There are a few golden rules to making a good banner. As I've made far more of these for the sites than I can count, I've got a few words of advice for any banner makers out there. I point out examples below not to ridicule but to educate, after all, we all want beautiful banners!
1- make sure you can read the text that overlays on top of the banner image. After all the banner is to support the page title, not obscure or hide it. If any rule should be followed it is this one.
a few major criminals:Adventures of Robin Hood
Collateral
solaris
2- there are better ways to achieve rule number 1 than a dark cloud of death fade to black- and if you do fade out- go naturally.
bad fade to black:usual suspects
resident evil
natural:pan's labyrinth
e.t.-note how it fades to a similar color not just black.
alternative:seven samurai - uses supportive imagery to create a speration between focal image and dark background.
3-composition. find a focal point, focal image. don't just drop in random images, unless they are orgonzed in a collage. Also cropping can be good, but it can also be real dirty.
bad composition (two equal size focal images, not integrated, evenly spaced, no focus:
spirited away
the big lebowski- sometmes, less is more, but sometimes, you don't have a good focal image to work with, then you need to collage it up...
good collage:
serenity-good use of the old "photo-trick", soemthing I used far too often I admit when in a pinch:grease
bad cropping:rescue dawn
license to wed
good close up cropping: the good, the bad, and the ugly
finding nemo
closer
bourne ultimatum
underworld- can't go wrong with a good cropping of the eyes, just avoid showing the nostols, too much face and it looks uncomfortable.
4- contrast. A simple adjustment of contrast can make dull images more powerful and professional.
5- source image quality. If the image isn't good, don;'t use it. banners are to enhance.
criminal:back to the future
surf's up- this is an animated film there are tons of clear images to choose from.
6- sometimes a good screen is your best friend ...(to make up for bad source images)being john malkovich
Now these banners are not easy to make, hopefully these tenets will help any would be banner makers out there interested in the business. Good luck, and good banner making!
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