I do not agree with RyanWalsh his comment that photo manipulation is wrong in an illustration. Matte painters use photo manipulations all the time nowadays and if it gives a nice image and it works why not?
i do agree that painting or working in 3d from scratch instead of using bad reference photo material is better.
I really like this image and concept although it gives a very strong vibe and reference to Syd Meads dog race image wich is in itself not a very bad achievement… but i would want to see something in the same style but not the same feel if you get what i mean.
But nice work and thumbs up from me.
Greets