I have been looking at photos I’ve taken with the idea of using them on my book cover. But I can’t make up my mind as to which I should use. I love the one I have for the front of the book and cannot decide what to put on the back, and that’s where you come in; A, B, or C.
With the marvellous work that my Editor is doing with the words I’ve written. Correcting all the basic school boy errors I’ve made, trying to explain the Passive voice or verb and the active. The use of plurals and singulars, sticking to the first person and past tense and just so many more problems I’ve landed her with. I now know why my English teacher hated me. But I stand and applaud my Editors good sense of humour that she is blessed with, considering what I’ve dumped in her lap…
Ok here is the photo I’ve chosen for the front of the book….
Now this needs a rear and these are what I’m think of…
A….
B….
Or C…..
Which one would you use???…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
C…for it pops!
Thanks you duly noted…
A big “C” for me! 🙂
Thanks Duly noted
I like the elephant
Thanks Puppy
“C”
Thanks..
C does it for me!
Thanks …
I’m a little late to answer, but if you’re stilly tallying, I really like C. I think that is a strong photo to give further clues to what’s inside! What a wonderful book you must be creating, Rob!
Thank you… I like the elephant as well but am not totally sold yet, the front of the book I’m sure of, just the back…
C. the hephalump. But I’ve just seen your lion photo (scrolling backwards through my Reader) and now I’m not so sure. Big help, he’s thinking, thanks a lot!
Thanks Carol… I’m leaning towards the lion now, but we will see what my Editor says and what time will lead us to…
It’s a great elephant photo.
I like the elephant – but I’ve always been partial to elephants 🙂
Thanks Dianne,,, I liked the elephant till the lion suggestion came through…
Either A or C
Ta..
I like the elephant! 😀
Thanks Jewels…
One of the BIG FIVE in good contrast to your bird cover. Know you have a soft spot for our feathered friends hmm…..? I am still in awe of your recent leopard shots but of the three choices: C (elephant) all the way for me without hesitation. Great of you Bulldog to consider your following’s opinions.
You are all so honest how can I not ask your opinion…. thank you for your input Zita, the next post I put up everyone seems to prefer the lion photo… but thank you…
Wow – you’ve had such great comments. Sometimes collective wisdom really blows me away. I had wanted to say C when I read your post, but after reading all the comments, I would have to agree that a lion or leopard would be great. I haven’t read your blog for very long, but I’ve already seen some amazing leopard pictures. Good luck. I’m sure you have so much material to work with, the decision making process has to be really tough.
Thanks Joan… still busy with the edit on the book so I’ve plenty of time and just wanted some feed back… I’m settled on the front page, it’s the back that is un decided… tanks for the feed back…
Hard to say for me Bulldog without knowing just what the story is about…meaning, are the birds central to the story? If so, then it would have to be A for me, which tells the story, two birds going to one. If it is about a myriad of adventures and different animals then it would have to be the elephant, C. for impact. But then I adore elephants! This would give the reader the impression that you have written about a large variety of animals, from the beautiful and unusual birds to the staple of any safari, the magnificent and proud elephant. Does this help?
Thanks Sherri it does… the book is about my growing up in the bush and my adventures with many animals and birds, so your C I accept… lets see what you say on the next post….
🙂
I would choose “C” for the back cover because it has more impact. However, as others have said, I would prefer a shot where the eyes are not too close to the top of the picture (rule of thirds). Perhaps, also consider a photo of one of your magnificent African sunsets, or a combination of animal(s) and landscape. Ideally, your photos will stir the imagination of your potential readers.
Thanks Brian for your input…
Sono tutte e tre molto belle. Se ci fosse una foto con la parte posteriore dell’uccello sarebbe il massimo, ma se devo scegliere tra le tre che hai proposto io preferisco la C.
Ciao, Pat
Thanks Pat so it’s C for you as well…
C.
Love the birds cover but because there are so many animals, why not make a collage and feature all of them? They are all so beautiful Rob. 😀
Doris is working on that for me, will see how it turns out, thank you Sonel for the input, much appreciated…
I like C the best too. I like the contrast of the small-ish birds on the front cover and the very large elephant on the back. It tells me there is a lot of variety in the middle to see and I can’t wait to get into it!
Thank you for that Elaine, never saw it in that light…
The elephant – no contest! Unless you have a shot of that bird from the back. 😉
Thanks Diana
C for sure!
Thanks Jan
C…no hesitation!
Thanks Mrs P.
I like c too
but you can use all of them in the back
remember I am a graphic designer and I can
help you will send you an email with the three
images. hope you do not mind.
I would love that Doris thank you…
ok I am working on that
just ask and I can help with anything
and if you want to send me more photos
please do
so happy for you!
I’m inclined to think that one of your lion shots from a bit of a distance might make a beautiful back cover, but if we have to choose from the three images here, I am a big fan of C. I think it’s so cool that you’re doing this and when it’s done, I hope you will avail us the opportunity to get one. But I want mine autographed! Hugs to you, my friend, and to Linda.
I will definitely autograph it for you Gina… going to look at a few lion shots and try again…
Ok, I need more information. Is there going to be a write-up/blurb on the back cover? Because if there is, I don’t think you want anything to busy or overwhelming on the back.
Yes there will be a blurb on the back…
I was just wondering because I really like the elephant shot, but it would depend on the setup of the back cover. Is the picture going to cover the whole back cover or just be an inset photo under the blurb? I do really like the lion shot in your next post too. Oh, what a hard decision.
The idea is to cover the page with the photo and have the blurb over it… tried a little on the lion photo and it doesn’t cover the head and looks good…
Yes, I think that would have been too much with the elephant photo. Go with the lion :).
Love the shot for the front cover.
I definitely wouldn’t have the same bird on the back.
I have to be honest and say I wouldn’t have B or C.
B has the dog looking down and you can’t see it’s eyes so it doesn’t ‘engage’ with you as a photo. It doesn’t draw the eye into the frame and in reality it could be any old dog in your backyard (so to speak). You can’t really see it’s a wild animal.
And C – the eyes are too close to the top of the frame making it look like you’ve cut the top of the photo off. I know many photos are taken of animal’s faces, or cutting the head partly off, but you really need to have the eyes a bit lower (a quarter OR a third?) of the way down the frame so that people are drawn into the frame and then move around the frame. I also think the photo looks ‘top heavy’.
I’ve seen some stunning images on your blog – are there any other possibilities? What about some lions or leopards? I think you need a shot with more drama and a bit further away from the animal. How about an animal that looks about 5-10 feet away (instead of right in your face).
For example, this particular shot of mine – the animal is in it’s natural habitat and is looking straight at you. It’s relatively large within the frame and sort of …….looks like the back cover of a book (well, I think so anyway). It also has a dark background. I mean the second koala down (in this post of mine)…….. http://victoriaaphotography.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/koala-melbourne-zoo/
Front covers should show the birds or animals clearly and a light background so the words show up – that’s why your cover shot looks so good. Your front cover shot also has good composition and balance within the frame and ALSO with the words of your title. Light & bright psychologically makes you think of ‘beginnings’.
But a back cover photo looks better if it’s got a darker background. Dark makes you think of ‘nights’ or ‘endings’ (of the book, in this case). Once more, that’s just my opinion.
Thanks Vicki… will look at other photos…I liked the bird ’cause the one has flown so the story has ended.. but appreciate your input…..
All the way with C!!!
Thanks..
c knocks it out of the ballpark!
Thanks Cindy…
How about some of your leopard or lion photos? I was going to go for the bird on the back too, but then I read the comment about people thinking it’s only about birds….
Thanks Anneli… I liked the bird as the one from the front has flown, and the story is ended… will look at the lion and leopard see what I can find that will fit…
I vote for C.
Thanks…
I like the bird but think if you put bird on front and back some might think the book only has birds in it.
B is a cool creature pix, but not really dramatic enough?
I’d vote for C – the elephant is looking straight at you and engages the reader’s eyes – and the wrinkles are quite beautiful
Thank you..
C – Definitely C. A was already done on the cover, and B has a twig in obstructing the view a bit. Yup…C for the five of us!!!!
I liked A as the one bird has flown so the story has ended… but thanks for the input…
C.
thanks