This composite represents several weeks of my spare time! It includes all the steampunk and Victorian folk I managed to photograph over the past year, set in a 'constructed' background. The houses are a photo but the Loco superstructure (a previously unknown double-boilered Brunel design that came to him one day whilst pheasant shooting and nicknamed the 'Over and Under'), carriage, lamp standards, platform etc are all photoshop creations achieved by filling small selections of the right form with colour. Yes, I'm sure there is an easier way, I'm just not familiar with it!
Along the way I learned or improved upon several techniques and also came to terms with large files and their effect upon Ps performance. Hence, I'm not one hundred percent sure of the number of layers involved as I had to flatten some along the way and used smaller files to create some images before flattening and importing into the main image. Of course I created stuff that ended up not being used, but thats the nature of the game. At times my machine gave up and had to be nurtured, cared for and kicked. Eventually I got there, flattened the lot and added a gentle Topaz Degas II filter. So what do you reckon, worth it or a waste of time? Photography, pp, art or what? Your thoughts and critique would be most welcome - and there's no need to pull your punches, I can take it.

Hi Dave. To my mind your technique is flawless in matching all the elements together making a believable picture but to my mind (or my joiners or failed artists eye) the train is to high, only about the top third ought to be visible. The figures recede in size ok, if you scale up the tight rope walker, say 5ft6 that makes the train headlight over 3ft, the chimney 8ft, its going to cost a fortune to alter all the tunnels I like the moon because its mooted adding to the atmosphere.
Steampunk news. My 3 girls have treated my wife to tickets for Cliff Richards concert for Christmas, luckily they had the good sense not to include me but as a treat they will take me to the steampunk do at Lincoln later in the year. I have also booked a week in Whitby and surprise surprise they have a steampunk weekend the day we arrive.
All the best Alan

Just a great image. I've followed your images here on UHH and love them. I'm a scifi fan and love fantasy movies that border on or fall over the edge of reality. This is right up that alley. I am fascinated by the costumed models blended with the fantasy steam loco which falls over the edge of reality. The placement and perspective of the people and train were believable. There was enough fine touches to make this an excellent image, i.e. the fantasy moon, steam vented from the train, lighting cast on the crowds. I couldn't really find anything I would have done differently. I had fun poking around inside your photo and enjoyed the details and scene.

Mike