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From t.degroot@inter.nl.net:
Alright. So this could be interpreted as a negative space interpretation of absence. No life on the planet, being compensated by the growth of the first tree. Hmm... ingenious. Perhaps a bit aside from the theme, is my feeling.
I would like you now to work a bit on the landscape itself. Instead of highly convoluted dunes (not very natural), separate the sand sheet from surrounding rocks, each with its own texture. Experiment also with the different noise modifiers. Ripples for sand would be more interesting. Decrease also (or eliminate altogether) the specular highlights on the sand. Look at a sand dune: it doesn't show them.