Posted 14 July 2010 - 03:48
I really don't want to vote on either entry, but I would like to make a few comments on both tags considering the nature of this contest is learning [not saying I'm any better than anyone else, but just sharing what I'm observing looking at these tags as a person looking at art to appreciate it]:
Looking at 'A', I notice two focals used both placed at extreme ends of the tag. I'd recommend only using one focal so that the eye of the viewer can focus on that one focal spot rather than be fighting over attention at either point in the tag. When placing your focal, it is most effective to place it along with the 'rule of thirds' [look this up, it's key to optimal focus in your tags]. Focals aside, the text is rather big and distracting as well, I don't say this to be mean; but grungy or crazy looking fonts distract away from all the other hard work and composition used in putting together any non-text-based piece; so ideally, you just want to use a clean based font positioned close to the render so it doesn't take away from the tag, but also serves as a means for you to put your 'identity' or 'tag' on your tag. heh. The last major thing I'd like to point out is, while you did a good job in centering the colors you used based upon those found in your render, I find the background very 'chaotic'. Look up various tutorials to try to learn what a 'flow' is, if you can learn what a flow is, the next step would be to learn how to implement a flow to gain your viewers attention using 'directional focuses'. In doing so, you simply guide the path of the viewers eye along from part to another part of your tag, so they can look at the whole tag optimally, while still being able to go back and forth. All of these bits of advice will make your art more receptive to the normal human eye. I do like to see that you used a nice amount of effort in creating an interesting composition and good luck in further developing your tags. :]
Looking at 'B', off the bat, I think the image is oversharpened farr tooo much. Talk about overkill, the tag has a lot of potential and would be better on the human eye without the added amounts of sharpness, added from what looks like a topaz filter set too high. You can adjust your sharpen settings when sharpening an image, and furthermore, after sharpening you can either go to Edit and fade the filter used to sharpen upon applying the sharpening or you can erase parts that look bad to the eye. Personally I zoom in on the image to about 600% and blur together parts that look bad after sharpening with a 2px soft round brush, very carefully. It takes more time, but produces the best of effects in my opinion. Sharpness issues aside, It looks like you have a conflict of flow issues, looking at your image I originally thought you where going for a split flow effect coming away from the base of the render going towards the top corners. However, then the areas you used for lighting come in and kill that. Speaking of the lighting, I notice a sharp abruptness in where the lighting seems to die in the top right corner, not sure if that was intentional, but you may wanna look at that. Lastly, I'm assuming you were using some kinda fractal or fractal brush in the bottom right corner; fractals tend to be very chaotic when used in tags, therefore, I'd recommend erasing all but what works with your flow, and possibly sampling many the fractal many times over different layers taking bits here and there until you get whatever effect you want. Overall you seem to have a decent concept and composition, but with some more effort and review upon the image, you could make it far better. Good luck to you as well. :]
Cheers and good luck with the competition; I hope both of you are able to grow from it, both in terms of your personal character and your graphical/artist skills. Also hoping I can learn a thing or two from watching this thread and seeing/trying the tutorials you guys end up looking at. Xel. ^^
Note: I hope I am not coming off as rude, arrogant, or obnoxious. :S Please accept my apologies if I am. :[