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| If I Could Tell You by Elizabeth Wilhilde published by Fig Tree – Penguin 2016 |
1380162: “The Sunshine Line” Liverpool street Station 10 March 1948 |
Did you know that viewing beautiful art can increase blood flow in your brain by as much as 10%? It’s no secret that looking at captivating artwork is something that humans are naturally inclined to enjoy. This makes it all the more important to choose an outstanding visual for your book cover.
More often than not, the fastest way to find visual content is by using stock photography. However, not everyone understands the best way to sift through stock images.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about how to find the best book cover photo from this type of resource.
Consider How Relevant the Photo Is to Your Book’s Genre
When it comes to stock photography, one of the first things you should keep in mind is how relevant the image is to your book’s genre. After all, you want potential readers to be able to see at a glance that your book is about what they’re interested in.
This means that if you’re writing a romance novel, it would make sense to find a photo that captures the feeling of love. In contrast, if your book is a thriller, you might want to look for an image that creates a sense of suspense or mystery.
Think About the Colours in the Photo
In addition to relevance, it’s also important to think about the colours present in the stock photo you’re considering using. Colour can have a profound impact on human emotions, so it’s essential to use this knowledge to your advantage. For example, if you want readers to feel excited about your book, you might consider using a photo with lots of warm colours like red and orange.
If you want potential buyers to feel peaceful and calm while they’re looking at your book cover, on the other hand, you might want to use a photo with cooler colours like blue and green.
Look For High-Quality Photos
When you’re browsing stock photography websites, it’s also crucial to keep an eye out for high-quality photos. This is because poor-quality images will make your book cover look unprofessional.
As a result, potential readers might not take your book seriously and could be less likely to buy it. Conversely, if you use a high-quality photo, readers will be more likely to trust that your book is also of high quality.
Consider Your Audience
As you might guess, it’s important to think about who your book is for when you’re selecting a cover photo.
After all, different demographics will respond to different types of visuals. For example, if your book is aimed at children, you might want to use a photo that’s bright and colourful.
If your book is for adults, on the other hand, you might want to use a more subdued photo.
Keep in Mind That You Can Use Multiple Photos
Although this will take some skill in graphic design, you can use multiple photos on your book cover. This can be a great way to add visual interest and make sure that all the elements of your book’s story are represented.
Just be careful not to overcrowd the cover or make it too busy.
It’s also worth noting that you can also make edits to a stock photo that catches your interest if necessary. If you can’t find the ideal picture for your book cover, you can often tweak a stock photo to meet your needs.
Understand How to Effectively Search Through Stock Photos
If you’re going to be using stock photography for your book cover, it’s important to understand how to effectively search through this resource. After all, there are millions of photos available, which can make it tricky to find the perfect one.
One helpful tip is to use keywords that describe the feeling you want your book cover to evoke. If you’re looking for a romantic photo, you might try searching for terms like “love” or “passion.”
If you want a suspenseful cover, you might try searching for terms like “danger” or “mystery.”
Remember to Pay Attention to Licensing
Finally, it’s important to remember to pay attention to licensing when you’re selecting a stock photo for your book cover.
Some photos are available for free, while others require you to purchase a licence. Be sure to read the fine print so that you understand what’s allowed and what isn’t.
Otherwise, you could end up inadvertently violating laws and find yourself dealing with legal complications in the future.
What Should I Look For in a Stock Image Platform?
Primarily, it’s important to make sure that the site has a large selection of high-quality photos. It’s helpful if the site is easy to use and offers search tools that can help you find the perfect photo for your needs.
It should be affordable — you don’t want to spend a fortune on your book cover. Finally, it’s a good idea to make sure that the site has a user-friendly licence so that you can avoid legal issues down the road.
Finding the Right Book Cover Photo Is Easier Than It Seems
With these tips in mind, you should have no trouble finding the perfect book cover photo from a stock photography website. From here, you’ll be well on your way to presenting a complete product to your audience.
Want to learn more about what we can do? Be sure to reach out to us today and see how we can help you.