Condensed

Software used: Photoshop CS

My first wallpaper of 2005, Condensed is based on a photo sent to me by a friend. Photoshop CS was used to crop, clone and alter the focus and colouration of the image. It was also toned down a lot as the original was too bright to be used comfortably as a desktop wallpaper.

Trajectory

Software used: Carrara 5, Photoshop CS 2

The solar system has fascinated me ever since childhood. I used to spend hours looking through books of diagrams and photos of the planets. I have been meaning to create a wallpaper using the solar system as its theme for a while. This is the result

Caustic

Software used: Photoshop CS

A simple photo taken during our family holiday in Spain this month using a Canon Ixus under natural daylight. I have shifted the hue slightly and toned down the brightness to make it more suitable for use as a deskop wallpaper.

On The Golden Pond

Software used: Vue d'Esprit 4

Being only 28, I only vaguely recollect the Henry Fonda film from which I borrowed the title. All I really remember is the beautiful shots of them fishing on a huge lake in the middle of nowhere. That is what I have tried to capture in this image.

Dewdrop

Added March 2004

Software used: Photoshop CS

It has been over 6 months since I added anything to the 'Photography' gallery of PlasmaDesign. And seeing as Spring is just around the corner (in this hemisphere anyway) I figured 'Dewdrop' would be fitting addition to the site. Members have access to 'Dewdrop' at 1920x1200, 1600x1200 and 1440x900 pixels. To find out more about membership visit this page.

Wavebreak

Software used: Photoshop CS

Although this image fits well into the Aqua Collection, technically it should be in the photography gallery, because it started its life as black and white photo I found on the internet. The original photo depicts a wave breaking from an underwater vantage point. I spent a lot of time cropping, sharpening and adding color to the image.

Division

Software used: Bryce 5.1, Photoshop CS2

This image is my attempt at illustrating the process by which a cell divides to form two daughter cells. Upon completion of the process, each daughter cell contains the same genetic material as the original cell and roughly half of its cytoplasm.

Fusion

Software used: Bryce 5, Photoshop CS

This is a little different for me in as much as there is no glass or water. In fact there are no solid jobs whatsoever. 'Fusion' is actually a spin-off of another project I am currently working on which is a diagram of the solar system. I have been searching for suitably impressive effects to accurately depict the sun and this image is the result of the experimentation.

Frozen

Software used: Bryce 5

This wallpaper is one of a pair of images based upon a hot/cold theme. (Both versions are included in the zip file). They were created using Bryce 5 with no post-processing in Photoshop (a rarity for me!). I took inspiration from my one of my more recent images called ' Furnace ' and a diagram of the solar system I stumbled across on 'How Stuff Works dot com).

Going Up! 2003

Software used: Bryce 5.01

Every now and then I take a look back through my older images to give myself some idea of how far I have progressed. And occasionally I decide to update an earlier piece. The original version of Going Up! (found on the Aqua Collection page) now looks a little washed out and flat to me so I decided to give it an overhaul.

Sub Zero

Software used: Bryce 5.01

I have been toying with this image for quite a while. There are a couple of other versions in progress (mainly different coloration). But this is the first I have completed. This image took a surprisingly long time to render given that it is quite a simple image. What complicates the rendering process is the texture and transparency of each cube and the light source behind them.

Jacks

Software used: Lightwave 7

I took inspiration for this image while shopping for my kids Christmas presents in the local Toys R Us. There was a small table on display with a set of plastic jacks on it. I remembered having some when I was a child and thought it would make a good theme for a desktop wallpaper as I felt it may take 30 something's on a trip down memory lane.

Anhui

Software used: Vue d'Esprit 4

I use a program called Vue to do most of my landscape pieces. I have always found that it is very difficult to get that fiery red sunset look in Vue and have made a deliberate decision to work on perfecting this technique. This image, with it's distinctly oriental feel is the result of this exercise.

Magma

Software used: Bryce 5

This wallpaper is one of a pair of images based upon a hot/cold theme. (Both versions are included in the zip file). They were created using Bryce 5 with no post-processing in Photoshop (a rarity for me!). I took inspiration from my one of my more recent images called ' Furnace ' and a diagram of the solar system I stumbled across on 'How Stuff Works dot com).

Marine

Software used: Photoshop 7

I am particularly happy with this piece; not because it is technically complicated (it's not!). Simply because it works so well as a desktop wallpaper, particularly with a Windows XP or mac OS X machine. Try it and you will see what I mean!

Silk

Software used: Photoshop CS

This is a manipulation of a photo I came across. (I have no idea who to credit the photo to. Please let me know if you have any idea). I used photoshop 7 to add depth of field and to adjust the hue of the image. The photo has also been cropped to focus the viewers attention on the detail of the web.

Photosynthesis

Equipment Used : Nikon D70S

My sabbatical from the desk continues, forcing me to get some fresh air and exercise. Luckily the notouriously crap British weather has been kind to me, allowing me to get some more practice with the Nikon D70s. I shot 'Photosynthesis' at my local garden centre using a 60mm Nikkor Micro lens.

Snowflake

Software used: AutoCAD 2003, Bryce 5

This is a new version of the wallpaper I created to mark Christmas 2003. I have included the original image in the downloadable zip file for those who prefer a little more color.

Splash (Detail)

Software used: Photoshop CS

This wallpaper is a reinterpretation of 'Splash' (which can also be found on this page). I love the original version of 'Splash' but over time I have come to feel that it is a bit 'flat'; not dynamic enough. This image is my attempt at trying to add a little excitement and motion to the original concept.

Rubik

Software used: Hexagon 1.0, Carrera 4, Photoshop CS2

This is one of the darkest image I have released in quite a while. Five different versions are included in zip file, all with subtle differences in colour scheme. As usual, feedback is most welcome.

Spark

Software used: Photoshop CS

This image started life as a photo on a royalty-free stock photography disc a friend loaned to me. It was far less complex and monochrome. Using 'Mystical Light' and a Wacom tablet, I set about adding about 400 extra 'spark trails' as well as the hundreds of tiny lens flares. Then, using Photoshop, color was added and the image sharpened.

Splash

Software used: Lightwave 7, Bryce 5

About 2 years ago I created an image called 'Radial' which can be found below. I had wanted to add the 'crown' found in the center of the splash at the time but I didn't really have the ability to execute it convincingly. Two years on and I have learnt a lot of new tricks so I though I would revisit the concept. 'Splash' is the result.

Stamen

Software used: Photoshop CS

Something for the ladies (and those of us in touch with our feminine sides :)) I cannot claim too much credit for this piece. Its actually a photo that was sent to me by a friend. I made some changes to the hue and saturation and cropped it to look dramatic as a widescreen desktop wallpaper.

Storm Eye

Software used: Bryce 5

This is most definitely one of my more abstract images! I took inspiration from an advert that wa running on UK television earlier in the year.

Hops

Software used: Bryce 5

A variation on my last addition to the abstract gallery (Venturi), this is my attempt at recreating the inside of a lager glass! I used it as my own desktop wallpaper for a few hours but it made me feel thirsty every time I looked at it!

Charon Colony

Software used: Bryce 5, Photoshop 7

This image is an artistic interpretation of Charon, Pluto's only moon. Said to have an atmosphere of methane & nitrogen it is thought that the temperature on it's surface is a constant minus 234C and unsurprisingly covered in strange ice formations. Not discovered until 1978, Charon is of a similar size to Pluto. For this reason many scientists argue that Pluto and Charon are 'double' planets. Here endeth the lesson!

Genesis

Software used: Bryce 5

This image follows on nicely from my last piece, 'Division'. However, it was never meant to. I got the inspiration for this image from an incident involving my dog and a pond full of frog spawn. The result was nowhere near as attractive as the wallpaper! Inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources.

Radial

Software used: Bryce 5. Photoshop 7

Although this is not one of my most downloaded pieces, its one of my personal favorites. Create using Photoshop 7 and Bryce 5 this image began life as an experiment to add a radial ripple to a landscape image I was working on at the time. Its one of my older images but I like it so much I have decided to use it as part of my new commercial design businesses logo.

Confusion

Software used: Photoshop CS2

A simple design that started life as a digital photograph. This wallpaper is a little more self-indulgent than usual, being an image I wanted to use on my own desktop. I loved the photo of the pencils which seemed appropriate for designers but I wanted to give it a bit of a twist. Hence the confusing color palette.

Binary

Software used: Bryce 5, Photoshop 7

This was the image I was working on when I decided to begin offering the 'Crystal Monogram' personalized wallpapers to visitors. You can order your own initials in 'virtual cut crystal' by visiting the PlasmaDesign online store .

Canopy

Software used: Bryce 5

This turned out to be the most complicated image I have created as of yet, taking over 13 hours to render! There are a total of 13 fully detailed plants/trees in this image totaling texture mapped 4,477,314 polygons. Add to this the volumetric atmosphere with dust and water vapor and its no wonder that it nearly fried my Macs G4 processor!

Tide (Aqua)

Software used: Photoshop CS2, Wacom Intuos 3 graphics tablet

I have been a little short of inspiration in July. Coupled with the success of our plastic business cards I have not had a lot of time to concentrate on much of the 3D rendered stuff. Nevertheless, I managed to find enough time to sit down and experiment with Photoshop CS2. The result is a series of images which make great, clean desktop wallpapers. There are four versions in the ZIP file. A blue, aqua, magenta and red version. Enjoy.

Tide (Blue)

Software used: Photoshop CS2, Wacom Intuos 3 graphics tablet

I have been a little short of inspiration in July. Coupled with the success of our plastic business cards I have not had a lot of time to concentrate on much of the 3D rendered stuff. Nevertheless, I managed to find enough time to sit down and experiment with Photoshop CS2. The result is a series of images which make great, clean desktop wallpapers. There are four versions in the ZIP file. A blue, aqua, magenta and red version. Enjoy.

Tide (Magenta)

Software used: Photoshop CS2, Wacom Intuos 3 graphics tablet

I have been a little short of inspiration in July. Coupled with the success of our plastic business cards I have not had a lot of time to concentrate on much of the 3D rendered stuff. Nevertheless, I managed to find enough time to sit down and experiment with Photoshop CS2. The result is a series of images which make great, clean desktop wallpapers. There are four versions in the ZIP file. A blue, aqua, magenta and red version. Enjoy.

Tide (Red)

Software used: Photoshop CS2, Wacom Intuos 3 graphics tablet

I have been a little short of inspiration in July. Coupled with the success of our plastic business cards I have not had a lot of time to concentrate on much of the 3D rendered stuff. Nevertheless, I managed to find enough time to sit down and experiment with Photoshop CS2. The result is a series of images which make great, clean desktop wallpapers. There are four versions in the ZIP file. A blue, aqua, magenta and red version. Enjoy.

Torrent

Equipment Used : Nikon D70S

May was an 'interesting' month. One minute I was happily sat at my desk working on a new image, the next minute I had snapped a nerve in my elbow leaving me with no feeling in part of my right hand. While I have no intention of reducing the number of wallpapers added to the site I do need to cut down a little on the time I spend at my desk for the next 3 months. So I paid a visit to my local camera shop and picked up a Nikon D70 Digital SLR. On my way home I stopped off a local beauty spot called 'Salmon Leap', an old mill with a fast moving river. This was almost the first image I took with the new D70. Shot in RAW with a shutter speed of 0.5 secs, what you see is what came out of the camera. No post-processing was carried out.