What are these UF challenges?
How do challenges work and how can I participate?
Can I help promoting the challenges in some way?
What if I have an idea for a future challenge?

You can find all this information and more in the Ultra Fractal challenges FAQ, which is also part of our very first UF challenge, the one for February 2011.
If you already know the rules, then you're good to go - read on for this month's challenge!



Previous editions:

You can find all of the previous challenges in this journal. Please keep in mind that the challenge rules changed after the 26th edition!

Links to ALL UF challenges (updated periodically!)Since the UF challenges are growing in number, instead of linking them all in each new one, I thought I'd make a collection journal for all of them. This will contain all challenges held so far, from the newest (top) to the oldest (bottom), all conveniently thumbed for you! It will also be updated each month so that ALL challenges are reachable from here, even the newer ones. And this journal will of course be linked in every challenge, to keep them all connected
Here we go!










Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux ~ Vol. 48 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux! Vol. 47 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux! Vol. 46 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux! Vol. 45 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux! Vol. 44 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux! Vol. 43 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux! Vol. 42 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux! Vol. 41 by heavenriver
Ultra Fractal monthly Challenges Redux ~ Vol. 40 by heavenriver

Now we can go on with the last challenge's results, and then I will introduce this month's challenge to you all.

Here is the June 2012 challenge, themed "Sumi-e", and the deviations I've picked as the winners!
(Please note: do not feel offended if you're not in the top three. Winners are chosen basing on their way of representing the challenge theme, and I always try to be as impartial as possible while judging.)


First place goes to Elegene with Ghost of Sumi-e:

:thumb311395052:

A magical ink breach in a clear blue sky crowded with clouds: aside from depicting the sumi-e style rather faithfully, this fractal is, first and foremost, a breathtaking and exceptionally evocative piece of art.


Second place goes to OutsideFate with Stream Over Mountain:



An electric twist on ink blots, accompanied by a unique and unconventional rendering of perspective and shadow, make up for a completely modern vision of the old Japanese ink style, which still stands true to the original sumi-e ideal.


Third place goes to dabluetouch with Bleeding Thought:



The predominant bloodred motif in the upper right corner creates an explosive effect, very akin to the concept of the artwork. The stain stands out more than anything else, giving this fractal a deep, passionate, incisive character.


All sumi-e reinterpretations were very ingenious and deserve to be seen. So here are the others!

:thumb308766116: :thumb309112633: :thumb309564622: :thumb311469568:

We're done for June. On to July!

Ultra Fractal monthly challenges Redux

Challenge #18: July 2012

July's challenge will be an Other challenge - its title being Copycat Quirk!

This time around, the challenge will focus on creating UF fractals that look like fractals made with other fractal programs, as a means of exploring UF's possibilities as much as possible.
You may choose any other fractal generator you like and try and imitate its outcomes with UF. It is advised, however, that you go for something that isn't based on escape-time fractals, as most UF works are, since it would detract from the originality of the piece. I would suggest trying to simulate Apophysis or Mandelbulb3D, although you are not forced to pick either - it's going to be challenging and I bet there are many surprising outcomes for all of us to discover.
Here are a few very popular fractals from all over dA, made with programs other than UF, to help you get inspired:

:thumb146714293: :thumb286638711:

Remember: to enter the challenge, post your deviation's link and thumb in a comment of this journal. ALSO: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LINK THIS NEWS ARTICLE IN THE DEVIATION. (Sorry for stating it so strongly, but I've had lots of people saying they'd enter the challenge without even stating it in their deviation comments, so I figured I'd better add this specification somewhere!)

Please spread the word by advertising this news article - we definitely want more participants. The more, the merrier!

This challenge's deadline is July 31st, 2012. Ready, set, GO!!!