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#1: Joe (infrapinklizzard) on Aug 28, 2026

The description is a clue to the subject using cryptic crossword clue rules. This one doesn't tell you the length of the answer since the picture gives you an additional clue.

Every cryptic clue is made up of two parts; a definition, and a literal description of the answer using wordplay. They can be in either order (though not intertwined).

Here is a page describing some of the techniques:
https://gamesworldofpuzzles.com/cryptic-crosswords/
or an easier-to-read PDF:
https://gamesworldofpuzzles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CrypticsGuide.pdf

Challenging puzzle, perfect cryptic, with an outstanding, gorgeous, evocative image as a reward for us. Thank you, Joe.

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hard but solvable

WOW!

beautifully done in every aspect!

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Thank you for the link. I've never been able to figure out cryptic puzzles. Now I have the downloaded guide. Makes so much more sense.

Joe, do you have a filter you use to make these images, or do you just naturally think in tricolor?

Not a filter, per se, just manual manipulation. I convert the picture to grayscale, manipulate the brightness/contrast/exposure curves to get a good distribution of light and dark, reduce the size to a good puzzle size, then posterize it to get fewer shades.
If I'm satisfied, I then convert that to our three colors that can simulate shades of grey. Otherwise I do that process over again from various points until I'm satisfied.

This one was pretty easy since I started from a black and white photo. B&W photographers naturally think about contrast and balance, so it's easier to make it work with only three colors. This one only took three goes till I was satisfied.

that's a lot of steps! I usually just eyeball mine :)

Excellent!

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Yes! (she says excitedly) I actually got that after looking at the guide. So sweet.

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