Week 2: Best Screenshot of . . . Korthos Island!

[PsychoBlonde]

Welcome to the "Best Screenshot of . . ." Competition!

The rules:

Post your best screenshot of Korthos Island in this thread by Thursday, September 21 at 8pm Eastern time. There are no specifics on this screenshot. It can be in the wilderness area, in a quest, standing in a public area, whatever you like. However, it does need to be recognizable as a screenshot OF Korthos Island. The primary goal is for the shot to be aesthetically pleasing to PB, who will be judging, however shots that don't have a visible UI will be rated much higher. Action shots and shots with character(s) emoting will also be rated higher, as these are difficult to get. One submission per person. If you quote one of the submissions, please be kind enough to delete the image to make it easier to tell who submitted what.

Screenshots sent to PB in private messages or otherwise will not qualify for this competition. They must be posted in this thread between IMG tags by the date and time specified. PB will then choose 1 winner and 1 runner up. The winner will receive a code for 500 SSG points by private message on Friday, September 22.

Let's have some fun!

[Tat2Freak]

snow |Y| flake - heart |I| ache - star |E| scape

https://s26.postimg.org/3n68ch1bt/Korthos.png

KORTHOS

as seen from below

[PsychoBlonde]

Oo, that's a pretty one. Keep 'em coming!

[ISMisst]

hanging out with the birds
http://i65.tinypic.com/oaq0p1.jpg

[PsychoBlonde]

Great news, everyone! The weekly winner will also receive a custom logo suitable for a forum signature from Lagin reflecting their screenshot expertise.

[Saekee]

Great news, everyone! The weekly winner will also receive a custom logo suitable for a forum signature from Lagin reflecting their screenshot expertise.

wow!!!

[Saekee]

http://i.imgur.com/4o6rWVd.jpg

(this pic was from my heroic nude run 1-20)

[vryxnr]

Draconic family reunion on Korthos Island. Sadly, my ride crashed onto the shore, but I made it alive. Huzzah! Looks like auntie Aussircaex is coming to pick me up...

https://image.ibb.co/nmM1ZQ/DDO_Screenie_Compitition_002.jpg

[cdbd3rd]

Chillin' on snowy side....



https://i.imgur.com/X3Zd5jK.jpg



That^ is my official entry.

This was one of my attempts to "catch" a dragon:

https://i.imgur.com/LIvvird.jpg


:)

[Sir_Noob]

Draconic family reunion on Korthos Island. Sadly, my ride crashed onto the shore, but I made it alive. Huzzah! Looks like auntie Aussircaex is coming to pick me up...

https://image.ibb.co/nmM1ZQ/DDO_Screenie_Compitition_002.jpg

I saw this movie before, Creature of the Black Lagoon right?

[Captain_Wizbang]

Lots' of great scenarios for screenies on Korthos. I'll be helping PB with this and therefore wont put my SS's (screen shots) in for judging. Rather mine will be for reference to go along with the tips Ill post every week. *short video clips included as we move along here* So for the 1st weeks tip;


Take time and plan.
Totally absorb an area looking for something that catches your eye. After finishing a quest, take time to explore the whole thing. Keep a notepad handy to tag ideas you have to come back to.

Aqueducts, rares, priestly gatherings , elevation changes, quest backdrops, and a few explorer points that can be staged.

This is part of the game that most people dont bother with. Looking for interesting and artsy settings.

Ive seen a few places in Korthos village that can make nice screenies. IF you take the time to look and use your camera & mouse look as a tool just like real life.

[Captain_Wizbang]

2 examples of looking for the right angle, color etc.... Snowy korthos is snowy, so expect your SS to look that way.



https://i.imgur.com/h4Z3UvS.jpg

[Friggli]

https://i.imgur.com/QEv0wv4.jpg

Casually sacrificing a human in Korthos wilderness area.

[dunklezhan]

I cannot find a way to do this from googledrive or onedrive, so you'll have to settle for a link, but I've always loved the grotto's look and especially lighting:

https://wzlmpa.bn1304.livefilestore.com/y4mCWl2WrRNjWfSfLWQpbysoeczcwv40WRFEfSHC_2msulPrAM ELXJLUL41wQTFQuT3skL08vdA5ZlLUwPR01vHINJCQap4xo7ho Xz47l5yTCIrhwmZiWgib8Zqogo2lrpiCH-DVq259vMUibQewI791kKwVQ4o9y5EAcbsmEf0oIeCMA5SMZEaB k8L7PcGDKOv__YMX35-KRqoPlbgD5MXxB9UlOkLOUlKLrwq0UNYQWw/ScreenShot00025.jpg?psid=1.jpg




https://1drv.ms/i/s!Avk1kxsCtmGWk2pzhhR_3PgpfilE

[vryxnr]

I cannot find a way to do this from googledrive or onedrive, so you'll have to settle for a link, but I've always loved the grotto's look and especially lighting:

https://1drv.ms/i/s!Avk1kxsCtmGWk2pzhhR_3PgpfilE


This is how. Open that link, select view original, then copy that new link (or right click on the original image and select copy image location), then use the tags url.jpg, but with the actual url, and make sure to add .jpg to the end of the url.

edit: make sure you do this in your post so that it's clear that it's your submission. Once you do I'll edit it out of this post so there is no confusion.

It should look like this: (edited out to remove potential confusion). :)

[dunklezhan]

This is how. Open that link, select view original, then copy that new link (or right click on the original image and select copy image location), then use the tags url.jpg, but with the actual url, and make sure to add .jpg to the end of the url.

edit: make sure you do this in your post so that it's clear that it's your submission. Once you do I'll edit it out of this post so there is no confusion.



Done, cheers.

[PuppiesAndRainbows]

https://s26.postimg.org/tuforswbt/Screen_Shot00258.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/brmm0l0h1/)

[Tat2Freak]

I grew up loving the smurfs...you have my vote!
+1

p.s. was this a failed teleport or jumping from an airship till you got the right shot? Thought of both, but went with duality instead...

p.s.s. now that I think of it couldnt be teleport, goodjob, I like it alot!

[dunklezhan]

OK Puppiesandrainbows that's fabulous, how did you get that shot?

[cdbd3rd]

OK Puppiesandrainbows that's fabulous, how did you get that shot?

/Second the question! :)

I can think of one way it could have been done a long time ago, but inquiring mind & all that....

[Noir]

* Snip

Looks like a lag jump to me. (jumping so many times during a lag event then having them all register at once) Great shot.

[Captain_Wizbang]

PB needs more screenshots people.

PB & SSG are giving away 500 points. I think taking a trip to Korthos & snapping a few touristy pictures is worth 500 points. :cool:

[Tat2Freak]

PB needs more screenshots people.

PB & SSG are giving away 500 points. I think taking a trip to Korthos & snapping a few touristy pictures is worth 500 points. :cool:
Well that would break their TR Train, waste XP pots and all that...

[PuppiesAndRainbows]

lag does cause some odd things to happen

https://s26.postimg.org/ab6js8ko9/Screen_Shot01502.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/z4g3sw3ol/)

[Tat2Freak]

lag does cause some odd things to happen
So you are neither confirming nor denying...thanks we have all been waiting.

p.s. 1st person would have made that shot banging...why everyone gotta be in there pic...lol, like its a selfie...

[vryxnr]

p.s. 1st person would have made that shot banging...why everyone gotta be in there pic...lol, like its a selfie...

Because of this line in the OP:


... Action shots and shots with character(s) emoting will also be rated higher, as these are difficult to get.

That's the whole reason why I did mine the way I did, timing the apex of the /cheer emote with the dragon's flight with it's wings extended fully and the camera angled so it was located above my head/between my arms.

[PuppiesAndRainbows]

p.s. 1st person would have made that shot banging...why everyone gotta be in there pic...lol, like its a selfie...

non-selfie

https://s26.postimg.org/eyh77qxex/Screen_Shot01524.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/6sz59l95x/)

[Tat2Freak]

non-selfie
non:cool:committal

[vryxnr]

PuppiesAndRainbows: I love your shots, but I have to ask... which one is your official submission? From the OP, we're only supposed to have one submission each (otherwise I'd be going hog-wild getting a plethora of shots to really show the variety on Korthos)

[Captain_Wizbang]

Most of my SS's are NOT selfies. PB is giving you all a lot of leeway for that.

Some SS's dont need a character some do. "Artists choice" and thats part of her thread.

[Wizza]

I deny that the quest was run on Casual.

https://i.imgur.com/JI4fYjD.jpg

[Tat2Freak]

Because of this line in the OP:



That's the whole reason why I did mine the way I did, timing the apex of the /cheer emote with the dragon's flight with it's wings extended fully and the camera angled so it was located above my head/between my arms.
Its not at all difficult to record a clip and take the frame you want out of it...

p.s. or maybe press your capture key real fast (its how professionals do it) again NOT HARD

p.s.s. and things like the dragons flight, or snow flakes falling are all scripted and looped, IMO pretty sure pretty was refering to no UI and emotes in the middle of difficult combat, situations, etc...but what do I know.

[Hafeal]

It's ok, the Mindflayer would have still lost.


I deny that the quest was run on Casual.

https://i.imgur.com/JI4fYjD.jpg

[PsychoBlonde]

Action shots are super-hard to pull off. I think I average about 1 for every 10 I try to take that even looks decent. Personally, I like a nice landscape shot, but just about anything can be of visual interest.

Selfie or non-selfie is all good. I think the main thing you want to look at is producing a *composed* shot. So some good pointers are:

1. Elements that are important to the shot should be completely within the shot (or as close as possible). So, if a giant or a dragon is the centerpiece of the shot, you want to try to get an angle/distance that will let them be completely within the shot. 60% of a dragon is not as cool as seeing the entire dragon in all their glory.

2. Watch for extraneous clutter. A shot may be have the coolest thing in the middle, but stuff around the edges can visually detract from the quality. Sometimes a very small adjustment in position, angle, or how far you're zoomed in can have a BIG effect on pretty much the same subject.

3. There are basically two kinds of images--balanced and unbalanced. A balanced image has similar "weight" on both sides of the image. (This is not the same thing as being symmetrical, although symmetry is a way to create this.) It feels static. This can be good (it can be peaceful, soothing, serene, etc.) Unbalanced images have more visual weight on one side or the other (or top vs. bottom). This creates visual "flow" that pulls your eyes through the image. Things in the image are going to act as "stops". Images are going to feel better when the stops are along the line of the flow and have elements in common (like, a path, similar trees, stuff like that).

4. Color contrast. I'm a sucker for good color contrast, so consider upping the contrast. I don't really want extremely doctored images, but moving the contrast/brightness slider a little bit I don't consider "doctoring" since the game settings can interact weirdly with your monitor for taking screenshots anyway, so have at it. More contrast can really make your shot "pop".

5. If your character is in the shot, they should be part of the shot, not stick out wildly like you accidentally took a picture of your thumb. Don't let your character be an afterthought!

6. Water almost never looks as good in a static image as it does when you're actually in the game to experience it. The only real exception is when the water reflections are what you're interested in, but I have so many dang shots that wound up looking bleh because without movement the water was boring.

[Tat2Freak]

Not that it has anything to do with this weeks competition other than maybe for tips...

Can you see where I removed the reticle?
https://s26.postimg.org/oe3ovpipl/Waterfall.png
If I had REALLY tried, you wouldn't.

The difference between settings...
https://s26.postimg.org/7ualn7it5/Star1.png

...can alter your shot...

https://s26.postimg.org/h4mpqqtix/Star2.png

...neither is bad and both have their own merits.

Experiment.

[PsychoBlonde]

p.s. or maybe press your capture key real fast (its how professionals do it) again NOT HARD

There's a time delay on creating screen shots. It will only take so many of them no matter how fast you hit the button (and your computer specs, stuff running in the background, etc. can all affect it). It's not like the mechanical shutter on a high-quality camera.

But, seriously folks, it's meant to be fun. Fun shots are the best shots. Everything else is only nice.

[Tat2Freak]

There's a time delay on creating screen shots. It will only take so many of them no matter how fast you hit the button (and your computer specs, stuff running in the background, etc. can all affect it). It's not like the mechanical shutter on a high-quality camera.

But, seriously folks, it's meant to be fun. Fun shots are the best shots. Everything else is only nice.
LOL, my hardrive says otherwise and you should expect competition in any...competition.:p

[vryxnr]

Its not at all difficult to record a clip and take the frame you want out of it...

p.s. or maybe press your capture key real fast (its how professionals do it) again NOT HARD

p.s.s. and things like the dragons flight, or snow flakes falling are all scripted and looped, IMO pretty sure pretty was refering to no UI and emotes in the middle of difficult combat, situations, etc...but what do I know.

Wasn't sure if you were trying to refute me (for quoting the OP) or the OP. But my setup does not have an adequate video capture program, so that's not a viable option for me *shrugs*


LOL, my hardrive says otherwise

The time delay and limited screenies per press is real (for me at least).


and you should expect competition in any...competition.:p

Competitions can be fun, they are not mutually exclusive concepts. :)

...and wouldn't it be nice it the competition came in the form of submissions rather than attempts to refute the merits of the OP's rules/guidelines? :p

Thanks for your "tips" screenies though. Nice examples.

[Tat2Freak]

Wasn't sure if you were trying to refute me (for quoting the OP) or the OP. But my setup does not have an adequate video capture program, so that's not a viable option for me *shrugs*



The time delay and limited screenies per press is real (for me at least).



Competitions can be fun, they are not mutually exclusive concepts. :)

...and wouldn't it be nice it the competition came in the form of submissions rather than attempts to refute the merits of the OP's rules/guidelines? :p

Thanks for your "tips" screenies though. Nice examples.
Probably both of you, looking at my words after the fact I can only guess that was my intent...I get a TON of SS...dont know, but it seems to work just like a shutter to me...i have to sort through them and delete 20-30 at a time to find the perfect shot, just like you are all saying you cant do....either way, posing for a shot so it looks like you are holding up a dragon is nowhere near as hard as getting an action shot and thats what I was refering to, which the OP clarified in a later post...If everything (the rules) were upfront and out in the open, but a "competition" based on the whims of a single individual...is relative.

p.s. im not in this thread to argue, dont know why I even submitted again, I like art...I saw a snowflake and had a vision...i turned my idea into form and function...the rest is up to you as my official submission is the 1st SS posted.

p.s.s if you're having trouble with the title...it could read like this....snowflake, heartace, starscape, y flake, i ache, e scape.

p.s.s.s. and its free publicity.

[Aelonwy]

https://i.imgur.com/fkUxtTf.jpg

Two clerics, myself and my daughter just relaxing in Korthos after a rousing game of hide and go seek.

[PsychoBlonde]

I didn't even realize you could go up past the pier there. Neat!

Get your screenshots posted, folks, you have almost exactly 24 hours left before this week closes!

You may not think you've got the best shot, but if you don't play, you can't win!

[Saekee]

https://i.imgur.com/fkUxtTf.jpg

Two clerics, myself and my daughter just relaxing in Korthos after a rousing game of hide and go seek.

this beautifully fits the theme! As a parent, I really appreciate this!

Thanks PB for hosting this and lagin for the tips

[DYWYPI]

https://i.imgur.com/bYjVHQ6.jpg
There was a stillness over the land that only came with extreme cold.

[Captain_Wizbang]

myself and my daughter

Glad you 2 made the cut, nice SS.


Thanks PB for hosting this and lagin for the tips

She has her work cut out for her. Nice SS's.

Winner gets a nice sig avatar I just finished. *kind of wishing I made it for myself*

[Sir_Noob]

Does the manage attachments function within the additional options actually work for attaching photos?
It is teasing me by getting to the selection part but not uploading the photo.
I have double checked to make sure I am within the required size for attachments and fall within the limits.

[Captain_Wizbang]

Does the manage attachments function within the additional options actually work for attaching photos?
It is teasing me by getting to the selection part but not uploading the photo.
I have double checked to make sure I am within the required size for attachments and fall within the limits.
not sure, I use the insert image, & unchecking "retrieve local info" and a link from Imgur

[PsychoBlonde]

Does the manage attachments function within the additional options actually work for attaching photos?
It is teasing me by getting to the selection part but not uploading the photo.
I have double checked to make sure I am within the required size for attachments and fall within the limits.

This is literally the only thread I've ever seen on the forum that used an attachment: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/489793-New-Caster-Hat

I can't get them to upload, either. Imgur is free and relatively easy to use, so I'd recommend them.

[Sir_Noob]

When you are new to the game and playing Permadeath, it is the first time you are inside of this quest and your guild mates tell you to go into stealth mode and peek around the corner to see what is up ahead...

https://i.imgur.com/gkEMkWh.jpg



The game is afoot and you are most pleased you are not having to fight a dragon at level 2.

https://i.imgur.com/gYPn4ma.jpg

[Sir_Noob]

The last thing I remembered before waking up at the resurrection shrine.
https://i.imgur.com/ptgj4f6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7QWQkRo.jpg

[PsychoBlonde]

Which one is your submission?

[Sir_Noob]

Which one is your submission?

Oops, sorry about that, I guess one needs to read the rules of the post, hahaha.
I was thinking it was just a posting of the theme of the week, not a contest.
Ok, here it goes.

The Game is afoot.
I guess that is my official entry.

Thank you PB.

[PsychoBlonde]

This week's competition is now closed! Check back tomorrow for the winner and next week's theme!

[PsychoBlonde]

This week's winner is Aelonwy!

Runner up is cdbb3rd!

Great job once again making it super-hard for me to make up my mind, all.

Check out some of Lagin's awesome work:

https://i.imgur.com/SCUGWfO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FLdU1nY.jpg

[Aelonwy]

Woo hoo! First forum win (for me). Thanks PB!

[Captain_Wizbang]

This week's winner is Aelonwy!

Runner up is cdbb3rd!

Great job once again making it super-hard for me to make up my mind, all.

Check out some of Lagin's awesome work:



The larger image is her smartphone wallpaper.

[Captain_Wizbang]

I know the area PB has in store for you all for week 3, LOTS of possibilities

Ive been looking & found a few key elements that will be really cool for forums sigs & avatars.

FYI, my area 51 pc suffered a minor melt-down (my fault) so Im using my back-up pc which is kind of quirky w/ photo editing (no idea why) the artwork Ive done lately has an issue w/ resizing and clarity for things being used on the web. I just learned of this last night, and will remake the artwork for the 2 weeks winners.

I was told..."you just have to press the right button at the right time" my reply, "we're talking about CS6 and NOT DDO right?":rolleyes:

[vryxnr]

Grats Aelonwy! :)

[cdbd3rd]

Does the manage attachments function within the additional options actually work for attaching photos?
It is teasing me by getting to the selection part but not uploading the photo.
I have double checked to make sure I am within the required size for attachments and fall within the limits.

Interesting little teaser area there, isn't it?

However, all photos have to be hosted off site and linked in, like from Imgur.

(Avoid Photobucket, they've gone $greedy/mental.)

[cdbd3rd]

This week's winner is Aelonwy!

Runner up is cdbb3rd!

...

Sweet. :) Grats, Ael!

I'm good with "Runner up."

http://s9.favim.com/orig/130808/cute-dance-despicable-me-lalala-Favim.com-837799.gif

[Saekee]

Congratz & great choices!