SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic - Need some help now (This has nothing to do with prostitutes)

Posted: Jan 07 2009 04:49 am

So I did the shoot for my album cover last night. It was fucking sweet, people were staring at me, I felt like a celebrity. My best friend Kyla, she is a fucking WHIZ at not only photography, but editing the photos to bring them to their full potential. Every one of the photos turned out exactly as I wanted it. They were so awesome, in fact, that I have no fucking clue which one I want to use for my cover. So here's a poll (as well as some more photos for fun).

Photo 1:

Photo 2:

The Back Cover:

Other Photos:

(I was in agonizing pain for this shot, hence the look)

(This one is completely unedited)

As you can see, she used a lot of long exposures, and after a while started to experiment with crank the camera in various directions and such.

So which pic should I use? Photo 1, Photo 2, or a different one?

Posted: Jan 07 2009 04:56 am

I like photo 1 more as a cover, although it'd be a little generic. I see what the photographer was trying to do with Photo 2, but honestly, I don't think the effect came out that well. Plus, the image of a guy jumping with a guitar feels a little amateurish, almost retro now.

The back cover photo is PERFECT.

I like this photo, maybe not as a cover, but I like it.

Really good shoot overall. Very nice.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 05:00 am

Yeah, the jump was VERY hard to time properly hahaha, and it was just a photo I wanted to do. My main concern for the other one is my Van Halen shirt. I'm worried that it might be too distracting from my own name on the cover.

As for the back photo, I've taken many a photo under the overpass there, and have NEVER seen that graffiti in the top corner. In case you can't see it, it says '...or they will inherit the earth.' Right under that I'll list the tracks.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 05:09 am

ross_rifle113 wrote:

Yeah, the jump was VERY hard to time properly hahaha, and it was just a photo I wanted to do. My main concern for the other one is my Van Halen shirt. I'm worried that it might be too distracting from my own name on the cover.

As for the back photo, I've taken many a photo under the overpass there, and have NEVER seen that graffiti in the top corner. In case you can't see it, it says '...or they will inherit the earth.' Right under that I'll list the tracks.

I dug the graffiti.

Yah know, you are absolutely right about the Van Halen shirt. You can tell I'm not a lawyer. Legally it is an issue. I doubt you'd get sued from an independent release, but it is kind of misleading too. That and the whole implied: "You'll like this CD if you like Van Halen" subliminal messaging. It's a shame, because I do like the shot composition. Your best friend isn't able to photoshop that out, right?

Also, these aren't very big images, so I'm sure I'm missing a lot of details. Maybe Photo 2 looks better in hi-res.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 05:11 am

I'm gonna ask her if she can photoshop it, at least a bit. She'll have to remove the 'Typhoon' on the guitar headstock too.

These photos are also on my MySpace now, if you want to see them bigger.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

I like the back cover as the album cover.

Title: Titlating Joined: Dec 17 2007 Posts: 5042

I think photo 2 is the best for the front cover, and on the plus side you can't really see the van halen logo if there were problems to arise

Joined: Feb 24 2006 Posts: 2578

Photo 1 for the album cover, and Photoshopping out the VH logo (a must -- you can't leave it in there) should be a cinch.

In fact, I'd say replace the VH logo with the title of your album.

The back cover should stay as the back cover -- looks great, and plenty of room for the track list.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 12:47 pm

I am thinking one of the other photos

this is the one I am thinking will work best

Posted: Jan 07 2009 01:25 pm

Fuck that. You should let me draw a gore cover for your album. Like a Cannibal corpse cover, or Maiden/Megadeth if you don't want the gore.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 01:43 pm

Photo 2 (because it's fucking awesome and you won't get sued out of your mind) or even Burt's idea.

Title: Titlating Joined: Dec 17 2007 Posts: 5042

You should make a song called "Or they will inherit the earth"

Posted: Jan 07 2009 04:12 pm

Something with this pic would be cool.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 04:45 pm

I'm going to keep the whole bunch of photos, and if I get picked up by a label, I can use some photos for singles covers. Fuck, I might even do the singles thing on my own, throw a couple exclusive cover tunes or something on 'em, sell 'em for a buck or two, hellz yeah.

Title: Alexz Aficionado Joined: May 21 2008 Posts: 2889

Mr. Bomberman wrote:

Photo 2 (because it's fucking awesome and you won't get sued out of your mind)

This. Van Halen will probably want money.

I like phto 1 best, just photoshop your name on it insted, or where a TV shirt that has your album name on it and reshoot it Smile

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Ross,

How about this one?

Posted: Jan 07 2009 05:09 pm

I don't even know what to say to this...wow.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 08:53 pm

I really like the 4th picture in Other. I think it could work as an album cover, but it might be a little boring. I don't know, it just has this really cool look/feel to it the the other ones don't. Also, you should shoop out the VH logo, BUTBUTBUT, design a logo for your band that looks sort of like the VH logo and use that. THAT would be fucking cool. If you want I could try to come up with some stuff. I AM pretty lazy, but I enjoy drawing and I think I'm fairly talented at it. Plus, I really like designing logos, and you never know, I could come up with something kick ass.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 09:52 pm

I said 2, I hate 1, it just strikes me as one of those pictures the "scene" kids or pretentious coffee shop kids that act sophisticated and like obscure things only because other people don't would take.

Posted: Jan 07 2009 09:56 pm

If I had to pick between 1 or 2, I'd go with 1. 2 just doesn't seem like a cover to me. Maybe a gatefold or a poster or something. Just make sure to get rid of the arm hair...

Posted: Jan 07 2009 09:59 pm

Yes, I noticed the arm hair too. I think I'm leaning towards the second one myself...

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

What is wrong with arm hair?

Posted: Jan 07 2009 10:03 pm

I find it distracting personally. And at this point I can convince people that I'm a rock star that has a perfect body and all that stupid stuff Cool

Posted: Jan 07 2009 10:13 pm

DarkMaze wrote:

Photo 1 for the album cover, and Photoshopping out the VH logo (a must -- you can't leave it in there) should be a cinch.

In fact, I'd say replace the VH logo with the title of your album.

The back cover should stay as the back cover -- looks great, and plenty of room for the track list.

This.

Unless...you can photoshop motion blur on photo 2, in which case, that's your best bet. Motion blur + Scissor kicks = win, IMO.

This was really a tough choice, these are good photos...

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

ross_rifle113 wrote:

I find it distracting personally. And at this point I can convince people that I'm a rock star that has a perfect body and all that stupid stuff Cool

Iggy Pop, Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler...

Dude, you have nothing to worry about, the world doesn't care how pretty guys are in rock.