I loved Meaty's image when I first saw it.
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/98335/castle-in-the-sky.html But it's being done to death now. Even in that contest there were a lot of floating chunks of land. Where did this trend originate? Does anybody know? If you are going to do it again. Make it your own. Do something extra to it. Something that makes it special. We all imitate artists we like but you have to make it your own and define your own style. Just my opinion. I feel the same about the flood filter or water reflections. Make them special. Don't just make a reflection and call it a day. If it is done well, I will still vote for the skills.Thanks for listening.
This is not directed at any one person. These are things I have said in the past. I may have commented on some images today. Nothing personal. Really. Keep on choppin'
Maybe it started with this guy.
http://www.martiniere.com/images/galleryimages/laputa.jpg
http://www.theroseking.net/animehub/laputa/laputa_after2.jpg
http://pserve.club.fr/laputa.jpg
http://www.hjo3.net/laputa_huge.jpg
http://www.coolfrenchcomics.com/PulpLaputa.jpg
http://www.antoniogenna.net/doppiaggio/film/laputa-ilcastnelcielo.jpg

i have to say, your reaction on a contest entry is as fast as the speed of light

edit: hmm, ok, i should have been more thouroughly in reading your post, this isn't a real reaction on meaty's entry

but still, fast as lightning, you go Rey!

Hi 2Rey, i agree with you, but for me (AND I THINK FOR SOME OTHER) it's the 1st time i'm trying to approach this kind of work, surely with constructive help like yours many of us can upgrade skilz and gain experience.
thanks

What Rey said.

And I've also noticed that there have been quite a few of those type entries in the last few months...buildings floating in air...things of that nature.

Yes, if it's done with originality...then ok.

But if ya keep on and on and on doing the same thing every other entry...it does get kinda old.

Nothing wrong with sharpening one's skills...or trying new things...not at all. But there is such a thing as overkill.

By the way...Marco and Nifft...good chops today! Not directed at you!

LOL, It's been a staple cover of thousands of fantasy books and
vinyl records since the sixties. It was one of the first things ever done to death when wallpaper and computer art sites first got big.'Tis one of the original cliche's.
That said, when Meaty did it, it was new for here and done to a very high level. A very nice image, indeed.Something nice for any and all portfolios, kinda like doing an invisible or teletubbie.

The artist that did the "Yes" album covers.
http://www.rogerdean.com/images/FlightsOfIcarus600.jpg
http://www.rogerdean.com/upclose/yesfloatingjungle.jpg
http://www.rogerdean.com/upclose/yesladder.htm

And don't forget this from the list

The Castle in the Pyrenees by Rene Magritte, 1959

http://www.linesandcolors.com/images/2006-04/magritte_250.jpg

I think if people avoid their first couple of ideas and think their chops through a bit more we would see quite a few more creative chops. my first 2 ideas for the source image were exactly that, water or a floating castle. Even though some were done quite nicely i can't help but think.... predictable

Purdy.

i thought everyone knew.
That Magritte was a real trend setter

for once I knew it was predictable, and didn't do what I usually do and avoid it like the black death like I siad, floaty islands are done to death, but hey, I hadn't done one, so god damn it I did one

it's a sci-fi fantasy chestnut.

do drugs