Resolution 2 : Learn to Use my Toys or Get Rid of Them

Posted by blainegarrett on Jan 20th, 2009 | 0 comments

One of my other resolutions this year is to become more knowledgeable of a few things, especially some “toys” I have purchased over the years. I believe that if I don’t make good on learning them, I should probably just sell them.

Here is the skinny…

Photography : I bought a Digital Rebel a few years back and hardly use it since it is bulky and too expensive to risk taking out for hip crazy cool pictures to post on myspace, etc. However, every time I got to use it where I need a good photo, I seem to forget what the hell I am doing. I knew all apature settings, and fstops, and such in highschool, but have long forgotten it. Time to get it back, so I am not just another asshole with an overly expensive camera they don’t rightfully deserve.

Drums : I have had a Roland Vdrum kit for nearly 2 years now, and while being able to play anytime I want without pissing off the neighbors has probably made me a better drummer, I still don’t really know how to use the thing for more than the basic kits, swapping instruments, tweaking etc. I know there is a TON
you can do on it, but I just need to take some time and learn. While I am at it, I need to figure out the metronome, and learn to better plan on time. Yarg. I’ve been playing drums for over 10 years now and still sorta suck at playing in time.

MAudio Fasttrack Ultra : I bought a gizmo a few months ago to help record our podcasts. I manage to make it work well enough, but there seems to be some voodoo that goes into making it be recognized by the computer. I feel like it is an old person operating a computer. If it doesn’t work, unplug, replug, reboot, blow on it, let it sit for a while – perhaps that will do the trick. I should really learn how to just make it work the first time.

Photoshop :  I have a considerable amount of photoshop experience over the last 10 years or so, but I should be a lot farther. I can do things like color line art using the multiply layer setting, use the slice tool to quickly spit out layouts, use the history tool to do repetitious task, and work with the layer styles to make decent looking banners and buttons pretty quickly. However, I know between this and illustrator, I am probably an amateur. There is never a shortage of people who need stuff designed it seems, so I should really get better with it.

Theremin :  I bought a really awesome theremin off of ebay nearly 4 years ago, and my dreams of becoming a theremin virtuoso have gone unrealized. Now it is just a fancy coatrack. I need to learn to play this… SOON.

Logic : I scored a copy of Apple Logic 8 and use it for the podcasts. I can make it work well enough to do the episodes and dick around with midi files. However, I know there is a tone more that can be done with it like the Live Draw tools for adding effects inline. I should also just get better at general mastering and post-production. I’m sure I can get some friends to help me here too

Realistic Painting : Finally, I need to take some time and learn how to render things in paint better and more eloquently. I bought a couple Gerald Brom books 8 years ago and was inspired by his simplistic, yet highly realistic style. Now, years later after not painting as much as I could/should/would be, my faces look flat and muddy, and I can’t render body parts to my own satisfaction. Sure, some might say “it doesn’t have to be realistic…” yeah, thanks for the art lesson.

So, this along with all my creative goals (separate blog coming soon), I will probably be busy. However, I think this is going to be the year, I quick screwing around and really start making some magic. Wish me luck!

For kicks, here is a video of me screwing around with my theremin from 3 years ago… I’m not much better since….

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