ED2 photo assignment 1, illustrive research.

I  have chosen to research the covers from the true blood series by Charlaine Harris but paticulalry the first novel ' Dead until Dark' because I like this type of photography and the feel of less is more. I paticulalry like the fact you don't have to see what the book is about or read a short synopsis on the book to know that the book has something to do with vampires because of the image portrayed on the front (fangs, blood dripping from mouth, pale complexion) the very small writing which says 'thou shall not crave thy neighbour' really sums up the book in one sentence and helps bring across the image.

The photographer of the true blood series is John Johnson (III). most of the cover images he has produced for the series are very similar to the one above they show that less is more and bring across a very good effect. 

John Johnson has also been the still photogrpaher for many covers of films, such as horrible bosses, letter to Juliet, Friday the 13th big mommas house 2 and big mommas: like father like son.


Another book cover I really like the style of is the book 'My sisters keep' I have looked at both the original(before the movie came out)and the cover with the film stars on. both are similar but bring across a different message.

This is the original cover and I prefer this one because it gives a vibe that you don't really know what to expect, the text  'the only way to save your daughter is to sacrifice her sister' says to me that the book does involve a child being sacrificed just for her sister, which is what the book is about. The way the child is lighting a candle and holding her knees shows she's alone which she is.

This cover shows Cameron Diaz who plays the mother, but I think this is a bad point to the original cover because the book isn't actually about the mother mainly the two daughters. also I think it is misleading because the mother and her daughter are smiling and laughing together when in the book they do not get along at all, similar to the first cover this one shows the same quote and still brings that message that you cant judge the storyline.

Michael Tackett did the still photography for the films which led to being the book cover, he is also known for other filmography of films such as the Cinderella story, piranha 3DD and Little Britain USA.

James Walker is a professional qualified photographer and does a lot of different styles, he has done book covers, architectual photography  aerial photography,travel,food, studio, portraits and weddings. he has done a bunch of books, but a few I recognize  are two by Danielle Steel 44 Charles street and answered prayers and one book by Martina Cole 'La Proie' I believe he has a very good way in showing a story within the one still image, as I havnt personally read these books I cannot say if they covers represent what the book is about but they all bring across different messages such as..

these both have similar designs and from the covers do not really say anything about the book unlike 'My sisters keeper' by Jodi Picoult the original cover gives a sense of a child being alone and trying keep what she has got by holding her knees to her chest (which is the plot of the book.

Where as I think Martinas book portrays many different things in that she could be the murderer by the gun she is holding, or she is unstable and people are trying to get the gun from her.