simi_av8r 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Hi guys, i've been working on this edit now for what must be a few months. Granted, i get less than a few hours a night to do anything, but i'm now (hopefully) nearing the closing stages of this composite i'm putting together, so much so that i thought it needed an airing and to gather opinion and critiques... please, and i'm pleading now, be really harsh. I want to know anything and everything that right, and more importantly, wrong with this image. What's it missing? Is the colour wrong? too many/few planes? Not enough detail? Too 'busy' looking...? anything, please do let loose your artistic wrath. Remember, this is a work in progress so its still only close to being finished, so detail can be added, altered or removed entirely if its suggested to be 'out-of-place' by the majority. Also, as its over 1600 pixels wide full size, click the smaller image below to get a full view in a new window.. well, thats it for now, so what do you think?? let me know and i'll take it all on board when i pick up your messages later! As for me, its back to PhotoShop CS3 and a bit more tweaking! Link to post Share on other sites
wisemanp 0 Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Brilliant shot, on first impressions :mrhappy: A couple of things i will point out, as you requested. The skid/blur at the rear of the aircraft doesnt seem to work very well... The water in the puddles ( i think that's what it is) seems a bit..odd The smoke could go a little higher-however this would mean moving some of the aircraft... however, these are minor tweaks and the overall effect at the moment is EXCELLENT!! Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,495 Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Hi Simi It's looking real good and I really don't like criticising other peoples work when it it's better than mine :mrhappy: But, as you asked nicely here goes. As you inferred it does look a bit too busy. If it was mine I would consider removing the leading Spitfire as it appears to be too low and close to the 109e. The 3 Hurricanes are a nice touch but are not directly involved in the kill so if they are on their own layer consider moving them more into the background maybe slightly de-focussed? There's no shadows from the aircraft, consider where the sun is by looking at the trees in the background, I would imagine the 109e would have some shadowing under the starboard wing. Most of all it's going to look a whole lot better once you have edited back in the prop textures, there are tutorials on SSW :roll: The background is a great choice, I love the fire effect on the 109e and the detail that the canopy is open so Fritz is either on the run or bailed out. If bailed out it would be really cool to see him and his parachute in the distance? I bet you wish you hadn't asked! sorry Simi if I'm being hyper critical. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
simi_av8r 0 Posted January 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 hi guys, thanks very much for the feedback, its much appreciated. I'll try to work on the suggestions given and tweak it to perfection. Wisemanp: i didnt think the skid mark worked well either, but i cant get it to look right at all. The same goes for the little pond/brook that's just visible, although i can easily mask this out with some jiggery-pokery in PS. Mutley: thanks for the feedback. I'm going to blur out the hurri's and see what that does. But i do agree about the spits. I think maybe i'll remove the lead as you suggest... But definitely need to get my prop textures sorted out, these'll be on a separate layer for ease or adjustment. If you've not left feedback or critiques yet fellas please do! Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Pretty amazing work... I second what Mutley said about criticizing someone else's work - in my case I get all warm and fuzzy if I succeed in cropping a photo. The bent prop is wonderful, as are the flames. More smoke would improve it. The smear in the grass looks excellent, but would likely be longer and include some furrows cut in the grass exposing more dirt... The underside of the ME wing and cowling would likely have some damage, if there's any way to manage it. That air inlet below the right wing would have been beat and battered, I would think, or at least have a clod of dirt in it. I doubt either of the flights of three would have maintained that kind of proximity to one another in a combat situation that close to the ground. The Hurricanes in particular look like they're in an airshow, or cruising at 10,000 feet. It's not a question of the shot being too busy, it's more of, "...could it happen like that?" Reducing each trio to a single or a pair would add to the realism for me. Having said all that, this is a great shot if you don't change another pixel. :mrhappy: John Link to post Share on other sites
simi_av8r 0 Posted January 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 thanks for the replys fellas, really appreciated. as i said, this is a work in progress and every day, if there's a few minutes to tweak it after i get home from work, then you can guess that i'll be working on it! having taken on board some of the above critiques, i've moved a few things and edited others... but theres still a long way to go! here's where we're at now: Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,495 Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Hey Simi, a whole lot better, those props look great Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
1mag1n3 0 Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Wow, wonderful improvement! Just overall it beats the original one... Specially love the grass and the details of the damage! Cracking work Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Very nice - big improvement over the first in "believability". I can almost hear the Merlins, and the crackling flames. John Link to post Share on other sites
hello_basil 0 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Sorry to be really harsh* but on close inspection (fullsize) - I can see where you're cut out the Me-109E; if using Photoshop CS or later, use the Eraser tool on that layer to remove the jagged edges; it is quite noticeable on the Original size - once those are gone I reckon it will be PERFECT! :-) *I do work with Photoshop, its part of my course. Link to post Share on other sites
reef 3 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I think you have done a great job bringing all the elements together without over doing it. Well done and am already looking forward to your next. steve Edit: Looking at it agin it reminds me of the front cover of "Victor" or "Commando" and if you don't know what they are i must be old steve Link to post Share on other sites
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