THE FRESH EYE:
A Feature for Young Adult Photographers  and Their Instructors

COOL MUSIC CD COVERS:
Integrating Computers into the Photography Classroom

by Susan Lange

"Wow!"

"That's cool!"

"Can I try that?"

As a high school photography teacher, those are comments I enjoy hearing from students when I present a new lesson--and the kind of response I frequently do hear when I demonstrate using computers to make music CD covers.

I teach photography at Conifer High School in Colorado. In this new high school, we're well equipped with the latest technology in all areas of the school--including the photography room. Most of our assignments are geared toward black and white photography, using standard darkroom techniques. When I started teaching at Conifer, my goal was not to replace the fine art of "wet photography" with technology, but to expose the students to an authentic task by combining photography with computer application.

In teaching students about historic and contemporary photographers, I inform them that many contemporary fine art photographers and commercial photographers are incorporating technology into their work. One of the software packages preferred by professionals for enhancing photographs is Adobe Photoshop, which is the program I'm using with my students.

I designed the music CD cover project for my beginning photography students. I tried to plan a project that would use the technology available to create a meaningful work of art from a photograph. This project meets several goals of mine as a photo teacher:

1.) It teaches students how to incorporate photography with new technology.
2.) The students enjoy the assignment, because it touches on an aspect of their everyday world--music.
3.) The assignment meets art standards at the national, state, and local levels.

Motivation and Presentation

Most high school students are fearless and intuitive when it comes to learning computer applications. So when I introduce them to Photoshop, I give them a short demo on how to use the basic tools and filters. Then I give each student a turn at "playing around" with the program. I find that most of the kids learn best using a "hands on" approach. They take turns on our mini-lab of five Macintosh computers, working until each is familiar with the program.

When I introduce the CD assignment, we discuss the following questions:

1.) What is the purpose of the CD cover?   (To sell the music)
2.) What kinds of CD's catch the eye and why?  (Good use of design)
3.) What makes the design good?
4.) Which covers make them want to buy?
5.) How can you tell what kind of music is on the CD from what you see on the cover?    (Subject and style of photograph)
6.) How is art work or photography used to sell music?
7.) How can photos be altered to make them more appealing to the consumer?

We spend time looking at album covers and CD covers that use photographs. Students are encouraged to bring in samples from their own music collection.

I have the students imagine they've been hired by their favorite musicians to create a music CD. They can make up the title of the CD and the musicians, or use a name of an existing group. The students are then assigned to go out and shoot  film on the selected subject.

The Process

Students shoot one or more rolls of black and white film for this assignment. Since this isn't the first assignment of the semester, they're already familiar with the process of developing film and making prints. After the film is developed, a contact sheet is printed. The best shots are identified and printed. Prints can be sized at 5x7, 8x10, or in a square format (the same proportions of the front of a CD cover) using an adjustable easel.

Once the student has a workable print, he/she uses a scanner to bring the photograph into the computer environment. After the photograph has been imported into Photoshop, the student has endless options for manipulating and enhancing the image. Some tools can be used to improve or change the quality of the photograph. The program allows changes in brightness and contrast and even has tools used for dodging and burning. Color can be added to all or part of the black and white photo. A favorite option for students is to use a filter. Special effects filters such as emboss, wave, ripple, or extrude can be added with the click of a button.

A word of caution to students: Use special effects in moderation.  (It's common for new users to "over-manipulate" an image to a point at which the original image is lost.)

Since the photographic print is usually 5" x 7" or 8" x 10", the proportions need to be altered before the picture will fit in a CD case. There are several ways to change the proportions of the picture. The dimensions for the CD cover are: 4.75" by 4.75" for the front cover and for the inside of the front cover; 5.375" wide by 4.75" high for the back cover and for the inside back cover. If the back cover wraps around to include the sides, add .25" for each side. I usually require students to create only the front cover, but they often create the back, sides, and inside covers. (The inside back cover will be visible only if a clear jewel case is used.) Cases can be purchased at music stores and/or computer supply stores.

Here are a few ways to alter the size of the image: Students can crop the image to fit the size specifications. There is a cropping tool in the program that is easy to use. If the essence of the picture is lost by cropping, students can squash the picture (pardon the untechnical jargon). They do so by changing the image size without retaining the proportions. This works well for some pictures but not for others. A third alternative is to add a border to the short side or sides of the print. For example, if the print is horizontal, add a border to the top and bottom. You can use a solid color and then add the text to that area. The border is added by changing the canvas size.

Text can be added to the image. In fact, I require my students to add some writing--whether it's a title on the front cover or a list of song titles on the back cover. Photoshop allows the operator to select from a variety of fonts and colors. The text can be written horizontally or vertically. (Be careful to use a color that doesn't blend into a busy background.)

Output and Presentation

When students have finished creating their art work, they're ready to print their image. A color laser printer or a color ink jet printer will produce high quality results. If the students want their work to look more finished, they can insert the finished print into a jewel case (an empty CD case). Once the project is complete, the students come together to critique the work. Some of the same questions that were used to introduce this assignment can be used to determine the success of each piece. The students usually finish this assignment with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Susan Lange is a full time faculty member of Conifer High School in Conifer, Colorado.

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