Using Adobe CS2
We wanted to first experiment with layering images, and finding the right balance between their opacity. We first imported 3 images into the programme of 2 performers back to back, the forest and another performer in silhouette (Captured on set on the days of filming). By tweaking their opacity and their layer ordering as well as the airbrushing tool to soften their skin, we were left with this initial image:
As a first attempt, we were pleased with this image, but we realised it had no strong correlation to our video and didn't have enough relevance. As well as this, it doesn't follow our colour scheme and looks a little too amateur and tacky. Therefore we moved onto working with more sophisticated effects such as cutting and razoring images, isolating certain colours and duplicating their appearance.
From our second photoshoot, we were left with several images that we were very pleased with. We used the Sony Cybershot 10.1 megapixel DSC-T77 digital camera to capture the images with:
This camera has a highly sophisticated MACRO setting that enables extreme close ups with a 10 million mega-pixel lens quality. With this ability, Josh and I were able to take near-proffesional quality photos from a variety of unusual angles whilst maintaining the high quality. The SL flash setting also allowed a boost of colour which gave us further editing options during the photoshop process. We used red-head lighting, and above head floods that gave us a three-dimensional quality to the pictures, enhancing the performers facial features by creating shadows and different shades of colours.
The Editing Process
Having a vast selection of pictures to edit and manipulate in Adobe Photoshop CS2, we had a wide range of artwork we were able to produce as well as the front and back cover. We began with the photo below and over the course of about 30 minutes produced our first front cover for the Digipack:
Original Photo 
Edited Digipack cover
We also merged an image of the Treetop forest location as a faded layer behind the hair to introduce some narrative to the cover. We airbrushed the face to an un-natural level so we could have the 'supernatural correlation' to the video. We isolated her lips using a razor and magic wand tool and enhanced the redness so her lips stand out in equal balance with the text. Having the rest of the image in different shades of black and white, it augments the lips and provides a focal point to the image exaggerating their importance to the video. We also manipulated her eye pupils to pure black, which gives the performer a lack of identity which is a strong motif used throughout the video. In this particular image we have concentrated on Laura Mulvey's theory of the 'Male Gaze' by exhibiting the performer in a near-sexual manner with a smirk on her face. The hair hiding half her face also adds to the mysterious quality of the image and provides a slightly sensual aspect.
Editing the Digipack on the Adobe Photoshop CS2 Software
After deliberation, Josh and I again had seconds thoughts about this front cover. We felt that there was a lack of movement portrayed in the image, and being that dance and fast paced action was a very strong element to our video, we felt that this cover was lacking that sense of rapid movement. Therefore we moved onto looking at another image from the photo shoot that illustrates a lot of movement and interesting dynamic:
Original Photo Edited Digipack cover
This image took us another 30 minutes to produce and we were much happier with this outcome. We feel it portrays our promo as a more exciting, original and mysterious music video than the usual pop-video performance. It has a stronger dynamic with the hair being thrown back mid-motion, and with the performers eyes being shut. We also feel it has more of a supernatural edge than our previous cover and represents our colour scheme, dance-theme and paranormal quality in a much simpler and artistic form. We created 3 replicas of the image over one another and slightly layered them using the opacity tweak. This use of '3' represents our 3 performers and the 3 colour schemes throughout the video. With the red figure being the most dominant in the image, we feel this is eye catching, creates a strong impact, appears eerie and represents the theme of blood in our video. We altered the natural colouring using the RGB colour chart and a colour spectrum scale. We also removed the vest strap on her shoulder as we felt this appeared tacky and hindered the mystic quality of the image. By also increasing the sharpness of the image, it creates a more defined illustration and a clearer, more detailed image to look at. We faded her body from elbow downwards using the gradient tool as well as the text to again enhance the supernatural quality of the image and for simple composition and aesthetic reasons.To create the bold black background, we razored the outline of the figure and imported the cut-out onto a plain black background which helps the boldness of the red, white and black colours stand out. We added a shine to the hair using the 'magic wand' and 'transform tool' which adds to the sense of motion. We chose this style of 'haunted' text as we wanted to embellish our ghostly theme and immediately hint to an audience that the music is bizarre and mysterious.
For our back cover, we created 3 choices as we were not sure whether to use a performer, or a prop image. Below are the three outcomes.
Original Photo Edited Digipack cover
To create this image, we used the same method as above but did not duplicate the the figure. We imported the Sony BMG logo from Wikipedia and altered it's opacity depth to make it appear more part of the image. Combining this logo with a barcode, we were able to make this image appear near-proffesional as these elements are always included on real retail products. By saturating the image into a black and white state, the title of the digipack 'A-ha!' stands out and is easily remembered by a consumer.
Original Photo Edited Digipack cover
Again, we used the same editing method to isolate the image against a black background but this time cropped the original image to a further zoomed state. We kept the colour relatively natural as its normal colouring is in-fact quite eerie to begin with. We photographed the ballerina from this angle as it exhibits the face at an authoritative level which is a strong motif used throughout our video. Having learnt this technique during the A/S course in the analysis of TV drama, I feel my skills have developed to judge the angles at which the photographs should be captured at. As a final judgement we felt this image was too 'busy' and didn't match the continuity of our other artwork's simplicity.
However, we felt the image still had a lot of unusual potential, so we layered the rusty black and white ballerina over the face using the layer and opacity tool, and we were left with the image on the left. By keeping the ballerina face obscured by the top layer image, it interests the audience to observe the image to a further extent to try and interpret what they're seeing. This is important to catch consumer attention in this way as it will further their interest of the product and make them want to purchase it more. I decided based on my own opinion that I preferred this cover most as it is more artistically arranged, appears striking and unusual, and provides the consumers with a strong sense of narrative. To further the professionalism of the image, I added the Sony BMG legal statement below the 'A-ha!' text as all real retail products have this lawful requirement as part of the copyright protection act.
Below is a Digipack template of our FRONT AND BACK (EXTERNAL) cover of how it would look during production:
After our front and back covers were completed, we then moved on to the designing of the interior inner folds and CD tray insert. Below are the images in their pre and post-editing states:
Original Photo Edited Digipack CD tray
This is our final CD tray insert. We used the same method of editing as the front cover and additionally whitened the teeth using the exposure and invert tool. We have chosen this to be placed behind the CD as it signifies the lips used throughout our video and is a striking, effective image. It also emulates the title of the song 'A-ha!' as if the mouth is mid-motion singing this lyric.
Original Photo Edited Digipack insert
Original Photo Edited Digipack insert
For the above two inserts, we used the exact same editing technique of isolating the nails and saturating them with a red paint bucket tool and inverting the rest of the image as black and white. The hand and torso are very dominant features used throughout our video and symbolise strong climax's. Their appearance is also relatively gothic and relates to the eeriness of German Expressionism imagery.
Original Photo Edited Digipack insert
For our final piece of artwork, we have again concentrated on the importance of the music box ballerina in our video. This time, we have made it appear as if a torch is shining over the ballerina like in the video, and slightly isolated the lips as red and the rest of the image is inverted as black and white. With this image we have created a feeling of isolation and it has a relatively disturbing appearance enhancing our intention to make our consumers feel on edge.
Below are the final templates for the INTERIOR of our Digipack:
Interior edition 1
Interior edition 2
Interior edition 3
Below is a picture of our actual digipack in a hardback plastic jewel case:
