a little planet...somewhere in space

My get-pushed challenge this week, from @evahenriette, was to create a 'little planet' such as described in http://www.photoble.com/photoshop-tutorials/5-easy-steps-to-create-a-mini-panorama-planet-in-photoshop.
I then added lighting effects to the 'planet' effect from the tutorial at http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&global=1&q=planet#/dz4kmc.

I found both post-editing techniques suprisingly quick and straightforward, which was a good thing because I needed a fair bit of trial & error --- minor differences in crop or other settings had a big impact on the final image.

http://365project.org/ltodd/extras/2013-01-26 is a shot of the starting image and crop I used.

I wanted a starting shot of trees with blue sky & clouds for my planet, and it was a challenge to find suitable 'interesting' looking groups of trees. I learnt to 'look' at scenery in a completely different way!

[Lyn Todd]

@evahenriette I would have loved to have found a better looking group of trees, but it was really interesting looking at scenery and panoramas in a whole new way. A great challenge - I learnt how to create the 'little planet' as well as the planet lighting effects, thanks so much!

[Cassandra Hoffmann]

Lyn, it's fantabulous!! Fav!!

[Lisa]

AMAZING shot - love it - great work Lyn! Must try this in next 339 days! Fav : )

[Kass]

Great effect! I haven't tried that one yet.

[bkb in the city]

very cool

[John Newman]

Very nice, will have to give this a go.

[Nic L Taylor]

Loving it Lyn

[Sarah Bremner]

How clever! That's a brilliant photo! Love it!

[Jo]

Oooo very clever, lovely effect, think you nailed that challenge, no clue how it's done though, so will put it on my to-do list.

[Rosie White-Hlouveraki]

Brilliant and creative!

[aurorajane]

Great work

[Jennifer]

Wow, clever and impressive work! I'd love photoshop.

[Angela]

Nice...love the sphere.

[Lyn Todd]

@rennes Thanks Lisa - I took over 365 days before I dared try a water crown!
@jesperani Thanks Jennifer! I have always used PSP but most of the tutorials use PS.... I end up 'adapting' them ...because when I get lost I just make something up! LOL!

[☠northy]

this is fantastic Lyn! very well thought out and executed!

[Dawn Reilly]

Fantastic!! Very well done, this is on my bucket list to try this year.

[Monika]

Fantastic! One of my favorite little planets yet. Fav! Love the teachings in your extras album, I havent tried this yet, but the day is comng :)

[Daniel]

Best planet I've seen, and the lighting effects are very effective.

[Karen]

Brilliant. A fav for me!

[Caroline]

I think the trees look great. I would like to play with little planet as well, looks like fun.

[Michelle]

Absolutely Magical!

[glenn smith]

Love it!

[AutomaticSlim]

Very nicely done.

[Juliette Packham]

a fav for me - great challenge shot and nicely edited

[EvaHenriette]

Hi Lyn, Wow - amazing and I'm so glad you enjoyed your Challenge : ) I see your from your comment on my last photo that we're paired again. I am more than happy to continue with the still life as last week was crazy for me getting ready for my OH's 50th Bday celebrations. Will have a think of a new challenge for you and let you know tomorrow - my brain's a bit fried today : ) sorry xxx

[Jan Hall]

What an excellent response to the challenge. Nice to see a new take on the small planet shot

[Lyn]

Oh, this is so cool. . .I may just have to bite the bullet and try this someday. Nice job, Lyn!

[Sue]

So creative Lyn .... fabulous response to the challenge!

[EvaHenriette]

Hi Lyn, I am so sorry I'm so late in giving you my challenge. I would like you to take a Macro Shot of any subject matter which has lots of detail that you can really show off in a macro shot. Make it so we can "feel" what the photo feels like. Hope that makes sense - if not let me know : )

[EvaHenriette]

Hi Lyn, back again : ) Here's the link to my Still Life photo from last week which I've just uploaded. Would love your feedback: http://365project.org/evahenriette/365/2013-01-22

[Mike Gifford]

Fantastic Lyn! Thanks for the links as well!

[Debbie Christoff]

This is very cool.