Critique Wanted- Phase 2

So, you're saying the Mods actually contributed to your creating some beautiful art?

The things we do, I tell ya! :-)))))

lol.. Y'all can take some credit for this one Jeff! The list of inspirations is endless. ;o)

edit: I forgot to mention "Roger's Hoose" copyright thread and Ed's "art of controversy" group!.etc....

Well done. This kind of reminds me of the contests that Photoshop creative and Photoshop advanced magazines would run. They would have their readers compose and submit digital artwork from the same five pictures. It was always interesting to see what people came up with and how they did it.

Barry,

Was this ALL done in GIMP? Nice work!

My initial response to this image was that the Mustang just crashed into a wall of soldiers,pinning them against the wall,not sure if that's the idea you want portrayed..............

But still nice work!

Rich

Here's the link to Joe's original. http://fineartamerica.com/featured/wounded-warriors-family-project-joseph-c-hinson-photography.html

Thanks Rich.. yeah all Gimp. Fairly basic stuff! I know where your coming from with the pinned in look. I got caught between movie poster mode and a realistic scale and position. I thought about moving the troops further to the right and maybe placing rubble or an oil drum between them and the car. I'm starting to like the movie poster look now though;-)
edit: The troops were supposed blend into their surroundings.. actually.. the more I look.. They're using the car as cover ! :-) (phew)

edit: Cheers Cathy:>

Ok..so hopefully now that the image display issue has been fixed I can get some feedback from all y'all editing experts and part time art critics..

So far..I've decided the car and background need to be higher up, with more foreground to give the viewer a "kneeling in the road" perspective.. (injured soldier or respectful local??;-)
I've decided to leave to soldiers close to the car so they are both protecting it and using it for cover (hiding behind the flag)..

Technical advice for finishing touches would be appreciated.. but all comments welcome!

hi barry, the shoe/stairs one is a cool concept but it is too blurry. personal taste issue, i don't like blurry. the other one with the car the zoom isn't working on it.

Yes...You've got it Sweeck!..I'm going for the over dramatic Ad agency/Movie Poster feel..

Those of you with sharp eyes will have noticed the three different uniforms worn by the troops converging upon the Baghdad Library behind the ultimate symbol of consumerism.. Ford's classic Star Spangled Mustang!
I think they both have a story to tell... Just very different ways of telling it!

Kim.. yeah the first one was left blurry on consensus to convey the vertigo and extra sense of danger.. If your referring to the green box zoom thiingy. It is a very small low res image at the mo.. waiting for Joe to give me the full size pic of the car!..

You will notice the trunk is open!.. It's like that in the original shot and I decided to leave it like this.. I had considered having the troops at the rear either loading the trunk with cans or drums of fuel.... or... offloading and handing out "Freedom" from the trunk...??? which would you do?..is there any need to do either?

here i am. ok technical. if you look at the back of the car in 100% it is out of focus. when i look at the posted image as a whole my first impression is out of focus. the light is too uniform. you can run it through your program and try to emulate natural light to make an area a focal point and add drama. the jitter on the helicopter bugs. if you are going to fade to dark and to blur in the background then the foreground needs to be nice and sharply in focus. there we are . sleepy now. keep on keeping on.

Hi Kim:o) Thanks for taking the time to comment. I agree with light comment..I need to alter it. The full size version of the car will be ultra sharp! Jitter, blur and lack of focus are intentional as I want the viewer to feel like they are in the middle of a war zone and have just been nose to nose with a mortar..lots of movement. I plan to make this more obvious when I add extra foreground..i'm thinking of adding some debris or maybe a discarded weapon?

well I suppose I should close one of these threads.. think I'll just transfer to the other one and edit it to be the new this..lol. i'll think about it some more...

Sorry to post second negative comment.
I see american car hitting an american soldiers.
Friendly fire at least and nonsense at most. Writing on the car door(Wounded Warriors Family Support Mustang) doesn't help.
You are brave man, Barry but concept is wrong.