How to nail a cover

It is important to shoot as strikingly as possible when it comes to the cover shot! The cover image makes the magazine sell to those people that pass on by looking at hundreds of images and titles staring them in the face and stop when their eyes hit one that stands out and seems interesting to pick up! Imagery is as important as text and can make or break whether a sale is made, its is immediately recognised in the brain as an image is processed in the mind quicker than a word is.

Top Tips:
1. Always have the model giving eye contact to the camera, eyes are very catching and this will grab the readers attention.
2. Use of light is very important, the image needs to be defined in one particular light, if not the image may dull the appearance of the magazine. Techniques that can be used would be high contrast, front lit and colourful. High key which is normally backlit and with low contrast, giving a subtle wash like effect.
3. Always leave enough space in the frame to allow for the header of the magazine and text to go around it. Do not crop in too tight as the image maybe a throw away unless the magazine has a good designer!
4. Smiley – happy poses are better to shoot and will uplift the spirit of the magazine rather than moody looks.

Sophie Hellyer – Issue 27
Using the time of day with the light is really important when shooting for the cover. Sophie was shot on the beach from early afternoon through to late afternoon, which enabled me to get a nicely exposed front lit shot. I wanted the photograph to look summery and give a warm effect so I used a reflector to fill in any shadows which had formed on her face.  The board was placed slightly back from the model as not to impose in the picture too much and distract the main focus of the image which of course was Sophie. I used my Canon 5D with an 85mm lens at 5.6 at 1200. Reflectors are a great tool to use they fill in natural light where needed unlike flash guns where the light looks false.  I was pleased with this image as the colours are vibrant and eye catching and Sophie looks great and relaxed.

Rosy Hodge – Issue 26
This cover shot was photographed in Hawaii and shot in evening light as the sun was setting. I positioned her looking at me with the sun behind her but overexposed the shot to lighten up her face. The idea was to give a low contrast soft pastel look to let off soft pinks and oranges that were reflecting into the camera lense. Again, I used my Canon 5D with an 85mm lens. Shot at 1.8 at 800 opening the aperture right up to allow as much light in as possible, the shot was a success. Rosy was a great model to use, she is very natural in front of the camera and has many different looks to play with. It is important to always choose your model wisely.

Gemma Fryer – Issue 24
This shot was photographed on the coast of France in Hossegor. It was photographed in evening light, just before the sunset. I asked my model to walk towards the sea with her board being carried above her. I used my Canon 1D alongside my 70-200 2.8 lens. It gave me great depth of field and a nice silhouetted effect to give a sticking duo tone to the cover. It is hard to focus on any subject whilst taking very backlit imagery, so care needs to be taken in making sure the image is pin sharp whilst doing this kind of shot. Gemma was a great model to use being lean and petite she carried the shot off well.