ok so i found out im not that good a chopper.....
and after about a year here i think it's time to ask you guys for help.....
i just don't get it how you people get your chops to look so clean and umm tied up, i don't know how to say it in english.... maybe unified?
this is just one of the many things that i can't seem to get.....
so anyone got any tips for me?

It's kinda hard to give tips without having a general idea of the image you want to do, the style you'd like to have... etc.

My tip would be to do what I did. Take an image and try to do something you've never done before that would be WAY to diffidcult for your skill level. Take it as far as you can and then ask someone for advice/tips on that particular image. Since you have advantage, you've got a while to start an image and then tweak it for a whole week.

This way, someone who has some experience could look at your image and tell you what you are doing wrong or give you ideas on how to improve it. Much easier to look at a specific image and give advice than a general "how to chop better" advice.

My 2 cents.

hmmm.....
yeah that might work too......
i just got my advantage for this reason....
this is just really frustrating at the moment......

Experiment with curves,levels, ect to get the color correct.
Add shadows if needed, use lighting effects to direct lighting.
details make the image

My advice is to learn a lot of tutorials, experiment a lot, ask questions, take a couple of photoshop classes, use many tools, masking, pen tool, blending modes ect.. save for web, then move quality slider to 124. there's so much to learn so keep practicing as much as possible"

well..... the thing is.... i did take a PS course.... and i know how to use all the tools (or most of them)....
i guess it is all about the practice....

One...when your cutting an object out-- make sure you are seeing the zoom as "actual pixels" and not 'fit to screen'.

two...when you have made a selection, you CAN go to
SELECT-MODIFY and try expand,contract, or smooth, play with 'em.

3- you can always use the burn and dodge tools on the edges. *cough* like everyone else does,
My suggestion though, is burn all the edges in one motion , don't worry about OVERBURNING since as soon as you let up on the tool
you can immediately select IMAGE-FADE---specified tool--
If you make a habit of this, do what few others do, make sure to use that fade
enough to take down the burn to where it's no so noticable.

4-- and probably the best advice, learn to use the PEN TOOL.
I have no furthaer advice as to it's use--I to my own detriment, I
have this uncontrollable allergy concerning the pen tool and am unable to make much use of it.

Looking through your portfolio, I'm guessing that most of your entries would have gotten many more votes if they were submitted earlier in the contest. I'm definately thinking that now that you have advantage your work will be more noticed and voted for. You've had some great ideas and great chops.

You could definately work on some of your selections, though. I see some rough edges, and edges that just don't fit into their new surroundings. For the most part, though, I think you're doing great. Nice work!

thanks Scion seem like usfull tips there.... i sure will give them a try....

tip addition for the pen tool,
don't be afraid to use these pen tools options:

if you select your path after creating with your direct selection tool (white arrow), you can change the properties of your path by clicking on these options...
means you don't have to create a new path, just because you select the wrong option!
You can change it afterwards!
I hope it's clear, damn english...
feel free to pm

download and watch all these tutorials if your computer/bandwidth can handle it, it's the only way to learn, and it's free

http://www.hallcross.co.uk/free%20stuff/ps_tuts.html

kewl thing splodge...
good addition could be a time slider

btw - some end results really suck! but a good thing to start with i think...