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RobCaswell — Probe 2
Published: 2010-11-11 02:36:01 +0000 UTC; Views: 3119; Favourites: 36; Downloads: 411
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OK, here's a fusion of my two previous Probe approaches, showcasing Drell-7's nifty lil' probe model that I hope he offers as a freebie. Intergalactic space wedgie courtesy of Photoshop. Enterprise by Aggi.Rendered in DS3
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Comments: 19
that's cool!
I liked the other two too,...
but this fusion is delivering what a fusion is supposed to deliver: Synergies!
Greatly composed. I really like the colour-palette. And I do love the fx on the probe!
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Thanks. I think I like it. Initially I had some reservations, but it's growing on me. At the very least it's quite a bit different from my other Trek fare. But I'm glad to hear you feel this is a step forward from the previous two
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i love the color scheme you used on this one. having the blue travel diagonally across the image really leads the eye nicely from the probe in the foreground to ship in the background.
that is a neat little model, too..
is this inspired by "The Immunity Syndrome?" Although I wouldn't have picked that episode out twenty years ago as a favorite, it is one that I find that I enjoy going back to watch now. In some ways, it's almost the quintessential Star Trek episode, embodying so many of the themes of the show in one rather no-frills storyline. No guest stars and -- other than the giant space amoeba -- not really heavy on the special effects. just the crew doing what they do best.
(I'm so behind on commenting on your work! I promise to catch up soon!)
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Actually this piece is kind of a distant relative of this older work. They both came from the same "cosmic anomaly" place in my brain: [link]
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I'm glad you like the composition. If you read my reply to Archangel (above) I talk at length about the unique challenge in composing this one. I'm still not quite sure what I think about it. I need more time/distance from it, I guess. But it was definitely like working with one hand tied behind my back.
Drell-7 will be happy with your comment on his model. Sure, we saw that casket-shaped thing in STII, but we all know it was designed that way just to facilitate the storyline of Spock's space burial. In trying to envision a TOS probe and torp, we decided to throw all that out the window and start from scratch, but asking What Would Matt Jeffries Design (WWMJD)? The design is mostly Drell's, with some detail suggestions by me.
I know this has an Immunity Syndrome feel, but that's largely coincidence. I was just going for a generic "rift in space" idea, with mysterious color and detail. But I'm with you on having perhaps more appreciation for that episode now than when I was younger. Though I think the TAS concept in "One of Our Planets is Missing" keeps the theme but is a bit more palatable than a "space amoeba".
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Thanks. It's certainly funky. I was going for "colorful and mysterious".
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Much thanks! Glad you like it
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Another great shot! Do you actually think about composition, angle, or just let the image create itself? Just curious. Having said that this one seems a little off, and not just because of the shifted focus, just seems warped. (Or is it just me!?!?!)
If I remember correctly the 1701 shot a few probes into the space amoeba thingy...
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Well this one was a bit different - a bit like acting against a green screen. The probe and Connie were the rendered elements. I knew there'd be a space rift/wedgie/thing in the upper right quadrant and going through the middle, but I had no real idea of its shape and details as I rendered. Same with the probe's trail, which functions as a another compositional element. I had to imagine it all as did the minimalist render.
More often than not, I can spend almost 50% of my time in subtle tweaks of compositional elements... that is when I have them all there to play with. But this one was a different animal. Plus there was the challenge (and primary goal) of making it a showpiece for the probe, so I could show some of Drell-7's details. In most respects I think it suffers from the same kind of problems as the first probe... which had the same criteria behind it.
As far as composition, I've had pretty good luck in going with eye and instinct. I think the rule of thirds is kind of hard-coded in me from working with other people's images and optimizing them for print in my day job. So I don't usually over-intellectualize it. But like I said, I often spend a BIG chunk of time tweaking, making sure my instincts aren't screaming at me.
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I would say for me it is about 50/50. Most are planned, but as I begin them they kind of take a life of their own. Some even don't end up as I originally envision them... But I will say that for each five renders, one makes the cut. (I try to keep post to a minimal; Its a quirk). Here lately it's been a subject then add on and add on and add on.
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I'd say that 90% of the time when I sit down to do art, I have no idea where I'm going. I just start playing with stuff and a picture starts to fall out of it at some point. The Probe images are in that other 10%.... but honestly, even though I had a picture in my brain, it was a fuzzy one. More "concept" than image, really.
And I feel I have about the same personal success rate 5:1. But I often can't tell what's successful until I look at it a few days... or weeks later. As a result I've put a lot of stuff up which I later look at and shrug. But if people like it enough to favorite it, I keep it around.
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In that respect I am similar. I will put an image up that I am soooooooo proud of...and the response is usually, eh...nice, okay, and usually from my diehard friends (nonetheless sincere, and I luv em all!). And then I'll put one up that almost didn't make my personal cut...and I get all kind of OOOOOHHHS and AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHs! And I am thinking, "REALLY? THAT ONE?" I guess I am my own worst critic. Or more recently with my car conversions pics, I'll put up two WIP's and then the final...and all of the WIP's get faves and none for the finished one...go figure!
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I work in the art field, so I'm struck by how much this is a factual, observable phenomenon. Ask an artist what they think is their best work and it'll almost never match up with the viewer's faves. It's just the way the world works?!
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Thanks. I think I'm "probed out" for the time being, but I HAD to do this one....
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Intresting, but somehow it doesn't seem to have the impact of your other ST pics. maybe it's due to the probe being the focus instead of the ship.
Don't know.
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Well the probe definitely WAS meant as the focus. I just had to find the right composition to pull it off. And I didn't want the Enterprise to be closer/bigger/clearer than it is, lest it compete as the primary subject.
Like most of my stuff, I won't be really sure what I think of it until about two days from now. I need some distance to look at it objectively. But I think I understand the vibe you're catching.
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