I found the ladybug model on the net, then modified and textured. Some grass is real geometry and the rest is instanced with DP. Please c&c, I would like to hear from you what could be done better! Thanks!
Trying to find something to crit, but I can't. SSS on the wings/shell?
I think that you could improve "Elytra" = wings texture, it looks bit dull.
if the sky is blue?
I think a bended or diagonal leaf/stem makes a better image composition apart from a more blurred background... I take macro photographs and that blurred background would make the picture more realistic.
It is a very nice image.
What to change? Grasping at straws really..but here goes.
Also, there may be blur on the edges (top and bottom) as well.
The singular blade of grass seems out of place somehow. For some reason I think of grass as growing tufts of blades and not singularly. Adding four blades (or so) just behind the image with them just ever so slightly out of focus to play up the "macro" style of the image.
Again, just guessing. Not positive that these things would actually improve your image.
I decided to go with a warmer mood, so the image looks a bit orange, sort of soon in the morning or late afternoon time. But here's a bluish version.
I will try a different composition with some blades closer to the camera, but I'm not sure the result will be better, I'll have to see it with dof applyied.
The texture could seem a bit dull - too uniform indeed - but this is my knowledge of photoshop ;) . After staring at that photo for 10 minutes I still can't see how I could improve the texture technically. Maybe some orange variations and a different bump... I really don't know.
There's no SSS on the ladybug, just simple texturing, but there's SSS on the main grass blade, barely noticeable though.
Excellent work. I hope this will go to the gallery section.
It's very nice. You could try different camera angle, but this one is also cool. The key factor is light. Exposing the main thing and reducing the influence of the composition's rest is a goal. Picture should talk. When grading separate highlights, midtones and shadows, do not tone map complete picture with one color.
I did small color grading just for fun, hope you don't mind.
Love the camera highlights through the water droplets.
About the grading, I actually didn't grade all with same colours, I did it kinda random, at liking. But maybe I didn't understand what you wanted to say. I'll post the final version anytime soon, when I'll have some time.
The bump on the wings is too strong, I see it now even more after the unsharpening in ps...This model wasn't made for such a closeup, so I put just a crumle or a turbolence bump, I should've made a custom bump. Next time.
I tried the fbm on bump, and it's much better, but you can't see much difference unless you zoom in, and since I already sent the image for printing I didn't feel like rerendering and post the whole stuff again.
I just hope you like it a bit anyway!