Re: Critique this book cover
I'm a little confused here but I am assuming the purple book is the second book?
You don't need the bevel on the photo or the drop shadows on the text.
I wonder if the photo would integrate better with the background image if it blended into the image (linear transparency) and/or if it we a contone (two color) image instead of color.
The photo and the background image right now compete for attention.
Simplify the cover and go for impact.
Re: Critique this book cover
a book for specialist in the field.. ok
mitochondria are not actually that shape in reality see here, but I appreciate you are using the normal microscopic 'slide-section view' - I would be a lot happier if you did this showing the mitochondria within the cell background, rather than just the thing itself; and I think you need only one, somehow blended with the photgraph [as Gary indicated]
I also agree the photo bevel is distraction; probably the drop shadows too
This is all said from the point of aesthetics [mine]; a cytologist of any sort I am not
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Re: Critique this book cover
Here it is with faded photo edges. The drop shadows on the text helps keep it sharp and legible when reduced to thumbnail size when listed on online book lists. I tried it without the text shadows and some of the letters are lost on the white background.
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Re: Critique this book cover
That's much better. I would like to see the photo larger so it really dominates and to see a bit more of the bike so at a glance I can see what is going on.
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Re: Critique this book cover
This is about as large as I can go with the photo because the bottom corner is reserved for publisher/endorser logos. I agree that with more of the bike shwoing, Greg is no longer floating in space.
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Re: Critique this book cover
Re: Critique this book cover
I would also deal with the font used.
While the tech/sci-fi feel of the typeface is likely OK for the title, and perhaps the subtitle--though I might see what italicizing it is like or slanting it if there is no real italics in that font)--you should try something else for the authors' names.
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Re: Critique this book cover
I wish I had the skill to put up a better offering, but the shadowed text, colour pallet and no clear focus all lead to a confused cover with all of the elements competing for attention.
I'd try and make the cover less busy and make the title most prominent and at least stand clear of the background.
I've had a very poor attempt using your existing cover.
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Re: Critique this book cover
I missed the original comment about the bottom right corner.