Hi Smallpaxers,
This is a rough of the cover for the first John Paul 2 High book. It's a composite photo (can you tell? If not, I am happy!). Any ideas for how we can make it look better? I don't know if we can run it through a filter or two to erase any obvious differences...
Feedback anyone?
Thanks!!
12 comments:
I really like the choice of fonts and colors. I think the thing that would touch it up nicely is to re-do the "cut-out" of the figures. When you are cutting around the figure I would use a brush where the hardness is set to 100% while using a quick layer mask ... I think a more crisp look would go better (just my thought) If you want to know more here is a neat tutorial about quick masks. http://www.planetphotoshop.com/using-quick-masks.html
As far as general design, I would not have the "y" in reluctantly extend over the bottom bar (book 1). Also, I would keep the author's name together. In this case probably to the left of "John Paul 2 High".
I'm no good with photographs so i'm no help there.
I don't think you can do too much with it--the photos all have different light sources. I would recommend getting new photographs taken in diffuse light (like what you see in photos taken on a cloudy day). Right now, even if you redo the cut-out, the lighting will still make it look fake.
I agree about the lighting being to-off to make it look realistic ... but you could go the other way and head for more of the "cut-out" look by giving a little white rim around the figures (to make it look as though the figures were cut and pasted on) - just another idea.
No chance of reshooting the photos, sadly. That's what's causing all the problems...
I vote for the cut-out/collage look.
Desaturating the colors or going black and white might minimize color/light differences and would give it a slightly grittier/teen look maybe?
You could try putting a slight blur on what falls behind the boy's shoulders, make it look like a shorter depth of field. Right now they're both really in focus, so it might look more realistic if the girl is a bit out of focus.
Taking a look at the higher resolution version of the cover for the first time... yeah, you need to get rid of the photos and get new ones. I would just get some from iStockphoto or something. The cut-out and blurriness on these is just not going to work and will look amateurish if it ends up in print.
Setting the technical aspect of the photos aside for a minute, the postures and facial expressions on the kids are great. I have sent my daughter (reluctantly) to a small Catholic high school this year (12 in her class) - and I have seen this expression...
Thanks guys! We might just try the cutout look.
We did want the cover in BW btw, but the publisher is *adamant* about wanting color. (sigh)
No, we can't use istock photos either. The models appear in other covers as well, and they have to be the "same" person.
Christian M. Frank? Regina?
About that comma: it needs to either overlap, or not touch the line. I vote for not touching the line; similarly with the y.
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