5 rules

Professional band photographer Steve Taylor (Little Man Tate) etc says that there are 5 main rules to ensure you have a good cover image.

1. No Cluttered Background
2.Make sure you focus on the lead singer in a band shot so the audience knows who they are. If it is a single artist make sure it is a medium shot - close up,
A 3/4 image may be good, not centred.

3. Leave room for a masthead (oh, and don't cut off heads!)!
4. No high angle shots - they make bad cover images! Fine for a double page spread but really poor on covers.
5.Animate your band - make sure they look at the camera!