Still too busy to do more than race through the galleries and check the threads (selling/buying a new house and moving)...but I like this subject and the discussion it promotes. It does demononstrate where people are coming from and I think it does those new to art good to see the controversy and different points of view. It could prepare them for the ocassional nasty who just feels like making someone else miserable, and how to separate that from a genuine suggestion. Deagol, I admire your work, thus your opinion. I know far more about paint brushes than CG. With a pencil, I could tell a person how to correct something, a problem with layers, for example, would need to be pretty basic for me to even identify the cause. I would need to rely on someone like you to point it out-and PLEASE, add a solution! I would add something my father told me when I was in danger of getting my first bad grade: negative responses can be the quickest way of learning. The example was a guided missle tracking system (everytime it does NOT find the target, it adjusts its direction and tries again). He was a career Army officer, so what would you expect? Anyway, the result was I got a B in Trigonometry and no longer looked at negative feedback as personal or necessarily rejection. Just information, a signal to consider a different direction. Something to remember about praise from the Fractal community here: everybody adores fractals and can respect the work/expertise involved. In the world outside, it's mostly "what's a fractal?" So it wouldn't be realistic to expect the admiration to translate very well. So much for my $.50.

So the point is, nothing can be all things to all people. Some take this place and comments/ratings way too seriously, some not at all, and most are somewhere between. The thing I really take issue with is the assumption that opinions aren't honest if they're "too" positive, and criticism (or honesty) requires pointing out something "wrong". Yes, grandmothers often tend to concentrate on the encouraging side. Guilty. As for plastic naked women-reminds me of the time I caught my son with his sister's Barbie doll and a magic marker, adding the missing parts. I hate to think what he would have done with Poser! Some things don't change. Keith-I'll be sure to increase that je ne sais quois. Mark-mixed heritage gives me an issue with ancestors who sided with the British on Thursday, today's Friday so it's not being able to get a pint of Harvey's Best Bitter in the US. Donna

That's the idea, but more people might participate if posting could be anonymous. Personally, I wouldn't care if my name was on it or not, but it might make some a bit more comfortable so more likely to post. I firmly believe the best way to critique is to point out a person's strengths, then look for ways to bring the rest of their technique up to the same level. I'd like to look for ways to break the negative associations with criticism. Donna

#40 - 3 points #33 - 2 points #14 - 1 point

Haven't had time to spend much time here lately-missed a lot but this one grabbed me. As a former art teacher I have to wonder about so much emphasis on what one "likes". Personal preferences are just that, not indicators of the quality of a work. It is essential to be able to recognize merit in art that is totally outside one's preferences. I often found the best way to foster better performance in students was to point out what they had done RIGHT rather than picking at what was "wrong". Invariably they would begin to make their own comments on what they could have done better. The next thing I taught them was that an artist MUST develop a thick skin, judge their work on their own standards - CREATE for themselves alone, ignor effusive flattery and degrading remarks alike, value opinions only from those who have earned respect. Commercial contracts are more about the client's ego than good art, so unless one is prepared to turn out whatever someone else wants, don't go commercial. Ratings and statistics are commercial trappings-and just as superficial. Recognition by one's peers is nice, but anyone who bases their self worth on it might benefit from a session with Dr. Phil. So much for my soapbox. Now a suggestion: what about starting a technique workshop, like the challenges except that images could be submitted anonymously for the purpose of picking them apart. A thread could contain opinions on how others would have managed the subject, colors, lighting, presentation, etc. No need to feel uncomfortable expressing and honest opinion because it will have been solicited. It would be useful to submit images one knows has problems, or doesn't like. New artists could find the process enlightening. I know I would be willing to submit such work and look forward to proposed solutions. Anyone who is uncomfortable with being criticized need not participate. It could foster quite an exchange of information. Just a thought. BTW Native Americans do not carry the "Yank gene". Donna

I just noticed-there is a tutorial right here, over in the Terragen Community's tutorial section on monitor calibration.

There is always monitor calibration. Jasc Paint Shop Pro has a tutorial on their resources page on how to do it with an image to do it with. You could download it and try it on the different monitors you use to get an idea of the difference. I did a comparison of my desktop, laptop and my daughter's computer. There had been a big differnce. After I calibrated all 3, they are now pretty close. Donna

These are great! Just what was needed-thank you so much!

#49 3 pts #31 2 pts #39 1 pt

Bravo to all the winners! Voting was close to impossible as there were so many beauties. I think the Fractal Challenge is off to an impressive start!

3 3pts 10 2pts 12 1pt

What a priveledge to have you here! I enjoyed your paper on mathematics and understood far more than I thought I would (NOT my best subject). I have used mostly Apophysis so far and have become thoroughly addicted. Welcome! Donna

Some links to start with: http://www.eclectasy.com/Fractal-Explorer/ http://www.ultrafractal.com/ http://flam3.com/ http://www.apophysis.org/ Fractal Loop http://www.fractalus.com/ifl/ http://spanky.triumf.ca/www/fractint/fractint.html Some members have really great galleries they might like to link as well.

Just a few ideas: The Terragen community has a nice setup: links to the software and plug-ins, various member websites, etc. The first link I'd put here are Scott Draves, Mark Townsend (Apophysis) and the Ultra Fractal and Fractal Explorer sites. There is only 1 fractal Free Stuff contribution (that I've found) but maybe putting a link to it would encourage more. I think challenges are a great idea. Maybe the winner could define the next one? Maybe the community could develop a Tips and Tricks section? A while back someone suggested a fractals and poetry coffee table book, maybe the group could collaborate to create one?

Greetings and best of luck!