This is a source of much concern to me, so bear with me.
Although not a stranger to zbrush, if time is the only element, I can’t say
new person much longer.
If talent is the criteria I will be a “new kid” 10 years from now.
I also have a deep respect and admiration for the people in this forum.
My question relates to the work presented in this forum, specifically the big room around the corner.
To make it as simple as possible.
We use photographic elements to enhance the texture of the images we present to our fellow artists here.
Texture.
We use photo’s for reference constantly.
Reference.
I made a robe recently that depended on both.
It took about 3 hours to make half a garment.
Here is my problem and my question.
I have a very good digital camera.A great scanner and Adobe Photoshop
If I import an image into zbrush, slightly alter it,can I present it here as a zbrush item.
What would you ( yeah you) say is the criteria for using photographs and zbrush together?
Your opinion and my use of it will improve the quality of my objects by about 1000%
I have no intention of misleading my fellow members nor breaking a rule(written or unwritten)that I know nothing about.
Your help appreciated.
Hi R tyer
I believe that if you apply your texture on a modeling made by Zbrush there is no problem to post it on the Zbrush forum else post it here 
Pilou
Pilou:
If I take a photo, import it, put it on a plane and export it .
What did zbrush do?
How much is how much?
I would not need to model
Portrait to Sphere=done.
Is there any kind of line here?
rtyer, as long as you have fun to do it, for me that’s ok! one of the thing I’ve done is to take a photo of a trail in the country, apply it on a plane, move the plane to get a sort of “mountain” trail, that’s all; I like really that picture; it takes 10 minutes, I did’nt model anything, except push pull that plane; it doesn’t matter if there is 100 hours of modelisation, if there is no “spirit”… so, folow your whishes, and nothing else…
Marcel, this will sound like what we call here a “snow job”,but it isn’t.
If I could pick a “style” that I would wish to emulate it would be yours.
I have no interest in animation, but I do think the marrying of zbrush and photography is a match made in heaven.
Your use of the two together never ceases to inspire me or, at times , amaze me.
There are lines that, with others, get crossed.
I am aware of how you use the photography, when I see an image of yours and realize some of what went into it, I run to zbrush.
But there are those whom I feel misuse it.
Basically they are importing and exporting photos into zbrush.
If that is all that is done, do you feel that that work should be put in the other room without explanation?
We would not feel great if we looked at,for instance, a Maya object without an explanation.
I am not complaining, I would like it to be so. As long as I know no rules are broken.
I don’t want to make this kind of trouble.
Big mouth=yes “Cheat Members”=no
My camera’s think I don’t like them anymore.
Thanks for your answer, I know you are working.
Hi R tyer
Take a look at This !
It’s work from Ken Briliant
It’s just photos on a plan 3D
All were show on the Zbrush Forum
Go to the Orange gallery of Ken Brilliant and go toward the starting, you will find some heads very impressive make with this technic!
I don’t see why some scrupules should be existed
Pilou
If heads seems too impressive free to you to take landscapes or flowers : exploration is NEARLY infinite 
Possibilities of visual imagery digital is just limited by the numbers of pixels of your monitor 
Maybe 12001400 pixels(I simplify)
So screens possible are Numbers of colors power (12001400 pixols
It’s a limitated number (some big I am agree)
Here 16 000 000(number of colors) power 1 680 000 (number of pixol)
Vertiginous but possible
Have fun exploration!
Some of these screen should be great other not But from the physic point of view external all are the same
Just explore it, does not matter the technic
Pss And your camera is also a numeric screen
Art or not it’s our eyes who see something, just use Zbrush or photography or a mix of any prog just the result count
Zbrush = 1, Photo = 1, R tyer = 1 Match null
And you don’t sculpt just smudge a little
Many thanks, as usual.
I’d say experiment, try things out, find new ways to combine the two, and then wow us with it 
But I don’t think you should let the forum rules dictate to you the ways you should be creative. We all like to post work and have it commented on but it shouldn’t be the main drive. Enjoy doing what you like doing and as Marcel says, look for the spirit in your work.
Bonecradle, you may have touched a nerve.
Since starting to learn zbrush and asking for help here what I have beem making is zbrush forum directed.
In order to participate here I tried to get an idea of what was “allowed”.I made rules for myself to accomplish this.
No other software,no overuse of photoshop,no camera “stuff”.My “direction” has been Zbrush not R Tyer.Now I have to “find” what it was that I started to do in the first place, besides make a head.
Thank you.
ok, buddies, you know, can’t stay long time withouit posting a picture… these charming little house are in france for electric workers, and have an advice: warning, death death, and so on… as a child, I was very impressed by all these promised death to people who go inside… I took a photo of one, I took a photo of grass, I put two planes perpendiculmar, one for the grass, and one for the “house”, and I just “cut” a little the plane , to “crash” the door; I like that picture, maybe it’s pure fake, but I like it the same that pictures with enormous modelisation… 
Damned you had discovered my reserve of bubble gum ! 
And I notice than this one has a little burnt and fermented
Pilou 
I used to live there.
Many thanks for dropping by.