Author, the guys ment to paint the shadows & highlights on your objects. Make a new layer o ntop of your object, make it a clipping mask set a lower oppacity, and paint with a soft brush using black & white so that it looks 3d, like this pin and this ball. Make sure the light on all objects comes from the same direction.

http://www.elite-view.com/art/Sports_Athletics/Bowling/564222~Bowling-Pin-Posters.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDA6dwYSASo/TScwKGvIAeI/AAAAAAAABC8/mjzSWcEk2hs/s1600/2.%2Bsphere.jpg
Also reflection of the right side pin is a bit wrong, but easy to fix.

In symbolism the realism is secondary, cause otherwise it would interfere with the message.
The Fire is a burning desire, which doesn't affect the Wings of hope, but lack of patience makes your skin itchy and like you're crumbling inside, while the Fruit- object of desire is well rooted in your mind. No head = loosing it for something you want.
Someday you gotta tell us where you get all this inspiration, I can't come up with stuff like this unless I've really in love.
@ jade: "a dark surreal laced with defeat" would mean giving up on dreams/desires, an attitude I don't recommend -that would be loosing Patience .

Author please explain your second personal photo, that's one of the coolest things I've seen this year. What is it ?

First of all congrats on a realistic image.
1. I realize that you're not a smoker so good for you
2.Every cigarette has lines on the paper so that it would burn uniformous - those lines are actually where the paper is thinner.
Check this: http://static2.bigstockphoto.com/thumbs/1/3/2/large2/231722.jpg or any google image.
3.Flame can have any size but it will have a continuous shape, even if the wind blows, it will just bend without loosing it's integrity. In that position you would burn your thumb
http://www.g-peopleland.com/Lighter%20Flame.jpg
4.There are lighters that don't need the button pressed to light up, but that is not one of them.
Anyways, it's one of the best renders around. You can still improve it, or use this info for another contest.

Mask could use more depht & texture, plus some sort of context to make it interesting- wooden floor, hanged on a wall, etc.

There a rule in CG: never show the horizon, always cover it with stuff. Or you could choose an angle that shows more of the boat=selling piece & your strenght vs bavkground= fill in context which is secondary.

This looks good, I would comment on the light & it's brightness, but that's your personal choice.

The window looks good as well but they didn't preserve all the colors- or maybe is a light effect.

This is pure talent! Did you make it up from your imagination?

Here's a tip for masking out the grass. Go to Select - Color range, then pick the color between those grass leaves adjust fuzinness and check in the preview what will be selected( the white part), click ok. Then either click delete or press the mask button and Ctrl +I the mask(inverts it).

Not me, cause that guy you all 3 think about, never hopes we like it, he Knows we will
He would also provide a hi-res.
Watching this entry again I can see that the focus is on the back of the card in the left hand, I guess it's almost impossible to place it on the Ace of diamonds, since you don't know where it will be in the air.

Now this is coll, the fire looks solid and folowing a pattern of shapes.

I believe it fits perfectly in the square theme.

I agree, and I like the monochromatic feel.

I won't say great job a third time(lol), but it's a nice composition. At first glance i thought they were turists, what were they protesting for?

Great shot here.

i would have loved a focus on the bug, since it's a beautiful specimen.

One of the best around. Good job.

Some craquleque filter with, displacement or warp would creep this more

Trololol.

Reptiles getting it on Are these actually 2 toys that you've placed together?

I wish it was more focused too, it's a beautiful sculpture.

Totally agree with Jean + impressive colors & quality.

Without question!

I find this artistique, cause of the Square format in which you see other rectangular patterns of different proportions and all having a relation with the other elements around. There was an artist using mate colors and this principle- his name escapes me know.
D'apres moi this shot makes sense beyond the urban decay theme, because of what i previously stated and it would make sense even if it was an abstract drawing.

Escher!

The first cat shot i trully like on this site .

Well cropped.

This is so good ! You used a camera filter to get this type of light, right?

This could be a nice pattern.

I'm ussually not a fan of roses but i like this POV.

May he be safe.

Beautiful, it should have more views.

Looks good indeed. I would like it to write "red" on the paper or even better "green"- like a mindgame.

Great work! Great eye(s) too

Use saturation in photoshop (Ctrl+U) to make it red not orange.

If this is not awesome, I don't know what is.

Well done.

This is a nice entry, it kind & could look like an abstract painting.

I like it! The floating cards look good, and it's not off topic IMO, unless your original was BW and you overcolored the red. In that case don't tell anyone .

This is a famous chair, Eames from Herman Miller. great modeling & render!

Awesome work author, the animation vid. was fun too.

I can see all the details on the sides.
Mossy IT'S YOUR SCREEN!!!
I'm 100% sure that it's either your screen or your eyes, I'm sorry. Please change & check these.

This is just too awesome, i would 100% it.

Coffee helps only if you drink it first

Narcissistic joy

Awesome pic, what's her number ? j/k

This one looks like a modern painting.

Looks very sci-fi.

It's looking good but you could have used the source more. You already have concrete in the foreground of the source; the cabins could be transformed into wagons, stuff like that. Good work anyways.