This is the final image I decided to use as my submission for the record cover:

I think this one works the best out of all the different variations I made and ties in with not only the concept but the feel of the song the best.

More background experiments:

I think this one is quite interesting but there still seems to be too much going on in the whole image and that the background somehow detracts from the main focus which is the broken diamond.

Combining several of the different backgrounds:

I then looked at changing the shape of the diamond to see how that would affect the whole image:

And how the new diamond shape would work on the original background at different angles:

I then changed the shape of the diamond again to really exaggerate the change:

I then tried changing the diamond colours by applying one of the background images over the top and mixing it with the stock image using different transparencies:

And on an black background:

I then also tried different gradient backgrounds with the first diamond in the new shape:

And the edited diamond:

I've now made what feels like hundreds of different developments to the image and I'm going to come back to it later to decide between them as to which one I should submit to the Secret 7" competition. 

I started by combining a stock image of broken glass with an outline of a diamond shape:

I think this works really well and fits the concept but I decided to look at different ways of applying and developing it.

I applied the kaleidoscope action to the image and got this result:

I also decided to lay the diamond shape out 4 times in a repeat circle and apply the broken glass stock image across them all:

Exploring different angles and positioning for the diamond:

I then went back to the original and changed the background colour to a deep navy as I thought this would contrast the diamond better than black and it wouldn't be so dark.

Trying the diamond on an angle:

Adjusting the contrast within the diamond:

Adjusting the contrast within the diamond when it's straight:

I then decided to experiment with different backgrounds and took some of the original layers of the kaleidoscope experiments and added them to the background:

I think this one works really well but I'm not sure that theres not too much going on and whether a more subtle background would be better.

So after trying the experimental kaleidoscope imagery again yesterday, I have decided to rethink the concept and after listening to the song again a few more times and trying to pick apart the meaning of it I have made a brainstorming list of things I think that are significant throughout the song:

The new concept I have chosen for the record sleeve is to combine the imagery from the song of broken glass cups and diamonds/jewels to sum up the lyric 'Dancin' around the lies we tell'.

I think the best way to approach this is to combine the two images together... perhaps showing a broken diamond/jewel as a way of symbolising the way I interpret the song to be about how life/love/the music industry isn't as perfect as it's always made out to be. 

This is where I got to last night:

I've now tried changing the colours into something more dark, gloomy and mysterious as I think this reflects the song better:

I'm still not sure of how this works with the song so I think I'm going to go back to the drawing board and begin with a new concept.

I decided to try and experiment with the Kaleidoscope action in Photoshop to see if I can produce any imagery which reflects the mood and message of the song:

I started by applying the action to some old images then editing each layer and combining them together:

Adding another layer:

Adjusting the levels and contrast:

Another image to add to the mixture of abstract layers:

Which added this effect to the image:

Making more adjustments:

I'm going to come back to it again tomorrow and see where I can take the imagery when its fresh in my mind.