You can’t really tell a book by its cover, of course, but you can tell a publisher what a book cover should be. This is your chance. We’ve been pondering possibilities for Maya Threads: A Woven History of Chiapas, and have almost too many choices. So I hope you will weigh in with your opinions.
I’ll start by saying we narrowed the possibilities down to the idea of a single person (or two) wearing traditional clothing. No landscapes, no crowds, no looms. Here are a dozen shots by photographer Janet Schwartz. You’ll see different ages, different moods, different clothing. They haven’t been photoshopped, cropped, or otherwise messed with. They are just as they came from her camera. It will be up to designer Michael Signorella to fine-tune the final choice and create a title treatment. Please tell me what you think!
—Linda Ligon
I’d say #9or #10. Finishing things up. a part of the creation.
I love #9!
#9, or maybe #2
I was immediately drawn to #2, as it shows a woven product AND a weaver at work.
I choose #3. I am partial to wisdom and character.
I really like number 11. It’s as though she is smiling also from inside while being timid about herself. It is a great shot by Janet Schwartz.
I like 9 and 10. Shows her working and where she would most likely be working.
#7. She’s looking straight at us and showing us her beautiful woven cloth. Look at this! Someone who loves me made this herself!
9 or 10.
Sounds like a photographer talking.
Oops. Caught me.
Wow. It only takes one pass through these engaging photos to sympathize with your dilemma! I am drawn to number 4. The charm, innocence, strength and beauty captured in that moment is very compelling and the clothing is wonderful, providing a wealth of visual detail. Good luck! I’ll be grabbing up a copy upon release and will be delighted with any of these choices!
I am partial to photos that show work or emotions very specifically. I am following the dictum of a famous photographer, a woman, Lisette Model who stressed how important it is to photograph a particular emotion or action rather than a general moment. She went on to say that these kinds of images have a much better chance of becoming powerful and, in the end, universal.)
In this case, all the “laughing” photos are out for me. Not because they not specific enough, in this case, but because such photos have been used so often that they are predictable. They are all “sweet” images but a book with a title of Maya Threads: A Woven History of Chiapas needs, at least, a somewhat serious picture,
I love #9 and #10 but can’t see what she is doing. #5 and #6 are not strong enough, although #6 is a winning photo..
#2 is also beautiful but would be better if the actual motions of weaving were shown in an interesting way.
#8 has a certain power and her expression is nice.
I once worked with a publisher who said to me that a good cover can sell a book. That gives a lot to think about.
You are all giving me much to think about, and I thank you. There was an interesting story in the New York Times yesterday about the staying power of eye contact in marketing. They used the examples of Quaker Oats, Aunt Jemima, etc. So that’s another element. So many possibilities, and it’s all a crap shoot!
I agree! #4 is my favourite, followed by #11. The others are all beautiful, but so serious.
I love the smiles on #3 and #11. Am anxiously awaiting this book!