Mudhoney's 'Superfuzz Bigmuff' Album Cover

[Michael_M]

Hey everyone,

I'm compiling some research for an article I'm writing for Perfect Sound Forever, an online music magazine.

I'd like to gather opinions and criticism of a famous photograph which was used as the album cover of Mudhoney's 1988 Superfuzz Bigmuff album:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nVrf9YP2-s...s400/cover.jpg

It's always jumped out to me as a particularly striking image and a great representation of grunge-era Seattle and the connotations it brings to mind.

The photographer's name is Charles Peterson, and other images from the series of photographs he took are available online:

http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=sup...og&sa=N&tab=wi

http://www.google.co.nz/search?um=1&...1575l2-2.2.1l5

The back cover of Superfuzz Bigmuff is also particularly striking:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88HE5gIL0S...0/IMGP0210.JPG

In my research, I'll be getting in touch with several design and photography professionals and hopefully the photographer himself. With your help, I'd like a few starting points from critical and artistic perspectives.

Essentially, I'd like to know:

-What makes this image jump out at you?
-What conventions and principles of design and photography are used effectively?
-Any interesting points about typeface choice, lens usage, composition, space, monochrome vs colour?
-Anything you notice about the subjects?
-Deeper artistic analysis - the number of subjects, the fact they are all male, their shapes/poses, clothes...

So, if there's any of this (and more) you can shed some light on, by all means do!

My experience as an artist and with photography is very limited, as I must assume readers will be - so maybe keep this in mind. Alternatively, if you know an analyst or expert on this kind of subject who would be willing to offer comment for the article, this would also be helpful.

Tell me what you think!

Michael

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfuzz_Bigmuff