My idea is to show an image about my life through the maps of all the states I've lived in from growing up an army brat. The tree trunk serves as a path leading up to the present.
Nice concept Darcy! But I do agree with Sam A., Try to merge those maps together a bit more smoothly, other than that, I bet it will look great at the end!
I like the personal concept you are going for. I think the concept might need more clarity. I was thinking you could connect image of the tree/flower to the map more clearly. For example if you liked Kentucky a lot you could put a flower there to represent something. I think it would make the composition more interesting.
Nice concept. The map looks too flat though. Masking it out in some areas would accentuate the natural lines of the plants. Conversely smudge or liquify would distort the map and help it flow through the image.
I agree with everything that's been said so far. It could be interesting if you sort of highlighted/brought attention to the sections of the state where you actually lived by using masks and/or stamps/textures of sorts. Another thought which may not work at all but it could be interesting if you had a specific plant or piece of nature that you used to identify/relate that state or part of your life with. I hope that makes sense? Great concept!
Altho it does not necessarily have to go this way of course. These techniques work better with large areas of flat contrast, line drawings can be tricky. should it be more layered, photoshoped and as a result more forgiving in terms of how the viewer perceives the image--not wanting it to be integrated like it would be if it were literally ON the tree itself. the flowers are already sort of separating it from a "real" picture, do flowers appear out of nowhere on top of a tree trunk? Either we mimic reality and the power of the photograph as a record of a time and place that existed, OR we introduce graphic elements (framing devices, layering, etc) so the viewer goes with the flow and accepts it as a composite. seems in the middle right now. would closeups of the map work better? hints at the road life you lived (i am a military brat as well). If you introduce layering into the equation, would that lessen the awkwardness of the image appearing to have a map simply laid on the surface?
You chose a fairly retro map which has a lot more character than present day maps. you can use Adobe Illustrator to separate these into vectors so you could bring them up to any size you want without degradation of quality you get with pixels. Let me know if you do not know how to do this using Illustrators Image Trace feature.
Caroline's idea above is interesting and might provide a focal point...the Grand Scheme of Things, You are Here...
I agree that the composition is a little choppy but could be easily fixed by some more fluid transitions and maybe repeating some of the elements of flowers and map. I like the idea of the tree growing as you do and other textures woven in your life timeline. I'm curious about the meaning behind the flowers; is there a way you can show this more clearly?
I like Carson's idea where a flower serves as a pin stuck in a particular point of a map that you lived in/enjoyed the most. Also your color choice might explain whether you enjoyed moving a lot or hated it. If there was a way to make the map look like it is etched into the tree, that would be super cool.
I enjoy your idea but think your transition points could be a bit smother threw out the map.
ReplyDeleteNice concept Darcy! But I do agree with Sam A., Try to merge those maps together a bit more smoothly, other than that, I bet it will look great at the end!
ReplyDeleteI like the personal concept you are going for. I think the concept might need more clarity. I was thinking you could connect image of the tree/flower to the map more clearly. For example if you liked Kentucky a lot you could put a flower there to represent something. I think it would make the composition more interesting.
ReplyDeleteNice concept. The map looks too flat though. Masking it out in some areas would accentuate the natural lines of the plants. Conversely smudge or liquify would distort the map and help it flow through the image.
ReplyDeleteGreat concept. It would be interesting to bring more aspects of the road into the tree trunk.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything that's been said so far. It could be interesting if you sort of highlighted/brought attention to the sections of the state where you actually lived by using masks and/or stamps/textures of sorts. Another thought which may not work at all but it could be interesting if you had a specific plant or piece of nature that you used to identify/relate that state or part of your life with. I hope that makes sense?
ReplyDeleteGreat concept!
Hi Darcy
ReplyDeleteNice idea, great start.
It seems the real trick it to integrate the map with the bark of the tree. check out some of the links below:
https://www.google.com/search?q=photoshop+tutorial+text+on+tree+bark&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Altho it does not necessarily have to go this way of course.
These techniques work better with large areas of flat contrast, line drawings can be tricky. should it be more layered, photoshoped and as a result more forgiving in terms of how the viewer perceives the image--not wanting it to be integrated like it would be if it were literally ON the tree itself. the flowers are already sort of separating it from a "real" picture, do flowers appear out of nowhere on top of a tree trunk? Either we mimic reality and the power of the photograph as a record of a time and place that existed, OR we introduce graphic elements (framing devices, layering, etc) so the viewer goes with the flow and accepts it as a composite. seems in the middle right now. would closeups of the map work better? hints at the road life you lived (i am a military brat as well). If you introduce layering into the equation, would that lessen the awkwardness of the image appearing to have a map simply laid on the surface?
You chose a fairly retro map which has a lot more character than present day maps. you can use Adobe Illustrator to separate these into vectors so you could bring them up to any size you want without degradation of quality you get with pixels. Let me know if you do not know how to do this using Illustrators Image Trace feature.
Caroline's idea above is interesting and might provide a focal point...the Grand Scheme of Things, You are Here...
I agree that the composition is a little choppy but could be easily fixed by some more fluid transitions and maybe repeating some of the elements of flowers and map. I like the idea of the tree growing as you do and other textures woven in your life timeline. I'm curious about the meaning behind the flowers; is there a way you can show this more clearly?
ReplyDeleteI like Carson's idea where a flower serves as a pin stuck in a particular point of a map that you lived in/enjoyed the most. Also your color choice might explain whether you enjoyed moving a lot or hated it. If there was a way to make the map look like it is etched into the tree, that would be super cool.
ReplyDelete