Those look more like mice than rats...The gray on on the left needs some adjustments, he looks like he is floating.

Try and add some shadows to the image, because there are no shadows it looks really flat and the images are just pasted on the background. There are more issues in my honest opinion but you will have to start somewhere! I hope you find the time to change that

Very cute idea!

this is my first entry,
will try better next time
thanx for ur suggestions

Good one author. Welcome to pxleyes.

You are welcome author! Very nice first entry. Welcome to pxleyes!

Im new to photoshop so any suggestions are appreciated...Thank you guys

Just dont tell me it completly sucks..I know its not as good as most but Im learning and I figure the best way to learn is to take on the challenge of what the contests require..lol

when you are resizing hold shift. this will keep the pictures dimensions. The cabin is misshapen. Unless that was your intent. And never forget shadows. Shadows are very important and they add that realistic effect, for example the lynx and the deer. they look cropped in.. if you add shadows itll take ur eyes off of the fact that its just pasted in there.
youll get better dont worry.

Thanks I didnt know about the shift thing. I appreciate it.

Image is small and hard to judge like that. Next time try and add an image that is minimum 600px wide, even larger if you can.

My tip would be to try to avoid having White Gaps so maybe will the White bg with some wood texture to give an effect of it sitting on a table but that's just my opinion. Best of luck !

Solkee made a good suggestion. If you can upload a higher res, it could be judged better. I've not heard of this dreamsuit plugin. Honestly, more of a sepia tone would portray an old photo look, IMO. (in my opinion)

Its called auto fx dreamsuite. Its pretty cool. It has some cool features and is very easy to work with. You should check it out. I dont remember where I got it.

At the first sight image looks very good...Its shame for small resolution...mood and the colors are very lovely...U still have the time author to re- create this entry in higher resolution...with that entry will have better contest score for sure...best of luck

I agree with Tooth, place a wooden texture behind the picture, tilt the photo add drop shadow from layer styles, go to filters render- lighting effects, choose spot light and place it so that it looks like a lamp is above the photo but outside the seen part.
You can make the photo a sepia with an overlaying brown color.

A good start. Just keep working on it ... it takes time to learn but lots of people here can help and the suggestions are (usually) good In the end it is well worth the effort! Welcome and most important ...
HAVE FUN!

The idea is good , the representation needs improvement. It's difficult to create realistic environments only by brush, that's why we use stock.

good idea with a good choice of images to blend -- masking of the smaller gull could use some touch up around the head and there are a few ragged areas on the branch to the right of the same gull

nice eye alan thanks

very sweetly done.. your SBS is EXCELLENT!!!!

Well, thank you, kind sir!!!

Really good take on the source! Maybe try to match the outline better, it's heavier than the rest.

Wonderful idea for this source! Nicely done, author.

Absolutely fantastic use of the source!! High marks from me Good Luck!!

Well thought off and put together author, best of luck.

very nice and Absolutely fantastic use of the sourceand and High marks from me too

nice idea...good luck

Nice! Great idea and execution!

Great!