Book Covers
I was informed today of another two book covers I can add to my name. One of the books is La Tour de Malvent by Gilbert Bordes. The cover can be seen below. This cover is taken from a photograph I took of Roche Rock (A print of which hangs in my hall) taken a mile from my then home in Cornwall. This hermitage and chapel dates back to the 12th century and was used as a location in the Hollywood Film, Omen III – The Final Conflict. It’s an interesting place to visit and has a lot of history and folklore surrounding it. Having been there before first light for a dawn shoot, I can testify it’s not somewhere you really want to visit, in the dark, on your own. The imagination really does start to do overtime. :-)
The other, Ildarnet by S. K. Tremayne is to be published in Denmark and I do not have a copy of that cover yet. However, it is the same image that was used for my first ever book cover. The photograph, one of my favourites of all time, I’ve included below. This picture has been incredibly good to me. Regular followers of my blog will have seen it quite a few times now. This was one of the first pictures I took when I picked up a digital camera for the first time, just under four years ago.
The picture happened. It was a cold, grey, miserable day in December and for those of you who know Cornwall, you’ll know just how miserable that can be. However, I’d ordered myself a Christmas present from Amazon. I had my shiny new Nikon D7000 and I was going to get out there and take pictures regardless of the weather..
As it turned out, I was in the right place at the right time. The conditions, that on the face of it were not particularly promising, proved to be perfect. As I was setting up my tripod on the sand, a shaft of sunlight broke through the heavy cloud, hit the engine house and I had my picture. I’ve been chasing such conditions ever since. This is why it’s so important to just get out there and take pictures. The more pictures you take the better. You just never know when you’re going to be in the right place at the right time to capture that special image.
If you’re considering joining an agency to make your pictures available for things like book covers, check the small print. Make sure that you know what you’re signing up for and what rights you might be signing away.
Cornwall Photographic 
Congratulations!
October 3, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Thank you Joanne! :-)
October 3, 2016 at 5:39 pm
Great stuff. Wonderful light and composition in this photo too.
October 3, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Thank you Paula. :-)
October 3, 2016 at 7:06 pm
What fantastic news to have on a Monday morning ChillB … double congratulations in order ! I’ll raise a glass to that .. right now :-)
Your advice is so sound .. get out there .. take pictures .. review .. and go out and take some more . Always take a camera .. sooner or later the light /time/ composition/and feeling that yes – that’s it – will happen . It may not be often enough for our liking, but it really is a sweet moment when it does.
I’m not suprised your Wheal Coates photograph has been so sought after x
October 3, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Thank you Poppy! That was a nice email to receive that’s for sure. Yep, take pictures. Lots of them, it’s the only way! It will happen when everything conspires to give you the opportunity to capture that image. Chapel Porth being the place it is was not difficult to revisit over and over. Ironic though that this image happened on my first ever visit. :-) x
October 3, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Congratulation you deserve it..Always magnificent photography.
October 3, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Thank you very much Lou! :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:53 am
Congratulations for the well-deserved recognition of the power of your photos.
As for the advice, I agree. I considered Joining a few stock places, but unless you land a lot of volume, you’re not making much. Plus, of course, I don’t exactly shoot fine art stuff.
October 3, 2016 at 7:48 pm
Thank you Emilio! Much appreciated. :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:53 am
How wonderful! Congratulations, Adrian. You’ve sure come a very long way since you got your first digital camera. Your advice is very sound, and you certainly walk the talk. Your photos are so awesome. 👍😃
October 3, 2016 at 8:49 pm
Thank you Sylvia! Being taught at a young age how to take a manual exposure gave me a good grounding in the technical side of photography and though I didn’t take many photos back then, it was just too expensive to get film developed, it gave me a head start when I did get back to photography all those years later. :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:52 am
Congratulations! Your photos are fabulous and it’s amazing that the one that made your first book cover was one you took early on in your artistic journey. Wonderful!
October 3, 2016 at 8:57 pm
Thank you very much you kind comment. I really appreciate it! :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:49 am
Love this shot Adrian, you have come so far in a short period of time congrats.
October 3, 2016 at 9:13 pm
Thank you very much Karen. Much appreciated! :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:48 am
fantastic, congrats
October 3, 2016 at 10:04 pm
Thank you Julz! :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:48 am
Nice!!
October 3, 2016 at 11:47 pm
Thank you Debbie! :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:47 am
Awesome! Is that the old mine building they use in the Poldark series? Great drama in the image :-)
October 3, 2016 at 11:55 pm
Thank you Sarah. I’m not sure if Wheal Coates is the engine house they use in Poldark. I haven’t seen it to be honest but there are a lot of these buildings dotted around the coast so it could be anywhere. :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:47 am
I love that many are still standing! So much a part of the history of Cornwall. I shall have to try and find out the locations used in Poldark. Beautifully made series!
October 5, 2016 at 1:25 pm
They are all of course listed now Sarah. Absolutely such an iconic Cornish image. :-)
October 5, 2016 at 4:18 pm
Most belonging to the National Trust now I see! Our heritage is precious and as structures they just fit so well with the natural landscape :-) So I think it is one of the ones used in the BBC Poldark series! Found this locations link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/nbVFGmB7lFVmJJKpjrCQV/poldarks-cornwall-locations
October 5, 2016 at 11:48 pm
Yes that’s definitely Wheal Coates Sarah. One of my favourite shooting locations. To get the shot I took, you really have to watch the tides. Only during a spring tide is the tide low enough to expose the beach in this way and allow you to get round the corner of the cliff and get this particular angle on the engine house. The first time I visited and got this picture, it was complete luck that there was an ultra low tide and I happened to be there at the right time. On many other occasions I wasn’t! :-)
October 6, 2016 at 7:55 am
I can see why it’s a favourite location and also why the mighty Beeb chose it too! Wow, they must have had some fun filming with the awkward tides ;-) I often think that some things are just meant to be. You were clearly meant to be on that beach at exactly the right time on exactly that day to start your new path in photography :-D
October 6, 2016 at 10:50 pm
I think so too Sarah! Thank you :-)
October 7, 2016 at 7:47 am
That’s great news, and well deserved, about the book covers. But what an interesting story, about your start – nothing gradual there! Thanks for telling us about it, and with that first image, it all makes a good story!
October 4, 2016 at 1:30 am
Thank you very much Lynn! I was lucky in that I had a camera given to me on my 13th birthday and of course in those days, everything was manual. I had an external light meter and I was taught by my Dad how to take a correct exposure. I didn’t continue with photography much beyond a year or so. It was very expensive to get films developed and my pocket money didn’t allow for lots of photographs. I always maintained an interest though, I just didn’t get back to it until I was forced to give up work because of my MS and I wanted something to do. Having that early grounding in the technical side of photography gave me a flying start. :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:45 am
Congratulations! :-)
October 4, 2016 at 1:49 am
Thank you very much Nil! :-)
October 4, 2016 at 7:39 am
Well done. Congratulations.
October 4, 2016 at 3:21 am
Thank you very much Mr Dragon!
October 4, 2016 at 7:39 am
Wooow, congratulations, once again, dear Adrian!! Faboulus news, we’re so happy for you! It’s a phantastic capture and to see your photos on the cover brings us lots of bright smiles. :-)
I’m smiling anyway, on my way to the airport and Norfolk, now … Will get in touch later.
Hanne x
October 4, 2016 at 7:23 am
Me again. I’m seriously thinking about the Sony A7 RII and what you recommended. What makes me hesistant though, is that I’m afraid all my costly Nikon gear will start collecting dust … Am I on the wrong track? ;-)
Hanne x
October 4, 2016 at 7:26 am
Hi Hanne,
I don’t think you’re on the wrong track. I think you’ll still find yourself using your D800. It’s just there are occasions when you want to get out the tripod and set everything up but there are other times when there are photographs to be had but you don’t want to be bothered with carrying so much heavy gear around. In these circumstances, the Sony is perfect.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a great flight! Take care and catch up later. :-)x
October 4, 2016 at 7:39 am
Thank you, Adrian. I might do so.:-)
X
October 8, 2016 at 2:56 pm
:-) x
October 9, 2016 at 8:30 am
Congratulations on both covers. Interesting that a series entitled “Treasures of France” is using a cover photo of an English chapel!
October 4, 2016 at 10:50 am
Thank you Bunty! That is interesting isn’t it? Who knows what is in the publisher’s mind here. I guess my image suited their pre-conceived notion and they were not going to let fact interfere with their vision. Having a french name myself might just have helped in completing the illusion. :-)
October 4, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Congratulations with two more covers. And the photos are fantastic, which I would expect from you. And, yes, you are right, if we are not out there,we won’t get those photos. You never know what you are gonna get. :-)
October 4, 2016 at 4:43 pm
Thank you Otto! As you know only too well, even when we really don’t feel like it, there is absolutely no substitute for just getting out there with our cameras and taking photos. Even if we end up throwing them all away, it doesn’t matter. We are in the digital age, we can indulge ourselves and we have very powerful software that allows us to pull a photograph from the weakest of beginnings, given a decent composition. The more photographs we take, the better we become. :-)
October 4, 2016 at 6:47 pm
It used to be that we had to take 10.000 photos before we would become good. In the digital era where we shoot so much, it’s become more like 10.000 hours needed to become good. :-)
October 5, 2016 at 1:01 pm
I think you are right Otto. Things have definitely changed in the digital era. I’ve gone from not being able to afford to get my 24 images processed from a 35mm film as a 13 year old boy to having just unlimited opportunities to take pictures and enjoy the process. Of course when working in film, the mindset is different. Each image absolutely has to count. With digital, we can afford to be playful, experiment and really find out who we are as photographers. I think 10,000 hours feels about right. Of course out of profligacy comes discipline as we progress but how nice it is to be able to just keep pressing that shutter! :-)
October 5, 2016 at 4:17 pm
I can only agree to that. :-)
October 5, 2016 at 7:21 pm
:-)
October 6, 2016 at 7:50 am
Congratulations, Adrians. The picture is great.
October 4, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Thank you Isabel! Much appreciated! :-)
October 5, 2016 at 10:07 am
Wonderful piece and very worthy of covers ~ what an honor that must be, and congratulations. Nothing quite like getting out there and shooting, and I think you are a perfect example of the photographer finding the shot :-)
October 5, 2016 at 4:21 am
Thank you very much Randall. Going into a bookshop and seeing your work on the cover of a best seller feels pretty good I have to confess and yes, the key is just getting out there with the camera as you know yourself. Learning by doing and doing lots is what it’s all about! :-)
October 5, 2016 at 10:10 am
It must be an amazing feeling, very cool. Also, totally agree ~ getting out there an doing it is the best way to learn. :-) Continue the success and keep shooting Adrian!
October 6, 2016 at 2:55 am
I will indeed Randall. Thank you very much! :-)
October 6, 2016 at 7:56 am
Both of these are images to haunt the imagination. They make me want to BE THERE. They would also tempt me to pick up those books, if I were to see them on the shelf (well, if they were translated into English, anyway). Congratulations on the book covers!
October 5, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Thank you very much! It was easy enough to get hold of the first book featuring one of my photographs. I think these are going to be a little harder to get hold of but I’d like a copy just the same! :-)
October 5, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Fantastic news Adrian, thoroughly deserved. If you don’t mind me asking, what agent do you use then?
October 7, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Hi Mark, thanks to the advice I received from Rob Lambert who has a blog 28mmf2, I joined Arcangel. They specialise mainly in book covers, album covers and the like. They’re a small enough agency that you don’t simply disappear when you sign up yet they have huge clout and respect in the publishing industry. Their website is http://www.arcangel.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=Homepage and the procedure for auditioning for want of a better word should be there.
October 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Thanks mate….I’ll check them out
October 7, 2016 at 4:45 pm
You’re welcome Mark! Good luck with it! :-)
October 8, 2016 at 8:53 am
A fond “hello” from across the pond. How delightful to see you in the spotlight again! Very much earned and deserved! The cover is gorgeous! You are a gift to all of us with your encouragement and willingness to share your expertise. Sincere wishes for your continued success on this beautiful journey… Vivian
October 8, 2016 at 4:07 pm
Dear Vivian,
How lovely to hear from you and thank you so much for your lovely comment. It is nice when one’s work is recognised but it is the journey that’s important and I’m thoroughly enjoying what I do. I think that’s probably the most important piece of the puzzle. Thank you once again.
My very best wishes
Adrian :-)
October 9, 2016 at 8:30 am
Wow
October 9, 2016 at 8:30 am
Thank you! :-)
October 9, 2016 at 8:31 am
Congratulations Adrian!
October 10, 2016 at 7:29 pm
Thank you very much! :-)
October 11, 2016 at 9:48 am
Congratulations Adrian. I remember that second image and it is always worth seeing again. The light is superb. Your visual journey over the past four years has been quite extraordinary and I congratulate you on that as well.
October 11, 2016 at 8:26 am
Thank you very much Andy. I really appreciate that. The last four years has been quite a journey and a very enjoyable one! :-)
October 11, 2016 at 9:47 am
Congratulations on book cover…great photos…
October 13, 2016 at 8:12 am
Thank you very much indeed! :-)
November 7, 2016 at 9:18 am
Congratulations – both beautiful images!
… and you’re right – you have to be out there to stand any chance of being in the right place at the right time. I wish I could get out there more often! :(
November 2, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Thank you Noeline. Sorry for the late reply to your comment. Three and a half weeks away without the Internet! Didn’t think I could survive but it’s been a really pleasant break from everything. I’m sorry you’re not getting out as much as you would like to take pictures. I didn’t do that much photography whilst away. I’m not hugely inspired photographically by flat blue skies and sunshine but it makes me feel great to get out in the sun. It’s been a bit of a shock coming from 27 degrees to -3 though! :-)
November 7, 2016 at 9:22 am