Evening Lion’s posterous

Been out to Sauvie Island a couple times this month. Its a really nice getaway for a couple of country kids living in the city.

     

Click here to download:

Sauvie_Island.zip (3370 KB)

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Lately i've been thinking about my own skills as a creative person, i've also been observing others, some who progress at great speed, and others who, despite years of being in their field, and/or maybe even have a degree (or two) in their focus, just plain suck.

What is that?

I just don't get it.
I consider myself a fast learner, and like to think that I possess the capability to observe, and apply.
And as far as learning and progressing creatively, that's what one has to do.
but this is the clincher... some of these people who have not progressed are obsessed with their field.
They're not just lazy -- they constantly surround themselves with others' work, they buy lots of books, read plenty of blogs, and are very active in the internet community.

The question begs to be asked, are some people just not cut out for certain things?
if that is the case then why would they love it so much? it seems that a deep interest ought to be enough to propel ones skillset? it doesn't seem to match up.
Which brings me to my next thought.
As much as they are looking, talking, posting, and creating, they just aren't listening.

This is not meant to be in any way a tooting of my own horn.
I am generally unsatisfied with the amount of (or lack thereof) detail in my own work and the crutches i that i constantly fall back on.
I am currently working to get to the next step in skill as far as my design and typographic skills are concerned.

This thought process was somewhat inspired by an article on taste that i recently read that i can't find anywere!
bummed.

Well, love it or hate it, its something to think about.

Edit:

I think also what i'm getting at is how important it is to be critical of your own work.

Not so critical that you become discouraged, critical enough that you become inspired.

be critical, keep your eyes and ears open and never think you've got it down.

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Click here to download:

The_importance_of_post_process.zip (578 KB)

I've always wanted to blog about this. Here is a basic before and after example of a photo i took of my friend Chase today.
Post work is what (these days) separates the good from the bad. The only thing is -- it's not that hard.
Obviously you have to take a decent photo to start with, proper framing, proper focus, exposure, etc.
But every photo you take is essentially a diamond in the rough, and if you don't treat it that way, your work just wont be cutting it (diamond pun) when its put up next to the rest.
This effect was achieved in a few easy steps and none of them involved the "curves" tool.
In fact, in most cases you're better off staying the hell away from that thing.

Here's a short video tutorial I made on how to achieve this look.

Click here to download:

2.mov (7778 KB)

NOTE: In the image shown i did adjust the colors more using the levels tool and also added some sharpening at the end.

Word!

-Andy

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And the transformation of life as I've known it will be complete.
Can't wait to wake up next to the one I love for more than two days at a time. Can't wait for new friends and opportunities. Hello life.

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"STOP WHINING."

p.s. I'd really like to whine right now.

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this guy.

Fridays are when i run deliveries for work and i do too much thinking and tweeting.
this idea came to me today while driving.
i know.... i know.

[edit]

I think i find this a lot funnier than the rest of the world. oh well.

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So i'd never shot a music video before, in fact, i've never really shot anything before other than photographs.
But i got this fancy new camera that shoots in HD and i said to myself, "Heck! why not?"
I've never edited anything more complicated than a video blog - so this was an amazing and at times, frustrating, learning experience.
I put in a house-load (just made that term up) of hours on this, thankfully there is a workhorse of a computer
in the room over from me that i got to use. otherwise, sadly, my beautiful 24" iMac would not have cut it. (ooh! ooh! video pun!)
This project has taken up a lot of my time in the past week or so, but is the last project i'm taking on for a while.
It's time to focus on me, my future, and my music! hoooray!
Time to record a CD
thanks,
-Andy

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How I Feel - Set in Helvetica Neue - bold.

require very good communication.
sometimes they produce one word terms that are spoken as loudly as possible.
I'm wanting to figure out how to convey power through type.
i don't feel like i've completely accomplished it with this.
it is very simple.

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