Here at Art+Design headquarters we’re hard at work on our forthcoming book Pocket Cash, an amazingly awesome collection of photos of Johnny Cash by legendary rock and roll photographer Jim Marshall, featuring text by John Carter Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Billy Bob Thornton. We’re looking at various image options for the book’s cover right now, and would love to get your thoughts! Take a gander at the two covers below and let us know in the comments which of the two photos most says “Johnny Cash” to you—which best conveys the spirit of the Man in Black, which would most make you want to own this book!
Option 1:
Option 2:
Bridget Watson Payne
Art+Design Editorial
Popularity: 2% [?]
The first one would make me want to pick it up and own it. Strong type, CASH is big and fits his image perfectly – the image the picture portrays and his personality image. Black white a gray – the many shades of Cash – bad boy, romantic and talented musician with a sordid past.
Show me those haunted eyes! Option #1 would make a great cover.
#1 all the way
I also prefer option one. I like the starkness of the black and white, and I like seeing his full face and his eyes. I agree that the black and white photo would make me want to own the book. Option one says “look inside my soul” and option 2 says “look at me.” Big difference.
Definitely #1
neither. they are both not very good. there are so many better pics. why did you only pick these two. i have tons! i am a huge JC fan…and these pics wouldn’t sell me the book.
So are we choosing the photograph for the cover or the cover itself? If it’s just the photo I pick option 2 but I love the type lockup for the title on option 1. Oh the choices….
I prefer number 1. Number two looks like any poster or compliation CD cover. Number 1 draws me in.
Cover #1, for sure.
option 1 is by far better in terms of the image
I go for Option #1.
Kick off a photography book with an image as riveting as #1 and even the casual Johnny Cash listener like me will pick it up.
I dig # 1. For me the first picture represents Johnny Cash as a performer and as a person more so than the second.
Def. Option #1 (see the nuance with his hand in his pocket!?)
Yep,, number 1, the man in black (and white)
number 1, definitely, by a long shot.
Definitely option one. Its a striking portrait… makes me very curious about his background. Graphically its wonderful too. The strong shape of his turtleneck points to his name and his hand, which is in his pocket(like the title).
The second option seems like it would make a better CD cover photo.
I say #1 too! The hand in the pocket clinches it.
Option 2 is my choice of the two, although it reminds me of an album cover.
Does it bother anyone else that the book is called “Pocket Cash” and his hand is in his “pocket” in number 1? Seems a little distracting/confusing/too cutesy to me for the subject matter. But the photo is really engaging. I also prefer the design of 1.
#2
#2
#1!
Definitely 1st one!
not the best of covers, both, very amateur layouts… but #1 is my choice between these two
Most certainly Option 1! That gaze is full of mystery and intrigue.
Neither, he looks like he’s going to kill you in the first picture (which if I had to choose would be the one – b&w Johnny is always the best), but do you not have the permission to use a more iconic looking Cash picture? And the 2nd picture is just not atmospheric enough.
Chronicle Books are amazing (design, originality – first class), I’m stunned that this is the only choice you offer.
#1 for sure!
#1 is haunting. Must own this.
The first one – there’s just something about it, the way he’s looking into the camera that really pulls you in.
Of these two choices, I would pick #1. But I agree with other posters — there are loads of better pictures out there.
Definitely #1. That’s the man in black.
I would pick option 1 as well. Even though option 2 shows him doing what he loved to do best, he was so much more than just a singer and guitar player. He was a man and he was the man in black. I just love Johnny Cash.
#1 is the book I’d pick up.
Definitely #1. Love that shot! And for some reason, I always think black and white when I think Johnny Cash.
Can’t wait to see this book!