Love what you did here, but maybe it is a bit to much saturated? The whole image has a nice pastel-like color feeling, except for the balloon. Maybe you can fix that?

Anyway: to me the best entry so far in this contest!

Think we all struggle at some point and get blind to a lot of obvious things. I'm notorious for making at least 3 adjustments after I put my entries up

I like the blending you made. Cool image.

You do have some problems with the source links you've posted. The sources from deviantArt are okay. The sources from wikimedia should be okay but you used the download page links. You must use the link that shows the image and the usage terms for the image.

Source 2 doesn't show the specific image, you must link to the page with the image used and it must show usage terms as well. If it's in public domain the link should show that. Sources 6, 7, and 8 are also download links, these don't show us the terms of usage. You have to replace the links and show the pages with the image and the usage terms.

Source 9 doesn't show any image again you must use the link showing the image and the usage terms.

You should make these corrections as soon as possible. The contest moderator will allow you some time since I posted this comment to help you but if you don't fix the links soon you will get a warning and your entry will be removed until you make the explained corrections.

Super Nifty Reminds me of Around the World in 80 days

Very dramatic and fantastic. See the edges of boots are smooth and the balloon is sharper, That's the mismatch I felt. By the way I can see the flags waving with the wind then why shluldnt it affect the smoke?
Never mind, That wont stop me from giving you a high marks. Good luck author

Congrats Skogan

Congrats! Nicely done!

Congratulations nice work...

Congrats on first

1st place congrats.

Congrats !

Congrats

Congrats!

Congrats on the first place

Congrats!

Author, all sources but #3 are copyrighted. When you search for an image on Flickr, at top left under "any license" is a pulldown menu. You need to select one of the licenses that allows modifications. Looking at any image you select, the license description for that image will be at the bottom, lower right.

I know this must be frustrating to you since you've already remade your entry. You can still get it right, and this stuff (Flickr searches & licensing) should be clearly explained in the photoshop contest guidelines. I know Spaceranger has offered his help previously, and you can also PM me for info. And good luck!

Author please do not give up... this is a nice image, you just want to get the right sources... Check www.Morguefile. com ... they have lots of images that you can use. This happen to us in the beginning, we get confused. Listen to those who want to help. Nothing wrong with trying again.. there is enough time. Good luck.

Well Poop on a Stick author, you've got a real talent and it just seems a shame that you would give up so easily. I can't force you to retry, but I'll tell you, when you use Authorized sources (especially Creative Commons) you end up with a product that is truly yours that can be used in any form of advertisements/art shows etc... when you use copyright, you risk a law suit that will kick you in the butt. Just think about the song Blurred Lines. It really lies within in you to create something that is yours full and clear. While this might seem like just a contest, the site really can't risk copyright infringement, it's just not worth it. Now buck up little camper and retry. Or not. The choice... is yours. (oh lord, I just sounded like Cherlindrea in the Movie "Willow" when she convinces the doubting Peck to take on Queen Bavmorda.) May the Force be with you! (Star Wars, couldn't resist)

OK, I redid it again. Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I think I am in over my head here. My first time doing a Photoshop contest as well as being totally ignorant to copyright stuff.

I am glad you found some sources you can use. It is going to be a while for you to learn and to know who wants to help you, I think every one will give you an idea or an advise here, just ask... we are learning from the work of others. Your entry is full of color, the image looks better now. Think about shadows... I think you can use a shadow, to the right side of the giant. The shadow, will blend the image together. Look at this right side of his head, not much, but a simple shadow, to the right side of the boot took. Also beneath his left leg, there under his but and the bright side of the mushroom where he is sitting, there by his left boot. The rest looks nice....

Your sources are all good to go! Congrats for sticking with it! It gets easier after you've done a few entries.

My thanks to my friends and fellow members for being so supportive, you guys prove how good and helpful our community is!

Congrats on your perseverance, and good luck!

Good one author, salute the patience.. good luck and will look forward for more from you

To all. You guys are great. The support is incredible. None of you know me, but you have offered me so much aloha (love, kindness, compasssion etc).

This has been an adventure for me just to do one Shoop. As I said in my previous entry (that has been deleted), while cruising the web I ran across this site, the contest and the words "Download the provided image and manipulate it in any way you want. Good luck!". Didn't read any further than that, so on a whim I thought "Why not!". Well one thing led to another and then another and then you guys were no ka oi! ('the best, great, awesome, amazing, stupendous' in Hawaiian). End of story.

Great community.

Great job!!!!!

Contement of the gnome was very well brought out ..... fun job

^ Thank you both.

Image updated. I had some background stuff on the right but somehow must have forgot to make that layer active.

You have done great job. Glad you retry and remade it. Good luck

Congrats... not bad for your first entry, so glad you persevered!

Congratulations.... very colorful...

Congrats for your first entry ! Keep up

Congrats !!!!!

Congrats and welcome to this wacky place!

Congrats for the win

Congrats! for your 2d place.

Congrats! Nice work.

Delightful

beautiful job author

Great SBS too

cute image

Little birdie go tweet tweet!

Beautiful work and cute little bird.

Thanks for your comment.

Congrats George!

Congrats

Hey my friend.... jaba jaba dooooooo!!!!! Thanks.

Congrats George

Congrats George for your 3rd place.

Congrats on third place!

Thanks for your comments and congrats guys... it was fun....!

Nice clean work and good tonality!

Nice work, I like to colors...

Very much Lord of the Rings. Cool

Good one...

Thanks all so far for your words off wisdom.

Congrats!

4th is not bad at all... congrats.

I like the use of the source here. nice job.

I like this. Good work author.