Mystic Forest - Photoshop 7.0 Challenge
About This Piece
This digital artwork holds a unique story of creativity thriving under constraints. It was created for a college competition where participants were given a set of stock assets and challenged to create a compelling composition.
What makes this piece special is the circumstance of its creation.
The Constraint
It was November 1st, 2018—College Day. While speeches echoed in the auditorium, I slipped into the computer lab to participate in a digital art competition since I didn't have my personal laptop with me at that time.
I had to use a lab computer, which was installed with Adobe Photoshop 7.0—a version released in 2002, just 3 years after I was born! It lacked almost all modern conveniences: no Smart Objects, no Content-Aware Fill, no refining edges brushes.
The Outcome
Despite the technological limitation, I took it as a challenge. Using basic tools—standard brushes, manual masking, and careful layer management—I crafted "The Mystic Forest" in about 3 hours.
To my surprise, this piece won 3rd Prize and a cash award. It was a defining moment that taught me a valuable lesson: It's not the gear that defines the art, but the creativity of the artist.
"I used to be an update freak back then... Always looking for the latest and greatest. This project made me realize that even older versions of software are quite powerful."
Gallery
The challenge assets provided by the organizers vs. the final composition (Top Right).
Proof of the era: The artwork being created inside Adobe Photoshop 7.0 interface.