First attempt at Adobe Illustrator

This is my first attempt at using Adobe Illustrator. It was taken from a picture I took of my Jeep when I first purchased it. I didn't really do much, removed somethings. I am definitely a hands on learner so that is why I am posting early in the week. Trying to make sure I am doing the assignment properly and learning to use the software. Also looking for constructive criticizm so I know what I need to work on.

Taking a moment in time

I have had an interest in photography for many years. When I was in eighth grade, I actually did a career report on being a photographer and that was 20 years ago. I have recently begun taking formal classes in digital art and photography at S.U.N.Y Empire State College. Many of the courses I have or will take incorporate some kind of photo editing program like Adobe Photoshop. While this software is great and can make great changes to photographs, my real passion is taking "natural" photographs.

Now when I say "natural", I do not always mean of flowers or bumble bees. With a constant growing population and construction around every corner, I mean "natural" as life uninterrupted. I am not saying that I will not take photos of trees and animals, but I don't want poses or for people to even know I am there for that matter. I want to take a moment in time for people to remember, share or use as inspiration. I want the true emotion people have when there is not a camera pointed at them... good, bad or indifferent.

Fahrenheit 451

For my book I picked Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. This book is set in the future where firemen start fires and literature is frowned upon.  I felt this assignment was tough because many of the books out there have several covers already.  I tried to stay away from most of the covers I saw.  Since the main character was a fireman, I used a fire scene to set the background.  I also triend to use a gray tint to the text to make it look like smoke. In the text I textured the words to help with the smoke look. 

References:

Web. 27 Mar. 2011. http://www.backgroundpictures.org/p/fire/page-1.html.

"On the “march of the Thermometers”." Watts Up With That? Web. 27 Mar. 2011. http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/03/08/on-the-march-of-the-thermometers/.

 

"Why Burning Qurans Is a Poor Source of Alternative Energy | PourRichard's Symposium." PourRichard's Symposium | Reviving the Art of Conversation. Web. 27 Mar. 2011. http://www.pourrichard.com/2010/09/14/why-burning-qurans-is-a-poor-source-of-alternative-energy/.

 

 

I chose the Wounded Warrior Project for my poster.  I picked this as the topic for my poster because my wife is in the military so I ave a vested interest in the well-being of out soldiers.  I think what stands out in the poster is the color images on a black and white background.   I feel it gives more meaning to the images.  I believe seeing the 2 contrasting images of a soldiers also drives the point home.

Photomontage

Since spring is on it's way.  I thought I would do a baseball themed montage showing the pitching motion of a right handed pitcher.  I found photos of several different players and put them together to show the basics of pitching. 

Something we like

The first blog post is of something we like.  I was originally going to post a picture of my wife and daughter but as most of you can assume, my passion for them is well beyond like.  So I choose cars as my first blog.  I do have a passion for cars and most "car people" have their preference, mine is Mopar's (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Plymouth).  Below is a picture of my 1980 Plymouth Volare Roadrunner.  This is the last model built with the Roadrunner title. An interesting note to relate this to modern day, when this car was sold in 1979 and 1980, it would average 27 miles per gallon for a 2-door 6 cylinder carburated engine.