted in View 5 infinite.

Well ... I am not sure what to say ... and that, that really is a huge compliment.

Much like some of the others I took this to be a photo. In fact, it jumped out of your galleries amidst your other wonderful illustrations, and it wasn't until I viewed it full-size that the 'aha' moment came. Not quite spiritual, lol, but, I am impressed.

And those custom textures ... wow, and holy crap. Forgive my vernacular, but, I am at a loss for descriptors that convey how impressed and how good your work here is. The scale is perfect in all aspects.

Ok, lol, rather than just staring at the screen for the next next five minutes, I will say this ... thank you. Thank you for sharing and for quite unselfishly revealing some of your secrets here. Fantastic work and accompanying narrative.

I love this image, but it still as sort of a "stiff" overall look that I don't know how to eliminate. I do appreciate the compliments. This is a bit of a spiritual image. These gates are places of spiritual purification. One would cross the bridge and walk through the gate to obtain it.

Dazzling image. It is quite obvious that it is rendered, which usually hurts the votes coming from me, but this one doesn't. It looks really fantastic, even if it didn't load properly at my resolution.

P.S. What is this about "visual sense"???

Original and creative, but it has really intriguing and mysterious feeling while u cross over ....tentative.....great work!!!

I got totally lost in this picture. Could you please come find me? (Great work)

Nice work, I love the mountains.

A terrific image to take ones time looking at. Very realistic looking view. Thanks for telling about the Tori Gate. That huge mountain seems to hold hidden mysteries - the mist or fog adds to a secretive mood. The bridge and gate lead to knowledge.The touches of yellow and the red gate give bits of color to this fantastic view. I hope you will do more on this topic. Super work..and thanks!!

it looks so good. i almost wish i could go there (the snow's a bit close for my personal comfort). was there a way to move the snow a little closer to the gate? the whole image looks like a photo, it's just, to me, the snow looks like it's being held back--maybe that was the effect you were going for though.

I see what you mean Crazy, but the snow actually continues down in the background behind a grassy ridge. The snow is higher up, but looks lower because of the angle of the shot which is actually looking upwards.