redlined: (post-apocalyptic render) constructive criticism wanted

sriesch

I'm looking for feedback on technical problems this image.  Not the concept, I'm happy with how it turned out, but want to see if anybody thinks I have bad lighting, unbelievable materials/poses, do I need a little motion blur on the falling jerry cans and shotgun shells, is the dust/smoke/flame/prop blur believable or not, is the sky just too darn happy and blue for this image, etc.  I've been staring at it for too long, I'm too close to it and can't see what others see.

I am also unhappy with the headlights, but wasn't able to come up with a good believable dirt-and-dust-covered-glass material.  A cracked headlight or two would have been even better, but also don't know how to accomplish that, since my modeling skills are near zero.  Suggestions for how to accomplish that?

The rebar spikes are also too dark at the base compared to the metal they are fastened onto, but I haven't been able to make them better yet.  I don't want to use the same procedural rust material for the base on the rebar, because the color variation of the rebar looks great.  I really need to find a way to edit the bases of them to just be a bit lighter, but don't have the GIMP skills to do so yet.

Serene Night

First, I like the image.   So much is going on in it, which draws my eyes in and attracts my attention. I particularly really like the way the airplane propellers are spinning, and the plastic fuel tank coming off the van in front van shows a nice attention to detail.

My initial thoughts:

I would alter the color of the dust flying up from the tires on vehicle number 1 to have more yellow/tan than gray.. To match the earth a bit more. The tires look smoking rather than kicking up dust.

I would consider emphasizing a rising sun coming up near or behind vehicle number 1 to draw the eye. I think you might be able to rotate the skydome so the sun is there at that angle and emphasize it a bit more by placing a light source to rim the figures in light.

Consider a shorter hair for the red head, or one that moves in the breeze.

Consider increasing the menace of the pursuers by having one fire a weapon which might be ricocheting off the top of the vehicle, and elicited the frightened reaction of the driver.

 

　

XaatXuun

I know you were asking for feedback and critique, I'm not one for that, but I had to reply

 

I'm jealous

I like it

ShawnBooth

My .02 = the dust from the tires on the FG vehicle are not realistic at all. The dust should come from under the rear of the tires. Look at the thumbnail of the image. To me, it glares out at you. Your materials seem to all mesh together. If you're happy with the look, cool. 

Motion blur on the tires (FG vehicle) is a bit much when compared to the lack of motion blur on everything else.

I would consider moving your "sun" - to the left side and behind them = dramatic and better lighting. Maybe consider another mesh light pointing back at the sun to offer the scene some fill/bounce.