Photoshop and Rendering, Beautiful Together!

So, for those of you wondering – I have been on vacation for the past couple of weeks, hence the lack of posts.  I guess the more accurate way to say that is the Choates (that’s my wife’s sister, Sami, and her husband, David), came down from Oregon for their bi-annual Arizona visit.  As always, it was a great time, and true to form, there was much Lego building going on.

This visit included a new Lego came called Creationary – imagine Pictionary in Lego form. 

Lego's Creationary!

Creationary is a great family game that everyone can play.  Due to the size of our family gathering, we paired up into teams to keep the pace going a bit quicker.  I was on team Stina, who is my brilliant, Lego building niece, and we dominated, for the most part!

Then there were the new Lego sets that were purchased by Maja and Dan (Allie and Sami’s parents).  The Choates just finished the Harry Potter Series (see Allie’s blog for more on that), so all of the sets revolved around the series.  For the boys, we got the Hogwart’s Express – complete with an engine, coal tender, passenger car, snack car and the Flying Ford Anglia.  For Stina, we got the triple-decker Knight Bus.  We happen to be fortunate enough to have an official Lego Store nearby, so we also got several large cups of random, loose parts.  I feel as though I lucked out because I got to keep all the Legos after the Choates went home (even though it really is all for the kids, right?)

The Hogwart's Express

The Knight Bus

All of the parts in two bins - I can't wait to dive in!

While the Choates were here, David, a Photoshop genius, was kind enough to take some time to teach me the basics of this powerful program.  Up until now, I have been using Photoshop for basic photo edits – adjusting light levels, converting color to black and white and some other very basic touch ups. 

David has since taught me how to really use some of the more complex tools in Photoshop.  He has shown me how to properly layer, touch up images, add light sources, how to create and manipulate textures, and how to organize and layout a proper composition.  He also pointed me to a fantastic tutorial site called Psdtuts+.  There, you can find amazing, comprehensive, step by step instructions in how to create fantastic Photoshop images. 

So far, I have created two images using David’s teachings and Psdtuts. 

Fire Text on Psdtuts

My Version

Gold Text on Psdtuts

My Version

Ultimately, I will use this newly gained knowledge to make my rendered images even better and more life like.  I will be able to add a new dimension of realisim and interest to my renderings that will bring even more of a “wow” factor to my clients.  If you have the means, I highly recommend sitting down with Psdtuts and a copy of Photoshop CS or better, and learn how to use the basic tools of this great image editing tool.  I will admit, I was very overwhelmed at the scope of Photoshop, but, as David showed me, when you break down into its simplest components, and concentrate on the tool sets that will be useful to you, the program is not quiet as intimidating. 

So, a big thanks to David Choate – I ask anyone reading this to view his Flickr page here to view his amazing collection of work.

I will post more of my own work as I complete more tutorials and begin intergrating my renderings with Photoshop.

Thanks for reading!

Pin It!

Just a quick post about an interesting website that Allie pointed me to called “Pintrest”.  Pintrest is social media site designed to allow users to share all manners of visual media with each other.  I have been using the site for about a month, and I have enjoyed looking at all the beautiful images on the site.  I find it to be a great source of inspiration and an interesting way to see the tiniest nooks and crannies of the world. 

The only downside is that it is currently an invite only site.  If you are interested in joining Pintrest, just leave me an email address in the comments section and I will send you invitation. 

Happy Pinning! 

Rendering for Peace and Quiet

As I have written in a few other posts, I live in a little modern version of Mayberry.  I know all of my neighbors, and they know me.  We chat in the street, have the occasional holiday party, and help each other whenever we can.  However, there is the one neighborhood nuisance that no one can avoid – the door to door solicitor. 

Yep, I’ve got ‘em here – landscapers looking for work, home water delivery, irrigation guys, house painter, Jehovah’s Witnesses and of course, the myriad of door hangers for local eateries and businesses.  Every week it seems as though there is a never ending parade of someone trying to sell us something. To compound the problem, my wife works nights so she doesn’t get home until 11:30 or midnight.  We usually stay up for another hour or so, getting to bed around 1:30 am.  So, when solicitors ring our door bell at 9 am, it is safe to say that we are none to pleased.

Never. Ending. Parade.

What to do?  I suggested getting a “No Solicitors” sign, but they have a tendency to be tacky or too commercial looking, so we have not purchased one.  Allie and I have worked very hard on our home, renovating it just the way we like it, so putting a standard gold and black “No Solicitors” sign just wasn’t going to fly.

A typical no soliciting sign.

I decided to use my software to create a nice sign that would compliment our home while getting our point across.  The project didn’t take that long, only about an hour to try a few different looks, render the image, and then print it.

My design.

There was a small issue mounting it, however.  Allie had a nice piece of wood that the shape of the sign was based on.  When we tried to mount it to the wood, the ink from the ink jet printer smeared, making the sign look sloppy.  So, for now, our sign is on the fridge – maybe it will help me to lose weight!

No Soliciting....of the fridge.

We will try a different approach for mounting the sign, and we may change the color scheme, as it seemed a bit to dark for the exterior colors of our house. When we complete the new sign, I will post it.  Thanks for reading!

I Need Some Lemons....

I feel as though I should preface this post with a bit of an explanation.  I’m frustrated and annoyed at the state of the economy, the state of our country, and the state of the job market, and particularly the hiring practices currently in place by most companies.  Explanation over.

So, as we all know, the economy is well, let’s just say it – total crap.  Politicians and economists, those living in their ivory towers, just don’t have a clue as to how the real world works.  They continually promise positive change on the horizon, but as each day passes, it seems as though the horizon gets further away, and the country slips closer to another Great Depression.

So, what to do?

I have worked hard to keep my little company afloat in dire times.  Now, once again, I find myself combing the job boards hoping to find something that I can do, but I’m not sure what that looks like.  I am not an office guy – not because I don’t like commuting or anything, but because I can’t stand office politics and over the top political correctness – creative people cannot thrive in sterile environments, and that is exactly what today’s corporate setting has become. I cannot stand the idea of working my ass off for some lazy bum (aka a CEO) so he can get rich.  Someone very close to me tells me everyday how people are being laid off, not because business is down, but because upper management wants their bonuses.  So, instead of working to increase productivity and making a better product, the just fire people, throw them away if you will, just so they can get an extra million, because the first 10 wasn’t enough.  I would happily work at Wal-Mart or Target, or any other big box store, but they’re not hiring.  They have an endless supply of out of work individuals with BA’s and BS’s and PhD’s – why would they hire me, a guy with no formal degree?  Mind you, that’s not just retail centers, it’s everyone. 

I think that’s what really ticks me off.  Yeah, I don’t have a formal degree – I only went to Roger William’s University for a couple of years before I could just no longer afford to go.  So, what did I do?  I went to work.  I planted the seed for Lone Wolf Drafting and Design in New York, while being a volunteer EMT on Long Island and paid EMT in New York City and working a full time design job.  Then, when I exhausted all options there, I moved to Arizona on my own.  I found a job here doing landscape design and then went to work for GarageMahals.  When that went south, I restarted LWD+D, developed my own client base, got married, bought a truck and a house, all while keeping my little business alive in the worst economy, ever. 

So yeah, why would anyone hire me, right?  Just because someone has a degree doesn’t mean anything.  You could have 15 degrees which just shows you’re a professional student – fantastic.  Where is the real world experience?  Where is the education that only fighting for something that means something to you can provide?  There was a time when you, that is the person that YOU are was enough to get you a job.  People would take a chance and give you your shot, not because of your education, but because of the unique experiences that you could bring to the table.  Why is this a concept that is so foreign to hiring managers now (well, maybe it’s because there are “hiring managers” who themselves only know how to follow a company hiring formula, and have no idea how to exercise free thought)?

So, here is my question: where do people like me find a decent job using my skills; a job where integrity, talent, tenacity and creativity really mean something – where is that job board?  I’m really asking.  Monster.com, Jobing.com, Careerbuilder.com, AZ Central and the like all have the same 5 or 6 jobs, and they all want 10 years of experience being a sheep in someone else’s office with 3 degrees.

Really?

Well, how about 5 years of sacrifice and hard work? How about 5 years of using my talents to make a name for myself in my industry and maintaining a client base based on word of mouth? How about getting my work published, twice? And how about 5 years of hitting the pavement looking for clients, going to conventions, and just scraping by so that maybe, some day, I could have a profitable company and make something of myself, by myself.

Where is the company that hires and rewards that guy?

Until the day comes that I find that job with that mythical company, I will have to continue to struggle.  I have to keep looking for at least some part time work until the economy turns around and business starts coming in again.  If anyone in the Phoenix area knows of anyone that may be hiring creative, talented, hard working people, please post a comment with a way to reach you.  To anyone else with a small company that is struggling, I hope you find a way through, too.

Tech Review 2011 Part 2

Every now and then, I like to point out products and services that either really stink on ice, or perform really well and deserve praise.  I am happy to say this post revolves around the latter.  (Click here and here to read about other product and service reviews).  This post is Part 2 from my Tech Review 2011Part 1 post.

So, with every good phone, you need a good Bluetooth.  I am a very particular Bluetooth type of guy, meaning, I am weird.  I do not like things sticking in my ear; it irritates the hell out of me.  Everyone at my gym uses ear buds, and I get the chills – my ears actually hurt for them.  I am the only guy in there using full sized studio headphones while working out – I like the speakers the cup over my ears.  So, like my old phone, I held on to my old Bluetooth because it met my weirdness criteria.  It was a Motorola H350 with a partially open arm that went over the ear. 

My original Motorola H350

The speaker was relatively flat, so it did not protrude into the ear canal.  The only problem was the arm of the unit wasn’t very stiff, so if I leaned to the side that it was on, it would pull away from my ear or fall off entirely.  However, it had good sound quality, and a decent range, plus I didn’t use it that often given that when I was on the phone, I really wasn’t doing anything else, e.g., texting or web surfing, in other words, I didn’t need my hands free.  However, it finally died soon after I got my new phone.  No really, it did – I started using it everyday, and the speaker just gave out.  After 4 good years of service, it was time to replace it.  However, just like with ear buds for MP3 players, everyone loves the kind that sticks in your ear.  So, the hunt was on.  First, I tried the Motorola HK200. 

The Motorola HK200

Similar in design to the H350, this unit was lighter, and a bit more snug to the ear, however, the quality just wasn’t there.  The sound quality and volume was poor, and the person on the other end had a hard time hearing me. On top of that, there was a small ear bud type projection on the unit.  So, the thin plastic arm went around your ear, and then, through the course of the day, the ear bud piece would work its way into my ear.  This was a no go.  Unfortunately, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target, Wal-Mart and others all carry the same basic Bluetooth headsets, and none of them were what I wanted.  It was time to hit the web (and that will be discussed next).  So, I started the hunt, just using broad search terms, which would lead me to the big outlets in the beginning – Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc.  Then I started digging deeper and deeper until I ended up on some random site at the end of the Internet universe.  But, there it was – the perfect Bluetooth headset.  It was unique looking.  It went over the ear.  The speaker was completely flat.  I must have it.  It is called the Maverick Lifestyle Nica Sunrise Bluetooth headset.  The what? 

The Maverick Lifestyle Nica Sunrise Bluetooth available in black and red.

I started looking for reviews and doing my research, and about 90% of what I read was positive.  So, I found it on Amazon.com and placed my order.

So, here is where I am an old fashioned kind of guy.  I love walking into a store, trying out an item, playing with it, asking the clerk about it, and walking out with it that very day.  I am not a fan of online ordering for several reasons.  What if they ship me the wrong thing?  What if I get double charged?  What if my credit card info is stolen?  What do you mean the shipping and handling is more then the item itself?  What if it’s defective, where is customer service so I can return it?   All of these issues and more often kept me from ordering anything off the Internet, but this Bluetooth was exactly what I was looking for and it was not available in any physical store – believe me, I looked.  So, after much assurance from Allie, I placed my order through Amazon.  After 4 days, it arrived in the mail.  I turned it on, paired it with my phone with no issues. However, some sort of weird echo type reverb could be heard during calls.  Plus, the range from my phone was about 8 inches and would randomly disconnect from the phone.  So I tried re-pairing the phone, recharging the unit, restarting my phone – nothing worked.  So, since the reviews were good, I figured it must be defective. 

Here we go – the fight to get this thing replaced.  So, I was actually pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to replace it. I went to Amazon.com, filled out the replacement request, printed out my documentation and within 4 days, my new unit arrived with 30 days to return the defective one. 

The new unit works awesome.  I leave the phone in my office, and walk to the other end of the house without an issue, the call quality is clear and it is extremely comfortable. The Sunrise also comes with arms for both the left and right ears, as well as a basic recharging cable.  You can also order custom skins for your unit, as well as an upgraded desk dock and a car charger. I highly recommend this unit and Amazon.com for a hassle free shopping experience.

The car charger.

The upgraded desk dock.

An example of available skins, or create your own!

Do you have a favorite phone?  How about a Bluetooth (or other hands free) headset that you would recommend?  What online shopping experiences have you had and with what companies?

Hope to hear from you, and thanks for reading!