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Vote on the August 4 magazine cover: Results

Thanks to everyone that voted!  As you can see below the crab close-up won.  Art Director Cindy Wehling happened to agree with you, though, Jonathan (Editor) and I (Ryan Foster, "Web Guy") liked option 3 the best.  Hope you all enjoy the issue!

Photos by Cameron Glendenning

Results:

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Third one
Ryan Foster
Ryan Foster
Jul 21, 2009 11:31 AM
The look in the man's eyes in the third image is priceless.
Voting on Cover image
David Ciaffardini
David Ciaffardini
Jul 21, 2009 12:04 PM
I choose number one. It illustrates the story best and is technically speaking, the best photo, with saturated colors, lots of depth, and a clear focus on subject.

But I'm not sure if I like the idea of reader's voting for their "favorite" cover image choice. I would prefer to put my trust in a professional editor who has a sense of style and purpose and has read the story that goes with the photo, rather than a committee-type polling of readers, most of whom don't have a handle on how to produce quality journalism.

I like the idea of experimentation, but I hope this "reader's choice" concept is not the white flag of an indecisive, wishy-washy editorial staff.
replying to David Ciaffardini
Jo Deurbrouck
Jo Deurbrouck
Jul 21, 2009 12:56 PM
David, this "reader's choice" concept is about getting readers invested. It's not about artistic wishywashiness. Doncha think? I'd be interested to hear how well it works. Hope they decide to say.
You prove your own point
Spaceman Spiff
Spaceman Spiff
Jul 21, 2009 06:09 PM
Option #1 is a weak photo because it's focus is too narrow (depth of field) and the focus is the crab and not the man or both, thus narrowing the "focus" of the article. Option #2 is a pretty scene, but doesn't really tell a story. Option #3 tells the story, a boat, a crab, and a man with a look in his eye, that says it all and that is the point. That's the one a copy editor would choose.
2nd one
Carolyn Rosner
Carolyn Rosner
Jul 21, 2009 12:13 PM
I think it shows more than the other 2 options about the risk involved in high-seas crabbing.
judith@indra.com
Judith Houlding
Judith Houlding
Jul 21, 2009 12:16 PM
... shows the grueling effort of high seas fishing. The others are great photos, but they could have been taken on land, as far as the viewer can tell. The sea-faring photo is a visceral statement that really gives us the context for what I presume is a story about the physical and environmental dangers of fishing (not just crabbing).
2nd one
David Gleason
David Gleason
Jul 21, 2009 12:22 PM
Despite the wild look in the man's eyes on #3, the boat on the rough ocean best carries what I expect the storyline to be
# 3
Margie Reynolds
Margie Reynolds
Jul 21, 2009 12:24 PM
This one has impact. It is the most eye grabbing and might encourage more people to pick it up over the other two.
cover choice
Agustin Goba
Agustin Goba
Jul 21, 2009 12:36 PM
Let Art Director Cindy Wehling choose! That's what you pay her for... To pick a cover photo/design requires knowing what the story is about and who are are trying to sell the publication to, and having the training, knowledge, and skill to create a design that best solves the problem of appealing to your audience.
Second Cover Pic
CharliePetit
CharliePetit
Jul 21, 2009 01:09 PM
I prefer it because it has a far horizon, it shows the size and power of the sea. No crabs, that's a demerit. But it conveys excitement and peril.
Second one
Don Olsen
Don Olsen
Jul 21, 2009 01:13 PM
It just exemplifies high adventure on the Arctic seas.




Matt should model
Michelle Nijhuis
Michelle Nijhuis
Jul 21, 2009 01:26 PM
Get Jenkins to strike a pose like #3!
cover poll
Andrew Aldrich
Andrew Aldrich
Jul 21, 2009 01:27 PM
Cover 1 is the most visually compelling in terms of color, form, and the drama of that crustacean staring you in the face. But cover 2 conveys the difficult and perilous reality of life on the high seas--very moving.
3rd cover
nan harvey
nan harvey
Jul 21, 2009 01:49 PM
Placing the intensity of this face into the face of your reader makes it a personal exchange. Although the other two demonstrate the tireless and grueling effort of fishermen, the one-to-one (of the man and the sea creature) communication sets the issue in flesh and blood.
Bering Sea cover
Leonard Lloyd
Leonard Lloyd
Jul 21, 2009 01:53 PM
Option #1.
Second place goes to Option #2. Number three has no eye appeal or sense of place.
cover picture vote
Kathy Grassel
Kathy Grassel
Jul 21, 2009 02:10 PM
Number 2 is my favorite, showing the dark waves, the bravery of the fishermen, the vulnerable ship, the visceral cold. But it doesn't match the headline at all. Headline and cover photo should be inseparable. Unless you change the headline, I vote for Number 1, which is mysterious and inviting. Its deep three tiers conveys the feel of a three-dimensional story. Number 3 shows a man who might have the same expression if he were posing with an elk he'd just shot, giving the impression that his is a trophy crab. Finally, so as not to lose Number 2, I would place it in the body of the story where it couples with the narrative.
Bering Sea cover
Bill Mitchell
Bill Mitchell
Jul 21, 2009 02:24 PM
For folks who have been on fishing boats in the Arctic, cover #2 captures it all. The high seas, iced up boat and four boat guys handling one of the most dangerous of occupations.
Photo #1
Jim Furnish
Jim Furnish
Jul 21, 2009 02:27 PM
#1 is simply the best photo by far, and puts the emphasis on the crab. I liked #2 because of the context, but it lacked zip. #3 was, well. kinda weird -- not sure what story it tells.
Cover Image
John
John
Jul 21, 2009 04:09 PM
All three covers are great, but my vote is for #2. It's a captivating image.
Cover -
Neva Reece
Neva Reece
Jul 21, 2009 04:16 PM
I really like them all but choose number 2. I think your readers who are not usually treated to views of the ocean will be most impacted by this one, though I do regret that there is no crab to be seen. Thank you for doing an article that is pertinent to my part of the country - the beautiful state of Alaska.
Number 1
Stacey Sullivan
Stacey Sullivan
Jul 21, 2009 04:21 PM
I choose Option 1 because the focus - both literally and figuratively - is on the crab, though the foul weather gear on the fisherman is eloquent as well. #2 leaves out the animals (except for the gulls - not the focus of the story), and the expression on the man in #3 verges on the (inadvertently) comical.
Cover #2
Meg
Meg
Jul 21, 2009 05:34 PM
Cover #2 tells us about risk, work, the sea, and where crab comes from.
Cover #1 shows only about the crab.
Cover #3 is a bit too zany for my taste
Cover shot
Cindy
Cindy
Jul 21, 2009 05:39 PM
The 1st one feels more HCN than the second one. The 2nd one is eerie and probably conveys the meaning of the story better. The 3rd one is just off the mark. Personally, I think #1 has the best zing, if zing is what you're looking for.
Cover vote
Susan Blansett
Susan Blansett
Jul 21, 2009 06:42 PM
First one. The look in the LOBSTER's eyes is priceless!
Poll on Crab Cover
Frank Bird
Frank Bird
Jul 21, 2009 08:19 PM
As a retired Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game fishery biologist who worked all over the state, I can say that option 2 captures the essence of the high seas and the crab fishery in its icy finest. I think the idea of covering low country news is a great one. Keep up the interesting and varied materials for me to read. Thanks for a great magazine.
option 1!
burl
burl
Jul 22, 2009 08:22 AM
how often do you get to look a crab in the eyes!
Option 1
Tim O'Keefe
Tim O'Keefe
Jul 22, 2009 09:32 AM
Option 1 is most visusally appealing, personal and exciting.
My 2 cents
morninglory
morninglory
Jul 22, 2009 10:06 AM
The first and the third are too scary looking! Or, is that the point, putting the viewer off crab consumption? :-)
Vote for #3
Stan Haye
Stan Haye
Jul 22, 2009 05:08 PM
#3 hits you in the face which is what a cover should do.
Combine option 2 and 3
Dave Noble
Dave Noble
Jul 25, 2009 12:58 PM
Photos 2 and 3 give most info. Photo 2 shows ice and choppy sea. Photo shows man in rain gear with a sample of the catch. I suggest zooming out (widening) photo 2 and then layer photo 3 on the lower or upper left corner of photo 2. Result may be too busy with detail, but will deliver the message about crab fishing in dangerous winter weather. Removing the blurry background of photo 3 could make photo 3 seem part of photo 2.

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