Local band collage/poster

[Photodawg1]

Moved and have started shooting local bands. Threw this poster together from some images. Would appreciate feedback.

[zelseman]

Its not bad. Your watermark is the worst part.
Work on the edges the guitarist on the left half. There is a pretty obvious halo around him on the upper half.

Also, maybe blend your images on the right into the black background more.

[René Damkot]

If you shot something against white, it's hard to place it against a black background in a convincing way.
So black might not be the best BG color for the leftmost shot.

That's the shot I like least anyway: Not too well lit, no eye contact, not that much action...

3 of the 5 B&W are better, but I'd not place the two "mirrored" shots next to each other. In fact, I think I'd just loose the cutout one.
Keyboard shot doesn't work too well for me either.

Think about the fact that in a collage like this, one lesser shot will do more "damage" that 4 good ones can make up for... ;)

[Photodawg1]

Thanks Zelseman and Rene, Great feedback!

I know the watermark is painful, just a precaution.

Will clean up the edges and play with different background. I did struggle with that image you suggested I lose Rene, and love the thought about the lesser shot. Thanks much guys!

Linda

[johnstoy]

Yo, dawg...

Let's see what our resident collage guru (Dwight) has to say... You'd better hold your breath...:D

[Photodawg1]

Dwight WHO?I LOL...Idid make most the changes, and those few changes made a world of difference. One thing I do notice is my cutting out images leaves much to be desired. I don't really like this one so much, because it looks like something out of a mag. I also intend to drop his name in whenever I find out what it is.

[johnstoy]

Same here, regarding the white/light blue background... I'm for the black background... or at least a very dark background...

The pic of the guitarist kneeling is exceptional... It's great that you got his western boots in too... It's a pretty complete shot... compact and powerful.

[DwightMcCann]

Having now done about 250 band collages I can assure you that someone will always love them and someone will always find weaknesses. I have also found that when trying to redo based on someone's input (usually Rene or my wife) I discover why I did what I did in the first place ... sometimes a flawed collage is the best of poor alternatives but sometimes their input can improve the work stunningly.

I have now arrived at a belief that the most universally appreciated collage consists of a background shot, usually a wide angle image with a close-up cutout reaching almost top to bottom on one side with text on the other side. If you want to see examples and how my style has evolved you can to to my website and check out the Chumash galleries in chronological order ... every one starts with the collage from the event and the "icon" links are also the collages.

Finally, I need to disclaim: I am not artistic and I am sure that someone with a little talent could create superb artistic collages ... but it takes many years and I'm doing other things! :-)

[Photodawg1]

Dwight, Stop being soooo modest! You are the sh*t when it comes to collages/posters. Thanks for the feedback. See you are still getting those great images.

[DwightMcCann]

I appreciate your support, but I see collages all the time that are simply stunning and make great use of a range of design elements such as gradients, multiple overlapping layers of cutouts, clever use of text, etc., etc. and I just can't do that. The only thing that makes my collages nice is that I have superb images to work with.

[Photodawg1]

The only thing that makes my collages nice is that I have superb images to work with.

That's an UNDERSTATEMENT!
Thanks Dwight.

One of the reasons I am never here anymore. Always feel the queen dreg of the photoworld compared to you guys...

[René Damkot]

Problem with the "kneeling" shot is that you see his feet, yet he is "floating": No floor & no shadow.

How did you do the cutout?

Here's some good tutorials on masking: http://dekedotcom.blip.tv/

Here's a thread with an alternative way: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=774110&highlight=LR+mask

Might be helpful.

I prefer the second collage, except the blue.

[Photodawg1]

Usually I just use a magnetic lasso, cut it out and drop in in a new background.

I just watched the first link. Intense! Awesome though in the control it allows. I just glanced at the second link and think when I get up tomorrow...well later today I will have a go at a redo of the image using that tutorial.

Thanks much Rene...