Situation: I'm helping a friend (the girl in the photo) in a personal assignment as a photographer. It is a book of self-writen article about herself, which she might use it to impress people in the future. We were done with all photos except one: the front cover. I can't decide which one to recommend her. With her permission, I posted three photos here, which I liked most.
Question: Which one out of the three photo is best for the front cover?

The title = "En Mémoire" ("in memory of" in French)
Content = Important childhood memories of her that shaped her today. She always thought most part of her died during the transitions, and she miss them. So, as a new her, she wants to preserve the memory of the old her in articles, before heading off for the future and risk forgetting them forever.

#1


#2


#3

anymore? why all monochrome one? use some colour la....

Turned it all into black and white on her request. Fit her theme more (chasing childhood/other memories in articles), and cheaper in printing cost she said =x

Only took these 3 for the front cover purpose.

if so...i will vote for 3rd pic....looks more confident....and ready to strike for the future...eye staring at the basketball net, eyeong for goal...

Noted. Thanks

I prefer 3rd photo too, bcos
#1 has that grass right in the middle of the frame, and the face not bright enough?
#2 is a bit too dark
#3 "Looking at Infinity" style pose

IMO,
Pic #1 which has the 'feel'.

Pic #3 nice post, but the angle a bit weird

Hmm... I'd suggest you tell her to take more shots.

among the 3, i'll pick #3. the awkard part of #3 would be the beams coming out of her body. however the nice part is how she look at the net's direction, sorta like having a goal in life.

#2 - problem is it like doesn't have any meaning or feel to it.
#1 - some ideas there, but the lalang spoils it. and WTH is a notebook by the lake going to mean?

but I'm sure it can be better. if she plans to make her shot into monochrome as such, please choose a better set of clothing so it doesn't blend into the background.

what you see on screen is one thing, and how is it when printed?

3rd shot seems good, but a better implementation would be better. Getting a vantage point with no trees and that ugly apartment block would be nice with a low F value to keep the face a tad bit soft soft, but the hoop sharp. Reinforces the impression of a goal orientated person.

Don't take my opinion too seriously, i don't shoot these kinds of scenes too often.

#3 is good but not a front cover picture. I suggest taking more shots.

I don't know... all of the photos look flat to me. None of them are interesting to be the front cover.

I suggest that a front cover could be a close up, more to the face.

And as suggested by others, take more shots.

Between the 3 shots I'd choose #3 as well.

You might also want to consider the shape and size of the book. The size of photo chosen must look 'ngam' so not much cropping will affect the subject and background/foreground.

3rd photo can be improvised. right now it looks like a rod is coming right out from her head.

out of all...#3 is d best...
look more like a post...
#1 n #2 look unnatural...

Also if you're going to use a whole pic for the front cover, you also need to plan where u gonna put the text (title, etc)

dude...3rd seemed to be the best but still doesn't seem fit for a front cover...maybe can try shooting summore...just my 2 cents

go take more photo of her...
i dont think any of the picture fits to be in the front page..
so, i wont pick any of the 3 picture u posted..

p/s: btw, the 3rd picture doesnt seems like she is looking at the basketball ring, but more like she look lost... thats what i thing..

If she want to write a book about herself that will give people good impression her, do not pose with an upset or depressed look, it just wont do it. Hence, avoid pose such as #2.

Pose like #3 is fine, it looks confident, but the picture is just not right.

#3 is good.....i like the angle.

I agree with the rest that you might need to reconsider taking more photos of her.

Most of the pictures here do tell a certain story but there are just too many distractions.

First picture is ok but the lalang spoils it, also the background doesn't really do much. I suggest blurring out the background (houses and trees behind the lake). Also avoid the lalang.

For the second picture, it looks clearner but try to not let the horizon line cut through her head.

Third picture, I like the pose but the tree and light lamp is really distracting. How about you position her on the other side of the hoop and shoot with the same low angle and have just the sky so that she would be the key focus of the image. Also like what goldfries said, the beams are shooting out from her head.

i chose #3 ... fits her theme of chasing childhood/other memories in articles

I pick #2

The only vertical shot which gonna fit for the cover unless she plans to print the book in landscape's orientation.

Front cover very important. So my opinion :- (No offense please)

#1. The best if can PP all those lalang away. Attire, face and big glasses look OK.

#2. Can be use, if her stories is like.....those women with big glasses photograph together with Michael Chong.

#3. Lara croft?
a) But Lara wear white shirt with short pant not jeans during basketball games. Shoot lower with short pant may swift attention from broad waist
b) Look at her right Robocop hand but can PP anyway.
c) Unicorn should also need to PP away same goes to building but how about Lamp post? Flood lamp need to be clone away.

All sifus said is correct, this 3 photo do not impress as front cover photo.

I think better to reshoot...

Something is missing... i dunno what. but like no that "OoOo"

To me, the cover must represent the content of the book. Not just merely a photo of her.

Yup soulfly is true...

What the title anyway?

Thanks everyone for the input. I learned something new everyday in here from you guys. xD

After a quick discussion with her, she agreed to take more photos the next day. Thanks again everyone!

Yes tell all sifus here briefly the content of the book so the catwalks sifus here can tell what to wear, how and what background to shot.

The title = "En Mémoire" ("in memory of" in French)
Content = Important childhood memories of her that shaped her today. She always thought most part of her died during the transitions, and she miss them. So, as a new her, she wants to preserve the memory of the old her in articles, before heading off for the future and risk forgetting them forever.

Updated in the first post as well.