[HELP] Which cover art to use ?

[DarkCrinkle]

Hii! It's me, Crinkle

I need help in choosing the best cover for my story : FIXated

Right now, the story has a temp art cover - it's my random ah banner and the dimensions are wrong ! Making it pixelated and scrunched up.

Currently, I have two options to choose, but my indecisive bum cannot.
Perhaps.... in the eyes of the viewers, shall do the verdict.

These are still under base coloring.... Just need opinions on which POV is a better cover for audience or the story itself. Will render stuff once its final


Story's Quick Blurb: New guy attends school to look for his childhood friend, gets caught by the bad girl's attention.
Genre: Mature, Horror Erotica, Smut, Dark Romance, School Slice of Life
Themes : Obsession, Blackmail, Bullying, BDSM, Coercion, Dark Psychological



OPTION 1
FIRST COVER : Main Protagonist Focus

This was my first vision for the cover, and I wanted to stick with the idea of him being watched from a far but he doesn't know. I am planning to make the background pop more with lighting and shadows for better visuals.
Supposedly, it was a phone camera aiming at him, but then second idea for the cover came in.

Spoiler: First Cover Option

OPTION 2
SECOND COVER : The Woman Doing Finger Cam Shiz

Okay, I came up with this one after watching some random ah Vocaloid song - Hacking Your Heart. It inspired me to make this which kinda fits the vibes of the story and her personality, but this one doesn't really shows the protagonist, but the antagonist, so I am not sure.

Spoiler: Second Cover Option

I had variations for this one like censors over her eyes/lips for mysterious effect but Grok told me this is better Lemme know if you wanna check it out.


Please comment down below your thoughts or opinions about your choice or both in general!

 

[Madkins]

Green eyed girl, but I'm an atypical dude. If you want a huge audience probably do the opposite of what I do lol

 

[TheKillingAlice]

I'd say the second choice fits better. While yes, it would make sense to show what is likely to be the protagonist in a setting that fits a scene, more or less, it still lacks emotion and seems bland. At least, the girl shows emotion.
That's beside the point, but girls on covers to grant you more readers on this site. But well, since I don't go for that, I can't tell if this specific picture would do the trick - it's more about girls with as much skin showing as possible in accordance with the site's ruleset.

On another note: Text that is too far up or too far down will "leave the frame" in the eyes of the viewer. Don't glue the title to the roof.

 

[great_sloth]

Second cuz there's a cute girl.

 

[pangmida]

Second cover for me! Definitely has a more intriguing look in my opinion. Plus, covers are small on this website. You can see the zoomed in face better.

And your original one is so cute! Since the dimension doesn't fit as a cover, you can consider using that as your signature image on forums to link to your story.

 

[EdwinLovato]

Second one man, she have bad girl aura, hahaha. suit for your genre.

 

[DarkCrinkle]

I'd say the second choice fits better. While yes, it would make sense to show what is likely to be the protagonist in a setting that fits a scene, more or less, it still lacks emotion and seems bland. At least, the girl shows emotion.
That's beside the point, but girls on covers to grant you more readers on this site. But well, since I don't go for that, I can't tell if this specific picture would do the trick - it's more about girls with as much skin showing as possible in accordance with the site's ruleset.

On another note: Text that is too far up or too far down will "leave the frame" in the eyes of the viewer. Don't glue the title to the roof.

You got a point. I may have come across a couple of threads/comments bout having girls as cover gives more attraction. And... yes XD I have been debating how to place the title/text will adjust em. Ty

Second cover for me! Definitely has a more intriguing look in my opinion. Plus, covers are small on this website. You can see the zoomed in face better.

And your original one is so cute! Since the dimension doesn't fit as a cover, you can consider using that as your signature image on forums to link to your story.

Oooh! I guess I agree on that. even I struggled drawing the dude from a distance without turning him to pixels, so I guess it goes way smol.
And... Thanks for your suggestion btw! I am quite clueless on how forums work but I figured out the signatures noww yay!

Lemme know if its a good signature size or wut I have no idea how smol it shud be