Close call!

This could have been a huge embarrassment! Just as i thought i had finished i realised that the image inside of my cd case had a word missing in the song title, below is the corrected version.

Cd cover

This image is a development from my last cd cover mock that i am considering as my final cd cover.

developing cd cover

This mock of a cd cover again was created in photoshop. I have cut out Connor from my first cd cover and layered him on top of a still frame that i have taken from my music video. This frame include three clips as all of the transitions are over lapping; i felt this was my first idea that began to resemble works similar to Sigur Ros. The text in the background over the road sign wasn't finished it was just to show the basic idea.

ideas for cd digi- pack

This was one of the photographs that i took a while ago of Connor in Leicester, here i have cropped it in photoshop and applied a graffiti font that i downloaded off the internet. I was experimenting with this to create either the back of the cd case of the inside of the cover. Although this font may fit in with the original graffiti on the wall it fails to fit into the indie/ creative genre that i am aiming for.

Sigur Ros influence

Again i have taken examples from Sigur Ro's work to help direct my own cd designs. His album covers all successfully communicate individual thoughts and messages using unique methods of presentation. It is clear that the use of photography is common with in his work, relying on outside locations and the realism that it created by this. It is also apparent that distort effects have been used and alteration of lighting; both these effect implies various things, the dark blurred photo suggests mysterious and depth whereas the lightened photograph of naked men running i think exaggerates the energy and humour conveyed from this idea. The other cover is a simple print which is equally as interesting as this black print reveals little about the character features and the lighter silhouette of trees around the subject provide many areas for peoples interpretation to explore. Personally i interpret this as a men lost in a whole new world.



It is apparent that all of these cd's follow similar conventions in that the image is relied on to capture the attention rather than the artists name. This creative edge suggests that the music follows a similar path, which consequently it does.



These are various edits i have made to my most recent mock of the cd cover, each have be edited only by varying the saturation levels. I feel that the change i have made to the text on the last one makes it merge in with the image more than the previous examples, though at the same time it stands out and looks realistic.

I am going to get feed back on these images which will help me come to a conclusion as to which is most preferred and effective.

Developing cd cover

Since my initial mock of the cd cover i have edited this further in photoshop and applied a non-digetic light source effect that exaggerates the natural lighting in the original picture.

first mock:


The difference between the two i believe is effective as this more powerful light almost implies the same as a spotlight suggesting that the focus is on this character and the highlight provides more energy making the photograph appear more interesting.

second mock:

Cd cover

Since taking the photo's of Connor in Leicester i have selected various angles that would best suit the cd cover while considering composition rules, such as the golden spiral as shown below in the two examples:





Both of these compositions make the focus the picture begin in the corner and as the flowers petals open out the attention is gradually spread out across the imagine though the beginning of the spiral will always contain the main feature. Below is my first mock up of my cd cover and i have considered this composition within it.



The spiral begins on the guitar as it is the lightest colour against connors black jacket and in the foreground and as the spiral spreads out connor becomes in focus followed by the green back ground.

Completed filming and photo shoot

Today I finished filming my new footage that allows me to parallel edit the two ages of Connor so that the narrative appears clearer.

below are the photos that i have taken for the cd digi pack and advert:

Basic ideas

Initially i liked the photograph below as the background of my CD cover/advert however since editing it and considering how the final piece may look i have come to the conclusion that the red 'stop' sign is too bold and draws away immediate attention to other features within the photograph such as the location and graffiti which all have relevance to the genre. If i were to capture this same image again without the sign i would simply just ensure that the sign wasn't in the frame therefore producing more potencial space for text on the right.



Here i have briefly tried out some ideas of of how to present the texts concerning the cd cover; all the colours used for the text have been extracted from the image itself to prevent a harsh ckash of colours. Next i am going to expeirment with recreating the street signs and using that font to present the artist and name of the album.

I have three compositions ideas for when i take these new photographs:
1. Positioning connor agaginst the wall as he was in the video playing his guitar.
2. The same as above however i would have elodie standing in parralell to connor although against the wall on the other side of the corner so that there is a clear part between the two.
3. Building on the above again, i would position the guitar on the floor leaning agaginst the corner edge of the wall so that it symbolises the music that separates them and prevents them from having a relationship.

Although i will still take a photograph with the original shot featuring the 'stop' sign as the immediate attention provides strong connotations in relation to the narrative of the video. Although the sujects featured may be seen second to the sign the implications of this may work. This may not work however i am willing to try and then decide once i have both side by side. In addition the semiology of the imperitive sign, explains the implications of the 'stop' sign emphasise its power to literally stop the view from seeing anything else and then once the viewers eyes divert and see the remaining image the red connotations are revealed as the narrative in the music video is concluded.

Magazine advert and cd cover research

As i am in the process of editing my music video i won't post it on the blog until its largely finished. However i will make posts concerning the magazine advert and cd cover. I have already created a post with my initail ideas for a photograph in the background which i will create layers upon it in photoshop to produce the relevant text/information required and layered effects. Since taking my first photograph for this part of the project i have realised that it follows a similar method and energy that is featured in a number of Oasis's albums shown below.



These reflect the urban location/lifestyle and present the band in their truest form as they appear to be performing daily routines such as walking down the road and sat in the lounge. This representation of the band may be a promotional method where the band is represented in a natural form which many people can relate to.