My triumphs though of this past year, I have managed to get some models up for sale and free download. The free downloads are doing pretty well, but sadly I have not gotten a sale yet. Although, the fact I only have 5 models currently up for sale probably has something to do with that. Alas, this is a start and a great one as well. I hope to get a fair bit more models up this coming year. I also hope to make a sale, even if it is just a few bucks in profits, perhaps it shall provide me a bit more of inspiration to continue on the path. Things always look the most bleak before the sun comes up, or say its said, so perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel?
At least for the career minded portion of my life, that IS the triumphs for the year. The year went much quicker then I expected it to, this year is likely to do the same. Which forces me to act quicker which each passing moment. What will the new year hold? What will be my accomplishments? What will be my failures? For I assure you, there will be failures. How will I over come the obstacles to learn from these failures so I dont repeat them again in the future?
My failures this year: Wanting to learn and use more with the DSLR that I have in my possession. I have a camera and wish to get some photos for use as textures for 3d modeling purposes or for posting up for sale for others to make use of. I have the tools, yet, cant seem to get it through that I actually need to go out and use it to get those photos taken. Its a simple matter really, get dressed, go out, click the shutter, go back inside, edit inside photoshop for later use and posting. Done. The closest I get to that is, waking up.
Lesson for the new year: Waking up earlier. Getting work done on those days when I work the afternoon shift instead of sleeping till I need to get ready for work. That would give me a few hours at least of which I can work on things that need to be completed. Would give me time to read a few of the books I have purchased to teach me new skills for use with these projects. Would give me time to go out and take a picture of a tree, the grass, a cloud, the sky, a brick wall, random animals and so on and so forth. Do I get the picture? (no pun intended) Time will tell.
My failure this year #2: Modeling. I am modeling, but, its taken me way to long to complete a simple model such as a chair. Sure, I can chalk some of this up to inexperience. I have only been back into modeling heavy for the last two years now. I have had to relearn alot of what I forgot in that absence. But, the main thing is, even with forgetting alot of my training before, it should NOT take me two weeks to model a simple dresser. I proved that the other night, modeling an armoire in just about 3 hours. I am still not completed with the model though, I finished the modeling in 3 hours, but because of lack of working on this and finding excuses, I have been working on that model now for almost a week. I have most of it textured and UVmapped finally, but I could probably have had it posted in about an hour after I finished the modeling. I did not though. I got sidetracked by things and did not follow through.
Lesson for the new year #2: Follow through. As I said, I start ALOT of projects, I finish very few of them. I am the creator of my destiny, and right now the destiny I am creating will never be completed because I will get distracted by a shiney object in the background and walk off forgetting about it for a few months before I get back to it. I need to figure out a way to set a schedule and stick to it. This year I would like to add 100 small items to my online model store. I would also wish to add several larger objects to it as well. These large objects will take me much time to work on, but it will help boost my confidence level if I can ever manage to get them completed. Everytime I get distracted and dont complete a project, my confidence level in my abilities goes down alot. I need to rectify this and complete things, as I know I can do.
Projects for the year I wish to work on:
Modeling
As stated above, I would like to add 100 small objects to my online store. This would include chairs, tables, lamps and various other small assets scene around the house.
On top of this, I need to create a few larger projects as well. These will be more inline with the Venetian bridge I wish to create. It will take me much time for these, and texturing and all that will take even more time. So I will need to budget my time between these large projects and small ones so I can work on them at the same time.
Photography
Finally learning my camera and making use of the abilities it can add to my overall workflow. Learning a bit more about retouching, and trying to retouch my photos just for simple posting, instead of trying to be a professional right out of the gate. This will help me get used to the controls and workflow, as well as just giving me time to play in photoshop again.
Using the camera to take textures. Simple to do overall, allows me to do some post work as well. Then create the maps and after I get 10 or so, post up for sale. Simple really and I need to get on this. How though? Walk in the park I think would be great. We found a great pond inside of south park (local park) which is a great area for photography. Plus they have ducks :)
Movie world
Working on a unknown project with Matt that will give me a reason to start learning some compositing work as well. This should be an interesting experience for sure, I just dont know much details on this yet to even know where to start on this one.
Ipod Development
Working on a project with Chris as well. Will be a simple game for an ipod service that we can post up and make a few bucks for hopefully. Once again, more details on this project later as it develops.
Now, we look forward and never back, and we create that future that we only see inside of our minds and make it a reality. There is only one person that can persue that goal, that person is me. I am also though my worst enemy as I am the only person that can hold myself back. Time to destroy that person and to make a few steps forward instead of jogging backwards.
Craig Menne
