Barbed wire is one of those eye-catching subjects to a book cover photographer, like doors or water. The attraction is that the simple shapes and form provide something which is instantly recognisable and very graphic.
First up is a lensbaby shot, post processed with a layer to give the sky a slight red tone. All very melodramatic!
Same processing here but the shadows were allowed to fade to darkness using the ‘levels’ tool in Photoshop.
Same location as number one but with the worn fencepost included in silhouette.
This is a ‘straight’ shot of some trapped plastic caught against the barbed wire on a windy day.
Finally just some security fencing plus a layer – which was a picture of a worn notice board just yards away.
As always these shots are taken for the book cover market, and all comments, critiques and questions are welcome.
Thanks for looking – hope you like them and they give you some creative ideas for your photography.
28mmf2 
I thought immediately of tangled intrigue strong crime novels when I saw the top images! Great work!
Thanks Marie – it’s often on crime/thriller covers just because it’s so instantly recognisable and dramatic.
Really strong imagery – it is inspiring and helping me attune myself for the book cover market, thanks.
Pleased you find it useful – simple graphic shapes which instantly convey some emotion/activity (with some ‘copy space’ for title and author) are usually the ones which sell. Good luck with the project – have you decided on an agency yet?
Thanks, yes will try for Arcangel & Trevillion (second time) I get the images together then I think no, not good enough and think again, not going to rush it this time.
Powerful images – I find the first three silohuettes especially intriguing. Great ideas for book covers!
The symbolism of barbed wire is pretty much universal as it really only has one function, I could see these being book covers (esp the last) thank you for including a brief description of how you edited the photos as well.