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
Sadly, challenge #11 is apparently a broken link. It's the only inaccessible one so far, though, so I may be able to restore it someday, if you guys wish me to.
Let's go!
:thumb245770291

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 2011 challenge, themed "Obsolete", 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 ~OutsideFate with:



Something extremely creative and original, and not just for obsolete formulas, but rather on the fractal horizon in general! This small family nucleus of sun-heads gathers around an imaginary core, recreating a warm homely feel.


Second place goes to =Jimpan1973 with:



Because obsolete isn't obsolete at all - and this is the proof. Beautiful, classic fractal shapes can be made out of the strangest colouring algorithms, providing the fractalist is skilled enough. And Jim sure is!


Third place goes to *Paddlin-Maddlin with:



Smooth sand textures combined with Oriental patterns and sleek pink shapes make up for a good and original arrangement of fractal motifs, topped up with an unconventional use of perspective.


Not many other fractals have been entered in the challenge, but nevertheless, even those out of the top three are still worth having a look at:




We're done for June. On to July!

Ultra Fractal monthly challenges Redux

Challenge #06: July 2011

July's challenge will be a Style challenge - its title being Gnarled Grunge!

Our purpose this month is to recreate a grunge style fractal, mostly using gnarl formulas and all its derivatives - vine, martin, popcorn and so on. Give an urban feel to your works and play around with brown, grey and green tones in your gradient tab. Show us what you've got! Winners will be declared basing upon their ability to evoke the grunge feeling with their artwork. Please note: this is not a formula challenge; therefore, as much as gnarls must play a relevant part in the graphical outlook of your fractal, you are free to use any formula you wish, even those not related to gnarls!

Here's a little grunge fractal goodness straight from your dA search engine:

:thumb182390724:

And here are a few selected gnarl-tastic works from all over the site:

:thumb86441973:

Remember: to enter the challenge, post your deviation's link and thumb in a comment of this journal.

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