Ezekiel Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 [SIZE=1]As the title suggests, I've been playing around with Photoshop for the last couple of days since I got it. Now I know that the banners I'm going to add are sucky compared to the likes of the great Ozy, Retribution and Boo, but I've only had this for two days ^_^; I need a lot of practice and some tips when it comes to the writing, I feel I'm missing something and it's making the banner look less attractive. *sad* Anyway, these are posted in the order I made them... 1) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/firstbanner.png[/IMG] I smudged this because.... honestly, I didn't know how to cut out the image properly >.< so I thought this made it look better. Regretting putting 'Gabriel' on it now, but it was made with the intention to use. 2) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/justinabanner.png[/IMG] Again with the smudging...still clearly didn't have a clue what I was doing... 3) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/er.png[/IMG] This took all of 3 minutes to make, and happened by accident. I'm still not entirely sure what I done...eh heh. 4) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/blargh.png[/IMG] I made a mistake with cleaning up the image and ended up making it worse...damn it. 5) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/kawaii.png[/IMG] Sean explained to use Extract for...well, extracting images. I think it shows in this banner, which is my favourite so far. Like I said, the writing looks sucky but I'm not totally sure of what effects to use to make it better. If any experts could offer their advice, it would be great. I'm not looking for any rating ('cause I know they?re bad) I just want to have comments so I can improve. Thanks a lot.[/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retribution Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 [SIZE=1]Heh. I'm not an expert, but here goes... [b]1[/b] I'd say is pretty good for your first time in photoshop. The gradient works well, but the image isn't blended all that well. There's that light-bleeding going on that needs to be fixed. The font is a good choice, but it's not very visible. Perhaps a "stroke" or "outer glow" under the layer's blending options would define it more. [b]2[/b] In my opinion, it's your best. It's simple, yet clean. The image is clear, and the light green gradient makes a graceful transition to match the character's bows. But there's too much empty/neutral space on the right side, and it feels like you're missing something. Sorry, I can't really place my finger on it. [b]3[/b] Is the worst of the batch. Looks like you got some good practice with layer blend-modes and duplication, but it feels random, too much white, and not enough definition at all. It would've been alot better if you had a steady fade off with the same kind of thing you did. So there'd be: [really faded image] ; [semi-faded] ; [barely faded] ; [real] In that order, to give it that kinetic effect. And the picture doesn't look very dynamic. Perhaps if there was a picture of someone running, it'd be better used. [b]4[/b] The clean up really isn't all that bad. I can see the (very) minor problem with the red-stroke on her left arm, but that might be what you were going for. The background's pretty simple brush work, but it matches the feel and color of the banner. But I'd recommend that you focus on using filters first, then brushes to get the general feel/hang of photoshop. Then you can use the brush/smudge tool with one another to produce really cool effects. [b]5[/b] The background looks pretty empty, but the colors definitely match. There's that glass-ripple-esque effect going for you too. The font choice doesn't come off as ... edgy perhaps, of what you were going for. The facial expression is definitely there, but the font itself and color of it seems pretty dull. I'd (again) go for some sort of outer glow/stroke in the blending options of the font to give it a border, and go to [B][url]www.dafont.com[/url][/B] and raid their selection. You're definitely better than what I was when I was messing around with photoshop first. Reading tutorials will take you pretty far in learning the basics, getting some tricks under your belt, and improve you faster. Good job on it all.[/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozymandius Jones Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 [COLOR=DarkOrange]I'm great? *blushes* Aw, shucks... Ok. Enough modesty. Critique time... 1. I don't really like the image. The technique is good, the colors are nice, but the picture...eh. But that's not your fault at all. My other complaint you already voiced: the text doesn't really go...it seems to be an odd size for the space you have available. 2. I like this one. The image is cute, the colors go really well, and smudging is one of the tools I use a lot. If you could find a nice font, I think what Retri thinks it's missing is a name...but that may just be me. 3. I also agree with Retri on this. It [i]looks[/i] like you just spent 3 minutes on it. There's waaaay to much white, and the duplication/layering/whatever just didn't turn out all that good. 4. I don't see anything made "worse" here...I like the colors, but the picture...again, I don't know why, I just don't care for it that much. That aside, it's laid-out very nicely. I like the black grass-like design in the background...is that part of the original pic, or is it that brush? If it's the brush, that's one of the ones I like to play with too.. 5. I like thay layout, the kid is cute, the colors are nice...but yeah, the text has issues. Play with the link Retri gave you...oddly, I think a grunge text would look nice. Strange... Other than what Retri said, I also suggest just going slap happy with effects...try random things - painting on top of gradiants, layer fading, things like that...before long, it's easy to tell what looks nice and what looks tacky. ^__^[/COLOR] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezekiel Posted April 16, 2005 Author Share Posted April 16, 2005 [SIZE=1]I've been messing with Photoshop again, knocking out some useless banners. Dafont is an awesome site, but even though I have better fonts to work with I'm still not getting the effect I want. The pixel fonts just don't seem right when I use them...*sad* I'll figure it out eventually. The set I?m using for now was also made this morning, and I?m pretty proud of it. Banner- [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/awesome-ness.png[/IMG] Avatar- [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/awesome_avatar.png[/IMG] Banner (2)- [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/dante.png[/IMG][/SIZE] [SIZE=1]Again, comments/crit/advice welcomed.[/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 [COLOR=#95005E][SIZE=1]The thing with pixel fonts is that them little buggers cooperate only when used at small font sizes. Set them at some large-ish font size and they start having these jagged edges (pixelated, hence the tag pixel font). [b]Banner (2)[/b]: It's Danteee! (is it?) I absolutely adore the size of the banner! Very kawaii. The subject and caption are tilted at just about the right angle. Fills up the banner space really well, IMO. Maybe you could remove the lens flare at the lower left corner just to balance the picture out. Stroking 'round the caption letters would be nice too (it's such a cute font! needs more attention. yep, yep).[/SIZE][/COLOR] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retribution Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 [SIZE=1]Just because you have a large selection of font doesn't mean you'll make good banners. [b]Banner 1[/b] is mediocre. Firstly, I'd get rid of the light in the upper left hand corner. Those usually don't look very good, unless incorperated very, very well. The background is too bland/pixelated for my taste, and the stock seems 'out of it.' Not only the expression but the blending too. She's off to the side, and with a neutral look. It's hard to throw in a quote or brushing, etc, with a nondescript, nondynamic image. [b]Avatar[/b] is basically mediocre for the same reasons of above. I like alot would be solved by swapping stock and making your background more interesting. [b]Banner 2[/b] is alright. Pretty good idea, but the image itself is hard to see, isn't crisp/clear, and the font isn't defined at all. It kinda... slips in with the background, making it hard to read. Again, you have the random lighty-thing going on, which may need to be nixed.[/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benakittie Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 wow, how do ppl do that banner stuff? I've barely begun scanning and I thought THAT was high tech...Your banners look beautiful to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syk3 Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 [quote name='benakittie']wow, how do ppl do that banner stuff? I've barely begun scanning and I thought THAT was high tech...Your banners look beautiful to me.[/quote]Welcome to OtakuBoards! ;) Here in the Art Forum, or really OB in general, we pride ourselves in quality posts. For this section, that means providing constructive criticism that helps the artist improve their talent or work at hand. You may use others posts as an example of what is expected, or refer to the sticky thread at the top of the forum. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezekiel Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 [SIZE=1]I deleted all my old banners from the Image Hosting site, silly me. Still, they weren't that good. ^_^;; I've got PSP9 now for keeps rather than the Photoshop demo I had and this program is a biotch to work with text effect. *grumbles* That's why the font I've used, if any, isn't all that exciting. Le sigh. I've just done this one now, I'm still trying to work with pictures "escaping" from banners. I really like the effect it gives, so bare with me 'till I get it right. ^.^ ?Radiate Happiness [IMG]http://img164.echo.cx/img164/2980/happiness16nv.png[/IMG] ?Current Banner [IMG]http://img212.echo.cx/img212/8474/wogcon782231qv.png[/IMG] ?MyO "Welcome" Image (Black around the edge because black is what I have on MyO) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/AzureImi/23_23_welcome.png[/IMG] (Blood effects created by yours trully on all accounts, my, what a skill to have ^_~) Number two and three were inspired by Papa Roach--the lovely gentleman in MyO image is Mr. Jacoby Shaddix, the lead singer of the band. c&c appreciated. [STRIKE]If anyone knows where I could download some brushes it would be great as PSP9 has an abysmal selection of them, there's hardly anything to work with. *sad*[/STRIKE] Oh my Gee, I figured out how to make my own brushes. Yays.[/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syk3 Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 I'm just going to close it then, alright Dela? That way the thread is still archived and people maintain the posts they put effort into, heh. Feel free to start another one if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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