I think it works better now with the color change in the eye. Good work! I wish I could do stuff like that. ;-)

Keeps getting better Sam! The eye looks better with the higher intensity yellow and the dark black pupil. Can't decide whether the tower is better with the half moon red or a little more orange in it. I do appreciate this close up better:-) Good job!

This is the best one of the four, the flames are 100% better then the
original.
The light reflecting off the top of the tower from the eye is better
in hue and brightness, which in turn gives the tower more depth...
This one wins it for me. :c)
This one should be posted in the contest, no doubt.

Yeah the first one was a bit rushed... I wanted to get it in the contest b4 someone else had the same idea :-)

hum...I really like 'the return" for the view but this one is more detailed, can see more clearly what was the original... I don't really know, lol, I like the two^^... I can't choose...

I definitely agree with Lucy...wow, am I glad I don't have to try to judge these entries...much less all the others! Kudos, Sam!

I can almost hear the anger of Sauron with this one! Nice job!

this is the best-- this view is much better. the main problem with the original was the flatness and vagueness of the entire landscape and the tower compared to the eye. you've worked really hard on the eye now, it clearly resembles the original image yet is also much like sauron's eye, very impressive. by cutting out so much of the background it looks more real, and the tower and all doesnt seem AS flat anymore. what program are you making it in? i still have issues with its realism compared to the eye, but this is way better.

this is most definately my favorite of them all...althoug that red blotch is a bit out of place..but adds a nice chance to the normal eye....NNIICCEE i think...also "return of the eye" very nice i thought..although the first was a bit more subtle...and finally that last one that i neglect to remember the name of....was the third best i think..most because the "red blotch" was a TAD to big for my liking...but who am i to judge? i cant do this photoshop stuff worth BEANS

I have decided to go with this one... at least for now...

Reddawg: The background is done in Terragen, and I used a freeware program to add some of the fiery color to the chestnut. All the rest is done in photoshop. I agree the tower could get "rounder" as it tapers down but I just don't have the artistic ability to do that.

Otaku: "Red Blotch"... do you mean the light reflected on the tower?

Nice job good blending.

Very nice job,beautiful.Well done Sam.

Great job.

Is that out of Lord of the Rings? Pretty cool!

Much prefer this one.

this is a great revision...definetly the best. But it doesn't capture the detail and the effect the actual architecture on the tower . Otherwise great job.

mmmm.... good job.

everything that i wouldve said has already been said. good displacement of the original image : )

i like the ray of light shooting from his eye out toward the left lower part of the picture. nice depiction of the Great Eye. (though i'm opinionated; i'm totally and completely obsessed with The Lord of the Rings--note that i take the time to add "The" and to capitalize everything the way it should be). i really like this image ;)

this is a great image... i loved the movie just as much as your picture!

this is the best eye you have done so far, great job

Had to keep this one, very impressive.

I've always liked that eye hehe. Good job

You captured the eye perfectly. It looks just like the one in the movie. :)
-Alex
ps. LOTR Rules!!!!!

Great image! Great work! May all LOTR related things be with you!!! :-)

I really like the eye, and the mountains, and the sky, but somehow the tower doesn't speak to me... in my mind it looks kind of unrealistic compared with the rest of the image.