Calling on all designers for help

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, Christina! I'm working on creating the cover page as we type.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you again for everyone's contribution to the thread. I have decided upon the cover shown below.

I like that the placement of the text has a contemporary flair to it. Thank you to Christina for that, as I would never, ever have come up with that idea.

I like that the color of the text matches a color in the elephants. If I remember correctly, it's taken from the underside of the raised trunk. It's that continuity between the text and the elephants in my mind that allows the sky to continue serving as negative space, as opposed to selecting a color that draws attention to the sky. Thank you to Andrew for recommending the importance of maintaining that negative space.

I chose the font for three reasons. It's got a traditional look, which I know will appeal to my wife and our friends who will receive the book as a gift, and it also appeals to me. A pro book designer that put together several videos (I think for Blurb, the company that will produce the book) that I reviewed months ago recommended maintaining continuity between the text on the cover and the text inside the book. This font style works for me in both roles. Last, the font -- Franklin Gothic Medium -- was designed by Benjamin Franklin and I have read every original book about him that I have been able to get my hands on. I'll include a note about that in the book to add a personal touch.

[Brownbear]

Hi Mike,

I think it looks wonderful, especially the colour of the font.. I'm sure your friends will be delighted, as would I, to have a copy of this beautiful photo book.

Sigh... I have to admit I was hoping to see the intertwined elephant trunks composed of your names...

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks again for your help, Christina. As for the intertwined elephant trunks, the following is the best that I can offer you (captured by my wife and post-processed by me):

[Brownbear]

A beautiful moment indeed... Thank you for sharing.

I wonder if crocodiles are as affectionate... ie; I'll try for a similar photo

Thanks again for your help, Christina. As for the intertwined elephant trunks, the following is the best that I can offer you (captured by my wife and post-processed by me):

[Mike Buckley]

I wonder if crocodiles are as affectionate

That would be tail-telling.

[Brownbear]

I have to admit that the only crocodiles I have ever come across have been alone... ):

That would be tail-telling.

[drjuice]

I had two suggestions. 1. I was going to suggest one of the darker grays off the elephants. Clearly a gray and not a way dark one. 2. I was going to suggest putting whatever your lettering would be well out of the picture (probably up in the sky, but it could be a lighter brown and run along the bottom of the image, over the dirt). But, it's too late! Sorry, I had actual work to do today! ;~( virginia

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for thinking of me, Virginia, and glad that you got your work done!

[Mike Buckley]

For the title page of each chapter, I have decided to include the cover photo with toning applied as a gradient and with the entire image displayed at reduced opacity. The toning of each title page will be a different color. An example is shown below.

[Bobobird]

That is a wonderful idea.