I knew the contest would have political tones, but I had no idea it would be so saturated and thus redundant. Congratulations to those that thought outside the bush box. Without a doubt, yours have been the most creative and imaginative (unlike mine). Good luck to everyone!

By the way, here is a higher resolution version of the image above (1200x800). http://www.3dcreativesolutions.com/Crestock%20Contests/Round%201/banana.htm

hmm. i like it. it's interesting, simple and creative.:)

5 main parts to get this looking realistic when working with the static photo:

1. I hade to create a matte banana shape as a stand-in for the puzzle pieces as well as block his feet/legs. 2. Once I had the banana shape, I had to align the 3D camera accordingly (although I had no idea what type or mm camera lens took this photo... so that didn't help). 3. A matte for the floor to pick up the the mannequin shadow. 4. Had to create the same "lightbox" environment for lighting. 5. DOF (depth of field) for real-world camera focusing/blurring... again without knowledge of the type of lens used, or how far the camera was from the subject.

Beautiful peace of work
I send you my vote :)

Hmm, blending could have been done better. Maybe like a final touch with Photoshop. Anywys, what programs did you use ?

Thanks for the compliments people. Very appreciated! I only used 3DS MAX 9. What blending were you referring too? If you mean the puzzle pieces, yes I could have done a few things with a trasparency map to fade the edges in with the photo. I'll remember that next time ;)

I see you used 3d studio max. I've used that program when it was only in version 5 or 6, hehe.. Very well done mate. I am very impressed with your seamless render. Keep it up! I'm interested in seeing any other work you may have done. Feel free to post up a link to your work here! :)

The art represents modern concept of research and development. It is a good integration of man's creation and God's creation for better life tomorrow. Bravo!

Thanks Jody. I'm happy with the result as this is actually my first concentrated attempt with a 3D / photography composite. Technically, I missed a few things, but I'm happy with the result overall. Thanks for the positive feedback.

Great job.. This is a clever image with lots of sales potential.. You should photograph a banana and do the same thing, then sell it as stock! :)

I will have to think about that one. Definitley not a bad idea.

Taught him everything he knows!

In my previous comment i was reffering to blending of the puzzles yes. They could look more "realistic". I am 100% sure that few touches in Photoshop would make this blossom :D A bit of a texture mix, opacity playing etc. Btw. i can't figure out ... where does that round shadow on the 1st (left) puzzle come from ?

Yeah I was running out of time as this was done around the final entry date (within a few hours). I thought about more effort on the puzzle pieces and could have upgraded them with more time. I studied a few banana photos and realized I could have got sidetracked a bit too much. The dark spot you're referring to was an oversight. It is a texture map that put a big spot on the peel... I totally missed it after submitting.

I think you should re-title it, designer food/banana or better yet engineered food which makes reference to dna engineered fruits and vegetables. The poster is good for such advertising.

i don't think we have to have advertising in mind.

I like it

I mean, it is no huge banana floating in water (a symbol for how we can save the world) but it's good

Makes me rethink fruit

Just chiming in to say thanks for your good words and votes....

Very escher-esk. I like it. I also appreciate that it isn't political. Maybe I'll get in on one of the upcoming rounds. Good luck!

My initial ideas were Escher-inspired.

and what have taught me...

kudos on incorporating the drawing model, a nice play on every illustrator's early days learning to sketch. i hope this point is considered when the judges start to take a look....whether or not you intended for it to be an underlying point. great work. congrats.

You know to be honest, I don't have a reason for the mannequin for any other reason than I always thought they looked cool, especially as subjects. I don't examine my work much longer than it takes to complete it. And I don't know that I've ever intentionally designed something to protest or provoke thought (as a lot of people do in these contests). I have heard people in the past come up with extremely complex interpretations of some of my artwork. It's pretty neat that instead of hammering a certain point, I actually provoke viewer thought accidentally. Weird. Anyway, thanks for the comments all. This will continue to be fun!

More impression if you can show something inside of this banana.
but anyway this entry very good. vote 4 u too

3DS MAX 9. Hmmmmm? And to think I thought this was a Photoshop competition.

If there's a issue with submitting 3D or rendered iages, the rules need to state this. I use your site professionally for clients and just happened to see the contest and decided to enter. I know my entry is not by the book, but my entry 2 will show 3 uses of photoshop along with 3D... subtley, but there.

For a short time period you did a great job with the puzzle inside the fruit.