NJ Monthly Magazine has a cover contest each year. You can submit one photo a month through the deadline. One category is architecture. The image has to have a specific aspect ratio, represent New Jersey and successful entries have space for the magazine banner at top and contents at bottom. Other than that there are few rules. These are the correct ratio. I realize I am stretching this for abstract here! I could really use some advice though.
All feedback about these are welcome. I can do both (in different months).
The first is the Pergola at Deep Cut Garden - former home of gangster Vito Genovese (the Godfather)
The second is of the NJ Vietnam Memorial.
Thanks in advance!
having some knowledge in Graphic Design the first one would probably not be a good option only due to the fact that if it for a cover the high contrast and overall composition would not be suitable for reading ...it would give you a headache ...i would try for #2 and lose the color go black and white increase the contrast and then back the whole thing down 1 stop try it and see what happens
Hey Joe - I get where you are coming from with the first one. Is the new version better of the second?
wow that's a tough one i didn't think the letters would still be that pronounced did you drop it back a bit its going to compete with the mag text
I will drop it back a bit more. I understand what you are saying about the text competition. This is great help Joe!!
#3 is my favorite. I have to agree with Joseph, the black and white makes it more somber, reflective and emotional for me. JMHO. 1 is a cool pic but I can't picture it on a magazine cover. An article, yes but not a cover. Sorry. :).
No need to be sorry!! Thanks for giving me your thoughts!
Always ;)
The first is a good image per se, but distractingly busy for a cover I fear, Ruth. It reminds me of dazzle camouflage on ships in the World Wars!
The other images are both appealing, but I think have a different problem - almost an ethical one. I'd be concerned about how people might react to seeing their late relative's name being obscured by text. It might offend.
Interesting. I was actually careful not to cut any names in the crop and all are in focus with this concern in mind .
I guess I would hope that, if this won, it way be seen as another memorial to them.
Do you like the color or B&W?
Thanks for the thoughts!
I love colour, so blue would edge out mono for me, Ruth. Reading Joseph's comment, I'd try reducing the contrast, and darkening the brighter areas to keep it suitably sombre and "classy". May not work.
My concern was whether you can know where the publishers would put the title and contents text. A quick look online suggests the text is everywhere! If you know that it'll fit around the names, then I think the image is excellent for the purpose.
Also, as it's a full-page "bleed", if that's the term, then the names on the right could well get cropped in the printing.
I am not familiar with the magazine, however, a quick image search returned a set of images where the previous covers were all bright, colorful, and vibrant. Are the shots you posted, out-of-character for what the publication typically uses? If so, your entry will probably stand-out which could work for or against the shot you submit.
Not sure whether it is too late to, “reinvent the wheel,” however, your eye for abstraction could produce some cool looking results by shooting colorful condos, apartments, or storefronts.
Back to your original question, among the shots you posted, I prefer the first as an entry. This is despite some of the reservations brought up thus far because for me, it is the most interesting and unique. Not sure how much manipulation you are allowed to or want to perform, however you could give the publisher more negative space by removing some parts of the Pergola.
Best of luck on the entry.