Uploading because I want to upload something. I am well aware I'm no good at this and want to improve. I'm trying to learn what I want to learn in blender, so I'm still at the stage where I feel accomplished if I open blender, make a thing, and get a thing from it. This isn't to discourage feedback—bring the hate, I want to know every way this is bad.
My career is in video production with some focus on motion graphics and technical directing. My new gig doesn't have a license of C4D, which is where I'm more comfortable, so I'm working towards learning blender as my new 3D solution.
anarchymedes GREAT point. Didn’t even occur to me. Thanks.
The rock could use some bump- and/or normal maps for granularity, cracks, etc. As it is, even despite the blurring, it looks like paper or plastic to me.
Why don't I ever get such helpful feedback?
williamatics Agreed. I went too far with the contrast, to where you can't really make any of the dark things out. The blur and noise is actually added in post, but again, because my levels are so bad, you can't really see what they are accomplishing... if anything.
It's a bit noisy and blurry, and I can't really figure out what is in this image.
To me that doesn't look bad. What I would change is the focus and the position of the camera. You should have a main object in your scene that catches interest. It probably is the glowing diamond orb here but I think the position isn't right and I'm unsure where to look as a viewer. I'm not a pro either yet but I can recommend the video "Understanding Composition" by Blender Guru. I watched that a few month ago and I guess it might help you here.