Visual Notes #15

A book cover with Tom Etherington

I am lucky to share a studio space in Sheffield with a talented bunch of designers including Tom Etherington. Tom approached me last year originally with a question about finding some images for the cover of The Definitions by Matt Greene. Tom had an idea in mind but needed a neutral passport style portrait that conveyed a dystopian feel to complete the design. I suggested the work of several photographers but nothing quite fit the brief or were licensible. Tom suggested that he commissioned me to create a portrait for the cover.

The hardest thing was finding a subject that looked right even though the face would not be revealed. I actually suggested one of my neighbours who luckily found the idea that her ‘portrait’ would be on the cover of a book but her face would not pretty amusing. It worked well, shot with flat lighting to mimic a old passport photograph combined with the subjects slightly unkempt hair and neutral black turtle neck makes the image feel timeless.

As a last minute idea, Tom requested a ‘reverse’ portrait and this has been used very effectively on the back cover. The final book has been printed on uncoated paper stock which gives it a softness that works perfectly.

My first commissioned book cover. Pretty proud of this one, thanks Tom!

The Book launch at Dead Ink Books, Liverpool. Credit - Dead Ink Books