Photoshop Is Hard.

[midnghtraver]

Better?

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...thanMiller.jpg

[Spenner]

In a way, not really. I can see what you're trying at and it's good that you're doin' stuff, but let me critique for your own good because there's no better way to improve than to learn from your mistakes:

The 1px outline on the text does nothing but cause a moment of confusion because it contrasts so much around the text yet doesn't make the text more readable.

But there's a bit of a problem altogether with the background you chose-- black text leaks over black background, almost white text is flooded with almost white background. In order to have readability, you have to have contrast. You need to have negative space that directs the eye. Start doing things like moving your head from left to right over your computer screen, with your image on it. With the one you posted, the focal point is the "MI". Do you really want the viewer to see "MI" first? No, you want them to see DJ first, because from there on in the eye reads normally the rest of it (providing that it's still readable).

Think about this kind of thing. Balancing negative space is probably the most important aspect of an aesthetic design.

Back on the topic of contrast, and focal points, what is the most visually interesting part of that? The background. Meaning that when reading, the background distracts from the process of reading and I'm glued to looking at the background instead.

Basically, you're a director here. You're the one that has the power to control what the viewer sees, perceives, and reacts with what you make. In order to do that you need to make visually interesting compositions that are still readable and establish a hierarchy that makes it flow. Who cares about fancy grunge texture, bold typefaces, etc; you should start from square one.

I think you should practice with readability and contrast. I would love for you to try just basic fonts, nothing but flat colours (yes no texture at this point), and try to find something that looks the most easy to read and most pleasant to look at. Colour schemes, difference in font sizes (Remember that you want them to see DJ first, but make sure also that it immediately continues with Miller), and simple easy to read fonts.

Seriously, I'm making a gigantic emphasis on typography, but what's the point in a pretty picture that's promoting a new product without good typography? Every good poster has it. Some of the best stuff out there is mostly typographical elements, a couple of graphics, usually minimal, that add to the ease of reading.

I mighta gone into a bit too much detail here. Oops. But take my advice with an open mind. Being a good designer doesn't happen in one day, nor weeks. It takes a long time to build yourself a mind that calculates and weighs all of the design principles immediately and knows exactly what to do to get the best out of what you see or what you're given with. That's something none of us will ever have but certainly it's worth striving for

[midnghtraver]

Originally Posted by Spenner

I mighta gone into a bit too much detail here.

No way man, your like the most helpful person on FFR.

And I'll do that for sure.

I'll keep posting my progress in this thread, thanks a lot man.

[midnghtraver]

There, simple like you said.
http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...ic/Spenner.jpg

[who_cares973]

N spenner nathan miller is how i read that lol. pretty cool tho

[midnghtraver]

Originally Posted by who_cares973

N spenner

What?

Are you saying you saw the red N first then read the word?

EDIT:

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...titled-2-1.jpg

I fixed the N but the S and P look different. Added a texture, changed the colors, added a background. tell me if you like it better.

[who_cares973]

might want to lose the bubbles it makes the words hard to read

you might also want to balance out the composition. its very one sided

[midnghtraver]

Okay here, nothing special to the font. No colors, High foreground/background contrast. What about this?

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...sic/Awords.jpg

EDIT: lol I spelled acknowledge really wrong.

EDIT 2: and appraise. But don't worry about those.

[tofurox]

Originally Posted by midnghtraver

Okay here, nothing special to the font. No colors, High foreground/background contrast. What about this?

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...sic/Awords.jpg

EDIT: lol I spelled acknowledge really wrong.

EDIT 2: and appraise. But don't worry about those.

I'm worried. You made me google "avale" haha. Never heard of it xD. For all of you who don't know it means to decend or dismount.

[darkshark]

That took me 15 extra seconds to read. When you have to decipher each word, "Alive" doesn't stand out at all. There's such a massive size contrast between the A and the rest of the letters that it throws everything off. It's creative for sure, just could be executed better.

[midnghtraver]

Originally Posted by tofurox

I'm worried. You made me google "avale" haha. Never heard of it xD. For all of you who don't know it means to decend or dismount.

Don't worry about the actual words, their just the first 10 A - words that I pulled out of my head.

Originally Posted by darkshark

That took me 15 extra seconds to read. When you have to decipher each word, "Alive" doesn't stand out at all. There's such a massive size contrast between the A and the rest of the letters that it throws everything off. It's creative for sure, just could be executed better.

Yea, I was thinking about that as I was typing out the smaller text. You kinda read it as it is without inserting the A. On this one i'm not really trying to make anything pop other than the "alive" which I want to be emphasized when you read it, not necessarily read "alive" first.

[BeatofIke]

I suck at photoshop too.

**Gets tutorials from Rebound**

[i love you]

I'm not that good btw...

[Spenner]

Originally Posted by midnghtraver

There, simple like you said.
http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...ic/Spenner.jpg

This is probably my favourite so far! What Whocares is saying is true though-- colour has a big impact on focal point, beware of that as well hence the eye is drawn to that big contrast in the N.

And there's a couple pixels jetting off on the curves around the connected letters. But yes, so far I like the experimenting you're doing. Keep at it.

[midnghtraver]

It doesn't look that legit, but I tried. it started as a drawing i did in pencil, then took a picture of with my phone. Ended up throwing it on a fence.

[Nullifidian]

quick selection tool + transform + opacity changed
lol

try using different tools and settings. The pen tool for example is great for precicely cutting out graphics and won't cause those ugly white lines if used correctly. Layer blend modes may cause it to look more realistic with the correct blending mode. Just toy around with that. You may have to adjust the image as well to blend it in with the picture using various other settings (ex. photo filter, hue & saturation, color adjustment).

[Spenner]

As well, try this: After you have your selection, click the mask tool instead of deleting, then go into the Mask window and click Mask Edge, play around with those tools. It'll do wonders.

[midnghtraver]

I'm back!

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...3Music/Yes.jpg

[Nullifidian]

That's much MUCH better than any of the previous pictures in this thread. Good job.

[who_cares973]

Wow yeah I agree completely