Goth/Rock Album Cover - Which Image?

[dzstudios]

Clients feel the first pics are too 'sexy' for a goth/rock album (think Evanescence-type music) and we had to reshoot - producing the second batch... i'm not sure... comments please?

The whole range of images can be seen at http://www.d-z.co.uk/sacred

http://www.d-z.co.uk/sacred/images/image_02.jpg

or this
http://www.d-z.co.uk/sacred/images/008.jpg


Example of shoot 2:

http://www.d-z.co.uk/sacred/images/image_01.jpg

[RockSlut]

I must say I kind of agree with the clients, despite the fact that they are all lovely images.

My feeling is that the images are a little too R&B or pop rather than goth-rock, but then I don't feel that their outfits or looks really seem to fit the genre either. I'm going to have more of a think and I'll come back to this one...

[Spiral Photo]

The thing about goth images, there's very little fleshy flesh tones in them. Lots of blacks, lots of grays or dark blues, maybe even a little red.

This might be a little over the top depending on their actual sound, but a quick google search for "goth" pinged back this image. Perfect example of what I'm talking about.

http://www.nnm.ru/imagez/gallery/other/_gothic_girlz_-1121326555_i_2016_full.jpg

[bikerider]

Well I think the photos are very good and they should be happy with the quality. However since they're trying to pass themselves off as a goth act, they don't work. There's maybe one image.......second last in the series I think, it's dark and one of the girls has a skull cap on. That comes closest to goth imo. So is their music goth/rock or dark/pop?
Roger.

[René Damkot]

Another vote for picture #9. Rest is too 'poppy'. Nice images though, but no 'goth feel'

[Nidz]

I like the first one.. I'm about iffy about the pose in the second one

[earplugsrequired]

You got some great shots of them but they aren't goth-rock.. if this is the way these artists always dress/present themselves then maybe they need to decide which genre they really fit into.. That's something way out of your control... They look more olsen twinish.. Unfortunately cameras aren't fairy godmothers..

[Steve Parr]

You got some great shots of them but they aren't goth-rock.. if this is the way these artists always dress/present themselves then maybe they need to decide which genre they really fit into.. That's something way out of your control... They look more olsen twinish.. Unfortunately cameras aren't fairy godmothers..

Yep.

While the photos are excellent, they ain't "goth". They appear more like promo shots for the Go-Go's...

[Wsman2]

As I'm slowly waking up this morning, I would say that I like the last image. The black in their dresses sticks out nicely over that white background.

[Deltadarlin]

9 would get my vote, BUT, even then, imho, it's more *grunge* than it is goth.

[RockSlut]

After thinking about this a little, I reckon I'd want to hear their sound before I could give a definitive answer, but I'd suggest that checking out http://www.mzannthropik.com/ for a little bit of inspiration.

I mean no offence to your artists, but as someone who is very familiar with the goth scene and a lot of goth music, but they don't look like they fit the genre. Now that probably sounds really harsh, but it is a subculture that is incredibly image-conscious.

I hope this is at least some assistance to you.

[mijbril]

What everyone else said. They might be rock, but they certainly don't look goth.

Have a look at the pics on this site

http://www.wave-gotik-treffen.de/photogallery.php

The WGT in Leipzig, Germany (my favourite music festival in the world by far, between it & Mera Luna, they're the biggest gothic festivals about. If your duo wants goth appeal, send them to Germany to see how it's done!!!!)

Still, nice shots though :)

[dzstudios]

After thinking about this a little, I reckon I'd want to hear their sound before I could give a definitive answer, but I'd suggest that checking out http://www.mzannthropik.com/ for a little bit of inspiration.



You can listen to some of their tracks on http://www.myspace.com/thisissacred

They are, I think deliberately trying to err on the 'commercial' side, for obvious economic reasons...

I appreciate all your help and especially the inspiration!! Now, I just need to get my lenses on a REAL goth band... all that drama and gore, yummy!!!

[Longwatcher]

I liked #1 and #9 the best for potential.

#1 could be reworked a bit by lightening the skin tone and whitening the eyes a touch, keep the shadows down though. They really needed a touch darker eyelid makeup to give them a touch more sunken eye look. wider black makeup area above the eye.

And it needs less color more gray in the look.

#9 looks like you just need to crop some bringing them in closer and lighten up the skin tone of the one in the back.

All of the white backdrop shots are too "light" to be good goth, they are more "Pop" in nature.

Just my thoughts (probably too late) and opinion,

My only real expertise is I listen to a lot of Goth music.

[Feardrops]

I don't like the stereotype most of you are putting on "Goth rock" or whatever.
Some of the photos look a little too poppy, I agree, but there is no sense to classify an entire genre into three colors or a certain type of photo. Not all "goth" rock is the same, and the photos don't all have to follow the same process each time.

I think "goth" (Which by the way, I hate that term, heh,) is about attitude, and I think the below two pictures sum that up nicely. Maybe just change the backdrop color a tad in post.

http://www.d-z.co.uk/sacred/images/image_04.jpg

http://www.d-z.co.uk/sacred/images/Image_02.jpg

The last is a very nice photo for any type of music, and I think these are both really nice and fitting.

[PineCone]

i don't know about goth .. but i like #1 .. again.. i don't know if it'll fit the goth rock genre... #2 doesn't do anything for me..

[Bluelens]

Let me start by saying I think these photos are all great images. You did a great job taking some lovely pictures.

That being said, I honestly don't feel that any of these would fit in a goth genre. I will speak with a little bias since I am somewhat part of the goth/industrial scene in DC and I helped run a goth/industrial magazine for three years. I'm not saying this makes me an expert on the topic, just letting you know where I am coming from.

I think 008 would work better if the background was a lighter color. If you could have had something going on back there is would help. The wardrobe works for me on that one, but the black in the back takes away

I really like the positioning of the right on the left in 013. I think what bothers me about this photo is the more relaxed look the person on the right has. Her pose kind of changes the overall look.

The makeup on 025 is great. Maybe if you could add that look with one of the previous pictures I mentioned that could work.

I think one of the big misconception people might have when it comes to a gothic (subculture) image is to have as much black as possible. I think this is only true when it comes to the makeup and clothing. And even then the makeup isn't always black, but is quite often quite colorful. With having a lighter background the black that the models are wearing makes them stand out more (which is part of the point of the great outfits they wear - fishnets, corsets, etc..yummy ;) ). By having a very dark background the people can get lost and you then lose the goth-esque imagery.

Try putting them in something latex-y or shiny. Corsets always work as do long dresses with lace. gloves would help, either lacy or long rubber ones. And the boots. These boots could be changed to something more "stopmy" with buckles or zippers. They should look like they could crush anything they come across.

One other thing that could take away a little is the hair and makeup. The hair styles these lovely ladies have don't quite mesh with a goth image. I'm not saying they need to get a "new do" but styling it a bit more "moody", if that makes sense, could help it. The makeup also needs to be kicked up a few notches (thanks Emeril). Heavy use of eye shadow, eyebrows are very important, and the lipstick needs to just grab you. While, again, these ladies are looking quite lovely, they do look more indie/pop then goth.

I hope this doesn't come out sounding too picky, just expressing what I have noticed over the past few years in the culure.

[dzstudios]

Thanks Bluelens - these girls seem, after yet another consultation with them, to be a little 'scared' to be too goth, for fear of alienating a wider audience. (sigh!)

I got all excited about doing a 'goth' shoot but even their producer has now put the brakes on.

I'm hoping to get some bands on board who are more 'dyed in the wool goth' - and your advice will be invaluable.

Thanks again.