Marauder Calendar Update - More Preview Pics Inside

[Breadfan]

About time for an update...

I'm doing what I can to have the Marauder calendar for 2007 available ASAP. Will it make it in time for the Holidays? Well...it's definitely cutting it close, and honestly that would depend on how quick it's completed, and how quick CafePress ships...

But, irregardless, it will be ready and availabe for display prior to January 1, 2007!

I do need a few more pics

I have PM'ed a few folks, but mainly I need pictures of FIT procharger cars, specifically the engine bay. I know there are plenty of you out there! Higher-res the better. My email can take it. PM me for a linkable email address, or reformat mike.okonskiATgmailDOTcom - sub in @ for AT and . for DOT.

In the mean time, here are a few teaser/preview pictures of some of the months. These are basically complete, but are "beta" versions and may be adjusted.

Adjustments will most likely be text changes, font changes, layer blending, and tweaking of image color/brightness/contrast, etc.

One more thing I'd like to point out - the "main pictures" were chosen based on several criteria. The two main criteria were visual impact of the image, and also resolution.

This calendar will have the images printed on 11x17inch size. That is pretty big. For that size, recommended image size is 3500x2300 pixels @ 200dpi. Even a full size 4megapixel image must be scaled up to fit. So small/medium resolution images would simply not work well, as to be scaled to the printable size, they would lose too much quality to the scaling.

Also, my original thought was to have more images per month. Once I started working on these I realized pretty early on that it was not really possible without placing images over the main picture - not a good thing to do.

So it will differ month-to-month.

At anyrate, here are some previews: (These images are HEAVILY scaled down)

January -
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/images/January-preview.jpg

February -
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/images/February-preview.jpg

March -
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/images/March-preview.jpg

October -


September - On this one, I could use some help. Is the title of the image good/appropriate? Should there be anything else? Any CAM'ers with a pic of a Marauder in front of the Pentagon? (I could get that pic, but unsure how that'd go over with the security over there... :nono:)
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/images/September-preview.jpg

[MarauderMark]

DAM fine job Mike .This is well done so far :up: Looking forward to seeing more:drool::D

[FastMerc]

Deffinantly a good job send me ordering info I want one:D :D

[Breadfan]

Once done and setup it will be available through Cafepress. They will handle all the ordering, shipping, etc, I just provide them the image files. Sooooo...more info on that soon!

EDIT: Just to give a preview on the high res images being created, here is the image for October that is in the size that will be submitted for the calendar. Make sure you expand if your browser has automatic image resizing!:

(1.7mb file) http://www.neuralimpulse.com/images/October-big.jpg

[Blackened300a]

Once again, Im very flattered that my car made the cut. Thank you Breadfan

Ill be ordering a few

[MarauderMark]

Hey Mike if ya don't have one for August:2thumbs: i would surely like to see mine there if not no biggie.:D

[michael ward]

Nothing personal, but I would prefer that the main picture be untouched in the top page and put the additional pictures in the in the Calendar portion of the page. Make it so we can take single member cars off the tops and frame them if we wanted.

It's not just October either. All of them shown suffer from trying to be too much in the upper.

The January picture is ruined by the cheesie "I got all four colors at a strip mall" picture. The cars are too far away and why am I trying to read all that small writing on the building? No, it just doesn't have that Calendar feel.

February tries to be too much and included duplication. I like the main colors of this one but don't you think the main Green backround is more of a Spring color (April/May) than February? February should be white (snow) and DTR Hearts type of colors.

March would look good without the two extra pictures. Again, they can go in the Calendar portion and be well treated.

Same for October. Sal's and mine are so unique that someone might think I first did the KB and then went a different direction. Cars like mine, Sal's, Jerry's etc, that physically change the whole outside look, deserve to be recognized alone.

September is almost perfect. I'd remove the flag and put that on the calendar side with a picture of the twin towers before 9/11 and a picture of Ground Zero now or the new Freedom Tower on there.

Remember, the lower calendar always has room in the upper left, lower right to add more pictures. and stats.

JohnHE'S RIGHT!

[Breadfan]

I don't think I can put pics on the lower half of the calendar with the setup they have. Otherwise I would.

I would consider going with only 12 pictures, it severely limits the cut of who makes a pic inside the calendar. I see the logic and look of doing that, but there will be a much tighter cut for the "main" pic.

If everyone is OK with that I'll consider it.

I am not too concerned with making images match their month theme, ie. February=snow. In the end, there's not enough months to cover Marauder-life and do that at the same time.

I'll be honest, I do like the idea of only one pic per month, it's cleaner, and gives that image more impact. Since I can't put anything below it, that leaves only that pic. I think visually it's nice, but it does cut out many of the folks here from making this "community" calendar.

So it's a toss-up really.

In the end the important part is that no one takes not making the cut personally - I've toyed with the idea of cancelling this project more than once because I was afraid it could deterioate into some big name calling and ego busting fiasco like so many other things around here lately. Sorry for thinking that way, but how can I not as of late?

[Breadfan]

First, you can't please everyone so stop trying. This is your project so make the command decisions. No-one will think less of you for doing so.

Take all the advice of others, listen to it, think about it and then come out and do what you think will be a cool calendar for Marauder owners. I guarantee you it will be a hit.

You've got my opinion and that is all I ever asked.

;)

John

Thanks John! I certainly respect the opinions. You are correct, I will be making "command" decisions on this project. At the same time this is my first attempt at producting a calendar, and doing it for the community I am certainly open to opinions and suggestions and will take them to heart.

Being my first attempt I'm sure there will be areas of improvement to be found, getting some feedback from the community helps iron some out (where feasible) for this first go-round.

I posted a poll I can use to get some feedback and will make my choice based on some of the votes/responses here: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=32594

Thanks again!

[oldekid]

It's your project, and I agree you should have the final say so. I'm also honored to have a picture chosen, but would totally understand if there was a reason for it not to be included.

I think we should all just appreciate Mike's effort in taking on this task. I know that I sent him the high res version of my shots with no guarantees of being used, and I'll leave it up to his discretion as to what he wants to do with them . . . . even if nothing at all.

If I have a shot in the calendar, that would be great. . . if not, I'll still be looking forward to seeing the final version . . . . and placing my order.

:beer:

[Blackened300a]

I dont know if I can be added twice in the calendar, Or have another member take this idea and run with it, How about a pic if a Marauder in front of the Rockerfella christmas tree for December?

Im really proud of my pic being used for September but it was just a idea.

[MarauderMark]

Anything Mike??

[Breadfan]

Anything Mike??

I had some personal things come up as well as the Holidays and I was set back in progress. I apologize but I just didn't have the time to make progress.

Wow 2007 already... :)

Stay tuned folks, I'm pressing ahead and will update shortly.

Thank you!

[LUCKY GENE]

great photos!

[LordVader]

Great pictures and subject matter. Can't wait for the final product, and thanks for taking this project on.

[96DiamondVIII]

Keep us posted, I'm very interested in one even if it's not quite in time for 1/1/07! :)