A friend says that this is "cute" !

[Jim A]

Comments, suggestions? Something different!

[ST1]

I don’t see it as “cute” but I do see it as creative. There are too many items included for my taste, I would lose the bird and the faux lightening bolt.


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[Rufus]

Definitely not cute!

Someone in my local club used to like creating composite images like this in Photoshop. I think the idea works very well. I agree with Peter, the lightning bolt does not work so well, but if it could be replaced with a less defined and maybe forked lightning then it could make a stronger image.

This is way beyond what I could achieve but there appears to be a dark halo over the mountain by the left hand border and a liitle more feathering around some of the composite image would be well worth it. The horizon over the sea looks a bit too sharp as it is in the far distance but right in the centre of the image; so a bit of blur might work?

But it is a great image, nicely composed with a strong triangle of interest.

[Shadowman]

Cute no, cool yes.

[Geoff F]

I agree with the others, that lightening isn't working. But I do like everything else.

[Jim A]

Thanks for the suggestions re the lightning guys! This is an update. I will work on Rufus' VG suggestions, but not today as I have been sitting for far too long. Is there too much smoke?

[Rufus]

Thanks for the suggestions re the lightning guys! This is an update...Is there too much smoke?

I think I prefer the original if the lightning could be improved. In your latest version I think the three areas of smoke detract from the image as they cut a diagonal line throught the triangle of areas of interest (dragon/bird/troll) and they hide much of the interesting background landscape. Also, the two on the edges are rather white and have no apparent source.

The smoke from the dragon could work better but I am not sure how. Perhaps if it came out of the mouth rather than overlap it? If the smoke was being ejected with a bit of more "force" it may work better, and you could also try reducing the opacity of the smoke.

[Geoff F]

I agree with David. 'Wrong type of smoke' and definitely too much of it.

Maybe there is slightly too much of a gap between the bird and the dragon so lightening and smoke were good ideas but neither looked 'natural'. I wonder if the bird was moved very slightly downwards?

[Manfred M]

Jim - it looks like you are having lots of fun here. I do create the occasional photocomposite, so understand the process reasonably well. Going with a scene that is definitely 100% imaginary does have some advantages; i.e. nobody is going to think that this is "reality", but on the other hand, unless one watches for what would seem to be realistic, the final product can be a bit off-putting visually.

Key areas to watch are how the images are extracted and mounted in the scene, the direction and quality of the light and the sharpness of the background all play key roles in the final product. The smoke in both versions isn't working all that well and clutters the image a bit too much.

Keep on practicing! You've made a very good start here.

[mugge]

I prefer the first version but agree with Peter that the lighting bolt should go but do keep the bird. Could 'something' come out of the water, perhaps? The smoke left, bottom and right is a bit too much. This is fun
Cheers Ole

[Wavelength]

My feelings: As have been already pointed out the horizon should not have been so sharp; then one would get a far away feeling; further a weak lightning merging with Horizon would be better; one puff of expelled smoke would be sufficient; being surrealistic i don't expect a perfect mathematical operation there(addition)
Those are just suggestions; i liked your work indeed

[spittle]

There's a book by Andrew Loomis - Creative Illustration. There's a chapter on Values, and it talks about the composition of values.

Would be worth a read, and like the others mention it's good to simplify areas that aren't important.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Creative-I.../dp/1845769287