It never ceases to amaze me the things people are capable of doing with such photo-editing software like Photoshop, GIMP, or Paint.net; things that exceed my current level of skill. Now that’s not to imply these techniques are overwhelmingly difficult because they’re not – it’s the mastery of such techniques that will get you in the end.
I’m at the point in my skill set where I want to learn a variety of techniques but can’t quite find the perfect balance in blending those that are appropriate. For example, I tend to gravitate more toward photos with a softer touch yet there are times where I’ll overstep the boundaries of comfort just a tad, and while it still looks good to me it may catch others by surprise. I should take solace in the fact that I haven’t been doing as much of this as I used to but I’m fighting off the rust one post-processed photo at a time.
Switching topics a bit, Christmas was this past Tuesday and I’m interested in knowing what some of you were lucky enough to receive: whether it be precious time spent with your loved ones, precious time spent with a new present that you love, or perhaps you opted to stuff your face full of delicious foods? This is the first Christmas that I can remember where I didn’t get anything, no, instead I’m waiting for Google’s Nexus 7 to be restocked so I can replace my old and tired iPod Touch – we went over that ordeal last week so there’s no need to regurgitate that.
There’ll be more time for my rambling later on. Let’s get this week’s Rewind under way!
GTPlanet Picture of the Week
This week’s theme, if you were unable to notice it by now, is snow! More specifically that of an after holiday theme where you just want to sit back, have a hot beverage, and admire the snowy surroundings.
This fantastic picture, recommended by dice1998 and is courtesy Prexmier and features the Subaru Impreza WRX STI trotting around the snow-laden bounds of Alaska.
Have a suggestion for next week’s featured image? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Picture of the Week” and fill it out with your two choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.
Gran Turismo: With You Forever (15th Anniversary Tribute)
It’s been a little over fifteen years to the day since we’ve all begun playing Gran Turismo, the revolutionary racer that set the benchmark for console sim racing. What better way to celebrate that undying affection for a franchise that undoubtedly turned some of us onto cars in the first place then with a video? This tribute video, courtesy of RACECAR was recommended by another one of our own, amar12.
The video features footage put together from Gran Turismo and even a bit of Tourist Trophy sprinkled in for good measure and is masterfully synced to Pnau’s “With You Forever”. If you liked the video, and I’m sure an overwhelming number of you will, let him know!
GTPlanet Vehicle of the Week
This week’s featured vehicle is the third generation Nissan Skyline GT-R. The R32 was the revival of the GT-R name in the form of a 1989 concept after the second generation C110 GT-R had been cancelled several years prior due to a gas crisis hindering any desire for high-performance vehicles. Originally intended as a limited run model to conform with homologation into Group A, the critical acclaim and a successful debut lead Nissan to begin an unlimited production run.
Have a suggestion for next week’s featured image? Drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Vehicle of the Week” and fill it out with your two choices and they’ll be featured in upcoming Rewinds. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.
GTPlanet Tune of the Week
This week’s tune was recommended by both CSLACR and XDesperado67 and features the Honda S2000 LM Race Car with a tune done by Johnnypenso of DeadNutsEven Racing and is described as being “fantastic to drive in every way” and posted the fastest average lap times and is renown for it’s fantastic handling characteristics among those who have used it.
It’s touted as being able to run 2:26 lap times without breaking even a modest sweat and may even be capable of breaching 2:25’s, if not even lower. Have a look here for the tune and get ready to take it for a spin around Spa Francorchamps.
Exactly like the Picture and Vehicle of the Week features, if you have any suggestions for the upcoming Rewinds be sure to drop me a private message, entitle it “GTPlanet Tune of the Week” and let me know. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.
GTPlanet Photomode Competitions
In Week 109 of the Standard and Advanced competitions you are to put your best foot forth and show the community just how seriously you take your in-game photography. All you need to know is as follows:
Week 109, Standard: Macca! – Round out the final days of the year by jumping into your favorite McLaren and snapping that perfect shot in the perfect place. The only limitations are, of course, McLaren’s and your own sense of creativity. We all win this week, folks.
Week 109, Advanced: Bygone Days – This week you’re tasked with taking any 1960’s or earlier vehicle that isn’t a racer and capturing that one spectacular moment in a monochrome or sepia tone to give it that classic feeling of the bygone era.
For all the relevant information pertaining to this week’s competitions be sure to stop by here and here.
Closing Thoughts
You guys are tiring me out more and more as the weeks go by, so if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go whimper for a bit. Until next week keep racing!
GT5 Photomode images by Prexmier and BayuYellow46.
See more articles on GTPlanet Weekly Rewind.
Omg that video. Can’t stop watching it. A big thank u to the creator or creators
This Weekly Rewind looks is very exciting read. I like this one a whole lot! Great write. :)
I liked the closing thoughts, it was funny. XD :tup:
Not a single mention for the Photomode Tournament!? That’s a little disappointing…..
That’s always the competition most Photomode fans look forward to the most IMO!
Agreed.
Best head to head photomode images vs theme yet, IMO.
Visually amazing entries for every round.
Well worth the clicks to see photos full size.
Always been moaning about how gran turismo dont quite live up to expectations, not enough premium cars + the sounds… BUT we all still love gran turismo, for some unique reason!
Happy 15th GT!
Great article. I love the tribute video, it brings back lots of memories.
Very nice read, video and photos! GTP’s community is like no other! :)
Ive complained about sound graphics dlc and lots more but this is still my favourite game
I have literally grown up with GT and still love it to bits
HERE’S TO THE FUTURE !!!!!
I love how they flash you a split second of GTPSP footage, lol.
Pretty sure it was more then split second and was shown for the same amount of time as the others were.
My stepson bought me F12012 and my wife bought me ScaleXtric Thundering V8s with an extra car-Shane VanGisbergen’s #9 SBR FALCON( instant collectors status)
I thought that was a good video. I still hold great affection for the original GT. I played it so often that I could load the PS1 up and get into the game, to my garage, without turning the TV on to see where I was navigating. The video has also inspired me to put Tourist Trophy back into the PS2 and give it a go. It was a great game and I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t played it to go straight out and buy a copy. Riding the Nordschleife on a bike is a different thing to driving it is a sports car on GT4/GT5.
Just a quick note on the R32 GT-R: it was produced to win in Group A racing, and originally the initial goal was to build the minimum 500 examples for homologation. Between 1989 and 1994, more than 46,000 variants were built across standard, Nismo, V-Spec, V-Spec II and N1 models. Despite this huge number produced, the R32 GT-R remains a highly desirable car. Only Japan and Australia received official cars for sale, with the rest of the world making do with grey imports later. Even some 20 years after their release, the R32 GT-R remains a formidable car with an official 276bhp output, 2.6 litre straight six twin turbocharged engine, with all wheel drive and four wheel steering. And of course in Group A racing it was incredibly successful before the category was killed off. It won all 29 Group A races it competed in, in Japan, it won two straight Australian Touring Car Championships in 1991-1992 (and helped win the 1990 Championship too), it won the 1991 and 1992 Bathurst 1000 endurance races, and most famously won the Group N class of the 1991 Spa 24hr race with one car, plus the outright class in a Group A version by an astonishing 21 laps. If the Group A category hadn’t been killed off internationally, it was extremely likely the R32 GT-R would have continued to win throughout the world. It’s a great shame the car was never put on sale in the United States so that the world’s biggest car market could sample this incredible car back in its heyday against its contemporaries. It was faster all-round vehicle than the 300ZX that Nissan released at the same time.
“Subaru Impreza WRX STI trotting around the snow-laden bounds of Chamonix”… this is Alaska, pls correct it
Okay, so how did he get the Enzo at 2:10 in the video to run at the GT4 city track. I don’t remember having that car in GT4 and we don’t have that track in GT5?
GT PSP.
I always look forward to these…great read.
Watching that vid really made me miss the Seattle Circuit. And being a Seattleite, it was always fun and memorable…Great track too.
Totally unbiased….
*wink*
Also the inclusion of Tourist Trophy was sweet.
Just waiting for it to appear on PS3…*coughcough*
THAT SKYLINE LOOKS AWESOME!
The video is great! It almost made me cry inside.
For Premixer’s photos, NICE!
Nice review Terronium-12. ;)
I just wonder if there wasn’t more great snowy pictures this week. I mean, 2 shots of the same author? It looks like the Photomode section turned into a desert last week. :S
Flamedogg posted a few superb snowy shots last week. I recommend everyone to visit his gallery.
Wow the TT game looks really good, they should add a way to use bikes on GT5
The video layout was good but the song was boring
Good read as always
However you have your Skyline history mixed up a bit, that is a R32, not R33 and the Skyline name didn’t get revived (Skyline name didn’t stop), the GT-R branding of Skyline got revived in 1992 (R32)
Anyway I always enjoy reading these and I appreciate the effort you put into them :)
Sorry I mean 1989, not 1992 :doh
I know next to nothing about the brand so all of that came from what I read whilst writing it up, so that’s of no surprise.
Best GT video yet… Absolutely beautiful!!! Last year I laid eyes on a gray market R32 (white), smaller than I thought it would be and years ago a gray market S15 (yellow), didn’t know it was a gray market car… Cherish the moments.
Nice writeup once again! Some stunning pictures as well. Good work Terronium-12 and all those who are responsible for the photos. Also, brilliant video!
I shall point out though that in Germany, the GEMA and / or Universal Music Group have blocked the embedded tribute video due to the music being used. (Can you imagine how hard it was to type out that sentence without any insults?) Fortunately for those in the Vaterland RACECAR / Spyker88 has uploaded a Remastered Edition which currently can be viewed in ze Deutschland, to be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec6EFhuI5fY