Memorie Mate Critique please..

[-AP-]

(Sorry about the title spelling)
I'm getting ready for my first T&I on the cheap shoot for my buddy, and thought I'd give a shot at making a memory mate or 2 for the occasion.

Please keep in mind I am a novice when it comes to PS, and it takes me a long time to get anything done, so it always needs to be pretty simple.

This is what I've come up with so far. Any thoughts or ideas from you creative types?
I'm not really sure how good they are so I'm open to critique. If you have any of your own, please feel free to share for further ideas.

Thanks so much...

Kenny..

The images are there just to get the cropping piece right. (Not meant to portray the actual T&I)

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/798916987_f2MAn-L.jpg

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/798916985_pUyh4-L.jpg

[dlpasco]

These aren't bad but I have a hard time reading the text in the first. I almost didn't notice the background image in the first as well. Do you intend to leave a place for the player's name ( I see a # in the first)?

I took the lazy way out and purchased templates so I applaud your efforts!

[-AP-]

Thank you Dan... I am struggling with the font as well. The problem I am having with that is that the lower template (blue) is not a type font. It's an image of the teams font taken from there banner.

I believe it's in the "gothic" family, but I am having a difficult time finding one similar.
I can bring out the background image a bit, but it seems to print out ok on my machine. Maybe I'll increase it to 35% instead of 25%

EDIT_1:
Here is a second attempt at a new font and Lightening of the background..

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/798965225_Bcz67-L.jpg

This is there banner where I got the text for the blue template..

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/798972518_nG4jR-L.jpg

EDIT_2:
Added name and moved # and boosted BG again...Better?

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/799006574_e2hPN-L.jpg

Edit_3:

I think this may be it for this one? Thoughts? I moved some things around and reduced the shadow under the text..

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/799046805_324gb-L.jpg

[cp1005]

Have you looked for fonts at dafont.com? Broken Planewing looks close to what you want.....

[lundgrenj]

The shadowed text is a bit dated of a look.

[dlpasco]

I'm not a very talented graphics designer so take what I say with a grain of salt. :)

I would separate the team name from the player. Put "Sin Nombres" near the logo and keep the player name and number together. Keep the player name/number the center of attention. I like the background better - any brighter and it is a distraction. I definitely like the football background version better than the light blue gradient background.

The memory mate format is my most popular package (youth hockey). My template is portrait orientation, team photo on the bottom, player upper right hand corner. I think you are on the right track.

If you are interested, I'm using a template package from Easy Digitals (http://easydigitals.com/) as a starting point. These templates are very basic and inexpensive.

[-AP-]

Have you looked for fonts at dafont.com? Broken Planewing looks close to what you want.....

Thanks CP.. I downloaded it and it looks like it could be an option..

The shadowed text is a bit dated of a look.
Thanks.. I noticed most of the fancy templates out there don't have shadows, but perhaps it's because there so busy looking..?


I would separate the team name from the player. Put "Sin Nombres" near the logo and keep the player name and number together. Keep the player name/number the center of attention. I like the background better - any brighter and it is a distraction. I definitely like the football background version better than the light blue gradient background.

The memory mate format is my most popular package (youth hockey). My template is portrait orientation, team photo on the bottom, player upper right hand corner. I think you are on the right track.

If you are interested, I'm using a template package from Easy Digitals as a starting point. These templates are very basic and inexpensive.

Thank you for all that.. I will try to make those changes and see what happens..

While in my pursuit, I remembered I had a bunch of digital backgrounds.. Here is one I found related to Football. I just cut a couple of holes and stroked them, then added some text..

Any thoughts on this? Or should I stick with my original track? Or just buy a cheap set from http://easydigitals.com/??? (I don't plan on making much if any money from this, so I don't really want to spend much..)


http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/799197398_LzEnB-L.jpg

Thanks so much..!!

[cp1005]

I like this layout better--but find the background distracting. Also---not to be picky--but isn't stating "football" on it redundant/obvious?

[-AP-]

I like this layout better--but find the background distracting. Also---not to be picky--but isn't stating "football" on it redundant/obvious?

Thanks.. I totally agree with the redundancy comment, but most templates out there for purchase have it. My daughters even says "Soccer" on it..

I really don't give a rats $#@ either way..:) Even the teams tee shirts and hoodies have Sin Nombre "Football"

[dlpasco]

To be honest, I think your last sample is good. I agree that the background is a little overpowering but that can be toned down.

[-AP-]

Here is another version all together for critique. I showed it to my friend who is the coach, and he really liked it.. Not sure though, what do you all think?

Thanks..

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/799893771_TfNxB-XL.jpg

[deathcake]

I like the last one best so far.

[dlpasco]

Me too.

Your skills seem to be advancing also so don't stop here!

[AlphaChicken]

I like the last one best so far.

Me too.

Your skills seem to be advancing also so don't stop here!

Heck yea! I am digging the last one a lot more than the first few you posted. The thing about the initial ones that put me off the most way the font and weird glow/shadow effect.

[lundgrenj]

Much improved!

Here is another version all together for critique. I showed it to my friend who is the coach, and he really liked it.. Not sure though, what do you all think?

Thanks..

http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/799893771_TfNxB-XL.jpg

[crimsonblack]

Thanks CP.. I downloaded it and it looks like it could be an option..

Thanks.. I noticed most of the fancy templates out there don't have shadows, but perhaps it's because there so busy looking..?



Thank you for all that.. I will try to make those changes and see what happens..

While in my pursuit, I remembered I had a bunch of digital backgrounds.. Here is one I found related to Football. I just cut a couple of holes and stroked them, then added some text..

Any thoughts on this? Or should I stick with my original track? Or just buy a cheap set from http://easydigitals.com/??? (I don't plan on making much if any money from this, so I don't really want to spend much..)


http://www.aerial-perspectives.com/photos/799197398_LzEnB-L.jpg

Thanks so much..!!

This much better. I like it. You could also put a dark shadow behind the text to to bring it out off the paper.