What’s with cutting off guys faces?

[Mr Slow]

I get that when you are trying to fit 4 faces onto an album cover it can be a bit challenging, but some of these are pretty ordinary. DYNASTY is particularly perplexing because they were going for “THIS IS KISS” kinda vibe.

[Spaceace2000ric]

Always thought Dynasty was odd that the faces are chopped off.

[Bruce]

Part of it may be that it makes you look twice, when you see it. Like something seems 'off' about it, as you try to figure out why. Eric Carr's getting scrunched in the corner on the Asylum cover, especially.

But when its photagrsphy, its usually to do with not having very much of a choice about it, it seems like. If Dynasty had pulled back to show everyone's complete and total head, the image would start losing visual interest. Kind of the same way when your online shopping and you always get entire image of the thing your looking at.

Its boring, because there's nothing unusual or unexpected about it. Its function over form for utilitarian value. Cropping an image adds visual intetest because it's contrary, in a way. Its showing you what you want to see, rather than how you want to see it.

[Mr Slow]

Always thought Dynasty was odd that the faces are chopped off.

Yeah especially when they added that grey border. It would have been cool to just have the faces with no border or logos at all. Making the statement that the whole world knows who they are because of their faces, they don’t need the band name on there.

[Tito]

Always thought Dynasty was odd that the faces are chopped off.

Yeah especially when they added that grey border. It would have been cool to just have the faces with no border or logos at all. Making the statement that the whole world knows who they are because of their faces, they don’t need the band name on there.

Totally. That would've been great.

[Mr Slow]

Part of it may be that it makes you look twice, when you see it. Like something seems 'off' about it, as you try to figure out why. Eric Carr's getting scrunched in the corner on the Asylum cover, especially.

But when its photagrsphy, its usually to do with not having very much of a choice about it, it seems like. If Dynasty had pulled back to show everyone's complete and total head, the image would start losing visual interest. Kind of the same way when your online shopping and you always get entire image of the thing your looking at.

Its boring, because there's nothing unusual or unexpected about it. Its function over form for utilitarian value. Cropping an image adds visual intetest because it's contrary, in a way. Its showing you what you want to see, rather than how you want to see it.

I get what you’re saying. It’s definitely more artsy than just the 4 faces (see my previous post) but in the case of DYNASTY they were really trying to make the statement that they were unified after rumours of them splitting up because of the solo records. So I think it needed to have that equality to it.

[Bruce]

The thing with anything art related is that there are a hundred different ways to present sonething and they are all "right." Unfortunately, most of the album covers the band used are just OK, in my opinion. I guess you just get to that point where you start saying, "I just want to get it done," precisely because there are so many options. I'm sure it can get overwhelming, if you let it ...

[Spaceace2000ric]

Always thought Dynasty was odd that the faces are chopped off.

Yeah especially when they added that grey border. It would have been cool to just have the faces with no border or logos at all. Making the statement that the whole world knows who they are because of their faces, they don’t need the band name on there.

Would have looked great like that, I agree it would be better without the border.

[Nellcote71]

I get that when you are trying to fit 4 faces onto an album cover it can be a bit challenging, but some of these are pretty ordinary. DYNASTY is particularly perplexing because they were going for “THIS IS KISS” kinda vibe.

It’s called cropping and it’s done for a reason

[Soylent Gene]

Always thought Dynasty was odd that the faces are chopped off.

Yeah especially when they added that grey border. It would have been cool to just have the faces with no border or logos at all. Making the statement that the whole world knows who they are because of their faces, they don’t need the band name on there.

I do like it better without the border but it needs the logo.

[torgotheme]

Maximum impact. KISS is in-your face, not "you can buy this album if you feel like it."

[Kissologist]

Thay hate chins

[FlamingRuth]

Thay hate chins

They're not crazy about scalps and foreheads either.

I actually didn't realize how many album covers had the chopped off faces until Mr. Slow posted them all together like that.

[FlyingInA747]

Dynasty is such a horrible photo. Everyone looks so awkward and the lighting is so harsh that the makeup looks cheap and shiny.

[His Majesty]

Thay hate chins

They're not crazy about scalps and foreheads either.

I actually didn't realize how many album covers had the chopped off faces until Mr. Slow posted them all together like that.

KISS. Whatta band. They take it on the chin and keep on keepin on.

[Mr Slow]

I get that when you are trying to fit 4 faces onto an album cover it can be a bit challenging, but some of these are pretty ordinary. DYNASTY is particularly perplexing because they were going for “THIS IS KISS” kinda vibe.

It’s called cropping and it’s done for a reason

And that reason is...?
You can’t even respond to a thread like this without being brash. Unbelievable!

[AceBishop]

I think they cropped it to achieve impact - an in-you-face effect. The viewing experience of the make-up is more intense when you get closer. I get why they did it. It works very well. Just compare it to the uncropped version in this thread. The result is too much dead space (black) around the faces.

[Nellcote71]

I get that when you are trying to fit 4 faces onto an album cover it can be a bit challenging, but some of these are pretty ordinary. DYNASTY is particularly perplexing because they were going for “THIS IS KISS” kinda vibe.

It’s called cropping and it’s done for a reason

And that reason is...?
You can’t even respond to a thread like this without being brash. Unbelievable!

Slow - you’re the same one that posted the Alive II layout thing, right? You kept trying to center everything. You obviously don’t understand graphic design/layout. Many of the covers you posted in this thread were cropped to make the image more cohesive as they were closeups. I wasn’t trying to be brash/rude - just saying they cropped them that way on purpose.

[highvoltage1969]

Always thought Dynasty was odd that the faces are chopped off.

Yeah especially when they added that grey border. It would have been cool to just have the faces with no border or logos at all. Making the statement that the whole world knows who they are because of their faces, they don’t need the band name on there.

You need to consider the four individual images as one single unit, there's no need for all the negative space on your variant, the extra space above Paul's head is especially off putting.

[Spiritual_Chaos]

For having a famous expensive photographer, the Dynasty cover is the most boring unexciting band shot I have ever seen.

[Nellcote71]

For having a famous expensive photographer, the Dynasty cover is the most boring unexciting band shot I have ever seen.

In hindsight it’s easy to shit on the Dynasty cover when you know they had that iconic straight jacket photo that they could have used.
I think the 4 faces cover was a way of bringing together the solo album covers. I remember at he time the cover was kind of a head scratcher - regardless it was definitely “in your face”

[Doose]

It's kind of like people take selfies holding the camera 4 feet above their head so they look thinner.

[Mr Slow]

I think they cropped it to achieve impact - an in-you-face effect. The viewing experience of the make-up is more intense when you get closer. I get why they did it. It works very well. Just compare it to the uncropped version in this thread. The result is too much dead space (black) around the faces.

I don’t know about that. To me, the edited version has more impact. I don’t hate the DYNASTY cover like some here seem to, but I do find it odd that they were going for a unified theme after the uncertainty of the solo records and they chop off a portion of 3 of the 4 members.

[Zorro8]

At least Gene still knew how to apply his make-up on Dynasty

[KISSFACE]

I’d like to see an uncropped version of the Asylum cover photo or photos, i’d like to play around with some alternatives. I wish the final crop wasn’t so extreme. I’ve seen some prints where the blade was far enough off the intended cutting line that Eric doesn’t even have a mouth!

[Glasgow Kiss]

It's kind of like people take selfies holding the camera 4 feet above their head so they look thinner.

Noticed a couple of people trying to do a bit of artful camera placement during work conference calls to try and hide the fact they've put on a fuckton of weight over lockdown. Not fooling anybody...there's even a name for it.

The Elephant in the Zoom.

[Nellcote71]

I think they cropped it to achieve impact - an in-you-face effect. The viewing experience of the make-up is more intense when you get closer. I get why they did it. It works very well. Just compare it to the uncropped version in this thread. The result is too much dead space (black) around the faces.

I don’t know about that. To me, the edited version has more impact. I don’t hate the DYNASTY cover like some here seem to, but I do find it odd that they were going for a unified theme after the uncertainty of the solo records and they chop off a portion of 3 of the 4 members.

The edited photo loses it’s cohesiveness/composition zoomed out. Paul’s head is cropped too - it just doesn’t register like Genes because of Paul’s bangs.

[Mr Slow]

I think they cropped it to achieve impact - an in-you-face effect. The viewing experience of the make-up is more intense when you get closer. I get why they did it. It works very well. Just compare it to the uncropped version in this thread. The result is too much dead space (black) around the faces.

I don’t know about that. To me, the edited version has more impact. I don’t hate the DYNASTY cover like some here seem to, but I do find it odd that they were going for a unified theme after the uncertainty of the solo records and they chop off a portion of 3 of the 4 members.

The edited photo loses it’s cohesiveness/composition zoomed out. Paul’s head is cropped too - it just doesn’t register like Genes because of Paul’s bangs.

True but I’m thinking more about their faces than their whole heads. Paul’s entire face is there, but the other 3 have a bit cropped out.

[sneed78]

The only one that really ever bothered me was the Asylum cover... at times you couldn’t even see Eric’s green lips... which should’ve been orange in the first place.

[Nellcote71]

I think they cropped it to achieve impact - an in-you-face effect. The viewing experience of the make-up is more intense when you get closer. I get why they did it. It works very well. Just compare it to the uncropped version in this thread. The result is too much dead space (black) around the faces.

I don’t know about that. To me, the edited version has more impact. I don’t hate the DYNASTY cover like some here seem to, but I do find it odd that they were going for a unified theme after the uncertainty of the solo records and they chop off a portion of 3 of the 4 members.

The edited photo loses it’s cohesiveness/composition zoomed out. Paul’s head is cropped too - it just doesn’t register like Genes because of Paul’s bangs.

True but I’m thinking more about their faces than their whole heads. Paul’s entire face is there, but the other 3 have a bit cropped out.

I know what you’re saying. Regardless - the Staightjacket photo (even blacked out) - was so cool and iconic. Even some of those superhero/Dynasty promo group shots would have been cool. As would another LG styled painting with the Dynasty costumes.

I think the 4 faces shot was a big miss in hindsight - but I get the idea to get those four iconic makeup designs front and center. I believe Dennis W even went so far to say that the Dynasty cover wasn’t fully realized the way he originally envisioned - and he was imagining something more along the lines of Creatures...

[Dr Borgo]

You could see that album cover, and know exactly who it was, from anywhere in the record store back in the day. I always figured that was the reason for having the faces so large.

[Mr Slow]

You could see that album cover, and know exactly who it was, from anywhere in the record store back in the day. I always figured that was the reason for having the faces so large.

Yeah for sure. That was the beauty of the makeup. You might mix up Supertramp with Lynyrd Skynyrd in the 70’s, Ratt with Warrant in the 80’s or Pearl Jam with Alice In Chains in the 90’s but in 1979 you’re not confusing KISS with anybody!

[sneed78]

I think they cropped it to achieve impact - an in-you-face effect. The viewing experience of the make-up is more intense when you get closer. I get why they did it. It works very well. Just compare it to the uncropped version in this thread. The result is too much dead space (black) around the faces.

I don’t know about that. To me, the edited version has more impact. I don’t hate the DYNASTY cover like some here seem to, but I do find it odd that they were going for a unified theme after the uncertainty of the solo records and they chop off a portion of 3 of the 4 members.

The edited photo loses it’s cohesiveness/composition zoomed out. Paul’s head is cropped too - it just doesn’t register like Genes because of Paul’s bangs.

True but I’m thinking more about their faces than their whole heads. Paul’s entire face is there, but the other 3 have a bit cropped out.

I know what you’re saying. Regardless - the Staightjacket photo (even blacked out) - was so cool and iconic. Even some of those superhero/Dynasty promo group shots would have been cool. As would another LG styled painting with the Dynasty costumes.

[Nellcote71]

I think they cropped it to achieve impact - an in-you-face effect. The viewing experience of the make-up is more intense when you get closer. I get why they did it. It works very well. Just compare it to the uncropped version in this thread. The result is too much dead space (black) around the faces.

I don’t know about that. To me, the edited version has more impact. I don’t hate the DYNASTY cover like some here seem to, but I do find it odd that they were going for a unified theme after the uncertainty of the solo records and they chop off a portion of 3 of the 4 members.

The edited photo loses it’s cohesiveness/composition zoomed out. Paul’s head is cropped too - it just doesn’t register like Genes because of Paul’s bangs.

True but I’m thinking more about their faces than their whole heads. Paul’s entire face is there, but the other 3 have a bit cropped out.

I know what you’re saying. Regardless - the Staightjacket photo (even blacked out) - was so cool and iconic. Even some of those superhero/Dynasty promo group shots would have been cool. As would another LG styled painting with the Dynasty costumes.

Kiss always copied the stones. Like Love Gun mimics IORNR (both front and back). The dynasty photo you posted rips off a 76 Stones European poster